best running backs not in the hall of fame

Top speed? Thomas, who finished his career with the Chiefs, is 26th all time on the league's career rushing list. But he's not given enough credit for being a great receiver out of the backfield. And really, if Jackson was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame would anybody question it? He rushed for more than 1,200 yards in each of his first five seasons -- joining Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson and LaDainian Tomlinson as the only other two players to do so in NFL history. His cultural impact is through the roof. The inconsistency tied to his efficiency puts him right in the middle. Tre's uncle is legendary Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Two years later, Brown set career highs with six rushing touchdowns and 751 all-purpose yards. (National Football League), Craig was a huge part of the San Francisco 49ers' success during the 1980s. Williams retired with 10,202 all-purpose yards and 70 total touchdowns. While he was never a full-time starter, Duckett helped the Falcons clinch two playoff berths over that span that included a run to the NFC title game in 2004. I only remember him from NFL Films footage because he's another great running back whose career was cut short by injuries. Since 1980, there have been 19 Modern-Era Running Backs honored by the Hall of Fame, with an average Legends Score of 41. He's still special as a complete receiving-leaning back when healthy and that's why he remains in the top 10, but the lingering injury issues can't be ignored in relation to those now ranked ahead of him. While he never became a full-time starter, Brown managed to put together a semi-productive seven-year career. Pro Football RB Hall of Fame Monitor Maurice Jones-Drew assesses the Hall of Fame candidacies of Ezekiel Elliott and Derrick Henry, two running backs who could pass him on the all-time rushing leaderboard in Week 16. Mendenhall finished his career in Arizona before retiring after just six seasons. You saw the ESPN doc on him, so you can't deny this. But he's already done more than enough to land himself among the game's immortal. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. And while the running back position may no longer be king of the hill, several teams this century have benefited by selecting a running back in the first round. This is where the line in most all-time best running back conversations is drawn. Bills (2004-06); Ravens (2007-10); Broncos (2011-12); Browns (2013). Maurice Jones-Drew ranks each team's primary starting running back for the 2022 NFL season. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey), Pittsburgh Steelers fans will whine until Bettis gets into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Little (1967-75) was. The 6-fo-6 Greenwood also had a penchant for batting down passes; he did that on three occasions during the Steelers' Super Bowl IX win over the Vikings. A four-time Pro Bowler and member of the NFL's All-1980s Team, Craig became the first player in league history to have 1,000 rushing and receiving yards in the same season (1985). The seventh-leading rusher in NFL history, Tomlinson posted eight consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons en route to being named to the NFL's All-2000s Team. ET on ABC), and when looking at this year's finalists list, I noticed there wasn't a single running back up for induction. Of course, this list will only look at those eligible for the Hall of Fame (so Shaun Alexander, who should get in, is not included). All Rights Reserved. The fourth-year running back was traded today to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for draft picks. All-time Super Bowl QB rankings: Where do Matthew Stafford and Joe Burrow slot in? the future hall-of-fame bell-cow back could be dealt to the . All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. Johnson led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards on multiple occasions. This juicy rumor all began on Saturday when ex-NFL player and fellow CAA client Akbar Gbajabiamila reported that the Eagles were looking to trade for Henry. A key member of the Bengals' 1981 AFC championship team, Riley returned a league-high three interceptions for touchdowns during his final two seasons. APRIL 29 ROSCHON TO BEARS The Cowboys want to take a running back somewhere in this Day 3 of the NFL Draft, but that guy won't be a favored Longhorn. 