NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs Ever – #7 Adrian Peterson
#7 – Adrian Peterson
Adrian Peterson was talked up as one of the greatest running back prospects of all-time coming out of college and that statement aged well. After only a couple seasons of watching Adrian Peterson at the NFL level, I was confident he would be a first ballot hall of famer.
Not only that, I thought he might actually become the best running back ever. He was by far the best running back of his era and an athletic freak. He had Bo Jackson-like talent being able to truck defenders as well as outrun them with his 4.40 40 yard dash speed.
His comeback season after tearing his ACL might be the most impressive season ever. It was a testimate to his freakish nature as he came back more explosive than ever winning the MVP. He recorded the 2nd most rushing yards ever with 2097 and redefined players abilities to come back from the ACL tear.
Adrian Peterson experienced the hiccup with the child abuse case taking him out of action for a full season, but I won’t hold that against him. Even after coming back he didn’t miss a beat and is still posting up top tier numbers will into his thirties.
NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs Ever – #6 Marshall Faulk
#6 – Marshall Faulk
Marshall Faulk is the gold standard when it comes to dual threat running backs. Christian McCaffrey made it look easy joining the 1000 rushing yards and 1000 receiving yards club, but the NFL is much more pass reliant today.
Marshall Faulk was way ahead of his time joining the exclusive 3 person club in 1999. He went 4 straight seasons with over 2000 yards from scrimmage. He benefited from being apart of what was called “The Greatest Show on Turf”, but i’d argue he was the most important piece to that puzzle.
To no surprise he is one of the most well respected players ever. He was an unselfish leader, and his already uncanny stats don’t even speak justice for the impact he made on his teams. The Colts were foolish to let him walk.
NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs Ever – Honorable Mention Terrell Davis
Honorable Mention – Terrell Davis
Most people talk about Gale Sayers or Bo Jackson asking the “what if they didn’t get injured” question. It’s Terrell Davis to me that stands out as the what if with arguably the greatest first 4 seasons for a running back in NFL history.
Terrell Davis ran for 6413 yards and 56 touchdowns in his first 4 seasons averaging an astounding 105.1 yards per game. Unlike most running backs back in his day he also found success in the passing game with 1181 receiving yards and 152 receptions.
Over the 1998 season he joined the exclusive 2000 yard club rushing for 2008 yards and scoring 23 touchdowns on route to his 2nd Super Bowl victory. Though it was his first Super Bowl victory that Terrell Davis was the clear standout. He won Super Bowl MVP as he trampled his way to 157 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns.
A devastating knee injury would limit Terrell Davis to only 4 full seasons in the NFL. The stats don’t lie and he was on pace to be regarded as the best Running Back ever.
