Best Green Bay Packers Running Backs of All-Time starts with Jim Taylor at No. 1, and that is still the strongest blend of peak, toughness, championships and Packers legacy. Ahman Green owns the franchise rushing yards record, but Taylor was the defining power back of the Lombardi dynasty and one of the most physical runners of his era.
This list is loaded with different types of backs. Green had the best volume case. Paul Hornung was the ultimate scoring weapon. Tony Canadeo helped carry Green Bay before the modern era. Aaron Jones gave the Packers elite efficiency and big-play ability in the Aaron Rodgers/Jordan Love transition years. Clarke Hinkle, John Brockington, Dorsey Levens, Ryan Grant and Verne Lewellen all represent important chapters of Packers rushing history.
For the full team index, visit our Green Bay Packers all-time leaders and player rankings hub. This ranking judges each back by Packers-only impact, not total NFL career value.
How We Ranked the Best Green Bay Packers Running Backs of All-Time
This ranking is based only on what each running back did with the Green Bay Packers. Full-career greatness matters as context, but Packers impact comes first. Aaron Jones’ Vikings years do not count here. Dorsey Levens’ later Eagles and Giants years do not add to his Green Bay case. Older players are judged with era context because the game, schedules and statistical tracking were very different.
The main factors are rushing production, scoring impact, peak performance, longevity, playoff value, championships, versatility, era context and how strongly each player shaped Packers history.
That is why this is not simply a rushing yards list. If it were, Ahman Green would be No. 1. But the “best running back” debate has to include how dominant the player was, how much he meant to winning, and how strongly he defined his era in Green Bay.
Why This Packers RB Ranking Is Different
Packers running back history is not built around one simple model. Jim Taylor was a punishing fullback. Ahman Green was a modern workhorse with explosive ability. Paul Hornung was a halfback, kicker and scoring machine. Tony Canadeo and Verne Lewellen played in eras where backs were asked to run, pass, catch, punt, defend and lead.
That makes this ranking more layered than a stat table. Green has the best career rushing total. Taylor has the best championship-era power-back case. Hornung has the most unique scoring résumé. Jones has one of the best efficiency profiles. Brockington, Levens and Grant gave Green Bay strong feature-back seasons during different eras.
The final ranking balances numbers, winning, role, peak and Packers-only legacy.
Table of Contents
10. Verne Lewellen
Green Bay Packers Stats & Accolades: 1924–1932 with Green Bay, three NFL championships, 51 total touchdowns, Packers Hall of Fame back and punter.
Verne Lewellen gets the No. 10 spot because he was one of the most important all-around backs from the Packers’ first great era. His career came before modern statistical tracking, so his rushing totals do not tell the full story.
Lewellen was a runner, punter, scorer and field-position weapon at a time when punting could be as valuable as passing. He helped Green Bay win three straight NFL championships from 1929 through 1931 and was one of the league’s most respected players of the 1920s.
Because the record keeping from his era is incomplete, it is hard to compare him directly with modern backs. But in terms of early Packers impact, Lewellen belongs on the list.
9. Ryan Grant
Green Bay Packers Stats & Accolades: 2007–2012 with Green Bay, 4,143 rushing yards, 27 rushing touchdowns and two 1,200-yard rushing seasons.
Ryan Grant ranks ninth because he gave the Packers steady feature-back production during the late Brett Favre and early Aaron Rodgers transition. He was not flashy, but he was reliable and productive.
Grant’s 2007 breakout was one of the best midseason rises by any Packers back. He went from a trade pickup to the team’s lead runner and helped Green Bay reach the NFC Championship Game.
His best seasons came in 2008 and 2009, when he went over 1,200 rushing yards in back-to-back years. Injuries later slowed him down, but his Green Bay run was strong enough to keep him inside the top 10.
8. Dorsey Levens
Green Bay Packers Stats & Accolades: 1994–2001 with Green Bay, 3,937 rushing yards, 28 rushing touchdowns, 271 receptions, 2,079 receiving yards and one Super Bowl championship.
Dorsey Levens ranks eighth because his value was more complete than a simple rushing total. He could run, catch, protect and fit perfectly into the Packers’ late-1990s offense.
Levens’ 1997 season was his best. He rushed for 1,435 yards, added receiving value and helped Green Bay return to the Super Bowl. At his peak, he was one of the most useful all-around backs in the NFC.
He does not have the career rushing volume of Green, Taylor or Brockington, but his versatility and championship-era role give him a strong Packers-only case.
7. John Brockington
Green Bay Packers Stats & Accolades: 1971–1977 with Green Bay, 5,024 rushing yards, 29 rushing touchdowns, 1,075 receiving yards and three straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons to start his career.
