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Every NFL Team’s Greatest Running Back Season - All 32 Franchises
In this ranking, we will identify every NFL team’s greatest running back season of all time. We will look at several parameters to determine the representative for each team such as first-team All-Pros, Pro Bowls, yards, and touchdowns. Let’s dive in.
Arizona Cardinals: David Johnson, 2016
Despite tallying the fifth-most rushing yards in a single season in team history (1,239), he represents Arizona on this list. Johnson was elite in the red zone as he punched in 16 scores and caught four more, which is a team record. In addition, Johnson was elite in the passing game, as he tallied 879 yards on 80 receptions. His 2,118 scrimmage yards led the NFL in 2016.
Atlanta Falcons: Jamal Anderson, 1998
In 1998, Jamal Anderson set the single-season franchise record as he tallied 1,846 yards on the ground. His 410 attempts led the league that season. He also added 319 yards on 27 receptions. Anderson found the back of the end zone just 16 times (14 on the ground, two through the air), which puts him second in team history only behind Michael Turner’s 17 in 2008.
Baltimore Ravens: Jamal Lewis, 2003
Even though Derrick Henry made quite a strong case this past season, Jamal Lewis’ 2003 campaign still sits at the top of the franchise record books. In 2003, Lewis ran for 2,066 yards (the only 2,000-yard rusher in team history). His 129.1 yards per game and total yards led the league. Lewis punched in 14 scores on the ground which is the second-most in team history.
Buffalo Bills: O.J. Simpson, 1973
O.J. Simpson enjoyed several elite seasons in Buffalo, but his 1973 campaign was his best performance. In 1973, Simpson posted a career-best 6.0 YPC en route to tallying an incredible 2,003 yards on the ground. In addition to leading the league in rushing yards that season, he also led the league in attempts (332) and rushing TDs (12). He was named league MVP at the conclusion of this season.
Carolina Panthers: Christian McCaffrey, 2019
Christian McCaffrey enjoyed the best season of his career during the 2019 campaign. During this season, McCaffrey led the league in all-purpose yards (2,392) and was named to first-team All-Pro. On the ground, McCaffrey ran for 1,387 yards on 287 attempts. Through the air, McCaffrey caught 116 passes for 1,005 yards. He found the back of the end zone 19 times.
Chicago Bears: Walter Payton, 1977
Walter Payton was the league’s MVP during the 1977 campaign. During this season, Payton led the league with 1,852 yards and 339 attempts. He also punched in 14 TDs on the ground and averaged 132.2 yards per game. All of these marks were also career highs. In addition, he also added two scores through the air on 27 receptions. His 5.5 YPC was also the highest mark in team history.
Cincinnati Bengals: Corey Dillon, 2000
Despite tallying just the third-most rushing yards in a single season in Bengals history in the 2,000 season, Corey Dillon represents the Bengals on this list. During this campaign, Dillon posted a career-best 4.6 YPC, which was better than Rudi Johnson’s marks in 2004 and 2005, despite him tallying more overall rushing yards. Dillon’s 1,435 rushing yards were just short of Johnson’s 1,454 and 1,458 yards in 04′ and 05′. In addition, Dillon was also an effective pass catcher, tallying 158 yards on 18 receptions.
Cleveland Browns: Jim Brown, 1963
The Hall of Famer enjoyed the best season of his career in 1963. His 1,863 yards was a new career best and still sits as the most in a single season in franchise history. In addition, Brown also led the league in attempts (291) and rushing TDs (12). His total 2,131 scrimmage yards also led the league. However, despite being named first-team All-Pro, this incredible season was not enough to win MVP, as he finished second in the voting to quarterback Y.A. Tittle.
Dallas Cowboys: DeMarco Murray, 2014
Despite having the league’s total rushing leader in Emmitt Smith, DeMarco Murray’s 2014 season was the best a running back had wearing a Cowboy uniform. During this season, Murray led the league in rushing attempts (392), rushing yards (1,845), and rushing touchdowns (13). His total 2,261 scrimmage yards also led the sport. While Emmitt Smith scored more touchdowns during his best season in 1977, Murray saw more attempts in the rushing game and more work in the passing game, which gave him the slight edge.
Denver Broncos: Terrell Davis, 1998
Terrell Davis’ 1998 season was one of the best running back seasons of all time. Davis ran for 2,008 yards during the campaign and punched in 21 touchdowns. Through the air, Davis added 217 yards and two scores on 25 receptions. His 5.1 YPC was the highest mark of his career and the highest mark in team history among running backs who saw at least 300 attempts in a single season. He was named the league’s MVP at the end of the season and first-team All-Pro.
