Best Dallas Cowboys running backs of all-time starts with Emmitt Smith, and that is one of the easiest No. 1 calls in franchise history. Smith is the Cowboys’ all-time rushing leader, the NFL’s all-time rushing leader, a three-time Super Bowl champion, and the running back who defined Dallas’ 1990s dynasty.
Tony Dorsett follows as the smooth Hall of Fame runner who helped bridge the Roger Staubach and Danny White eras. Ezekiel Elliott gets the modern No. 3 spot because of his rushing titles, rookie explosion, touchdown production, and place in the Cowboys record book. After that, the list gets more interesting with DeMarco Murray’s monster 2014 peak, Don Perkins’ early-franchise consistency, Calvin Hill’s versatility, Marion Barber’s violence, Herschel Walker’s athletic profile, Duane Thomas’ Super Bowl run, and Robert Newhouse’s long-term fullback value.
This ranking keeps the original order shown in the graphic. It judges each back only by what he did with the Dallas Cowboys, weighing production, peak, awards, playoff impact, championships, franchise records, toughness, versatility, and overall Cowboys legacy.
How We Ranked the Best Dallas Cowboys Running Backs of all-time
This list is based only on each player’s Dallas Cowboys career. Emmitt Smith’s Arizona years do not matter here. Herschel Walker’s USFL and Vikings production does not move him higher on a Cowboys-only ranking. DeMarco Murray’s Eagles and Titans seasons do not count the same as his Dallas peak.
The main ranking factors are rushing production, touchdown production, receiving value, playoff impact, championships, awards, franchise records, longevity, peak dominance, and how strongly each running back shaped Cowboys history. Smith and Dorsett are the clear top two. Elliott, Murray, Perkins, Hill, Barber, Walker, Thomas, and Newhouse each represent a different part of Dallas’ running back tradition.
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10. Robert Newhouse
Cowboys RB proof: 1972–1983 with Dallas, 4,784 rushing yards, 31 rushing touchdowns, Super Bowl XII champion, and one of the franchise’s most reliable fullbacks.
Robert Newhouse gets the No. 10 spot because of his longevity, toughness, and role in the Cowboys’ 1970s success. He was not a flashy breakaway runner, but he was dependable, physical, and useful in multiple situations.
His most famous moment came in Super Bowl XII, when he threw a 29-yard halfback touchdown pass to Golden Richards against the Denver Broncos. That play remains one of the most memorable trick plays in Cowboys Super Bowl history.
9. Duane Thomas
Cowboys RB proof: 1970–1971 with Dallas, 1,596 rushing yards, 16 rushing touchdowns, 1971 NFL rushing touchdown leader, and Super Bowl VI champion.
Duane Thomas had one of the strangest and most fascinating Cowboys careers ever. His Dallas run was short, tense, and full of controversy, but the football impact was undeniable.
In 1971, Thomas led the league in rushing touchdowns and became the main runner on the Cowboys’ first Super Bowl-winning team. He scored in all three postseason games that year, including Super Bowl VI. The career did not last long in Dallas, but the peak was too important to leave out.
8. Herschel Walker
Cowboys RB proof: 1986–1989 and 1996–1997 with Dallas, 3,491 rushing yards, strong receiving production, and one of the most famous trade legacies in NFL history.
Herschel Walker was one of the most gifted athletes to ever play for the Cowboys. He could run, catch, return kicks, and handle a massive workload. In his first Dallas stint, he was one of the few bright spots on a struggling late-1980s roster.
His Cowboys legacy is also tied to the 1989 trade that helped build the 1990s dynasty. Walker was a very good Dallas player, but the picks and players from that deal became part of the foundation for Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, and the Super Bowl teams.
7. Marion Barber
Cowboys RB proof: 2005–2010 with Dallas, 4,358 rushing yards, 47 rushing touchdowns, 174 receptions, 1,280 receiving yards, and 2007 Pro Bowl selection.
Marion Barber was one of the most violent runners in Cowboys history. He did not always need clean blocking because his style was built on contact, balance, and punishment.
Barber’s best years came as a touchdown finisher and tone-setter. His 2007 Pro Bowl season showed how valuable he could be even when he was not always the full-time feature back. Cowboys fans remember him because he ran with an edge that matched the franchise’s physical identity.
