Who are the top 5 greatest Running Backs (HB’s) of all-time? *** TRIGGER WARNING - no Jim Brown ***

[Jetsfan80]

Leading up to the start of the season, I'll be posting a thread once every day or so devoted to determine the top 5 all-time at each position, as voted on by JN.

I am using football-reference.com's AV (Approximate Value) metric to help compare across eras.  The "Peak AV Average" means the average "score" for each player's among their top 5 performing years in the league, to help establish which players had the high peaks and which players were more of the "compilers" over a long career.  Utilizing a "peak AV" also allows for players with careers shortened by injury to be included.

Also note that AV only goes back so far, so some players from the earliest days in NFL history (primarily the 30s, 40s and early 50s) are, unfortunately, excluded.

 

Last week, JN voted on 4-3 Defensive Ends:

 

 

 

Today, we vote on Running Backs!

Below are the candidates and their resumes, ranked in the order weighted by AV/Peak AV:

 

1.  Marshall Faulk, IND/STL (1994-2005)

• Career AV:  164
• Peak AV Average:  20
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  3
• Pro Bowl Selections:  7
• Career Rushing TDs:  100

2.  LaDainian Tomlinson, SD/NYJ (2001-2011)

• Career AV:  158
• Peak AV Average:  20
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  3
• Pro Bowl Selections:  5
• Career Rushing TDs:  145

3.  Emmitt Smith, DAL/AZ (1990-2004)

• Career AV:  169
• Peak AV Average:  19
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  4
• Pro Bowl Selections:  8
• Career Rushing TDs:  164

4.  Walter Payton, CHI (1975-1987)

• Career AV:  167
• Peak AV Average:  17
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  5
• Pro Bowl Selections:  9
• Career Rushing TDs:  110

5.  Edgerrin James, IND/AZ/SEA (1999-2009)

• Career AV:  135
• Peak AV Average:  19
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  1
• Pro Bowl Selections:  4
• Career Rushing TDs:  80

6.  Barry Sanders, DET (1989-1998)

• Career AV:  149
• Peak AV Average:  17
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  6
• Pro Bowl Selections:  10
• Career Rushing TDs:  99

7.  Thurman Thomas, BUF/MIA (1988-2000)

• Career AV:  136
• Peak AV Average:  17
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  2
• Pro Bowl Selections:  5
• Career Rushing TDs:  65

8.  Tiki Barber, NYG (1997-2006)

• Career AV:  122
• Peak AV Average:  17
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  1
• Pro Bowl Selections:  3
• Career Rushing TDs:  55

9.  O.J. Simpson, BUF/SF (1969-1979)

• Career AV:  116
• Peak AV Average:  17
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  5
• Pro Bowl Selections:  6
• Career Rushing TDs:  61

10.  Tony Dorsett, DAL/DEN (1977-1988)

• Career AV:  137
• Peak AV Average:  15
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  1
• Pro Bowl Selections:  4
• Career Rushing TDs:  77

11.  Lydell Mitchell, BAL/SD/LAR (1972-1980)

• Career AV:  100
• Peak AV Average:  17
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  0
• Pro Bowl Selections:  3
• Career Rushing TDs:  30

12.  Adrian Peterson, MIN/AZ/NO/WAS/DET/TEN/SEA (2007-2021)  

• Career AV:  129
• Peak AV Average:  15
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  4
• Pro Bowl Selections:  7
• Career Rushing TDs:  120

13.  Marcus Allen, RAI/KC (1982-1997)

• Career AV:  143
• Peak AV Average:  14
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  2  
• Pro Bowl Selections:  6
• Career Rushing TDs:  123

14.  Ricky Watters, SF/PHI/SEA (1992-2001)

• Career AV:  122
• Peak AV Average:  15
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  0
• Pro Bowl Selections:  5
• Career Rushing TDs:  78

15.  Eric Dickerson, LAR/IND/RAI/ATL (1983-1993)

• Career AV:  111
• Peak AV Average:  15
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  5
• Pro Bowl Selections:  6
• Career Rushing TDs:  90

16.  Leroy Kelly, CLE (1964-1973)

• Career AV:  102
• Peak AV Average:  15
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  3
• Pro Bowl Selections:  6
• Career Rushing TDs:  74

17.  Curtis Martin, NE/NYJ (1995-2005)

• Career AV:  131
• Peak AV Average:  14
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  1
• Pro Bowl Selections:  5
• Career Rushing TDs:  90