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, at 2021 stats:228 carries, 1,259 rushing yards, 5.5 yards per carry, 20 receptions on 25 targets, 174 receiving yards, 9 total TDs. Although Elliott is still the lead in the Cowboys' eyes, it's become more of a 1-2 punch with the latter helping the former stay effective with less mid-career wear. Injuries, however, along with the eventual emergence ofLeGarrette Blountultimately contributed to Williams never duplicating his rookie success. 249 pick in exchange for a 2025 fourth-round pick and the No. Teams:Panthers (2001-13); Ravens (2014-16). ARIZONA CARDINALS: QB Jim Hart (1966-1983). Watters was a dual-threat playmaker who consistently produced. section: | slug: nfls-top-20-players-not-in-the-hall-of-fame-torry-holt-zach-thomas-ken-anderson-headline-all-time-list | sport: football | route: article_single.us | Matthews' play was a major reason why the Browns appeared in three AFC Championship Games from 1986-89. Plus, there's a new No. Vrabel was furious! Teams: 49ers (1983-90); Raiders (1991); Vikings (1992-93). This whole thing feels odd. Anderson was a true stud in every sense of the word. In 12 seasons, he amassed 11,102 rush yards, 73 rush TDs and averaged a respectable 4.5 yards per carry. He bolstered his rsum after being traded to the Patriots in 2004, racking up a career-high 1,635 rush yards and 12 TDs in his first season in New England. In 2011, the 30-year-old running back earned his second Pro Bowl selection while helping the Broncos advance to the divisional round of the playoffs. That season, Lewis rushed for nearly 1,400 yards while helping lead Baltimore to its first Super Bowl title. Watters was dynamic in the 1994 run to the Super Bowl title, with a touchdown in the NFC Championship and two scores in the blowout win over the San Diego Chargers. Tomlinson is tied for 80th with 626 catches and Allen is 100th with 587. After missing the entire 2001 season with an injury, Lewis rushed for over 1,000 yards in six out of the next seven seasons. And despite Manning's departure in 2012, a 34-year-old Wayne earned Pro Bowl honors that season while catching passes from a rookie quarterback named Andrew Luck. He led the league in yards per rushing attempt and will start off leading what will be a much run-heavier attack without Russell Wilson. Named the NFL's Rookie of the Year in 1966 by Sporting News, Nobis recorded a whopping 294 tackles that season. 2023 NFL Enterprises LLC. Dillon was one of the best of his era and checks most of the boxes, but it'll likely be a waiting game for him because guys who become eligible in the coming years will get in before him. A four-time Pro Bowler, Matthews spent 16 of his 19 NFL seasons with the Browns, helping Cleveland win five AFC Central division titles during the 1980s. Addai is currently seventh on the Colts' career rushing list. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Brooks excelled at running, receiving and kickoff returns. 2023 Audacy, Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Edwards-Helaire hasn't lived up to being a first-rounder in 2020 for multiple reasons. Second, he hasn't build on being a top-flight receiving back at LSU, which what he was expected to do in the Chiefs' pass-first offense. It's safe to assume that the longtime Houston Texans standout will eventually be enshrined in Canton. In 1992, Brett Favre's first season as the Packers' starting quarterback, Sharpe led the NFL in receptions (108), yards (1,461) and touchdowns (13). Jones shared a backfield for most of his career; he spent three seasons playing alongside Marion Barber and two years with DeMarco Murray. With a score in the Bucs' Super Bowl LV win, "Lombardi Lenny" was born. 9. Getty Images. So, uh, can we put him in? That's the big question, but the Rams have confidence that he can deliver effective lead rushing production with the right dash of receiving pop. Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson is a former First-Team All-American defensive back for the TCU Horned Frogs and is one of the top defensive prospects in the 2023 NFL Draft. When you look at the 30 running backs with 10,000 or more rushing yards, Gore doesn't even stand out among the nonmembers of the Hall of Fame. . It might have been a blessing for him not to be misused in that mess of an Urban Meyer-Darrell Bevell offense. During his seven full seasons in San Francisco, Willis earned Pro Bowl honors each year while also receiving five first-team All-Pro nods. To me, this all really comes down to the two general managers who would have to make this potential