Dillon in this backfield, but that's also helped him stay fresh and kept him in an explosive groove in Matt LaFleur's zone rushing attack. He rushed for over 1,000 yards (while averaging 5 yards per carry) for theDolphinsin 2011. 2021 stats (at Iowa State):253 carries, 1,472 rushing yards, 5.8 yards per carry, 36 receptions, 302 receiving yards, 23 total TDs. (National Football League), Green was a four-time Pro Bowl running back for the Green Bay Packers and led the NFC in rushing in 2003. (National Football League), Before there was Kurt Warner, Curt was a pretty fair running back for the Seattle Seahawks. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. And while his career was short, Wilson did set aGiantsfranchise record for total yards gained in a game when he amassed 327 yards in a 2012 win over theSaints. One of the league's best running backs during his heyday, Alexander averaged 1,500 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns per season from 2001-05. Did he reach 10,000 rush yards in his career? Craving even more NFL coverage focusing on previews, recaps, news and analysis? Ranking teams likely to land Williams in 2024 NFL Draft, Prisco's 2023 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams, Exploring Titans' options at wide receiver, Cowboys' 'ship has not sailed' on bringing back Zeke, Best post-draft fits for top-remaining NFL free agents, Ranking each RB taken in Round 1 since 2000, Prisco's draft grades for all 32 teams: Eagles ace it, Best, worst, most interesting pick for all, Winners, losers from the draft: Crafty Colts, Undrafted free agent tracker: Team-by-team list of signings, 10 veteran moves that should happen post-2023 draft, Report: Bucs star Barrett's daughter, 2, drowns in pool, NFL schedule release target date, plus 5 things we know, Steelers' draft haul one the team hadn't seen in 38 years. He does a little of everything well and gives them what's needed in the rushing and receiving game. He was a six-time Pro Bowl selection. He is currently third on the Dolphins' career rushing list, behind Williams and Csonka. Jacobs posted the best rookie season by aRaidersrunning back sinceMarcus Allen's1982 campaign. After four years in Atlanta, Duckett spent one season a piece in Washington, Detroit and Seattle. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. Top 10 Running Backs Not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame He also led the NFL in tackles on four different occasions. Jacobs seems to always need to deal with competition in both his steady rushing and receiving roles. While he has yet to receive the call to Canton,Matthews was inducted into the Browns' Ring of Honorin 2019. He spent the final two season of his career shuffling between teams before returning to Clemson, where he was recently promoted to running backs coach. He was an absolute force out of the backfield, and I witnessed Taylor's greatness firsthand in Jacksonville over my first three seasons in the league (2006-08). Ekeler had been under-appreciated for his unique receiving-forward role for Philip Rivers and Justin Herbert. With that in mind, we decided to put together a list of the 20 best NFL players who are not in the Hall of Fame. A two-time Pro Bowler, McMichael had 92.5 career sacks for Chicago, second in franchise history. Although this rumor sounds too strange to be made up, lets discuss if there is any validity to this. George was one of the most physical backs ever. Mixon had teased of a big season early in his career. George had the individual production, including seven seasons with 300-plus carries and 1,000-plus rush yards, but he also helped the Tennessee Titans reach the franchise's first Super Bowl in the modern era. He was a better receiver than he is given credit for and he was the MVP of Super Bowl XXV. The first of two Arkansas running backs taken in the first round of the 2008 draft (Felix Jones being the other), McFadden was the first former Razorback to register two 1,000-yard seasons in the NFL. Maurice Jones-Drew says yes. Definitely, but trading for him could compromise the Birds future. Though Gore's been seen in the boxing ring of late, he hasn't officially closed the door on an NFL return. He has enjoyed a career resurgence with theBuccaneers, as Tampa Bay went 7-0 with Fournette in its starting lineup during the 2020 season. Elliott is polarizing in a different way at 27. 20 in homage to Sims. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. But again, his USFL career takes away from his Pro Football Hall of Fame credentials. MORE Top 50 Players in BYU Football History Nos. Thomas Jones was an outstanding running back who had a stellar 12-year NFL career in which he rushed for over 10,000 yards. Browns RB Jim Brown | Cleveland Browns - clevelandbrowns.com The Pro Football Reference Hall of Fame Monitor (HOFm) is a metric designed to estimate a player's chances of making the Pro Football Hall of Fame using AV, Pro Bowls, All-Pros, championships, and various stat milestones. He's still special as a complete receiving-leaning back when healthy and that's why he remains in the top 10, but the lingering injury issues can't be ignored in relation to those now ranked ahead of him. Harris has operated as a reliable power back for McDaniels and he will remain the early-down and red zone back of choice in New England behind some sturdy blocking, assuming he stays in New England. Heading into the Divisional Round, Maurice Jones-Drew ranks the top 10 rushers remaining in the NFL playoffs, a list that includes three teams with two players apiece. 