6. Calvin Hill
Cowboys RB proof: 1969–1974 with Dallas, 5,009 rushing yards, 39 rushing touchdowns, 4 Pro Bowls, 1969 Offensive Rookie of the Year, and Super Bowl VI champion.
Calvin Hill was one of the Cowboys’ first great multipurpose backs. He could run with power, catch passes, and give Dallas a polished offensive weapon during the early Tom Landry championship years.
Hill became the first Cowboys running back to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season, and he followed it with another strong year. His combination of production, awards, and championship value gives him a strong case above several more famous names.
5. Don Perkins
Cowboys RB proof: 1961–1968 with Dallas, 6,217 rushing yards, 42 rushing touchdowns, 6 Pro Bowls, First-Team All-Pro, and Cowboys Ring of Honor member.
Don Perkins was the Cowboys’ first great running back. He played during the franchise’s early years, before Dallas became “America’s Team,” and he gave the offense toughness and credibility.
Perkins led the Cowboys in rushing year after year and remained productive even before the team became a consistent winner. His era does not get as much attention as the Super Bowl eras, but his production and Ring of Honor status make him one of the most important backs in franchise history.
4. DeMarco Murray
Cowboys RB proof: 2011–2014 with Dallas, 4,526 rushing yards, 28 rushing touchdowns, 2014 Offensive Player of the Year, 2014 rushing champion, and 1,845-yard single-season franchise record.
DeMarco Murray’s Cowboys career was not long, but his 2014 season was one of the best individual seasons in franchise history. Behind an elite offensive line, he became the engine of a 12-win Cowboys team.
Murray rushed for 1,845 yards in 2014, broke Emmitt Smith’s single-season franchise rushing record, and won Offensive Player of the Year. The short Dallas tenure keeps him below Elliott, Dorsett, and Smith, but peak-for-peak, he belongs in the top four.
3. Ezekiel Elliott
Cowboys RB proof: 2016–2022 and 2024 with Dallas, 8,488 Cowboys rushing yards, 71 Cowboys rushing touchdowns, 2 NFL rushing titles, 3 Pro Bowls, and 2016 First-Team All-Pro.
Ezekiel Elliott was the face of the Cowboys’ rushing attack from the moment he arrived. His 2016 rookie season changed the offense, helped Dak Prescott settle in immediately, and gave Dallas one of the best young backfield duos in football.
Zeke led the NFL in rushing in 2016 and 2018, finished third in Cowboys rushing history, and became one of the franchise’s best touchdown backs. He is no longer with Dallas, but his prime years still give him a clear top-three Cowboys running back case.
2. Tony Dorsett
Cowboys RB proof: 1977–1987 with Dallas, 12,036 Cowboys rushing yards, 72 rushing touchdowns, Super Bowl XII champion, 4 Pro Bowls, and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Tony Dorsett was smooth, fast, and explosive. He joined the Cowboys as a rookie in 1977 and immediately helped Dallas win Super Bowl XII.
Dorsett’s 99-yard touchdown run against Minnesota remains one of the most iconic plays in NFL history. Before Emmitt Smith arrived, Dorsett was the standard for Cowboys running backs. His mix of longevity, production, speed, and Hall of Fame status makes him an easy No. 2.
1. Emmitt Smith
Cowboys RB proof: 1990–2002 with Dallas, franchise-record 17,162 rushing yards, franchise-record 153 rushing touchdowns, 3 Super Bowl championships, 1993 NFL MVP, Super Bowl XXVIII MVP, and Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Emmitt Smith is the best Dallas Cowboys running back of all-time. He is also the NFL’s all-time rushing leader, which makes his case bigger than just Dallas.
Smith was the heartbeat of the Cowboys’ 1990s dynasty. Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, the offensive line, and the defense all mattered, but Emmitt was the finishing force. He ran with vision, balance, toughness, patience, and rare goal-line value. Three Super Bowls, an MVP, a Super Bowl MVP, and the rushing record make him the clear No. 1.