trade work: The seasoned front-office executive Howie Roseman of the Eagles and the newcomer Ran Carthon now of the Titans. By 2012, he earned Pro Bowl honors after rushing for 1,244 yards and averaging 6 yards per carry. Join our linker program. Did the player and his team have postseason success. HIs major foot injury cost him nine games and the Titans need to be wary about overworking him. Superstar quarterbacks undoubtedly headline the AFC Championship Game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs, but Maurice Jones-Drew explains why the running backs will actually decide who wins. 2004-2023 CBS Interactive. His 53-yard touchdown catch during the previous year's Super Bowl helped theColtswin the franchise's first Super Bowl following their move from Baltimore to Indianapolis. Harris has operated as a reliable power back for McDaniels and he will remain the early-down and red zone back of choice in New England behind some sturdy blocking, assuming he stays in New England. Many more would argue that he is the best football player . Who knows, honestly? And he absolutely quantifies the whole "you can't tell the story of the NFL without this player" requirement. NFL running backs are headed for a Hall of Fame drought Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. Can the Eagles improve their No. Some think he's prime to return to some early-career form playing off a more explosive passing game with the blocking also reset to be more in his favor. Craig was a four-time Pro Bowler, and a three-time champion. Injuries and off-field issues led to a significant drop in production after the 2006 season. Green attempted a comeback in 2008 but was never signed to a contract. The speedy Johnson earned Pro Bowl honors during his first three seasons with theTitans. A powerful running back, the 6-foot, 254-pound Duckett spend his first three NFL seasons as part of a talented Falcons backfield that featured Michael Vick and fellow running back Warrick Dunn. He has a good shot to break the trend and make it two team titles in a row with 1,000-plus yards to boot. He was a key contributor to a powerful Colts team that won back-to-back NFL titles to close out the decade of the 1950s. You have to wonder if his prickly personality is what is keeping him out of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. More than deserving of a gold jacket, George holds many Titans/Oilers franchise records, including for career rushing yards (10,441). The postseason success is obviously there, helping Seattle win its first-ever Super Bowl. He's also one of eight players in league history with 10,000-plus career rush yards and 4,000-plus career receiving yards. Do the right thing already and put him in the Hall of Fame. It wasn't just what he did, but how he did it. The trade was met with mixed reactions. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings), He gets covered up a little bit because he split time with Warrick Dunn, but Alstott was able to do it all for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Maurice Jones-Drew says yes. You won't want to miss a moment of the 2023 season! He is a different runner, based more on speed and quickness for the open field to live up to his last name. 106. Muncie tied the single-season record with 19 touchdowns in 1981. One of Matthews' best seasons did not result in a Pro Bowl selection. The lastSteelersrunning back taken in the first round before Najee Harris, Mendenhall won a Super Bowl as a rookie despite spending most of the season on injured reserve. Given that the rankings focused primarily on overall career achievements, don't look too far into where current players rank on the following list -- they could very well end up on top once they call it a career. After sharing a backfield with Marion Barber at the University of Minnesota, Maroney shared one with Kevin Faulk in New England. Heading into the Divisional Round, Maurice Jones-Drew ranks the top 10 rushers remaining in the NFL playoffs, a list that includes three teams with two players apiece. Top 10 Running Backs Not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Perhaps he was overlooked, since he played games in Jacksonville. Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. Three years later, he teamed up with Hall of Fame cornerback Mike Haynes to shut down Washington's talented receiving corps in Super Bowl XVIII. He's this high because of talent and some hope that 2022 will be more "make" than "break" in a new offense with more explosive intentions. 