Modern era · 2005–present
Top running backs.
The most productive NFL running backs since 2005, by a transparent production model. Modern-era, not all-time.
The short answer. Since 2005, the most productive NFL running back is Emmitt Smith — 18.4k rush yds · 164 TD. Next: Walter Payton, Jim Brown, Marshall Faulk, LaDainian Tomlinson. Modern-era production, not an all-time claim.
Modern-era running backs
Ranked by the Balladex most productive score.
| # | Player | Career credentials | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESEmmitt Smith | 18.4k rush yds · 164 TD | 2332 |
| 2 | WPWalter Payton | 16.7k rush yds · 110 TD | 2000 |
| 3 | JBJim Brown | 12.3k rush yds · 106 TD | 1935 |
| 4 | MFMarshall Faulk | 12.3k rush yds · 100 TD | 1898 |
| 5 | LTLaDainian Tomlinson | 13.7k rush yds · 145 TD | 1880 |
| 6 | BSBarry Sanders | 15.3k rush yds · 99 TD | 1813 |
| 7 | APAdrian Peterson | 14.9k rush yds · 120 TD | 1718 |
| 8 | TTThurman Thomas | 12.1k rush yds · 65 TD | 1499 |
| 9 | EDEric Dickerson | 13.3k rush yds · 90 TD | 1461 |
| 10 | TDTony Dorsett | 12.7k rush yds · 77 TD | 1336 |
| 11 |  Derrick Henry | 13k rush yds · 122 TD | 1230 |
| 12 | ECEarl Campbell | 9.4k rush yds · 74 TD | 1174 |
| 13 |  Christian McCaffrey | 6.8k rush yds · 56 TD | 1100 |
| 14 |  Alvin Kamara | 7.3k rush yds · 61 TD | 1055 |
| 15 |  Saquon Barkley | 8.4k rush yds · 55 TD | 976 |
| 16 |  Josh Jacobs | 7.8k rush yds · 74 TD | 918 |
| 17 |  Jonathan Taylor | 7.6k rush yds · 69 TD | 885 |
| 18 |  Aaron Jones Sr. | 7.6k rush yds · 52 TD | 878 |
| 19 | GSGale Sayers | 5k rush yds · 39 TD | 797 |
| 20 |  James Conner | 6.1k rush yds · 60 TD | 770 |
| 21 |  David Montgomery | 6.1k rush yds · 59 TD | 727 |
| 22 |  Tony Pollard | 5.8k rush yds · 33 TD | 649 |
| 23 |  Bijan Robinson | 3.9k rush yds · 25 TD | 635 |
| 24 |  D'Andre Swift | 4.8k rush yds · 38 TD | 631 |
| 25 |  Jahmyr Gibbs | 3.6k rush yds · 39 TD | 616 |
| 26 |  James Cook III | 4.3k rush yds · 32 TD | 590 |
| 27 |  Devin Singletary | 4.9k rush yds · 29 TD | 544 |
| 28 |  Travis Etienne Jr. | 3.8k rush yds · 25 TD | 529 |
| 29 |  Kyren Williams | 3.8k rush yds · 36 TD | 518 |
| 30 |  De'Von Achane | 3.1k rush yds · 22 TD | 517 |
| 31 |  Rhamondre Stevenson | 3.7k rush yds · 28 TD | 511 |
| 32 |  Breece Hall | 3.4k rush yds · 18 TD | 510 |
| 33 |  Javonte Williams | 3.6k rush yds · 22 TD | 490 |
| 34 |  Chuba Hubbard | 3.7k rush yds · 23 TD | 483 |
| 35 |  Rachaad White | 2.7k rush yds · 14 TD | 461 |
| 36 |  Kenneth Walker III | 3.6k rush yds · 29 TD | 460 |
| 37 |  Jaylen Warren | 2.6k rush yds · 12 TD | 405 |
| 38 |  Chase Brown | 2.2k rush yds · 13 TD | 393 |
| 39 |  J.K. Dobbins | 3k rush yds · 25 TD | 374 |
| 40 |  Rico Dowdle | 2.5k rush yds · 10 TD | 369 |
| 41 |  Kenny Gainwell | 1.7k rush yds · 17 TD | 353 |
| 42 |  Isiah Pacheco | 2.5k rush yds · 14 TD | 351 |
| 43 |  AJ Dillon | 2.5k rush yds · 16 TD | 348 |
| 44 |  Brian Robinson Jr. | 2.7k rush yds · 17 TD | 347 |
| 45 |  Bucky Irving | 1.7k rush yds · 9 TD | 345 |
| 46 |  Samaje Perine | 2.3k rush yds · 12 TD | 344 |
| 47 |  Tyler Allgeier | 2.9k rush yds · 18 TD | 343 |
| 48 |  Zach Charbonnet | 1.8k rush yds · 21 TD | 315 |
| 49 |  Ameer Abdullah | 1.9k rush yds · 9 TD | 314 |
| 50 |  Michael Carter | 1.5k rush yds · 9 TD | 294 |
Method. A transparent Balladex model estimate. Modern-era (2005–present) production and longevity — not an all-time ranking, since the data begins in 2005. See the full NFL modern-era production leaders and the stat leaders.