Most Yards From Scrimmage in NFL History

Good things happened when these players got the football.

The most hard-fought yards in football games come from running or receiving the ball. The fight for every inch starts as kids in schoolyard games and continues at the highest level of NFL competition.

Every single time there’s a carry or catch, players battle for every yard over a game, season and career. The best running backs, wide receivers and tight ends carry their teams to wins and end up in the Hall of Fame.

These players gained the most yards from scrimmage in NFL history and are some of the most valuable and toughest skill players to ever play the game.

30. Matt Forte

Matt Forte had over 800 yards receiving in 2014. Nam Y. Huh / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 14,468

Rushing yards: 9,796

Receiving yards: 4,672

Born: Dec. 10, 1985 (Lake Charles Louisiana)

High school: Slidell High School (Slidell, Louisiana)

College: Tulane

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 218 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 10 seasons (2008-17)

Teams: Chicago Bears (2008-15), New York Jets (2016-17)

Super Bowl titles: None

Note: All statistics are through the end of the 2022 regular season.

Bottom Line: Matt Forte

Ron Schwane / AP Photo

Matt Forte was a little underrated. He had one of the shortest careers of any player on this list but was surprisingly durable all 10 seasons he was in the NFL.

Forte bulked up his yards from scrimmage by being one of the best pass-catching running backs in NFL history, including an eye-popping 102 catches for 808 yards in 2014.

29. Marvin Harrison

Marvin Harrison was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his third year of eligibility. Michael Conroy / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 14,608

Rushing yards: 28

Receiving yards: 14,580

Born: Aug. 25, 1972 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

High school: Roman Catholic High School (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

College: Syracuse

Height/weight: 6-foot, 185 pounds

Position: Wide receiver

NFL career: 1996-2008 (13 seasons)

Teams: Indianapolis Colts

Super Bowl titles: 1 (2006)

Bottom Line: Marvin Harrison

Indianapolis Colts receiver Marvin Harrison

Ron Schwane / AP Photo

Marvin Harrison is one of the best wide receivers of all time and holds 33 NFL career or single-season records.

One of two things kept him from being a first-ballot Hall of Famer — either his abject lack of production in the playoffs, with just two touchdowns in 16 career playoff games, or a series of off-field incidents that culminated in the shooting death of Philadelphia drug dealer Dwight Dixon in 2009.

Harrison’s son, Marvin Harrison Jr., is an All-American wide receiver at Ohio State and has a chance to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

28. Jim Brown

Jim Brown led the NFL in rushing eight out of his nine seasons. AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 14,811

Rushing yards: 12,312

Receiving yards: 2,499

Born: Feb. 17, 1936 (St. Simons, Georgia)

High school: Manhasset High School (Manhasset, New York)

College: Syracuse

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 232 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 9 seasons (1957-65)

Teams: Cleveland Browns

NFL titles: 1 (1964)

Bottom Line: Jim Brown

AP Photo

Considered by many to be the greatest football player of all time, Jim Brown is still the only player in NFL history to average over 100 rushing yards per game.

In just nine seasons, Brown led the NFL in rushing eight times and was NFL MVP three times. When filming the classic war movie “The Dirty Dozen” began to cut into the start of Cleveland Browns training camp in 1966, Brown was threatened with a fine by owner Art Modell.

Brown responded by retiring from football.

27. Ricky Watters

Ricky Watters played on three NFL teams and won a Super Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers. Elaine Thompson / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 14,891

Rushing yards: 10,643

Receiving yards: 4,248

Born: April 7, 1969 (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)

High school: Bishop McDevitt High School (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)

College: Notre Dame

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 211 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 10 seasons (1992-2001)

Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1991-94), Philadelphia Eagles (1995-97), Seattle Seahawks (1998-2001)

Super Bowl titles: 1 (1994)

Bottom Line: Ricky Watters

San Francisco 49ers running back Ricky Watters

Ed Reinke / AP Photo

Modern football fans never had the pleasure of seeing Ricky Watters in his prime with his distinctive, high-stepping running style.