Detroit Lions: Barry Sanders, 1997
The 1997 season was the fourth time Barry Sanders led the league in rushing, but it was by far his most impressive. During this campaign, Sanders ran for a career-high 2,053 yards on just 335 attempts. He punched in 11 scores on the ground and added three through the air. His 6.1 YPC was the highest mark of his career. In addition, his 128.3 yards per game led the sport. Sanders was named the MVP after this incredible campaign.
Green Bay Packers: Ahman Green, 2003
Ahman Green stands at the top of the franchise record book, tallying 1,883 yards in a single season. During the 1983 campaign, Green ran the ball 335 times, which was also a team-high and career-high. He found the back of the end zone 20 times which was also a franchise record. Green’s 5.3 YPC that season was also the highest mark of his career and second-lowest in team history, only behind Jim Taylor’s 5.4 YPC in 1962.
Houston Texans: Arian Foster, 2010
During the 2010 season, Arian Foster led the league in rushing (1,616 yards) and rushing touchdowns (16). Both of these statistics are also the highest in franchise history. Foster posted a solid 4.9 YPC and was named first-team All-Pro at the conclusion of the campaign. In addition, his 101.0 average rushing yards per game led the league.
Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Taylor, 2021
After tallying over 1,000 yards in his rookie campaign, Jonathan Taylor enjoyed a career season as a sophomore. During the 2021 season, Taylor led the league in rushing with 1,8111 yards and 18 rushing scores. His 332 attempts were also the most in football. Through the air, he caught 40 passes for 360 yards and two scores. His impressive 5.5 YPC is the highest mark in team history as well.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Fred Taylor, 2000
Even though Fred Taylor’s 1,399 rushing yards during the 2000 season is the third-most in franchise history, it was the most efficient campaign. He averaged 107.4 rushing yards per game, which is the highest mark in team history, and led the league that season. His 4.8 YPC, which is also a franchise record. Taylor punched in 12 rushing scores that season and added two through the air.
Kansas City Chiefs: Priest Holmes, 2002
In 2002, Priest Holmes ran for a career-best 1,615 yards on 313 attempts. Even though this is third-highest rushing total in a single season in team history, Holmes’ was the best on a per-game-basis as he averaged an impressive 115.4 yards per game. During this campaign, Holmes led the league in rushing scores with 21. He was also named Offensive Player of the Year during and first-team All-Pro.
Las Vegas Raiders: Marcus Allen, 1985
Marcus Allen sits atop the franchise record books with the 1,759 rushing yards he ran for during the 1985 NFL season. This total led the league in rushing. During this season, he ran the ball 380 times and averaged a strong 109.9 rushing yards per game, which is also the highest mark in franchise history. Allen found the back of the end zone 14 times this season and averaged a strong 4.6 YPC. He was named NFL MVP at the conclusion of the season.
Los Angeles Chargers: LaDainian Tomlinson, 2006
LaDainian Tomlinson’s 2006 campaign will go down as one of the best in league history. Tomlinson found the back of the end zone an incredible 31 times (28 rushing, three receiving). His 28 rushing scores still stand as an NFL single-season record. In addition to his elite production in the red zone, Tomlinson led the league in rushing yards (1,815). He was very efficient with the ball in his hands as he posted a strong 5.2 YPC.
Los Angeles Rams: Eric Dickerson, 1984
During the 1984 NFL season, Eric Dickerson set a league record that still stands today. He ran for an incredible 2,105 yards on just 379 rushing attempts. He averaged an elite 5.6 YPC and found the back of the end zone 14 times. His 2,224 all-purpose yards also led the league. Dickerson was eventually named the league’s MVP that season and first-team All-Pro.
Miami Dolphins: Ricky Williams, 2002
Ricky Williams set a franchise record in the 2002 campaign when he ran for 1,853 yards on 383 attempts. His rushing yardage total and attempts also led the league that season. Williams punched in 16 scores this season, which stood as a franchise record for over 20 years until Raheem Mostert tallied 18 rushing scores in 2023. Williams was named to the Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro this season as well.
Minnesota Vikings: Adrian Peterson, 2012
Adrian Peterson captured the 2012 NFL MVP Award after tallying an impressive 2,097 yards on the ground. Peterson punched in 12 rushing scores and added one through the air. He caught 40 passes for 217 yards. During this season, Peterson averaged an incredible six YPC, which is one of the highest marks in league history. He was the last running back to be named league MVP.