219 pick. Expect Jones' receiving prowess to take on critical importance given the remixed wideout corps around Aaron Rodgers. (AP Photo/Al Golub), The "Nigerian Nightmare" emerged from obscure NAIA Azusa Pacific and became a force for the Kansas City Chiefs for a number of seasons. 2: Eddie George -- He opened his career with five consecutive 1,000-yards campaigns, and then added two more over the course of his career. "From a running back's perspective, you build chemistry out here in practice first," Tomlinson reflected. A three-time Pro Bowler, Elliott averaged 1,668 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns per season during his first five years in Dallas. 2021 stats: 187 carries, 803 rushing yards, 4.3 yards per carry, 34 receptions on 37 targets, 313 receiving yards, 7 total TDs. Simpson. (AP Photo/PKS), One of the big backs who burned out a little bit too quickly. Pollard has been the ideal change-of-pace back to support Elliott with his flashy running and fluid receiving. D'Andre Swift Trade: Social Media Reactions Pour In After Eagles Land While injuries ultimately cut his career short, Perry did help the Bengals win their first AFC North title in 2005. While he failed to live up to pre-draft expectations, the 1999 Heisman Trophy winner did have several productive seasons that included helping the Giants reach the Super Bowl during his rookie season. Can Akers pick up his promise as a rookie following a season mostly lost to suffering a torn Achilles' last summer? The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. Faulk, Tomlinson and Allen are the only full-time running backs who rank in the top 100 all-time for receptions. Marshall, who was still a starter at age 42, helped the Vikings win three NFC titles along with the NFL championship in 1969. But did you realize he averaged less than four yards per carry? Smith was on the verge of having a long, prolific career, but he chose to walk away to study medicine. His best season occurred in 2003, when he rushed for 1,641 yards while also recording 516 receiving yards. He made the Pro Bowl in 2011 after rushing for 1,091 yards and catching 50 passes for 455 yards. Dillon scored 37 of his 82 rushing touchdowns during his three years in New England, which ultimately is the push his Hall of Fame case needed. He also could handle a bigger role in the passing game if needed, which might be the case if the team moves Kareem Hunt. McCaffrey, now 26, had to be faded on this list given he's played only 10 games over the past two seasons following his transcendent 2019 production. Teams:Patriots(1980);Bears(1981-93);Packers(1994). HOF-eligible for a decade-plus, George was named a semifinalist back in November for the first time. Part of Audacy. 2021 stats: 217 carries, 872 rushing yards, 4.0 yards per carry, 54 receptions on 64 targets, 348 receiving yards, 9 total TDs. TheSteelers' all-time leader in receptions, yards and touchdowns, Ward is also eighth all-time in career postseason receiving yards (1,181). Eagles Trade for Lions RB D'Andre Swift - NFL Tracker In what would be his final NFL game, Jackson scored a touchdown in New England's 20-18 loss to Denver in the 2015 AFC Championship Game. Carthon is a total mystery to me, so this gives me some hope that a deal like this could potentially happen. Would Henry thrive in Philadelphia? But to hear greats like Barry Sanders tell it, Dupree might have been the best running back to come out of Oklahoma. The only running back on this list, Craig played an integral role in the 49ers' success during the 1980s. Hall of Fame: Yes (1993) NFL MVP: 1. His best season came with the Eagles in 2013, when he led the league in attempts (314), rush yards (1,607), rush yards per game (100.4), touches (366) and scrimmage yards (2,164). He was instrumental in helping the Pats win their third Super Bowl in four seasons. The Pro Football Reference Hall of Fame Monitor (HOFm) is a metric designed to estimate a player's chances of making the Pro Football Hall of Fame using AV, Pro Bowls, All-Pros, championships, and various stat milestones. All HOFm Positions: QB RB WR TE G T C DT DE ILB OLB DB K P RB HOFm Leaders Bold indicates HOF player See full explanation here Share & Export Johnson had just 70 carries during the 2016 and '17 seasons before announcing his retirement in 2018. Jones is now sharing plenty with powerful A.J. While he helped the Steelers advance to the Super Bowl that season, Mendenhall's most infamous NFL moment occurred whenClay Matthewsjarred the ball loose