Watters was an undisputed winner on every level, winning a national championship at Notre Dame and a Super Bowl with the 49ers.

He has never been a serious candidate for the Hall of Fame, which can be blamed almost solely on several incidents where he had a perceived bad attitude.

26. LeSean McCoy

LeSean McCoy is one of several players on this list from the University of Pittsburgh. Duane Burleson / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 15,000

Rushing yards: 11,102

Receiving yards: 3,898

Born: July 12, 1988 (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)

High school: Bishop McDevitt High School (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)

College: Pittsburgh

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 210 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 12 seasons (2009-20)

Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (2009-14), Buffalo Bills (2015-18), Kansas City Chiefs (2019), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020)

Super Bowl titles: 2 (2019, 2020)

Bottom Line: LeSean McCoy

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back LeSean McCoy

Steve Luciano / AP Photo

LeSean McCoy rushed for more yards than any running back in the NFL in the 2010s and had at least 300 receiving yards in each of his first six seasons.

McCoy’s regular-season production was elite, but he had little postseason success until the tail end of his career. He was 0-4 before winning back-to-back Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in his final two seasons.

25. Jerome Bettis

Jerome Bettis won the Super Bowl in his final NFL game. Tony Tribble / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 15,111

Rushing yards: 13,662

Receiving yards: 1,449

Born: Feb. 16, 1972 (Detroit, Michigan)

High school: Mackenzie High School (Detroit, Michigan)

College: Notre Dame

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 255 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 13 seasons (1993-2005)

Teams: Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams (1993-95), Pittsburgh Steelers (1996-2005)

Super Bowl titles: 1 (2005)

Bottom Line: Jerome Bettis

Los Angeles Rams running back Jerome Bettis

Kevork Djansezian / AP Photo

Jerome Bettis, also known as “The Bus,” was a nightmare load to tackle for opponents at 5-foot-11 and 255 pounds.

Bettis retired at No. 5 on the NFL’s career rushing yards list and had one of the better endings to a career in league history, winning the only Super Bowl of his career in his hometown of Detroit, Michigan, in his final NFL game.

24. Steve Smith

NFL fans know Steve Smith never backed down from a fight. Rainier Ehrhardt / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 15,118

Rushing yards: 387

Receiving yards: 14,731

Born: May 12, 1979 (Los Angeles, California)

High school: University High School (Los Angeles, California)

College: Utah

Height/weight: 5-foot-9, 195 pounds

Position: Wide receiver

NFL career: 16 seasons (2001-16)

Teams: Carolina Panthers (2001-13), Baltimore Ravens (2014-16)

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Steve Smith

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith

Frank Victores / AP Photo

You have to be next-level tough to make it to the NFL when you’re just 5-foot-9.

So imagine what level of nasty Steve Smith had to bring to the table in crafting one of the greatest careers for a wide receiver in NFL history?

Smith’s Hall of Fame candidacy will be an interesting case when he becomes eligible in 2021.

23. Steven Jackson

Steven Jackson was a load to tackle at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds. Steve Mitchell / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 15,121

Rushing yards: 11,438

Receiving yards: 3,683

Born: July 22, 1983 (Las Vegas, Nevada)

High school: Eldorado High School (Las Vegas, Nevada)

College: Oregon State

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 240 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 10 seasons (2004-15)

Teams: St. Louis Rams (2004-12), Atlanta Falcons (2013-14), New England Patriots (2015)

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Steven Jackson

Atlanta Falcons running back Steven Jackson

Chris Keane / AP Photo

Few running backs have possessed the combination of size, strength and speed that Steven Jackson brought to the table.

The 6-foot-2, 240-pound Oregon State product was also reliable — he has the NFL record for consecutive carries without a fumble — but rarely garnered postseason honors with only three Pro Bowl and two All-Pro selections.

