{"id":46,"date":"2023-03-08T13:23:55","date_gmt":"2023-03-08T17:23:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/?p=46"},"modified":"2025-12-22T16:54:57","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T20:54:57","slug":"top-10-running-backs-of-all-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/pfr-blog\/2023\/03\/top-10-running-backs-of-all-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Top NFL Running Backs of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

(last updated on December 11, 2025)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Answering the question of, \u201cWho is the best NFL running back ever?\u201d is extremely difficult. Statistics tell part of the story but not the entire story. Some running backs were also great receivers. Other running backs possessed excellent blocking skills on top of their running abilities. Some great running backs in NFL history played fullback, while others played halfback. Fullbacks tend to own more blocking responsibilities than halfbacks. Let’s reveal this hallowed list and examine the top NFL running backs of all time<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\"Photo\n<\/div>
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\n\t\tJim Brown<\/a><\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\n\n\n\n \n

\n \n James Nathaniel Brown\n \n <\/strong>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\tPosition<\/strong>: FB\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n

6-2<\/span>, 232lb<\/span> (188cm, 105kg) <\/p>\n\n\n

\n Born:<\/strong> \n \n\t\tFebruary 17<\/a>, 1936\n \n \n in St. Simons Island, GA<\/a><\/span>\n \n<\/span\"><\/p>\n\n\n

Died:<\/strong>\n May 18<\/a>, 2023 (Aged 87-090d)<\/nobr><\/span>\n \n in Los Angeles, CA<\/a><\/span>\n<\/p>\n\n\n

College<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tSyracuse<\/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> 108 (87th overall since 1960)\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High School<\/strong>: \n \n\t\tManhasset<\/a> (NY<\/a>)\n\t\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Draft<\/strong>: Cleveland Browns<\/a> in the 1st round (6th overall) of the 1957 NFL Draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Hall of Fame<\/strong>: Inducted as \n\t\tPlayer in 1971<\/a>\n(Full List<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n

Instagram:<\/strong>\n jimbrown<\/a><\/p>\n \n\n\n

Relatives<\/strong>: Son-In-Law Chris Ward<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n