from his arms during a pivotal moment in Super Bowl XLV (the Steelers ended up losing, 31-25). That season, Perry caught 51 passes, the most by a Bengals running back since James Brooks in 1986. McAllister's 6,096 rushing yards remains the Saints' career rushing record. He will be vital all-around in lifting Zach Wilson in Year 2, too. One of best players on the Bears' vaunted 46 defense, McMichael earned his first of two first-team All-Pro honors in 1985 while helping Chicago capture its only Lombardi Trophy. The players listed below are the top 250 HOFm-rated players who played RB starting in 1955 or later for at least 50 career games. He's currently eighth all-time with 14,731 career receiving yards. Hall of Fame RB and Chargers Legend LaDainian Tomlinson on How This New Three of Ward's four consecutive Pro Bowl selections came with different quarterbacks: Kordell Stewart (2001), Tommy Maddox (2002-03) and a rookie namedBen Roethlisberger(2004). Vikings (2007-16); Saints/Cardinals (2017); Washington (2018-19); Lions (2020). The players listed below are the top 250 HOFm-rated players who played RB starting in 1955 or later for at least 50 career games. He topped 1,500 yards back in 2000, when he finished third in the MVP vote. Conner should be treated as more of a workhorse with Chase Edmonds now playing for the Dolphins. Williams can be a reliable supporting cog for Russell Wilson in every capacity, taking the Jones role in the Packers-like system. He was an absolute force out of the backfield, and I witnessed Taylor's greatness firsthand in Jacksonville over my first three seasons in the league (2006-08). Maurice Jones-Drew spotlights three teams who will be looking for a new primary RB in 2023. Injuries to Holmes opened the door for Johnson, who rushed for over 3,500 yards and 37 touchdowns during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. At 28, Henry is facing an important rebound year as the massive workload from 2019 and 2020 caught up to him last season. Minnesota Vikings (2007-2016), Arizona Cardinals (2017), New Orleans (2017), Washington Commanders (2018-19), Detroit Lions (2020), Tennessee Titans (2021), Seattle Seahawks (2021). Barkley is looking to reclaim his spot as arguably the NFL's top running back after an injury wiped out most of his 2020 season. After nine seasons in St. Louis, Jackson signed with the Falcons, who were coming off of a 13-3 season and appearance in the NFC title game. Hart was a four-time Pro Bowler whose career really took off once Don Coryell became head coach in 1973. Maroney (following an injury-marred 2008 season) posted another solid season in 2009 before finishing his career with the Broncos. 10 Best Running Backs in Arizona Cardinals History In 2011, Brown ran for five scores while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Taylor has parlayed his prolific play at Wisconsin into the complete durable package in the NFL. In 2014, following teammateDeAngelo Williams' injury, Stewart gained nearly 1,000-purpose yards while receiving a then-career high eight starts. But he also made an impact on every team he played for -- on the field and in the locker room. Since 1995, 11 running backs have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Left and right arrows move across top level links and expand / close menus in sub levels. A three-time Pro Bowler (and two-time All-Pro) during his first four seasons, Gurley led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in consecutive years while helping theRamsreach the Super Bowl in 2018. 6. NFL and the NFL shield design are registered trademarks of the National Football League.The team names, logos and uniform designs are registered trademarks of the teams indicated. How good was Lewis? Falcons (2002-05); Washington (2006); Lions (2007); Seahawks (2008). On the field, he had speed, vision and the ability to shred through defenses. 2020 stats: 134carries, 805 rushing yards, 6.0 yards per carry, 18 receptions on 24 targets, 120 receiving yards, 9 total TDs. Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. 2021 stats: 237 carries, 1,002 rushing yards, 4.2 yards per carry, 47 receptions on 65 targets, 287 receiving yards, 12 total TDs. A key member of Pittsburgh's "Steel Curtain" defense, Greenwood earned six Pro Bowl nods (and two first-team All-Pro honors) from 1973-79. In 2002, he was named the AFC's Offensive Player of the Year, and finished fourth in the MVP vote.

Selective Schools Queensland, How To Reconnect Printer Hardware Device To Computer, Articles B