NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s

This list is the best running backs of the past decade. It is considering the overall statline and accomplishments of each running back from the 2010 to 2019 season. If you want to follow along with new lists and join in on fan voting, follow me on instagram @sogfootball.

Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s – #10 Todd Gurley

#10 – Todd Gurley

Don’t let recency bias consume your opinion about Todd Gurley. This past season was a flop, but let’s rewind to his rookie season in 2015.

Todd Gurley had no right rushing for 1106 yards and 10 touchdowns in only 13 games. He was averaging 4.8 yards per carry behind an offensive line that was not good at all. Jeff Fisher was a terrible coach who assembled a terrible team, but the talent of Gurley shined over that. He single handedly won them some games including some very impressive performances versus a then stingy Seahawks defense.

Once Sean McVay took over Gurley started scoring at a historic pace. Over the 2017 and 2018 seasons he scored a combined 40 touchdowns.

Gurley ened up scoring 70 touchdowns over 73 games as a Ram. He may have only been in the NFL over the final 5 season stretch of the decade, but I cannot ignore his dominance over others who played throughout the full 10 years.

NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s – #9 Leveon Bell

#9 – Leveon Bell

Imagine going from running behind the Steelers offensive line to the Jets. He may have become a much richer man since joining the Jets, but it was his time with the Pittsburgh Steelers that earns him the spot on this list.

Over that time Le’Veon Bell earned a reputation as the most versatile running back in the NFL. He was one of the first running backs to get frequent snaps at receiver. If you had a linebacker who had Bell as his assignment, Bell was winning every time. He wasn’t overly fast, but Bell has a quick burst and tremendous route running ability.

Le’veon Bell also earned a reputation as one of the most patient RBs in the NFL. It worked perfectly with the maulers he had in front of him in Pittsburgh as he has some Xbox like highlight reels to show for it.

NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s – #8 Arian Foster

#8 – Arian Foster

I was shocked to see Arian Foster this low on the fan voting. His 6527 rushing yards are 10th for the decade and he only really played 4 full season before retiring with a lot left in the tank.

In 2010 he rushed for 1616 yards and 16 touchdowns averaging 4.9 yards per carry with an average supporting cast around him. Arian Foster was not the popular name, but this undrafted free agent quickly turned into one of the best all-around RBs in the NFL.

NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s – #7 Matt Forte

#7 – Matt Forte

I wasn’t as shocked as for Foster, but Forte is no doubt better than the fan voting rank. He was one of the first really tremendous receivers at running back in what I see now as the decade evolution for the scat back. For that reason he is the leader over the decade for receiving yards by a running back.

I talked up his receiving ability, but his 7629 rushing yards rank 5th for the decade. His 4.3 yards per carry average hurts his ranking, but it wasn’t the most dominant decade for the Bears franchise.

Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s – #6 Demarco Murray

#6 – Demarco Murray

This was another very difficult ranking for me. If we’re looking at the 3 most dominant seasons of the decade for running backs, Murray would be a riser. In 2014 he had one of the best seasons ever rushing for 1845 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding nearly 500 yards receiving.

I’ve talked about perfect scheme fits and that was Murray with the Cowboys. He was a downhill runner, one cut runner who would explode through the smallest holes. Unlike a guy like LeSean McCoy, he saw his yards and took them.

All this being said, his career was short lived  due to his physical style of running. He only played from 2011-2017, but his impact throughout earns him a spot on this list.

It’s also worth mentioning he rushed for 1287 yards and 12 touchdowns with the Titans in his 6th season.

NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s – #5 Jamaal Charles

#5 – Jamaal Charles

Did you know that Jamaal Charles is the all-time leading running back with more than 1000 carries for yards per attempt? Jamaal Charles was a burner and his y/a reflects that.

He only played 88 games throughout the decade mainly due to an injury plagued career. Jamaal Charles struggled to stay healthy only playing a full 16 game season once.

Regardless this list honors his impact when healthy. This was a guy who made up for a bad offensive line with his speed. His 5.3 yards per attempt was hard fought through some very impressive highlights.

NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s – #4 Frank Gore

#4 – Frank Gore

I think at this point it’s safe to say that Frank Gore is playing into his 50s. This guy is ageless and is one of the few guys ever who can make a case for being the best of 2 different decades. It is extremely rare for a running back to last as long as Gore in the NFL which speaks lengths for his longevity and consistency.

That was the name of the game for Gore. Consistency. He never had a season which was truly dominant which people regarded as the best, but he was always regarded as one of the best. He doesn’t produce elite numbers, but is consistently putting up great numbers.

This beast of a man only missed 7 games throughout the decade leaving me wondering whether or not he is even human.

Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s – #3 Marshawn Lynch

#3 – Marshawn Lynch

Best run of the decade? That honor belongs to Marshawn Lynch. Beast Mode came alive over this past decade and i’m so glad it did.

There wasn’t a better running back from 2011-2014 than Marshawn Lynch. Over that time he rushed for 5357 yards and 48 touchdowns while also adding 1091 yards and 8 touchdowns from the air. He doesn’t get credit as a pass catcher, but the reality is he was very reliable with a career 70+ catch percentage.

The reason he makes the top 3 of this list is because of his playoff dominance. He leads all running backs for the decade for playoff rushing yards and touchdown with 937 yards and 8 touchdowns.

If only Russell Wilson just handed him the football.

NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s – #2 LeSean McCoy

#2 – LeSean McCoy

4th in the fan voting? There is not a single running back from 2010-2019 than LeSean McCoy. We may have seen a shell of himself with the Chiefs this past season, but prime LeSean McCoy was dropping ankles like no other.

His best season was in 2013 when he rushed for 1607 yards and 9 touchdowns averaging 5.1 yards per carry. There was no better running back in open field.

It helps when you are also one of the best pass catchers. LeSean McCoy loved catching passes out of the backfield in open space and Andy Reid loved using him that way. If it weren’t for Matt Forte, McCoy would have been the leader in receiving yards.

NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s – #1 Adrian Peterson

#1 – Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson is the only player on this list I consider a top 10 running back ever so it’s only fitting he leads this list. He may not have led in rushing yards over the decade, but there is no doubt that he was the most dominant running back.

Again, only fitting that Adrian Peterson is the only player to earn the MVP award. His 2012 season is one of the best ever as he joined very rare company rushing for over 2000 yards finishing with 2097.

He missed two full seasons due to injury and suspension, but still has his total stats shine over others with 10 full seasons. Adrian Peterson averaged the most yards per game with 82.5 and did so in a very exciting fashion.

I loved seeing McCoy drop ankles, but Adrian Peterson did it all as a runner. He could overpower you or make you miss as he outran you to the endzone. That is why he is so beloved.

ALSO BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY TOP 10 BEST WIDE RECEIVERS OF THE DECADE LIST HERE!!