John Brockington ranks seventh because his early Packers peak was powerful. He became the first NFL player to rush for more than 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons, giving Green Bay a true workhorse after the Lombardi era.
Brockington was big, physical and built for volume. His best seasons came during a period when the Packers were trying to find their next identity, and he gave the offense a real foundation.
The second half of his Green Bay career was not as strong as the first half, which keeps him lower than the top six. But his opening run was too good to ignore.
6. Clarke Hinkle
Green Bay Packers Stats & Accolades: 1932–1941 with Green Bay, 3,860 rushing yards, 35 rushing touchdowns, 537 receiving yards, two NFL championships and Pro Football Hall of Fame fullback.
Clarke Hinkle ranks sixth because he was one of the toughest two-way players in Packers history. He played fullback, linebacker, kicker and punter, but his running-back value was central to his legacy.
Hinkle was a bruising runner in an era where every yard was earned through contact. He retired as one of pro football’s major rushing figures and helped Green Bay win NFL championships in 1936 and 1939.
Modern stats do not fully explain his importance because his era was so different. But Hinkle’s toughness, honors and Hall of Fame standing make him one of the greatest backs in Packers history.
5. Aaron Jones
Green Bay Packers Stats & Accolades: 2017–2023 with Green Bay, 5,940 rushing yards, 45 rushing touchdowns, 2,076 receiving yards, 18 receiving touchdowns and a 2020 Pro Bowl selection.
Aaron Jones ranks fifth because he was one of the most efficient and explosive backs the Packers have ever had. His 5.0 yards-per-carry average with Green Bay stands out immediately.
Jones was not always used like a 350-carry workhorse, but when he touched the ball, he changed games. He could run outside zone, cut back through traffic, catch passes and create explosive plays without needing perfect blocking.
His peak also carried into major moments. Jones became a key weapon late in the Aaron Rodgers era and stayed important as Green Bay transitioned to Jordan Love. He does not have Ahman Green’s volume or Jim Taylor’s championship legacy, but his efficiency and versatility make him a clear top-five Packers back.
4. Tony Canadeo
Green Bay Packers Stats & Accolades: 1941–1952 with Green Bay, 4,197 rushing yards, 26 rushing touchdowns, 579 receiving yards, 1,642 passing yards and Pro Football Hall of Fame back.
Tony Canadeo ranks fourth because he was one of the first great all-purpose Packers backs. He ran, caught passes, threw passes, returned kicks, punted and played defense. That kind of role does not exist in the modern game.
Canadeo became the first Packers player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season when he reached 1,052 yards in 1949. For that era, that was a major achievement.
His stats may not look huge next to modern totals, but his versatility and historical importance are massive. Canadeo was a complete football player and one of the early faces of Green Bay greatness.
3. Paul Hornung
Green Bay Packers Stats & Accolades: 1957–1966 with Green Bay, 3,711 rushing yards, 50 rushing touchdowns, 1,480 receiving yards, 12 receiving touchdowns, 1961 NFL MVP, four NFL championships and one Super Bowl win.
Paul Hornung ranks third because he was not just a running back. He was a scoring system. The “Golden Boy” could run, catch, throw option passes and kick, which made him one of the most unique offensive weapons in Packers history.
Hornung’s 1961 MVP season is the center of his case. He was the kind of player Vince Lombardi trusted in big moments because he could create points in several different ways.
His rushing yardage total is lower than several players behind him, but that does not capture his full value. Hornung’s scoring impact, championships and versatility make him a top-three Packers back.
2. Ahman Green
Green Bay Packers Stats & Accolades: 2000–2006 and 2009 with Green Bay, franchise-record 8,322 rushing yards, 54 rushing touchdowns, 2,726 receiving yards, 14 receiving touchdowns and four Pro Bowls.
Ahman Green ranks second, and he has the best statistical case of any Packers running back. He is the franchise’s all-time rushing yards leader and one of the most explosive workhorse backs Green Bay has ever had.
Green’s 2003 season is the highlight. He rushed for 1,883 yards, still the best single-season rushing total in Packers history, and gave the offense a dominant ground-game presence.
He could run with power, break long gains and catch the ball out of the backfield. If this list were based only on rushing yards and modern volume, Green would be No. 1. He lands No. 2 because Jim Taylor’s championship-era dominance and scoring résumé still carry the top spot.
1. Jim Taylor
Green Bay Packers Stats & Accolades: 1958–1966 with Green Bay, 8,207 rushing yards, franchise-record 81 rushing touchdowns, 1,505 receiving yards, five NFL championships, one Super Bowl win, 1962 NFL MVP and Pro Football Hall of Fame fullback.
Jim Taylor is the best Green Bay Packers running back of all-time. Ahman Green has the rushing yards record, but Taylor’s combination of dominance, scoring, physicality and championship value gives him the strongest overall case.