18.  Lawrence McCutcheon, LAR/DEN/SEA/BUF (1972-1981)    

• Career AV:  86
• Peak AV Average:  16
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  0
• Pro Bowl Selections:  5
• Career Rushing TDs:  26

19.  Frank Gore, SF/IND/MIA/BUF/NYJ (2005-2020)

• Career AV:  133
• Peak AV Average:  12
• 1st Team All-Pro Selections:  0
• Pro Bowl Selections:  5
• Career Rushing TDs:  81

 

Just missed the cut:  Warrick Dunn, Terrell Davis, Ahman Green, Priest Holmes, Larry Brown, Chuck Foreman, Fred Taylor, Jerome Bettis

[Joe Willie White Shoes]

Where is Jim Brown?????  

[David Harris]

Jim brown is 1 or 2 with Barry 

[TuscanyTile2]

5 minutes ago, Joe Willie White Shoes said:

Where is Jim Brown?????  

And Earl Campbell.

[Joe Willie White Shoes]

You're not basing this on the old distinction between fullback and halfback are you? The names came from where they lined up behind the QB.  The fullback lined up farther away from the QB than the halfback back in the old days. The halfback was closer to the QB.  That was the difference.  Today's fullbacks would be halfbacks.  We should be voting on running backs .

[GandWFan]

1 Jim Brown

2 Barry Sanders

3 Earl Campbell

4 Leroy Kelly

5 John Riggins

6 OJ Simpson

7 Freeman McNeil (Homer pick)

 

 

 

[slimjasi]

I think we have to get two guys added to the list before I can realistically vote: Jim Brown (widely considered the GOAT RB and some would also say GOAT overall player) and Terrell Davis (from 96-98, TD was as dominant of a RB as I have ever seen)

I would go with Jim Brown and Barry Sanders at 1 and 2. I have to think more about 3-5 - it’s very close between a number of guys. 

[Trotter]

Tiki rated higher then some damn good running backs.

not sure about that

[chirorob]

3 minutes ago, slimjasi said:

I think we have to get two guys added to the list before I can realistically vote: Jim Brown (widely considered the GOAT RB and some would also say GOAT overall player) and Terrell Davis (from 96-98, TD was as dominant of a RB as I have ever seen)

I would go with Jim Brown and Barry Sanders at 1 and 2. I have to think more about 3-5 - it’s very close between a number of guys. 

He was in at fullback

[chirorob]

When Walter retired he was #1 all time in rushing yards, by a lot.

He was also #1 all time in receptions by a running back, by a lot.

People talk about the teams Barry Sanders played on, check out the teams Walter was on for most of his career.

[GandWFan]

JetsFan80, is this a full time gig for you?  Wow!

 

[slimjasi]

2 minutes ago, chirorob said:

He was in at fullback

Ahhh ok - still, I think he has to be added to this 

 

He’s the GOAT RB

[Barry McCockinner]

F'n Tiki Barber makes the list.

[Matt39]

11 minutes ago, Trotter said:

Tiki rated higher then some damn good running backs.

not sure about that

Deserves to be listed. 

[Barry McCockinner]

Barry Sanders is definitely the best RB I ever saw play. I don't think it's close really.

There are several guys I'd have put in before Tiki but one I haven't seen mentioned yet is Bo Jackson. Short career but talent wise was in the elite of the elite.

[JetsFanatic]

How could Jim Brown not be on this list? He played nine seasons and lead the league in rushing 8 times and never missed a game do to injury. He is the top rusher of all time IMO

[Trotter]

4 minutes ago, Matt39 said:

Deserves to be listed. 

Agree but over oj, Dickerson, Petersen,Dorset?

[JetsFanatic]

23 minutes ago, GandWFan said:

1 Jim Brown

2 Barry Sanders

3 Earl Campbell

4 Leroy Kelly

5 John Riggins

6 OJ Simpson

7 Freeman McNeil (Homer pick)

 

 

 

Not bad, but I think OJ should be # 2 on this list

[GandWFan]

2 minutes ago, JetsFanatic said:

Not bad, but I think OJ should be # 2 on this list

OJ ruled Buffalo in the 70's.  As someone else mentioned, Bo Jackson is in there somewhere also.