22. Tim Brown

Tim Brown played 18 seasons in the NFL. Paul Sakuma / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 15,124

Rushing yards: 190

Receiving yards: 14,934

Born: July 22, 1966 (Dallas, Texas)

High school: Woodrow Wilson High School (Dallas, Texas)

College: Notre Dame

Height/weight: 6-foot, 195 pounds

Position: Wide receiver

NFL career: 18 seasons (1988-2004)

Teams: Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders (1988-2003), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2004)

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Tim Brown

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Tim Brown

Chris O’Meara / AP Photo

Tim Brown was the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy and was the NFL’s premier return specialist in his first five seasons before reeling off nine straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

Brown was as tough and consistent as any receiver in NFL history. Just look at his NFL-record 176 consecutive starts at the position.

21. Tony Gonzalez

Tony Gonzalez is the greatest tight end in NFL history but never got the chance to play in the Super Bowl. Charlie Riedel / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 15,141

Rushing yards: 14

Receiving yards: 15,127

Born: Feb. 27, 1976 (Torrance, California)

High school: Huntington Beach High School (Huntingon Beach, California)

College: California

Height/weight: 6-foot-5, 247 pounds

Position: Tight end

NFL career: 17 seasons (1997-2013)

Teams: Kansas City Chiefs (1997-2008), Atlanta Falcons (2009-13)

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Tony Gonzalez

David Goldman / AP Photo

Tony Gonzalez is the only player to make this list who’s not a running back or a wide receiver. It’s really unfortunate the greatest tight end in NFL history never even played in a Super Bowl.

Gonzalez holds the NFL record for total receiving yards for a tight end and is third all-time for receptions behind Jerry Rice and Larry Fitzgerald.

In 17 seasons that included 1,327 touches, Gonzalez only lost two fumbles.

20. Warrick Dunn

Warrick Dunn was as effective catching the ball as he was taking handoffs. Chris O’Meara / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 15,306

Rushing yards: 10,967

Receiving yards: 4,339

Born: Jan. 5, 1975 (New Orleans, Louisiana)

High school: Catholic High School (Baton Rouge, Louisiana)

College: Florida State

Height/weight: 5-foot-9, 187 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 12 seasons (1997-2008)

Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997-2001, 2008), Atlanta Falcons (2002-07)

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Warrick Dunn

Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn

Donna McWilliams / AP Photo

Warrick Dunn was undersized but played as big as anyone on the field during his 12-year career. And he racked up big numbers in his own particular way.

In 12 NFL seasons, Dunn only rushed over 1,000 yards five times yet had over 1,000 yards from scrimmage 11 times.

19. Isaac Bruce

Isaac Bruce caught the game-winning pass for the Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV. Tom Gannam / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 15,347

Rushing yards: 139

Receiving yards: 15,208

Born: Nov. 11, 1972 (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

High school: Dillard High School (Fort Lauderdale, Florida)

College: Memphis

Height/weight: 6-foot, 188 pounds

Position: Wide receiver

NFL career: 16 seasons (2994-2009)

Teams: Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams (1994-2007), San Francisco 49ers (2008-09)

Super Bowl titles: 1 (1999)

Bottom Line: Isaac Bruce

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Isaac Bruce

Kevork Djansezian / AP Photo

Isaac Bruce scored 91 career touchdowns in 16 seasons, but the biggest catch of his career came on a 73-yard touchdown pass from Kurt Warner in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XXXIV that won the game for the St. Louis Rams.

In 2020, Bruce became the first player from the University of Memphis elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

18. Eric Dickerson

Eric Dickerson set the NFL single-season rushing record in 1984 with 2,105 yards. Lennox McClendon / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 15,396

Rushing yards: 13,259

Receiving yards: 2,137

Born: Sept. 2, 1960 (Sealy, Texas)

High school: Sealy High School (Sealy, Texas)

College: SMU

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 220 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 11 seasons (1983-93)

Teams: Los Angeles Rams (1983-87), Indianapolis Colts (1987-91), Los Angeles Raiders (1992), Atlanta Falcons (1993)

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Eric Dickerson

Bill Kostroun / AP Photo

Eric Dickerson (and his goggles) helped define the 1980s in the NFL.