2023 NFL Draft: Who is the CAN'T-MISS prospect? ET on ABC), and when looking at this year's finalists list, I noticed there wasn't a single running back up for induction. A key member of the Bengals' 1981 AFC championship team, Riley returned a league-high three interceptions for touchdowns during his final two seasons. Did the player and his team have postseason success. Knee problems may ultimately keep Gurley from going down as an all-time great. 2021 stats:202 carries, 929 rushing yards, 4.6 yards per carry, 18 receptions on 21 targets, 132 receiving yards, 15 total TDs. Watters was dynamic in the 1994 run to the Super Bowl title, with a touchdown in the NFC Championship and two scores in the blowout win over the San Diego Chargers. Maurice Jones-Drew has one thought about the Cowboys' usage of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in Zeke's return: Keep it even-steven! All Rights Reserved. Spiller's career had an uphill trajectory during his first three seasons. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara), Dupree was injured for most of his pro career, the majority of which was wasted in the USFL. 25 Greatest Running Backs in NFL History - AthlonSports.com Pitta was the best tight end in college football in 2009, but the Mackey Award voters opted to give the award to Aaron Hernandez from Florida instead. Some think he's faded and lost too many steps and believe his best is buried behind him. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. He won Offensive Player of the Year as a rookie in 1996, and then made four straight Pro Bowls. Cardinals (2000-02); Buccaneers (2003); Bears (2004-06); Jets (2007-09); Chiefs (2010-11). Pro Football Reference Hall of Fame Monitor, Frequently Asked Questions about the NFL and Football, Pro-Football-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Football: Get your first month FREE. 2021 stats: 187 carries, 803 rushing yards, 4.3 yards per carry, 34 receptions on 37 targets, 313 receiving yards, 7 total TDs. Jackson joins program that produced Hall of Fame running backs Frank Gifford, O.J. He returned to put together consecutive 1,000-yard seasons that included a 1,273-yard, 13 touchdown campaign in 2010. TD. And following an unceremonious end of his tenure with the Chiefs, Johnson had largely forgettable stops in Cincinnati, Washington and Miami. The fifth-leading rusher in NFL history, Peterson is a three-time rushing champion and member of the NFL's All-2010s Team. In 12 seasons, he amassed 11,102 rush yards, 73 rush TDs and averaged a respectable 4.5 yards per carry. While he would never come close to duplicating his success of 2002, Bennett still managed to carve out a 10-year career. The Hall of Famer loses some points for being tied at the top of all running backs ever in terms of most fumbles lost. San Francisco 49ers (2005-2014), Indianapolis Colts (2015-17), Miami Dolphins (2018), Buffalo Bills (2019), New York Jets (2020). He led the league with 73 receptions in 1975. Penny, who had been an injury-riddled disappointing first-rounder in 2018, exploded down the stretch as the sudden featured workhorse, shaking off plenty of past injury issues. It was worth it as the . With Chicago also turning to a Green Bay-like rushing attack for more explosiveness, Montgomery's precarious lead role will be challenged by second-year man Khalil Herbert. Was the running back the best player at his position for a multi-year span? Taylor has been eligible for seven years now. Of the 31 runners to have done it, 16 are in the Hall and two more are locks (Adrian Peterson and Frank Gore). The five-time Pro Bowl running back was a scoring machine in the San Francisco 49ers' Super Bowl XXIX win, with three TDs and 108 scrimmage yards on 18 touches. Dillon had the size (6-foot-1, 225 pounds) and physical style similar to Eddie George. Here's a look at some of the best prospects available for teams drafting in the early part of the second round: Jordan Porter Jr., CB, Penn State. NFL's top 20 players not in the Hall of Fame: Torry Holt, Zach Thomas, Ken Anderson headline all-time list These greats are still waiting for their call to Canton By Bryan DeArdo Aug 18,. 2021 stats:258 carries, 1,037 rushing yards, 4.0 yards per carry, 42 receptions on 52 targets, 294 receiving yards, 10 total TDs. Smith was on the verge of having a long, prolific career, but he chose to walk away to study medicine. He bolstered his rsum after being traded to the Patriots in 2004, racking up a career-high 1,635 rush yards and 12 TDs in his first season in New England. The Titans came within 1 yard(!) A four-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL's All-1980s Team, Craig became the first player in league history to have 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in the same season (1985). The players listed below are the top 250 HOFm-rated players who played RB starting in 1955 or later for at least 50 career games. The owner of the iconic "Beast Quake" run in the 2010 playoffs, Lynch was among the league's best running backs from 2011-14. So, uh, can we put him in? Dillon has gone from expected power complement to Jones to a well-rounded back in his own right. McGahee is 41st all time on the career rushing list, an incredible achievement considering the significance of his 2003 knee injury. While he continuously battled through injury, McFadden still managed to amass 1,664 all-purpose yards for the Raiders in 2010. Craig's piston-pumping high knees were one of the signature styles of the decade, and he was the perfect weapon for Bill Walsh's creative offense. D.A.'s Top-5 best running backs not in the HOF - Audacy 1 on this list and he should be headed to his biggest all-around season yet with his expanded role in a Kevin O'Connell offensive scheme tailored to his rushing and receiving strengths. Find out more. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. But for my money, I'd rather celebrate a guy who had a huge impact and was the best at his position instead of a guy who was all right for a number of years (looking at you, Bettis). The production and potential says to meet those outcomes somewhere in the middle, with lean toward the positive. NFL footage NFL Productions LLC. More than deserving of a gold jacket, George holds many Titans/Oilers franchise records, including for career rushing yards (10,441). That season, Stewart earned his first and only Pro Bowl selection while helping thePanthersreach the Super Bowl. He's since been eclipsed by some dude named Peterson or something. 's Top-5 best running backs not in the HOF, 1980s Jets wives walked out on learning fight song, OJ Anderson pleads for Hall of Fame nod 'while I'm above ground', Stern: Princeton's historic run has 'Revenge of the Nerds' feel, D.A. Do you have a sports website? Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans (1996-2003), Dallas Cowboys (2004). Tomlinson is tied for 80th with 626 catches and Allen is 100th with 587. He's still a powerful runner with some pop to finish drives and reel off some long runs, but he also has developed into a reliable short-area receiver for Tom Brady. I expect for the Green Bay Packers to figure out a fair-enough trade package to get Aaron Rodgers out of their building. 6:28 pm ET, Matthews was inducted into the Browns' Ring of Honor, Ranking teams likely to land Williams in 2024 NFL Draft, Prisco's 2023 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams, Exploring Titans' options at wide receiver, Cowboys' 'ship has not sailed' on bringing back Zeke, Best post-draft fits for top-remaining NFL free agents, The 20 greatest NFL players not in the Hall of Fame, Prisco's draft grades for all 32 teams: Eagles ace it, Best, worst, most interesting pick for all, Winners, losers from the draft: Crafty Colts, Undrafted free agent tracker: Team-by-team list of signings, 10 veteran moves that should happen post-2023 draft, Report: Bucs star Barrett's daughter, 2, drowns in pool, NFL schedule release target date, plus 5 things we know, Steelers' draft haul one the team hadn't seen in 38 years. In 1984, Matthews led the league with 126 tackles while also posting 12 sacks and three forced fumbles. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. It wasn't just what he did, but how he did it. Take a look at the best photos from the red carpet. People talk about Bo Jackson on "Tecmo Super Bowl", but Okoye is no slouch in that game, either. He helped engine the Titans to the Super Bowl in 1999, and finished his career with over 10,000 yards on the ground. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. A three-time Super Bowl champion, Craig became the first player to score three touchdowns in a Super Bowl during the 49ers' win over the Dolphins in Super Bowl XVI. Swift, like Chubb and others, keeps the pipeline strong for Georgia running backs in the NFL. Conner should be treated as more of a workhorse with Chase Edmonds now playing for the Dolphins. Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry could be traded to the Philadelphia Eagles by the first night of the 2023 NFL Draft. Curt Warner, Seattle Seahawks/Los Angeles. section: | slug: nfls-top-20-players-not-in-the-hall-of-fame-torry-holt-zach-thomas-ken-anderson-headline-all-time-list | sport: football | route: article_single.us | He is probably the top candidate to replace Ryan Day at his alma mater should Ohio State turn on Urban Meyers latest and greatest disciple. Craig was a four-time Pro Bowler, and a three-time champion. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 will be revealed next Thursday during NFL Honors (airs live at 9 p.m. There are still a slew of eligible former players who are still waiting for their call to Canton, Ohio. 2: Eddie George -- He opened his career with five consecutive 1,000-yards campaigns, and then added two more over the course of his career. The player Riley is often compared to isCharles Woodson, who will receive a gold jacket this summer. He also could handle a bigger role in the passing game if needed, which might be the case if the team moves Kareem Hunt. Superstar quarterbacks undoubtedly headline the AFC Championship Game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs, but Maurice Jones-Drew explains why the running backs will actually decide who wins. That total is not only a Falcons' franchise record, it is unofficially the the most tackles ever credited to a player in NFL history,according to the Falcons' team website. Who is the best NFL running back in history? - NBC Sports Bay Area Injuries, however, would limited him to fewer than 700 yards over his remaining three years in Detroit. A two-time