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 | 13.5k rush yds · 129 TD | 1270 |
| 12 | ECEarl Campbell | 9.4k rush yds · 74 TD | 1174 |
| 13 |  Christian McCaffrey | 7.1k rush yds · 61 TD | 1134 |
| 14 |  Alvin Kamara | 7.3k rush yds · 63 TD | 1068 |
| 15 |  Saquon Barkley | 8.5k rush yds · 55 TD | 987 |
| 16 |  Jonathan Taylor | 8k rush yds · 75 TD | 923 |
| 17 |  Josh Jacobs | 7.8k rush yds · 74 TD | 918 |
| 18 |  Aaron Jones Sr. | 8k rush yds · 54 TD | 907 |
| 19 | GSGale Sayers | 5k rush yds · 39 TD | 797 |
| 20 |  James Conner | 6.1k rush yds · 60 TD | 770 |
| 21 |  David Montgomery | 6.3k rush yds · 61 TD | 743 |
| 22 |  Bijan Robinson | 4.5k rush yds · 29 TD | 680 |
| 23 |  Jahmyr Gibbs | 4.1k rush yds · 46 TD | 669 |
| 24 |  Tony Pollard | 6.1k rush yds · 34 TD | 667 |
| 25 |  D'Andre Swift | 5.1k rush yds · 42 TD | 663 |
| 26 |  James Cook III | 4.8k rush yds · 37 TD | 627 |
| 27 |  Kyren Williams | 4.2k rush yds · 40 TD | 556 |
| 28 |  Devin Singletary | 4.9k rush yds · 29 TD | 549 |
| 29 |  Travis Etienne Jr. | 3.9k rush yds · 25 TD | 541 |
| 30 |  Rhamondre Stevenson | 3.9k rush yds · 30 TD | 535 |
| 31 |  De'Von Achane | 3.2k rush yds · 22 TD | 528 |
| 32 |  Breece Hall | 3.6k rush yds · 19 TD | 527 |
| 33 |  Javonte Williams | 3.9k rush yds · 28 TD | 523 |
| 34 |  Chuba Hubbard | 4k rush yds · 26 TD | 509 |
| 35 |  Kenneth Walker III | 4.1k rush yds · 33 TD | 499 |
| 36 |  Rachaad White | 2.8k rush yds · 14 TD | 472 |
| 37 |  Jaylen Warren | 3k rush yds · 13 TD | 441 |
| 38 |  Chase Brown | 2.4k rush yds · 14 TD | 418 |
| 39 |  J.K. Dobbins | 3.3k rush yds · 26 TD | 389 |
| 40 |  Bucky Irving | 2.1k rush yds · 11 TD | 375 |
| 41 |  Rico Dowdle | 2.6k rush yds · 10 TD | 375 |
| 42 |  Brian Robinson Jr. | 2.9k rush yds · 21 TD | 367 |
| 43 |  Kenny Gainwell | 1.8k rush yds · 17 TD | 362 |
| 44 |  Tyler Allgeier | 3k rush yds · 19 TD | 357 |
| 45 |  Samaje Perine | 2.4k rush yds · 12 TD | 355 |
| 46 |  AJ Dillon | 2.5k rush yds · 16 TD | 352 |
| 47 |  Isiah Pacheco | 2.5k rush yds · 14 TD | 351 |
| 48 |  Ameer Abdullah | 2k rush yds · 9 TD | 318 |
| 49 |  Zach Charbonnet | 1.8k rush yds · 21 TD | 315 |
| 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.