Full Ranking Table: Best Dallas Cowboys Running Backs of all-time
Note: This table is a clean recap of the full Cowboys running back ranking. The write-ups above explain the context behind each spot.
| Rank | Player | Cowboys Years | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmitt Smith | 1990–2002 | 17,162 | 153 |
| 2 | Tony Dorsett | 1977–1987 | 12,036 | 72 |
| 3 | Ezekiel Elliott | 2016–2022, 2024 | 8,488 | 71 |
| 4 | DeMarco Murray | 2011–2014 | 4,526 | 28 |
| 5 | Don Perkins | 1961–1968 | 6,217 | 42 |
| 6 | Calvin Hill | 1969–1974 | 5,009 | 39 |
| 7 | Marion Barber | 2005–2010 | 4,358 | 47 |
| 8 | Herschel Walker | 1986–1989, 1996–1997 | 3,491 | 27 |
| 9 | Duane Thomas | 1970–1971 | 1,596 | 16 |
| 10 | Robert Newhouse | 1972–1983 | 4,784 | 31 |
FAQ: Best Dallas Cowboys Running Backs of all-time
Who is the best Dallas Cowboys running back of all-time?
Emmitt Smith is the best Dallas Cowboys running back of all-time. He owns the Cowboys franchise rushing records, won three Super Bowls with Dallas, earned NFL MVP, won Super Bowl MVP, and retired as the NFL’s all-time rushing leader.
Who is second behind Emmitt Smith among Cowboys running backs?
Tony Dorsett is second behind Emmitt Smith among Cowboys running backs. Dorsett rushed for 12,036 yards with Dallas, won Super Bowl XII, made four Pro Bowls, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Is Ezekiel Elliott one of the best Cowboys running backs ever?
Yes. Ezekiel Elliott is one of the best Cowboys running backs ever. He ranks third in franchise rushing yards, won two NFL rushing titles, made three Pro Bowls, and was a First-Team All-Pro as a rookie in 2016.
Who has the Cowboys single-season rushing record?
DeMarco Murray owns the Cowboys single-season rushing record with 1,845 rushing yards in 2014. He won NFL Offensive Player of the Year that season.
Who was the Cowboys first great running back?
Don Perkins was the Cowboys’ first great running back. He played from 1961 to 1968, rushed for 6,217 yards, made six Pro Bowls, and was inducted into the Cowboys Ring of Honor.
What made Marion Barber special for the Cowboys?
Marion Barber was known for his violent running style, tackle-breaking power, and touchdown production. He rushed for 47 touchdowns with Dallas and made the Pro Bowl in 2007.
Conclusion: Ranking the Greatest Cowboys Running Backs Ever
The best Dallas Cowboys running backs of all-time ranking starts with Emmitt Smith because no Cowboys back can match his production, awards, championships, durability, and NFL rushing record. Tony Dorsett is the clear No. 2 because of his Hall of Fame career, Super Bowl impact, and long run as the franchise’s original superstar halfback.
Ezekiel Elliott and DeMarco Murray make the modern debate interesting. Zeke has the stronger Cowboys résumé because of his longevity, rushing titles, and place in the franchise record book. Murray has one of the best single-season peaks in Cowboys history. Don Perkins and Calvin Hill give the list early-franchise credibility, while Marion Barber, Herschel Walker, Duane Thomas, and Robert Newhouse round out the ranking with toughness, versatility, playoff moments, and era-specific importance.
The key thing to remember is that this is a Cowboys-only running back ranking. It is not based on full-career NFL value alone, and it is not just a stat leaderboard. The order comes from what each back meant to Dallas, how productive he was in a Cowboys uniform, and how strongly he shaped the franchise’s rushing identity.
More Cowboys and NFL Rankings
For the full franchise picture beyond running backs, check out our best Dallas Cowboys players of all-time ranking. For more Cowboys stat lists, read our Dallas Cowboys all-time rushing yards leaders, most rushing TDs in Dallas Cowboys history, most passing yards in Dallas Cowboys history and Dallas Cowboys all-time receiving yards leaders.
For the bigger position debate, read our best running backs of all-time list. You can also visit our all-time player rankings for every NFL franchise or our NFL rankings page for more stat lists, position rankings and historical tier lists.
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For more NFL history content, check out our other all-time running back rankings, franchise legend lists, and historical tier lists. You can also follow for more NFL rankings, debates, and football history graphics.