In his first seven seasons, first with the Los Angeles Rams and then with the Indianapolis Colts, Dickerson made six Pro Bowls, five All-Pro teams and led the NFL in rushing four times.

Dickerson’s 2,105 rushing yards in 1984 are still the NFL single-season record.

17. Randy Moss

Randy Moss led the NFL in receiving touchdowns five times. Mike Roemer / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 15,451

Rushing yards: 159

Receiving yards: 15,292

Born: Feb. 13, 1977 (Charleston, West Virginia)

High school: Dupont High School (Dupont City, West Virginia)

College: Marshall

Height/weight: 6-foot-4, 210 pounds

Position: Wide receiver

NFL career: 14 seasons (1998-2010, 2012)

Teams: Minnesota Vikings (1998-2004, 2010), Oakland Raiders (2005-06), New England Patriots (2007-10), Tennessee Titans (2010), San Francisco 49ers (2012)

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Randy Moss

New England Patriots wide receiver Randy Moss

David Duprey / AP Photo

The NFL may have never seen a receiver quite like Randy Moss, with his once-in-a-lifetime combination of size, speed and athleticism.

Moss led the NFL in receiving touchdowns five times, including an NFL-record 23 touchdown receptions in 2007.

In 14 NFL seasons, Moss had at least 1,000 receiving yards 10 times and still holds or shares 24 NFL career records.

16. Edgerrin James

Edgerrin James led the NFL in rushing his first two seasons. Ed Zurga / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 15,610

Rushing yards: 12,246

Receiving yards: 3,364

Born: Aug. 1, 1978 (Immokalee, Florida)

High school: Immokalee High School (Immokalee, Florida)

College: Miami

Height/weight: 6-foot, 219 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 11 seasons (1999-2009)

Teams: Indianapolis Colts (1999-2005), Arizona Cardinals (2006-08), Seattle Seahawks (2009)

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Edgerrin James

Arizona Cardinals running back Edgerrin James

David J. Phillip / AP Photo

Edgerrin James led the NFL in rushing his first two seasons in the league. He also had over 500 receiving yards both seasons.

James rushed for over 1,000 yards in seven of his 11 NFL seasons and came up just 11 yards short of 1,000 yards in 2002, his first year back after he tore his ACL in the sixth game of the 2001 season.

15. Tiki Barber

Tiki Barber retired one year before the New York Giants won the Super Bowl. Tim Larsen / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 15,632

Rushing yards: 10,449

Receiving yards: 5,183

Born: April 7, 1975 (Roanoke, Virginia)

High school: Cave Spring High School (Roanoke, Virginia)

College: Virginia

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 205 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 10 seasons (1997-2006)

Teams: New York Giants

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Tiki Barber

New York Giants running back Tiki Barber

Ann Heisenfelt / AP Photo

Tiki Barber’s legacy should be more than it is among Giants fans, but here’s the problem — when you trash the team and the starting quarterback on the way out the door and they win the Super Bowl the next year, people aren’t very forgiving.

That’s exactly what Barber did. Having a bad take is one thing. Throwing your old teammates under the bus and not having the guts to do it to their face is another.

14. Terrell Owens

Terrell Owens was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Denis Poroy / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 16,185

Rushing yards: 251

Receiving yards: 15,934

Born: Dec. 7, 1973 (Alexander City, Alabama)

High school: Benjamin Russell High School (Alexander City, Alabama)

College: Tennessee-Chattanooga

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 224 pounds

Position: Wide receiver

NFL career: 15 seasons (1996-2010)

Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1996-2003), Philadelphia Eagles (2004-05), Dallas Cowboys (2006-08), Buffalo Bills (2009), Cincinnati Bengals (2010)

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Terrell Owens

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Terrell Owens

Chuck Burton / AP Photo

The fact Terrell Owens alienated as many people as he did throughout his career and still was able to make the Hall of Fame is really a testament to the genius he brought to playing the wide receiver position.

How bad was Owens in the locker room? He had 983 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in 2010 in just 14 games and never got another NFL contract.

