In the NFL, nothing gets a crowd on its feet quite like a running back bursting through a hole and taking it to the house. While quarterbacks might steal the spotlight, these backs were the engines that powered their teams—and the nightmares that kept opposing defenses up at night.
Whether it was their speed, strength, vision, or sheer determination, these running backs had that special something every franchise covets. From legends of the past to modern-day stars, here are 20 backs that every team would’ve killed to have in their backfield.
20. Ricky Williams
He had the power of a fullback and the vision of a chess master. Off-field choices aside, his talent was undeniable and endlessly intriguing.
19. Saquon Barkley
When healthy, he’s a walking highlight reel with legs like tree trunks and moves like a wideout. Barkley’s rare blend of strength and agility made him an instant fan favorite.
18. Clinton Portis
With his flashy persona and even flashier footwork, Portis made Sundays a show. He was as consistent as he was explosive.
17. Fred Taylor
Quietly, one of the most underrated backs of his era, Taylor excelled in every aspect of the game. He may not have made headlines, but he sure made first downs.
16. Shaun Alexander
For a stretch, he was nearly unstoppable, racking up touchdowns like it was a hobby. His vision and nose for the end zone were elite.
15. Christian McCaffrey
A modern do-it-all back, McCaffrey could hurt you in so many ways. Whether catching passes or slicing through defenses, he demanded attention.
14. Edgerrin James
He made life easier for Peyton Manning and stressed out every defensive coordinator. James brought style, speed, and substance to the position.
13. Marcus Allen
He had longevity, versatility, and a knack for showing up when it mattered most. Allen’s game aged like fine wine.
12. Tiki Barber
Once he cleaned up the fumbles, he became a true dual-threat dynamo. Barber had some of the best footwork the game has seen.
11. Terrell Davis
He didn’t need a long career to make a lasting impact. Davis was the heartbeat of a back-to-back championship team.
10. LaDainian Tomlinson
If you blinked, he was gone. LT was a human highlight reel who transformed the Chargers into a must-watch football team.
9. Earl Campbell
Campbell was pure punishment in shoulder pads. He didn’t run around defenders—he ran through them.
8. Marshall Faulk
Faulk was a wide receiver disguised as a running back. The engine behind “The Greatest Show on Turf” could do it all.
7. Franco Harris
Harris was dependable, powerful, and always showed up in big games. The Immaculate Reception was just one of many iconic moments in the history of the NFL.
6. Tony Dorsett
With his breakaway speed and effortless glide, Dorsett was poetry in motion. He made long touchdown runs look routine.
5. Derrick Henry
Built like a linebacker but ran like a gazelle, Henry wore defenses down by the fourth quarter. Watching him stiff-arm a defender is football bliss.
4. O.J. Simpson
Before the off-field controversy, he was the NFL’s first 2,000-yard man. On the field, he was electric and nearly untouchable.
3. Adrian Peterson
You could stack the box, and still he would not stop. Peterson ran with fury, grace, and a refusal to go down.
Read More: 10 Running Backs Who Ran Angry Every Single Play
2. Barry Sanders
He made defenders miss so badly they needed therapy. Sanders was a video game in human form and walked away still at his peak.
Read More: 15 Running Backs Who Would’ve Dominated in a Zone-Read Offense
1. Walter Payton
“Sweetness” could do everything—run, catch, block, even throw when needed. He was the ultimate running back and the standard by which every other one is measured.
Read More: The 40 Best NFL Running Backs of the Modern Era