New England Patriots: Corey Dillon, 2004
Corey Dillon represents the Bengals on this list but also enjoyed the best running back season in New England Patriots history as well. During the 2004 campaign, Dillon set a franchise record as he ran for 1,635 yards. He posted a solid 4.7 YPC and punched in 12 rushing scores. He was named to the Pro Bowl this season and is one of just two Patriot running backs to average over 100 rushing yards per game in a season, Jim Nace (1965) being the other.
New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara, 2020
Even though Alvin Kamara’s 2020 season does not stand out from a rushing yardage perspective, he was the swiss-army knife in that offense. He found the back of the end zone 21 times (16 on the ground, five through the air) which led the league. He added 932 yards on the ground and 756 through the air. He tallied an impressive 6.3 yards per touch.
New York Giants: Tiki Barber, 2005
Tiki Barber’s 2005 season was the only time a New York Giants running back surpassed 1,750 yards in a single season. Barber ran for 1,860 yards on 357 attempts. He averaged 5.2 YPC and found the back of the end zone nine times. He caught 54 passes for 530 yards and two touchdowns through the air. His total 2,390 scrimmage yards led the league that season.
New York Jets: Curtis Martin, 2004
Curtis Martin led the NFL in rushing in 2004 when he tallied 1,697 yards. This was also the highest mark of his career and set a new single-season record in Jets history. His 371 rushing attempts were also the highest in the sport. The Hall of Famer found the back of the end zone 14 times (12 rushing, two receiving). His 4.6 YPC was the highest mark among Jets running, who ran the ball 300 times in a season.
Philadelphia Eagles: Saquon Barkley, 2024
In his first season as an Eagle, Saquon Barkley set a franchise record and was quite close to putting his name in the history books. Barkley ran for 2,005 yards and found the back of the end zone 15 times (13 rushing, two receiving). He was named Offensive Player of the Year and finished third in MVP voting. He posted an elite 5.8 YPC and averaged 8.4 yards per reception.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Le'Veon Bell, 2014
Even though Le’Veon Bell’s 2014 rushing total is only the fourth-most in team history, Bell was an elite option in the receiving game and totaled over 2,000 yards during the campaign. He ran for 1,361 yards on the ground and added 854 yards on the ground. His 2.195 all-purpose yards were the most in franchise history. He was only the second player in Steeler history to tally over 2,000 yards (Barry Foster 1992 was the other. Bell found the back of the end zone 11 times.
San Francisco 49ers: Christian McCaffrey, 2023
Christian McCaffrey represented the Carolina Panthers on this list but also came out on top in San Francisco. In 2023, McCaffrey led the league with 1,459 rushing yards and 2,023 all-purpose yards. His 21 total scores (14 rushing, seven receiving) also led the league. McCaffrey’s 5.4 YPC tied him with Frank Gore (2006) for the best mark in team history. In addition, he was named Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Pro.
Seattle Seahawks: Shaun Alexander, 2005
The 2005 NFL MVP represents the Seattle Seahawks on this list. Shaun Alexander ran for 1,880 yards on 370 attempts. He also punched in 27 rushing scores. All three metrics led the league. Through the air, Alexander tallied 78 yards and an additional touchdown. Alexander averaged an impressive 117.5 rushing yards per game with a solid 5.1 YPC.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: James Wilder, 1984
Despite not being the most efficient runner, James Wilder’s 1984 campaign was the best in franchise history. Wilder ran for 1,544 yards and led the league with a hefty 407 attempts. He found the back of the end zone 13 times (all rushing). In addition, he was effective in the passing game, tallying 685 yards on 85 receptions. Even though he only posted 3.8 YPC, given his elite usage in the passing game, Wilder narrowly edges out Doug Martin’s 2012 campaign.
Tennessee Titans: Derrick Henry, 2020
The King had stiff competition but stands atop the franchise record books even over Chirs Johnson’s 2,006 yards in the 2009 campaign. Henry ran for 2,027 yards and punched in 17 scores. Both were the most in the league. In the passing game, Henry brought in 19 passes for 114 yards. He was named Offensive Player of the Year and averaged a strong 5.4 YPC.
Washington Commanders: Alfred Morris, 2012
Alfred Morris set franchise records during his rookie campaign. In 2012, Morris ran for 1,613 yards and 13 TDs on 335 attempts. His 100.8 rushing yards per game placed his second-most in franchise history, just behind Larry Brown’s 101.3 (1972). Through the air, Morris brought in 11 passes for 77 yards. His 4.8 YPC ties him for the highest mark in franchise history alongside Stephen Davis (1999).
