Best Running Backs Ever Hierarchy

Best Running Backs Ever

These are the best running backs ever ranked according to tiers. This list is based off the overall talent and career accomplishments. These are the best running backs ever! To no surprise the first 3 tiers include the players that I include on my top 10 running backs ever list. Every tier includes a player with the best running back seasons of all-time.

Tier 1:

From left to right: Walter Payton, Jim Brown, Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders
The Mount Rushmore of Running Backs. Only person I might put down a tier is Emmitt Smith, but I think he gets far too much hate as the all-time rushing leader. The other 3 are all the most talented ever in my opinion.

Tier 2:

From left to right: Ladainian Tomlinson, Eric Dickerson, Marshall Faulk and Adrian Peterson.
An argument might be made for L.T. or Adrian Peterson being up a tier. I might put them in a tier of their own or with Emmitt, but I still think Walter Payton, Jim Brown and Barry Sanders are ahead of them.

Tier 3:

From left to right: Earl Campbell, O.J. Simpson, Gale Sayer, Curtis Martin and Bo Jackson.
Gale Sayers and Bo Jackson both dominant forces who had their careers cut short due to injury. Campbell, Simpson and Martin all have very impressive consistent career stats.

Tier 4:

From left to right: Marcus Allen, Terrell Davis, Tony Dorsett, Franco Harris, Frank Gore, Thurman Thomas, Jerome Bettis.
This is where is gets really tough. Most of these guys could easily move up or down a tier.

Tier 5:

From left to right: Marshawn Lynch, Shaun Alexander, Fred Taylor, Chris Johnson, Edgerrin James, Jamal Lewis, Priest Holmes and LeSean McCoy.
Again, very tough. A lot of these guys could easily move up a tier. Reason why most of them are down here is because lack of consistent dominance over a career. Chris Jo Dihnson also a member of the fastest NFL players ever list.