13. Tony Dorsett

Tony Dorsett won a Heisman Trophy, national championship and Super Bowl. AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 16,293

Rushing yards: 12,739

Receiving yards: 3,554

Born: April 7, 1954 (Rochester, Pennsylvania)

High school: Hopewell High School (Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania)

College: Pittsburgh

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 192 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 12 seasons (1977-88)

Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1977-87), Denver Broncos (1988)

Super Bowl titles: 1 (1977)

Bottom Line: Tony Dorsett

Nick Ut / AP Photo

Football fans of a certain age grew up watching Tony Dorsett’s 99-yard touchdown run on Monday Night Football over and over again on highlight reels.

Dorsett is one of the greatest winners in football history — one of only two players to win a Heisman Trophy, national championship, Super Bowl and earn induction into both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame.

12. Thurman Thomas

Thurman Thomas led Buffalo to four consecutive Super Bowls. Mark Lennihan / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 16,532

Rushing yards: 12,074

Receiving yards: 4,458

Born: May 16, 1966 (Houston, Texas)

High school: Willowridge High School (Houston, Texas)

College: Oklahoma State

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 206 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 13 seasons (1988-2000)

Teams: Buffalo Bills (1988-99), Miami Dolphins (2000)

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Thurman Thomas

Buffalo Bills running back Thurman Thomas

Bill Kostroun / AP Photo

Thurman Thomas had an epic career, in college and the pros, that was unfortunately overshadowed for different reasons.

In college, he was the teammate of Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders at Oklahoma State. In the pros, it was because he lost in four consecutive Super Bowls with the Buffalo Bills … although he was the NFL MVP in 1991.

11. Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson was named NFL MVP in 2012. Elaine Thompson / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 17,392

Rushing yards: 14,918

Receiving yards: 2,474

Born: March 21, 1985 (Palestine, Texas)

High school: Palestine High School (Palestine, Texas)

College: Oklahoma

Height/weight: 6-foot-1, 220 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 15 seasons (2007-21)

Teams: Minnesota Vikings (2007-16), New Orleans Saints (2017), Arizona Cardinals (2017), Washington Redskins (2018-19), Detroit Lions (2020), Tennessee Titans (2021), Seattle Seahawks (2021)

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Adrian Peterson

Seattle Seahawks running back Adrian Peterson

John Froschauer / AP Photo

Adrian Peterson is a seven-time Pro Bowler, seven-time All-Pro and was the NFL MVP in 2012, but he’s never played in the Super Bowl and only played in one conference championship game, losing to the New Orleans Saints after the 2009 season.

Peterson has a complicated legacy. He was suspended for all but one game of the 2014 season for abusing his 4-year-old son. He retired following 15 seasons in 2021. Will he be a first-ballot Hall of Famer?

10. Curtis Martin

Curtis Martin rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first 10 seasons. Charles Krupa / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 17,430

Rushing yards: 14,101

Receiving yards: 3,329

Born: May 1, 1973 (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

High school: Allderdice High School (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania)

College: Pittsburgh

Height/weight: 5-foot-11, 210 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 11 seasons (1995-2005)

Teams: New England Patriots (1995-97), New York Jets (1998-2006)

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Curtis Martin

New York Jets running back Curtis Martin

James Rogash / AP Photo

Curtis Martin was a model of consistency throughout his 11-year NFL career and one of only four players to rush for 14,000 yards in a career.

Martin averaged approximately 1,300 rushing yards per season through the first 10 years of his career before a knee injury cut short his 2005 season with 735 rushing yards and four games left to play.

9. Larry Fitzgerald

Larry Fitzgerald has played his entire career with the Arizona Cardinals. Mark Humphrey / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 17,560

Rushing yards: 68

Receiving yards: 17,492

Born: Aug. 31, 1983 (Minneapolis, Minnesota)

High school: Academy of Holy Angels (Richfield, Minnesota)

College: Pittsburgh

Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 218 pounds

Position: Wide receiver

NFL career: 17 seasons (2004-20)

Teams: Arizona Cardinals

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Larry Fitzgerald

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald

Mark J. Terrill / AP Photo

Larry Fitzgerald is one of the greatest receivers in NFL history and is second in NFL career receiving yards and receiving touchdowns behind Jerry Rice.