Taylor was the perfect Lombardi back. He ran with anger, punished defenders and gave the Packers a tone-setting offensive identity. His 1962 season, when he won NFL MVP and led the league in rushing, remains one of the greatest seasons by any Packers back.
His 81 rushing touchdowns are still the franchise record, and he was a major piece of five championship teams. Taylor was not just productive; he helped define what Packers football looked like at its peak.
When everything is weighed together — peak, power, scoring, rings and franchise identity — Jim Taylor stands at No. 1.
Full Ranking Table: Best Green Bay Packers Running Backs of All-Time
Note: This table is a recap of the full ranking. Verne Lewellen played in an early era with incomplete official rushing and receiving records, so his table stats are listed with “—” where clean modern totals are not available.
| Rank | Running Back | From | To | Rushing Yards | Rushing TDs | Receiving Yards | Receiving TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jim Taylor | 1958 | 1966 | 8,207 | 81 | 1,505 | 10 |
| 2 | Ahman Green | 2000 | 2009 | 8,322 | 54 | 2,726 | 14 |
| 3 | Paul Hornung | 1957 | 1966 | 3,711 | 50 | 1,480 | 12 |
| 4 | Tony Canadeo | 1941 | 1952 | 4,197 | 26 | 579 | 5 |
| 5 | Aaron Jones | 2017 | 2023 | 5,940 | 45 | 2,076 | 18 |
| 6 | Clarke Hinkle | 1932 | 1941 | 3,860 | 35 | 537 | 9 |
| 7 | John Brockington | 1971 | 1977 | 5,024 | 29 | 1,075 | 3 |
| 8 | Dorsey Levens | 1994 | 2001 | 3,937 | 28 | 2,079 | 16 |
| 9 | Ryan Grant | 2007 | 2012 | 4,143 | 27 | 726 | 1 |
| 10 | Verne Lewellen | 1924 | 1932 | — | — | — | — |
FAQ: Best Green Bay Packers Running Backs of All-Time
Who is the best Green Bay Packers running back of all-time?
Jim Taylor is ranked as the best Green Bay Packers running back of all-time because of his power-running dominance, 81 rushing touchdowns, 1962 NFL MVP season and role on five championship teams.
Why is Jim Taylor ranked above Ahman Green?
Jim Taylor is ranked above Ahman Green because this is a best-running-backs ranking, not just a rushing yards list. Green has the rushing yards record, but Taylor has the stronger championship, scoring and era-dominance case.
Who has the most rushing yards in Packers history?
Ahman Green has the most rushing yards in Green Bay Packers history with 8,322 rushing yards.
Who has the most rushing touchdowns in Packers history?
Jim Taylor has the most rushing touchdowns in Packers history with 81 rushing TDs.
Where does Aaron Jones rank among Packers running backs?
Aaron Jones ranks No. 5 on this list because of his efficiency, versatility, 5,940 rushing yards, 45 rushing touchdowns and major role in the modern Packers offense.
Why is Paul Hornung ranked so high?
Paul Hornung ranks No. 3 because he was more than a traditional running back. He was a rushing, receiving, passing and kicking weapon who won NFL MVP and helped Green Bay win multiple championships.
Does Aaron Jones’ Vikings career count in this ranking?
No. This is a Packers-only ranking. Aaron Jones’ Vikings career does not add to his Green Bay case.
Conclusion: Ranking the Greatest Packers Running Backs Ever
The best Green Bay Packers running backs of all-time ranking starts with Jim Taylor because he best combines power, scoring, championships and franchise identity. He was the perfect back for the Lombardi Packers and still owns the franchise rushing touchdown record.
Ahman Green is right behind him with the strongest rushing-yardage case in team history. Paul Hornung brings one of the most unique scoring résumés in NFL history, while Tony Canadeo, Clarke Hinkle and Verne Lewellen connect the list to Green Bay’s earliest eras. Aaron Jones, John Brockington, Dorsey Levens and Ryan Grant represent later feature-back chapters.
Green Bay has had many different types of great backs, but Taylor’s mix of production, toughness and championship value makes him the No. 1 Packers running back of all-time.
More Packers and NFL Rankings
For the full franchise picture beyond running backs, check out our Green Bay Packers all-time leaders and player rankings hub and our best Green Bay Packers players of all-time ranking.
You can also read our Packers stat lists for Green Bay Packers all-time rushing yards leaders, Green Bay Packers all-time rushing touchdown leaders, Green Bay Packers all-time passing yards leaders and Green Bay Packers all-time receiving yards leaders.
For the bigger NFL debate, visit our best NFL running backs of all-time ranking and the NFL team all-time player rankings hub. You can also follow SOG Football on Instagram for more NFL rankings, debates and football history graphics.
