by #15: Shaun Alexander, SEA, WAS | Alabama | ‘00-’08 | 5’11 225
In my opinion, Shaun Alexander is the most underrated Running Back of all time, and it may just be because of his eight year career. Not only was he a part of the 2000’s All-Decade team, but he won an MVP Award, and he also had a stretch of five straight years where he scored 10 or more touchdowns, Alexander could very well be higher on this list.
Stats: 9,453 Rush Yds, 100 TD, 1,520 Rec Yds, 12 TD
Best Year (2005): 370 Rush, 1,880 Rush Yds, 27 TD (MVP)
Accolades: 1x MVP, 1x OPOY, 3x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, 1x Rushing Title, 2x TD Leader
#14: Curtis Martin, NE, NYJ | Pittsburgh | ‘95-’05 | 5’11 210
It’s hard to keep Curtis Martin outside of the top 10 just based on the name value. Martin is 6th all time in rushing yards, and he had nine 1,000 yard seasons in his 10 year career. He was incredibly consistent but he was in one of the most stacked eras for Running Backs and that may be what’s holding me back from putting him any higher.
Stats: 14,101 Rush Yds, 90 TD, 3,329 Rec Yds, 10 TD
Best Year (2004): 371 Rush, 1,697 Rush Yds, 12 TD, 41 Rec, 245 Rec Yds, 2 TD
Accolades: HOF, 5x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro, 1x Rushing Title
#13: Jerome Bettis, LAR, PIT | Notre Dame | ‘93-’05 | 5’11 252
Jerome “The Bus” Bettis was easily one of the most intimidating NFL players of all time. He was nearly impossible to tackle when he had the ball in his hands, he was 250 pounds and he was fast for his huge size. If any of his teams were ever inside the 5 yard line, the defense should’ve just given up, it was virtually an automatic touchdown.
Stats: 13,662 Rush Yds, 91 TD, 1,449 Rec Yds, 3 TD
Best Year (1997): 375 Rush, 1,665 Rush Yds, 7 TD
Accolades: HOF, 6x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro, 1x SB Champ
#12: Terrell Davis, DEN | Georgia | ‘95-’01 | 5’11 206
Terrell Davis had quite an unfortunate story as he only played seven years in the NFL. His first four years were the only healthy seasons of his career, but they were some of the best seasons in NFL history including an MVP and a Super Bowl MVP. Although Davis had a very short career, he made the most of the prime years he had.
Stats: 7,607 Rush Yds, 60 TD, 1,280 Rec Yds, 5 TD
Best Year (1998): 392 Rush, 2,008 Rush Yds, 21 TD (MVP)
Accolades: HOF, 1x MVP, 2x OPOY, 3x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro, 1x Rushing Title, 2x TD Leader, 2x SB Champ, 1x SB MVP
#11: Thurman Thomas, BUF, MIA | Oklahoma State | ‘88-’00 | 5’10 200
Thurman Thomas was the MVP Running Back and the starter for the Buffalo Bills during all four of their Super Bowl appearances in which they lost. Thomas enjoyed a long and successful career and also was incredibly valuable and important in the receiving game as he was one of Jim Kelly’s favorite targets. He would be the best Bills Running Back ever if it weren’t for O.J. Simpson.
Stats: 12,074 Rush Yds, 65 TD, 4,458 Rec Yds, 23 TD
Best Year (1992): 312 Rush, 1,487 Rush Yds, 9 TD, 58 Rec, 626 Rec Yds, 3 TD
Accolades: HOF, 1x MVP, 1x OPOY, 5x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro
