Most Rushing Yards in NFL History (All-Time Career Leaders)
Some running backs were known for their highlight-reel jukes. Others for their bruising downhill power. But this list? It’s all about production in the red zone. These are the backs who made their living in the end zone, stacking touchdowns season after season. From Emmitt Smith’s untouchable career mark to the dominance of LaDainian Tomlinson, these are the players with the most rushing touchdowns in NFL history.
Table of Contents – Rushing Touchdown Leaders All-Time
- Top 10 Rushing Touchdowns Leaders in NFL History
- Full Chart: Top 150 Career Rushing Touchdowns
- Rushing Touchdowns Tier List (All-Time)
- FAQ: NFL Rushing Touchdown Records
Top 10 Rushing Touchdowns Leaders in NFL History
10. Marshall Faulk – Los Angeles Rams
Career Rushing TDs: 100
Faulk was more than just a runner — he was a nightmare matchup in every phase. But even in the red zone, he punched it in 100 times with his rare blend of vision and balance. The engine of the Greatest Show on Turf was as prolific as he was versatile.
9. Shaun Alexander – Seattle Seahawks
Career Rushing TDs: 100
Alexander had a short but dominant prime, including an MVP season in 2005 where he racked up 27 rushing touchdowns. He bullied defenses behind a strong Seahawks line and made the most of every goal-line chance.
8. John Riggins – Washington Commanders
Career Rushing TDs: 104
You don’t earn the nickname “Diesel” without trucking some dudes in the trenches. Riggins was the definition of power and toughness, with most of his TDs coming when defenses knew exactly what was coming — and still couldn’t stop it.
6 (tie). Derrick Henry – Tennessee Titans
Career Rushing TDs: 106*
Henry is still active and climbing. At 6’3″, 250 lbs, he’s a modern-day freight train with home run speed and unmatched power. If he stays healthy, he could crack the top five sooner than later.
*Stats current through 2024 season.
6 (tie). Jim Brown – Cleveland Browns
Career Rushing TDs: 106
Jim Brown led the NFL in rushing touchdowns five times — despite only playing nine seasons. He scored at will during an era when defenses knew he was the only threat and still couldn’t stop him. The original GOAT.
5. Walter Payton – Chicago Bears
Career Rushing TDs: 110
Sweetness wasn’t known for power alone, but his nose for the end zone was elite. He racked up touchdowns across two decades in Chicago, never shying away from contact and always showing up in clutch situations.
4. Adrian Peterson – Minnesota Vikings
Career Rushing TDs: 120
Peterson ran angry — and it showed every time he got inside the 5. Even post-prime, AP was scoring in bunches. One of the few modern backs to reach the 120-TD mark without needing a pass-catching role to pad his stats.
3. Marcus Allen – Las Vegas Raiders
Career Rushing TDs: 123
Allen wasn’t just a goal-line guy — he was one of the smoothest backs ever. But his ability to finish drives stood out for nearly two decades, and he stayed productive into his 30s with surgical vision and patience.
2. LaDainian Tomlinson – Los Angeles Chargers
Career Rushing TDs: 145
LT was a fantasy football cheat code and a real-life touchdown machine. He holds the single-season rushing TD record (28 in 2006) and made every red zone trip feel inevitable. Few backs made it look this easy.
1. Emmitt Smith – Dallas Cowboys
Career Rushing TDs: 164
It’s not just the most rushing touchdowns — it’s 20+ more than anyone else in NFL history. Smith’s longevity, consistency, and nose for the goal line helped the Cowboys dominate the ‘90s. His rushing TD crown might never fall.
Top 10 NFL running backs with the most career rushing touchdowns.
