{"id":164,"date":"2023-09-27T10:20:01","date_gmt":"2023-09-27T14:20:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/?p=164"},"modified":"2026-01-09T14:10:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T18:10:09","slug":"10-best-running-backs-in-the-nfl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/2023\/09\/10-best-running-backs-in-the-nfl\/","title":{"rendered":"Top NFL Running Backs of All Time (by statistical categories)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(last updated on January 6, 2026)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Running backs have traditionally been some of the more popular players on NFL\u00a0teams next to the quarterbacks and, many times, even the very face of their respective franchises. This position does it all on offense as they occasionally run, block, catch passes, and can even throw a pass.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There have truly been some legends in the backfield, but who are the top 10 running backs in the NFL in history? Our mission in this article is to identify the best players in the running back position according to the regular-season career stats from Pro-Football-Reference and Stathead. How do we measure who the best is? The data is beautiful in the eye of the beholder, so let\u2019s break the leaders down by categories so you can use your judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Most Touchdowns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ultimate objective in football is to score touchdowns, which is true for a back when the ball is placed in their hands. Here is one that stands out in this category of crossing the goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t
\n\t\n\n
\"Photo\n<\/div>
\n\t

\n\t\tLaDainian Tomlinson<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n \n \n\n\n\n \n

\n \n LaDainian Tarshane Tomlinson\n  (L.T.<\/span>)\n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: RB\n\t\t\tThrows:<\/strong>\n\t\tRight\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

5-10<\/span>, 215lb<\/span> (178cm, 97kg) <\/p>\n\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tJune 23<\/a>, 1979\n \n \n in Rosebud, TX<\/a><\/span>\n \n<\/span\"> (Age: 46-200d)<\/nobr><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tTCU<\/a>\n\t\n\t\n\t\t (College Stats<\/a>)\n\t\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/p>

Weighted Career AV (100-95-…)<\/a>:<\/strong> 129 (29th overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tUniversity<\/a> (TX<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: San Diego Chargers<\/a> in the 1st round (5th overall) of the 2001 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong>: Inducted as \n\t\tPlayer in 2017<\/a>\n(Full List<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Relatives<\/strong>: Nephew Tre’Vius Tomlinson<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n