Fitzgerald, who is a minority owner of the Phoenix Suns, already owns or shares 14 NFL records, including most playoff games with over 150 receiving yards. He retired following the 2020 season.

8. Marcus Allen

Marcus Allen won the Heisman Trophy and was named NFL MVP in 1983. Reed Saxon / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 17,654

Rushing yards: 12,243

Receiving yards: 5,411

Born: March 26, 1960 (San Diego, California)

High school: Lincoln High School (San Diego, California)

College: USC

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 210 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 16 seasons (1982-97)

Teams: Los Angeles Raiders (1982-92), Kansas City Chiefs (1993-97)

Super Bowl titles: 1 (1983)

Bottom Line: Marcus Allen

Kansas City Chiefs running back Marcus Allen

Eric Draper / AP Photo

Marcus Allen accomplished pretty much everything you can as a football player.

He is one of just two players, alongside Tony Dorsett, to win a Heisman Trophy, national championship, Super Bowl and be inducted into both the College Football Hall of Fame and Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Allen also was the NFL MVP in 1985 and the Super Bowl MVP following the 1983 season.

7. Barry Sanders

Barry Sanders didn’t start at tailback until his senior year of high school. Chris O’Meara / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 18,190

Rushing yards: 15,269

Receiving yards: 2,921

Born: July 16, 1968 (Wichita, Kansas)

High school: North High School (Wichita, Kansas)

College: Oklahoma State

Height/weight: 5-foot-8, 200 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 10 seasons (1989-98)

Teams: Detroit Lions

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Barry Sanders

Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders

Bill Waugh / AP Photo

The argument for greatest running back of all time usually includes a short list of Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, Jim Brown and Barry Sanders.

Like Brown, Sanders ended his career while he was still in his prime, retiring unexpectedly after the 1998 season and with the NFL’s career rushing record well within his sights.

6. LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson set the NFL single-season record with 28 rushing touchdowns in 2006. John Russell / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 18,456

Rushing yards: 13,684

Receiving yards: 4,772

Born: June 23, 1979 (Rosebud, Texas)

High school: University High School (Waco, Texas)

College: TCU

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 205 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 11 seasons (2001-11)

Teams: San Diego Chargers (2001-09), New York Jets (2010-11)

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: LaDainian Tomlinson

San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson

Lenny Ignelzi / AP Photo

LaDainian Tomlinson was a six-time All-Pro and named the NFL MVP in 2006 after setting an NFL single-season record with 28 career touchdowns.

Tomlinson was one of the greatest pass-catching running backs of all time. He finished his career with 4,772 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.

He also threw seven touchdown passes in his career, second only behind Walter Payton.

5. Marshall Faulk

Marshall Faulk was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year three times. Al Behrman / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 19,154

Rushing yards: 12,279

Receiving yards: 6,875

Born: Feb. 26, 1973 (New Orleans, Louisiana)

High school: G.W. Carver High School (New Orleans, Louisiana)

College: San Diego State

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 210 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 10 seasons (1994-2005)

Teams: Indianapolis Colts (1994-98), St. Louis Rams (1999-2006)

Super Bowl titles: 1 (1999)

Bottom Line: Marshall Faulk

St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk

James A. Finley / AP Photo

Marshall Faulk was recruited as a cornerback but was determined to play running back and went to the only school that would let him at San Diego State, where he was a three-time All-American.

The No. 2 overall pick in the 1994 NFL draft, Faulk was a three-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, NFL MVP in 2000 and won a Super Bowl with the Rams.