Full Chart: Top 150 Career Rushing Touchdowns
| Rank | Player | TD | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmitt Smith | 164 | 1990–2004 |
| 2 | LaDainian Tomlinson | 145 | 2001–2011 |
| 3 | Marcus Allen | 123 | 1982–1997 |
| 4 | Adrian Peterson | 120 | 2007–2021 |
| 5 | Walter Payton | 110 | 1975–1987 |
| 6 | Derrick Henry | 106 | 2016–2024 |
| 6 | Jim Brown | 106 | 1957–1965 |
| 8 | John Riggins | 104 | 1971–1985 |
| 9 | Marshall Faulk | 100 | 1994–2005 |
| 9 | Shaun Alexander | 100 | 2000–2008 |
| 11 | Barry Sanders | 99 | 1989–1998 |
| 12 | Franco Harris | 91 | 1972–1984 |
| 12 | Jerome Bettis | 91 | 1993–2005 |
| 14 | Curtis Martin | 90 | 1995–2005 |
| 14 | Eric Dickerson | 90 | 1983–1993 |
| 16 | Priest Holmes | 86 | 1997–2007 |
| 17 | Marshawn Lynch | 85 | 2007–2019 |
| 18 | Jim Taylor | 83 | 1958–1967 |
| 19 | Corey Dillon | 82 | 1997–2006 |
| 20 | Frank Gore | 81 | 2005–2020 |
| 20 | Ottis Anderson | 81 | 1979–1992 |
| 22 | Edgerrin James | 80 | 1999–2009 |
| 23 | Ricky Watters | 78 | 1992–2001 |
| 24 | Tony Dorsett | 77 | 1977–1988 |
| 25 | Pete Johnson | 76 | 1977–1984 |
| 26 | Cam Newton | 75 | 2011–2021 |
| 26 | Clinton Portis | 75 | 2002–2010 |
| 28 | Earl Campbell | 74 | 1978–1985 |
| 28 | Ezekiel Elliott | 74 | 2016–2024 |
| 28 | Leroy Kelly | 74 | 1964–1973 |
| 31 | LeSean McCoy | 73 | 2009–2020 |
| 31 | Terry Allen | 73 | 1991–2001 |
| 33 | Chuck Muncie | 71 | 1976–1984 |
| 33 | Joe Perry | 71 | 1948–1963 |
| 35 | Gerald Riggs | 69 | 1982–1991 |
| 35 | Steve Van Buren | 69 | 1944–1951 |
| 35 | Steven Jackson | 69 | 2004–2015 |
| 38 | Eddie George | 68 | 1996–2004 |
| 38 | Maurice Jones-Drew | 68 | 2006–2014 |
| 38 | Thomas Jones | 68 | 2000–2011 |
| 41 | Todd Gurley | 67 | 2015–2020 |
| 42 | Fred Taylor | 66 | 1998–2010 |
| 42 | Michael Turner | 66 | 2004–2012 |
| 42 | Ricky Williams | 66 | 1999–2011 |
| 45 | Josh Allen | 65 | 2018–2024 |
| 45 | Mark Ingram | 65 | 2011–2022 |
| 45 | Stephen Davis | 65 | 1996–2006 |
| 45 | Thurman Thomas | 65 | 1988–2000 |
| 45 | Willis McGahee | 65 | 2004–2013 |
| 50 | Larry Csonka | 64 | 1968–1979 |
| 51 | Lenny Moore | 63 | 1956–1967 |
| 52 | DeAngelo Williams | 61 | 2006–2016 |
| 52 | Herschel Walker | 61 | 1986–1997 |
| 52 | Josh Jacobs | 61 | 2019–2024 |
| 52 | O.J. Simpson | 61 | 1969–1979 |
| 56 | Ahman Green | 60 | 1998–2009 |
| 56 | Alvin Kamara | 60 | 2017–2024 |
| 56 | Brandon Jacobs | 60 | 2005–2013 |
| 56 | Joe Mixon | 60 | 2017–2024 |
| 56 | Terrell Davis | 60 | 1995–2001 |
| 61 | James Conner | 59 | 2017–2024 |
| 61 | Latavius Murray | 59 | 2014–2023 |
| 63 | Jamal Lewis | 58 | 2000–2009 |
| 63 | Mike Alstott | 58 | 1996–2006 |
| 65 | Curt Warner | 56 | 1983–1990 |
| 65 | Earnest Byner | 56 | 1984–1997 |
| 65 | LeGarrette Blount | 56 | 2010–2018 |
| 65 | Melvin Gordon | 56 | 2015–2023 |
| 65 | Roger Craig | 56 | 1983–1993 |
| 70 | Chris Johnson | 55 | 2008–2017 |
| 70 | Jalen Hurts | 55 | 2020–2024 |
| 70 | Larry Johnson | 55 | 2003–2011 |
| 70 | Tiki Barber | 55 | 1997–2006 |
| 74 | Antowain Smith | 54 | 1997–2005 |
| 74 | Arian Foster | 54 | 2009–2016 |
| 74 | George Rogers | 54 | 1981–1987 |
| 74 | Matt Forte | 54 | 2008–2017 |
| 78 | Chuck Foreman | 53 | 1973–1980 |
| 78 | Marion Barber III | 53 | 2005–2011 |
| 80 | Bill Brown | 52 | 1961–1974 |
| 80 | Chris Warren | 52 | 1990–2000 |
| 80 | Christian McCaffrey | 52 | 2017–2024 |
| 80 | Emerson Boozer | 52 | 1966–1975 |
| 84 | David Montgomery | 51 | 2019–2024 |
| 84 | Greg Bell | 51 | 1984–1990 |
| 84 | Jonathan Stewart | 51 | 2008–2018 |
| 84 | Jonathan Taylor | 51 | 2020–2024 |
| 84 | Mike Pruitt | 51 | 1976–1986 |
| 84 | Neal Anderson | 51 | 1986–1993 |
| 84 | Nick Chubb | 51 | 2018–2024 |
| 101 | Saquon Barkley | 48 | 2018–2024 |
| 101 | John Henry Johnson | 48 | 1954–1966 |
| 101 | James Stewart | 48 | 1995–2002 |
| 104 | Pete Banaszak | 47 | 1966–1978 |
| 104 | Dalvin Cook | 47 | 2017–2024 |
| 104 | Kareem Hunt | 47 | 2017–2024 |
| 107 | Abner Haynes | 46 | 1960–1967 |
| 107 | Kevin Mack | 46 | 1985–1993 |
| 109 | Tom Matte | 45 | 1961–1972 |
| 109 | Natrone Means | 45 | 1993–2000 |
| 109 | Wilbert Montgomery | 45 | 1977–1985 |
| 109 | Jim Nance | 45 | 1965–1973 |