[JetsFanatic]

1. Jim Brown

2. OJ Simpson

3. Emmitt Smith

4. Adrian Petterson

5. Walter Payton

[Matt39]

5 minutes ago, Trotter said:

Agree but over oj, Dickerson, Petersen,Dorset?

No probably not

[GandWFan]

Tiki...  Best RB at whining.

[Doggin94it]

Jim Brown

Sanders

Payton

Faulk 

Campbell

[JoeFan]

JIM BROWN!!!!!   

[MR.GANGGREEN28]

I know there’s an “other” option but when I didn’t see the most dominant RB of all time Jim brown I didn’t bother voting ?

[defensedoesntgetyoulaid]

Barry Sanders would have shattered the all time rushing record if he hadn't retired early. Best back I ever saw.

Thighs like tree trunks, reflexes of a cat, vision of a hawk, ego of a Tibetan monk.

[Long Island Leprechaun]

Quote

 

Jim Brown, Jim Brown, and Jim Brown. No one was ever as dominant at the position as he was. It's not even close.

[Jet Nut]

How is easily the greatest RB of all time not on the list?

Its not even close

[Jet Nut]

11 minutes ago, defensedoesntgetyoulaid said:

Barry Sanders would have shattered the all time rushing record if he hadn't retired early. Best back I ever saw.

Thighs like tree trunks, reflexes of a cat, vision of a hawk, ego of a Tibetan monk.

Except if you play that game then I can do the same with Jim Brown who played fewer seasons.  12 & 14 game seasons, not 16 game season.

[chirorob]

53 minutes ago, Barry McCockinner said:

Barry Sanders is definitely the best RB I ever saw play. I don't think it's close really.

There are several guys I'd have put in before Tiki but one I haven't seen mentioned yet is Bo Jackson. Short career but talent wise was in the elite of the elite.

Bo is the best athlete i ever saw. Just what he could do.

He simply didn't play enough to be on this list

[southparkcpa]

2 hours ago, Joe Willie White Shoes said:

Where is Jim Brown?????  

Absolutely…. No Jim Brown???  Greatest football player perhaps as well.  @Jetsfan80 you blew this one.  

[southparkcpa]

38 minutes ago, Jet Nut said:

How is easily the greatest RB of all time not on the list?

Its not even close

And a Long Island, Syracuse man as well.  

[southparkcpa]

1 hour ago, Doggin94it said:

Jim Brown

Sanders

Payton

Faulk 

Campbell

Works for me…….   Id put Emmit Smith in top 5 but, Brown MUST be 1, Sanders 2, Payton 3.  

[JoeFan]

As a side note about Jim Brown, whom I hated because I was a Giants fan then,  he is considered by many lacrosse afficianados to be the best lacrosse player of all time.  In addition, he started on the Syracuse basketball team.  I saw him play against Georgetown in a doubleheader at MSG.  The Harlem Globetrotters played the first game against the Washington Generals.

[Jetsfan80]

3 hours ago, chirorob said:

He was in at fullback

 

3 hours ago, slimjasi said:

I think we have to get two guys added to the list before I can realistically vote: Jim Brown (widely considered the GOAT RB and some would also say GOAT overall player) and Terrell Davis (from 96-98, TD was as dominant of a RB as I have ever seen)

I would go with Jim Brown and Barry Sanders at 1 and 2. I have to think more about 3-5 - it’s very close between a number of guys. 

 

2 hours ago, JetsFanatic said:

How could Jim Brown not be on this list? He played nine seasons and lead the league in rushing 8 times and never missed a game do to injury. He is the top rusher of all time IMO

 

2 hours ago, JoeFan said:

JIM BROWN!!!!!   

 

2 hours ago, MR.GANGGREEN28 said:

I know there’s an “other” option but when I didn’t see the most dominant RB of all time Jim brown I didn’t bother voting ?

 

1 hour ago, Long Island Leprechaun said:

Jim Brown, Jim Brown, and Jim Brown. No one was ever as dominant at the position as he was. It's not even close.

 

1 hour ago, Jet Nut said:

How is easily the greatest RB of all time not on the list?

Its not even close

 

1 hour ago, southparkcpa said:

Absolutely…. No Jim Brown???  Greatest football player perhaps as well.  @Jetsfan80 you blew this one.  

As @chirorob notes, Brown was indeed in the Fullback poll.  The PFR database lists Brown as a Fullback:

 

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BrowJi00.htm