Pro Bowler, McAllister is the only running back in Saints history to post three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Little (1967-75) was. A score of 100 is around the average modern-era inductee. Jones shared a backfield for most of his career; he spent three seasons playing alongside Marion Barber and two years with DeMarco Murray. Watters was a dual-threat playmaker who consistently produced. Texas running back Bijan Robinson is a popular pick, but Hall of Fame RB LaDainian Tomlinson has his eyes on a defensive player. Lynch made his first Pro Bowl in Buffalo, but his "Beast Mode" persona was born in Seattle. His relentless work ethic -- both physically and in the film room -- allowed him to be one of the best of his era. Eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2025, Lynch's impact was felt everywhere he went. He gained over 2,000 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns during his first two seasons in Carolina. A second-round pick by Cincinnati in 1997, Dillon was one of the few bright spots for a Bengals team that managed just 34 wins during his seven seasons with the franchise. Thomas Jones. Ironically, Dayne's best season was his last; he rushed for 773 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 4 yards per carry for the Texans. Maurice Jones-Drew spotlights three running backs with 50 or fewer carries this season who could significantly impact the stretch run. After holding off Zack Moss for key touches, he will need to do the same again vs. rookie James Cook. While an injury cut his career short, Sharpe did plenty of damage during his seven-year career. A four-time Pro Bowler, Anderson led the NFL in completion percentage three times. He was instrumental in helping the Pats win their third Super Bowl in four seasons. Mitchell became the 49ers' fifth leading rusher in as many seasons under Kyle Shanahan last season, taking advantage of injuries to veterans and the lacking reliability of higher drafted rookie Trey Sermon. Henry is every bit his generations version of Adrian Peterson, but even he had a definite shelf life. Gradishar earned five more Pro Bowl selections (as well as another All-Pro nod) during his final six seasons with the Broncos. . He is the 2022 Jim Thorpe Award winner, given to the nation's best defensive back. 10 Best Running Backs in Arizona Cardinals History Singletary emerged as a reliable workhorse down the stretch to complement the high-volume passing game. NFL running backs are headed for a Hall of Fame drought A Pro Bowler each season from 1983-86, Jacoby's blocking helped John Riggins rush for a then Super Bowl record in Washington's win over Miami in Super Bowl XVII. Taylor was an extraordinary teammate who exemplified everything it meant to be a professional. (AP Photo/Al Golub), The H-Bomb was one of the most prolific running backs in pro football history. And while an injury in 2007 contributed to his 2009 release, McAllister was added to the Saints' roster prior to the team's Super Bowl win over the Colts. Marshall, who was still a starter at age 42, helped the Vikings win three NFC titles along with the NFL championship in 1969. Conner has been a great power running fit with his size and quickness in Kliff Kingsbury's offense, playing well off Kyler Murray. Did rushing champion Josh Jacobs finish on top? Jim Brown is a superb choice to start a list of top running backs of all time. Lets assess if Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry will be traded to a team like the Philadelphia Eagles at any point during the 2023 NFL Draft. Things changed after Thomas joined the Bears, where he would rush for 3,493 yards in three seasons while helping Chicago capture the NFC title in 2006. Simpson. Maurice Jones-Drew assesses the Hall of Fame candidacies of Ezekiel Elliott and Derrick Henry, two running backs who could pass him on the all-time rushing leaderboard in Week 16. Gore's career production alone merits a gold jacket. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Harris and Etienne will try to change the narrative currently surrounding running backs. That's the big question, but the Rams have confidence that he can deliver effective lead rushing production with the right dash of receiving pop. In 2015, Peterson became the second-oldest player in league history to lead the NFL in rushing. He was the best run-pass combo back in the league at his prime. Philadelphia may like to run the ball, but the Eagles are never willing to pay a premium at this position. 2021 stats:228 carries, 1,259 rushing yards, 5.5 yards per carry, 20 receptions on 25 targets, 174 receiving yards, 9 total TDs. 3: Roger Craig -- One of the best multi-purpose backs ever, he was the first to run for 1,000 yards and catch another 1,000 in the same season. In those years, he rushed for1,615 yards,1,555 yards, and 1,420 yards,and scored more touchdowns than any other back in the NFL. After a somewhat slow start, Ingram has put together an impressive pro career. Has Lamar Jackson been supplanted as the NFL's most electric rusher? The players listed below are the top 250 HOFm-rated players who played RB starting in 1955 or later for at least 50 career games. He was the last running back to win MVP, and there's a chance we may not see it happen again for a very long time with how pass-happy the league has become. I can give numerous reasons why we shouldn't be devalued.