| 109 | Ken Willard | 45 | 1965–1974 |
| 114 | Jamaal Charles | 44 | 2008–2018 |
| 114 | T.J. Duckett | 44 | 2002–2008 |
| 114 | Otto Graham | 44 | 1946–1955 |
| 114 | Larry Kinnebrew | 44 | 1983–1990 |
| 118 | Marion Butts | 43 | 1989–1995 |
| 118 | Sam Cunningham | 43 | 1973–1982 |
| 118 | Austin Ekeler | 43 | 2017–2024 |
| 118 | Floyd Little | 43 | 1967–1975 |
| 118 | Dan Towler | 43 | 1950–1955 |
| 118 | Steve Young | 43 | 1985–1999 |
| 124 | Le’Veon Bell | 42 | 2013–2021 |
| 124 | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | 42 | 2008–2013 |
| 124 | Calvin Hill | 42 | 1969–1981 |
| 124 | Don Perkins | 42 | 1961–1968 |
| 124 | Billy Sims | 42 | 1980–1984 |
| 129 | Donny Anderson | 41 | 1966–1974 |
| 129 | Johnny Hector | 41 | 1983–1992 |
| 129 | Brian Westbrook | 41 | 2002–2010 |
| 132 | Alan Ameche | 40 | 1955–1960 |
| 132 | Ted Brown | 40 | 1979–1986 |
| 132 | Ron Johnson | 40 | 1969–1975 |
| 132 | Jack Kemp | 40 | 1957–1969 |
| 132 | Ollie Matson | 40 | 1952–1966 |
| 132 | Don McCauley | 40 | 1971–1981 |
| 132 | Christian Okoye | 40 | 1987–1992 |
| 132 | J.D. Smith | 40 | 1956–1966 |
| 132 | Tyrone Wheatley | 40 | 1995–2004 |
| 141 | Joseph Addai | 39 | 2006–2011 |
| 141 | Charlie Garner | 39 | 1994–2004 |
| 141 | Dalton Hilliard | 39 | 1986–1993 |
| 141 | David Johnson | 39 | 2015–2022 |
| 141 | Gale Sayers | 39 | 1965–1971 |
| 141 | Y.A. Tittle | 39 | 1948–1964 |
| 141 | Alex Webster | 39 | 1955–1964 |
| 141 | Sammy Winder | 39 | 1982–1990 |
Rushing Touchdowns Tier List (All-Time)
Tier list of NFL running backs ranked by total career rushing touchdowns.
FAQ: NFL Rushing Touchdown Records
Who holds the record for the most rushing touchdowns in NFL history?
Emmitt Smith leads all players with 164 career rushing touchdowns. He set the record during his legendary career with the Dallas Cowboys and remains the NFL’s all-time rushing TD leader. But people still question his standing as one of the greatest NFL running backs of all-time.
Which active NFL player has the most rushing touchdowns?
As of the end of the 2024 season, Derrick Henry is the active leader with 106 rushing touchdowns — tied for sixth all-time.
Who was the fastest player to reach 100 rushing touchdowns?
LaDainian Tomlinson reached 100 rushing touchdowns in just 89 career games, making him the fastest in league history to hit the mark.
How many players have scored 100 or more rushing touchdowns?
Only nine players in NFL history have reached the 100-touchdown milestone on the ground, a true mark of longevity and red-zone dominance.
Where does Adrian Peterson rank in rushing touchdowns?
Adrian Peterson ranks 4th all-time with 120 rushing touchdowns. His mix of power, vision, and burst made him one of the most feared backs of his era.
Are postseason rushing touchdowns included in these rankings?
No, this list only includes regular-season rushing touchdowns. Postseason stats are tracked separately by the NFL.
How many rushing touchdowns did Barry Sanders score?
Barry Sanders scored 99 rushing touchdowns in his career — just one shy of the 100-TD club. Despite retiring early, he still ranks among the best ever.
Has a quarterback ever made the top 150 list?
No quarterback has cracked the top 150 for rushing touchdowns. While QBs like Cam Newton have high rushing TD totals, they still trail far behind the top running backs.
Conclusion
The top of the all-time rushing touchdowns list is a who’s who of NFL legends. From Emmitt Smith’s unmatched consistency to LaDainian Tomlinson’s explosive scoring seasons, these backs didn’t just move the chains — they finished drives. Whether it was Marcus Allen’s longevity, Adrian Peterson’s raw power, or Derrick Henry’s current tear, each player carved out a legacy by finding the end zone again and again.
Touchdowns define greatness for a running back, and this list proves who truly dominated in that department. Some were bruisers, others finesse runners, but all knew how to put six on the board. And with active players like Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley still climbing, we may not have seen the final chapter yet.
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