4. Frank Gore

Frank Gore was the No. 3 career leading rusher in NFL history during the 2020 season. Marcio Jose Sanchez / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 19,985

Rushing yards: 16,000

Receiving yards: 3,985

Born: May 14, 1983 (Miami, Florida)

High school: Coral Gables Senior High (Coral Gables, Florida)

College: Miami

Height/weight: 5-foot-9, 215 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 16 seasons (2005-20)

Teams: San Francisco 49ers (2005-14), Indianapolis Colts (2015-17), Miami Dolphins (2018), Buffalo Bills (2019), New York Jets (2020)

Super Bowl titles: None

Bottom Line: Frank Gore

Ashley Landis / AP Photo

Frank Gore was the oldest running back in the NFL in 2020 at 37 years old, playing for his fifth team and in his 16th season.

Gore’s only All-Pro season came in 2006, when he had career highs in rushing yards (1,695) and receiving yards (485), and he’s currently No. 3 on the NFL career rushing yards list. He retired following the 2020 season with the New York Jets.

Gore’s post-football life has been sort of weird. He lost a boxing match to former NBA point guard Deron Williams in 2021.

3. Walter Payton

Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton

Walter Payton was tough to tackle. Reed Saon EED SAXON / AP

Career yards from scrimmage: 21,264

Rushing yards: 16,726

Receiving yards: 4,538

Born: July 25, 1954 (Columbia, Mississippi)

Died: Nov. 1, 1999 (South Barrington, Illinois)

High school: Columbia High School (Columbia, Mississippi)

College: Jackson State

Height/weight: 5-foot-10, 200 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 13 seasons (1975-87)

Teams: Chicago Bears

Super Bowl titles: 1 (1985)

Bottom Line: Walter Payton

Chicago Bears players Jim McMahon and Walter Payton

Gerald Penny / AP Photo

“Sweetness” was possibly the greatest running back the NFL has ever seen.

Walter Payton rushed for at least 1,200 yards in 10 of the 13 seasons he played for the Chicago Bears, won NFL MVP in 1977 and a Super Bowl after the 1985 season. He also was no slouch catching passes out of the backfield, with 4,538 receiving yards.

Payton died of a rare liver disease in 1999, at just 45 years old.

2. Emmitt Smith

Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith

Emmitt Smith set the NFL career rushing record in 2002. Tony Gutierrez / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 21,579

Rushing yards: 18,355

Receiving yards: 3,224

Born: May 15, 1969 (Pensacola, Florida)

High school: Escambia High School (Pensacola, Florida)

College: Florida

Height/weight: 5-foot-9, 210 pounds

Position: Running back

NFL career: 15 seasons (1990-2004)

Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1990-2002), Arizona Cardinals (2003-04)

Super Bowl titles: 3 (1992, 1993, 1995)

Bottom Line: Emmitt Smith

Arizona Cardinals running back Emmitt Smith

Matt York / AP Photo

Emmitt Smith was one of four Hall of Famers on the offensive side of the ball for the Dallas Cowboys during their dynasty of the early 1990s, winning three Super Bowls and being named NFL MVP in 1993.

Smith broke Walter Payton’s NFL career rushing record in 2002, which he still holds, and is also the league’s career leader in rushing touchdowns and rushing attempts.

1. Jerry Rice

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice

Jerry Rice won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers and led the NFL in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns six times. Martha Jane Stanton / AP Photo

Career yards from scrimmage: 23,540

Rushing yards: 645

Receiving yards: 22,895

Born: Oct. 13, 1962 (Starkville, Mississippi)

High school: Moor High School (Oktoc, Mississippi)

College: Mississippi Valley State

Height/weight: 6-foot-2, 200 pounds

Position: Wide receiver

NFL career: 20 seasons (1985-2004)

Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1985-2000), Oakland Raiders (2001-04), Seattle Seahawks (2004)

Super Bowl titles: 3 (1988, 1989, 1994)

Bottom Line: Jerry Rice

Oakland Raiders wide receiver Jerry Rice

Paul Sakuma / AP Photo

Simply the greatest wide receiver in NFL history, Jerry Rice won three Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers and hopped across the bay to win an AFC championship with the Oakland Raiders in the twilight of his career.

Rice still holds NFL career records for receptions, receiving yards and touchdown receptions and led the NFL in receiving six times and receiving touchdowns six times.