best running backs not in the hall of fame

He returned to put together consecutive 1,000-yard seasons that included a 1,273-yard, 13 touchdown campaign in 2010. Hall of Fame running back and Chargers legend LaDainian Tomlinson knows a thing or two about the trenches. Though Gore's been seen in the boxing ring of late, he hasn't officially closed the door on an NFL return. Ultimately, the Eagles fit for Henry is not as perfect as we initially thought. Three years later, he teamed up with Hall of Fame cornerback Mike Haynes to shut down Washington's talented receiving corps in Super Bowl XVIII. Owner of the greatest single rushing season in Penn State history, Johnson began his career as Priest Holmes' backup in Kansas City. Watters was a dual-threat playmaker who consistently produced. McCoy gets in based on sheer production. Conner landed with the right team to return to reliable production after some fading seasons in Pittsburgh. A three-time Pro Bowler, Elliott averaged 1,668 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns per season during his first five years in Dallas. He also led the NFL in tackles on four different occasions. Canidate never played in another NFL game. Without McDaniels, Harris' role shouldn't change much in a run-heavy attack, even if Rhamondre Stevenson cuts more into the overall backfield work. 2021 stats:202 carries, 752 rushing yards, 3.7 yards per carry, 37 receptions on 39 targets, 375 receiving yards, 18 total TDs. (AP Photo/Al Golub), Do yourself a favor and Google this guy. Which player earns the No. But he's currently 19th all time in rushing yardage. He averaged better than 4.5 yards per carry during his peak years. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them . (Seriously, Google it.) Montgomery makes this list based on his cumulative production vs. his limited efficiency as a runner and pass-catcher. Of the 31 runners to have done it, 16 are in the Hall and two more are locks (Adrian Peterson and Frank Gore). The prototype running back for today's NFL, Gordon earned two Pro Bowl nods during his first four seasons in the NFL. One of the NFL's most versatile backs, McCaffrey earned All-Pro honors in 2019 after becoming the third player in league history to tally 1,000 yards rushing and receiving. (National Football League), Foreman was a perfect runner for those frigid days at the Met in Minneapolis. Jacksonville Jaguars (1998-2008), New England Patriots (2009-2010). Injuries in subsequent seasons, however, led to a drastic drop in Alexander's production. Injuries limited the former Georgia star to just 63 NFL games. A seven-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL's All-2000s Team, Holt played an integral role on theRams' 1999 championship team. 20 in homage to Sims. He led the league in yards per rushing attempt and will start off leading what will be a much run-heavier attack without Russell Wilson. The four-time Pro Bowler even finished third in the MVP vote for his 2000 campaign, when he rushed for 1,509 yards and 14 scores. Hall is a great fit for the zone blocking scheme of Mike LaFleur and will benefit from a further upgraded offensive line and the downfield passing game getting more attention. Three years earlier, Tomlinson became the first running back to catch 100 passes in a single season (incredibly, Tomlinson was not named to the Pro Bowl that year). 2021 stats: 162 carries, 593rushing yards, 3.7 yards per carry, 41 receptions on 57 targets, 263 receiving yards, 4 total TDs. The owner of the iconic "Beast Quake" run in the 2010 playoffs, Lynch was among the league's best running backs from 2011-14. In this year's edition of Sporting News' ratings, there are promising rising stars mixed in with those who have hit their career prime, with the right experience experience but without the wrong wear. It might have been a blessing for him not to be misused in that mess of an Urban Meyer-Darrell Bevell offense. In 16 seasons, he's third on the all-time rushing list with 16,000 yards, third in carries (3,735), third in touches (4,219) and fourth in scrimmage yards (19,985). 2021 stats: 180 carries, 812 rushing yards, 4.5 yards per carry, 69 receptions on 84 targets, 454 receiving yards, 10 total TDs. After nine seasons in St. Louis, Jackson signed with the Falcons, who were coming off of a 13-3 season and appearance in the NFC title game. But if the 38-year-old doesn't play another snap in the NFL, he'll be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026. In 2005, Ward won Super Bowl MVP honors while helping lead Pittsburgh to its fifth Super Bowl victory. 2021 stats:207 carries, 963 rushing yards, 4.7 yards per carry, 19 receptions on 20 targets, 137 receiving yards, 6 total TDs. A Pro Bowler in 2002, a freak injury (he injured his foot while running on a treadmill) hindered Bennett's productivity for the remainder of his career. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke), I don't get this one. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. The only running back on this list, Craig played an integral role in the 49ers' success during the 1980s. Being available allowed Watters to put up these kind of numbers year over year, and he should be rewarded for it. 13. Now with James Robinson recovering from a torn Achilles', Etienne is flashing all his explosive college skills again to vie for key work to support long-time teammate Trevor Lawrence. APRIL 29 ROSCHON TO BEARS The Cowboys want to take a running back somewhere in this Day 3 of the NFL Draft, but that guy won't be a favored Longhorn. Like McCaffrey, Barkley's early career boom has been derailed by injury woes, but he also never reached the same level of all-purpose dominance. While injuries ultimately cut his career short, Perry did help the Bengals win their first AFC North title in 2005. Philadelphia Eagles (2009-2014), Buffalo Bills (2015-18), Kansas City Chiefs (2019), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020). He then resurfaced in Arizona, where he was theCardinals' leading rusher before an injury prematurely ended his 2015 season. Although this rumor sounds too strange to be made up, lets discuss if there is any validity to this. A key member of theBroncos' 2013 AFC championship team, Moreno rushed for over 1,000 yards that season after missing half of the 2012 campaign with a torn ACL. He rushed for more than 1,200 yards in each of his first five seasons -- joining Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson and LaDainian Tomlinson as the only other two players to do so in NFL history. Dolphins (2005-10); Eagles (2011); Chargers (2012-14); Texans (2014). Like another receiver who cracked the list, Johnson was not selected to the Hall of Fame in 2022, his first year of eligibility. 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. I am on the fence over the Arizona Cardinals possibly moving on from DeAndre Hopkins. After rehabbing for the 2003 season, McGahee rushed for 1,128 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2004 while leading the Bills to the precipice of the postseason. To say Vrabel blew a gasket when Carthons predecessor Jon Robinson traded wide receiver A.J. In 12 seasons, he rushed for 10,413 yards and 85 rushing touchdowns (16th all time), and his 12 postseason rushing TDs are tied for fourth-most in NFL history alongside Hall of Famers Terrell Davis and John Riggins. 11-25 Nos. Cook just needs to come through with full health for his Age-27 season. He retired as the Minnesota Vikings' all-time leading rusher. 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. 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. Bills (2010-14); Saints (2015); Jets/Seahawks (2016); Chiefs (2017). (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli), Andrews went to four consecutive Pro Bowls for the Atlanta Falcons from 1980-83. The site navigation utilizes arrow, enter, escape, and space bar key commands. (National Football League), You might not believe this, but the New York Jets were actually good in the 1980s. Johnson had just 70 carries during the 2016 and '17 seasons before announcing his retirement in 2018. With seven seasons of 1,000 yards rushing, Watters sits 24th all-time in yards on the ground. Smith tallied eight 1,000-yard seasons and is one of 14 players with at least 1,000 career receptions. Matthews' play was a major reason why the Browns appeared in three AFC Championship Games from 1986-89. Nobody considers him the best of his generation. Maurice Jones-Drew spotlights three teams who will be looking for a new primary RB in 2023. Still, I think they are more likely to draft Texas Bijan Robinson if the Atlanta Falcons pass on him. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. 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. The Best Running Backs of AllTime. The player Riley is often compared to isCharles Woodson, who will receive a gold jacket this summer. Dupree did give it a go with the Los Angeles Rams, but he just couldn't make it happen. Edwards-Helaire hasn't lived up to being a first-rounder in 2020 for multiple reasons. The lastSteelersrunning back taken in the first round before Najee Harris, Mendenhall won a Super Bowl as a rookie despite spending most of the season on injured reserve. He doesn't offer much as a receiver but he gets the yards that are there with good burst. He is a different runner, based more on speed and quickness for the open field to live up to his last name. 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. Maurice Jones-Drew has one thought about the Cowboys' usage of Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard in Zeke's return: Keep it even-steven! of winning the Lombardi Trophy, and if they had beaten the Rams in that game, I'm confident George would've been named game MVP after having 28 carries for 95 rush yards and two rush TDs. This whole thing feels odd. Teams: 49ers (1983-90); Raiders (1991); Vikings (1992-93). Minnesota Vikings (2007-2016), Arizona Cardinals (2017), New Orleans (2017), Washington Commanders (2018-19), Detroit Lions (2020), Tennessee Titans (2021), Seattle Seahawks (2021). A big, physical back at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, Jackson ripped off eight straight 1,000-yard seasons from 2005-12. Marshall Faulk (1994-2005) . Jones enjoyed a solid yet unspectacular six-year NFL career. Ingram -- who is entering his first season with the Texans -- is currently 60th on the NFL's all-time rushing list.

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