From the very beginning, the football community gave birth to many talented players, including the greatest NFL defensemen who have ever graced the football field. Since the league began in 1920, we have seen good players, bad players, as well as great players who have stood out on the field in various positions, including running back. The role of a half-champion is not an easy task. Not only is it physically demanding, but it also requires special ability, tenacity, fiery leadership, and unwavering attention from the player.
In this article, we’ve rounded up 15 talented NFL greatest defensemen who have entertained sports fans and the world with their outstanding performances on the field. While many players deserve to be on this list, we have room for the top 15. Take a look and see if your favorite player has made it.
Top 15 All-Time Greatest NFL Runs in NFL History
1. Jim Brown
Team: Cleveland Browns (1957 – 1965)
To this day, Jim Brown remains arguably one of the most spectacular running backs the NFL has ever had. His spectacular 104.3 yards per game average still remains the NFL’s all-time mark, despite only investing nine productive years in the American Football League.
The 6-foot-2 St. Georgia-born legend, Simons, started playing the oval-shaped game in 1957 and finally said goodbye in 1965 after a blossoming season that earned him MVP honours.
Originally born James Nathaniel Brown, the star represented the Cleveland Browns throughout his career. The legendary Jim also appeared in the Pro Bowl, won three MVPs and was also an eight-time all-rounder.
2. Emmitt Smith
Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1990-2002); Arizona Cardinals (2003-2004)
Still one of the NFL’s greatest defensemen, Emmitt Smith is known for his exceptional expertise on the field, especially in rushing yards and touchdowns. He partnered with other Arizona Cardinals players for just two seasons, then moved to the famed Dallas Cowboys, where he spent 13 productive seasons.
Although no longer in the game, Emmitt, who is also a graduate of the University of Florida, is considered one of the key talents who were instrumental in picking the Cowboys to three Super Bowl games.
For his part, he earned an MVP victory as well as eight Pro Bowl selections. A native of Florida, Smith amassed 18,355 rushing yards in his career spanning more than a decade.
3. Tony Dorsett
Teams: Dallas Cowboys (1977-1987); Denver Broncos (1988)
From the time Tony was picked in the 1st round of the 1977 draft by the Dallas Cowboys until 1988 when he moved to the Denver Broncos, he was nothing short of magnificent. During his time with the Cowboys, he was the most feared running back and an outstanding running back who totaled over 16,000 yards, including 12,739 on the ground.
A native of Rochester, Pennsylvania, Tony spent his college career at the University of Pittsburgh spanning twelve years in the football league, playing in four Pro Bowls.
Dorsett retired from football while the Denver Broncos in 1988 after suffering a ligament tear in his left knee during training camp. Looking at his NFL career stats, he recorded 398 receptions, 13 touchdowns, 3,554, and 4.3 yards per carry, making him one of the best defensemen in NFL history.
4. LaDainian Tomlinson
Teams: San Diego Chargers (2001-2009); New York Jets (2010–2011)
Tomlinson’s first professional football stint was with the Chargers, where he played in eight seasons with at least 1,500 scrimmage yards and 1,100 rushing yards. During his eleven career seasons, LaDainian led his team in rushing by three touchdowns and twice.
He eventually became a three-time All-Pro selection, featured in five Pro Bowls and was also named FL MVP in 2006 with a record 28 touchdowns. Third all-time with 162 touchdowns, the legendary running back (13,684 rushing yards) still secures sixth place, while his spectacular 145 rushing touchdowns are second all-time.
5. Thurman Thomas
The teams: Buffalo Bills (1988-1999); Miami Dolphins (2000)
Thurman as one of the greatest running backs in the NFL holds the record for two-time All-Pro, five-time Pro Bowler and NFL MVP (1991). The running back was also a stellar receiver with 4,458 passing yards and is still tenth in team history with 16,532 yards, even though his Buffalo Bill team couldn’t win the Super Bowl after playing in the very competitive game on four occasions..
After a productive career, Thurman was inducted into numerous halls of fame.
6.OJ Simpson
Teams: Buffalo Bills (1969-1977); San Francisco 49ers (1978-1979)
Although this former football player is controversial now, at one point in his life OJ was a great player and he still remains one of the best defensemen in the NFL. He began his professional career in 1969 when he was selected in the first round of that year’s draft by the Buffalo Bills football team.
The convicted kidnapper and thief stands out for He is the only player in the NFL to have rushed for 2,000 yards in 14 football games. Averaging 4.7 yards per carry, OJ Simpson hung his boots with five excellent All-Pro selections and 11,236 rushing yards.
7. Walter Payton
Team: Chicago Bears (1975-1987)
Payton wore Jersey No. 34 for the Chicago Bears football team for over 10 seasons. He was selected as the 4th pick in the 1975 league draft and went on to become the league leader in all-around yards and rushing yards at the height of his career. The record was, however, broken in the 2002 season by Emmitt Smith.
The Columbia High School graduate was inducted into the inaugural class of the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2010, four years after he was officially inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. During his productive career, the 5-foot-10 footballer who died on November 1, 1999 had the following scores: – Number of receptions: 492, Number of yards per carry: 4.4, Number of touchdowns on touchdown: 15, Number of rushing yards: 16,726, receiving yards: 4,538, rushing landings: 110.
8. Ottis Anderson
Teams: St. Louis Cardinals (1979-1986); New York Giants (1986–1992)
Born in Florida, Anderson was one of NFL’s greatest runners. He started with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1979. In college, he became a college record when he rushed for over 1,000 yards as a senior. Among other honors, he was a two-time Super Bowl champion (XXI, XXV) and NFL Player of the Year in 1989.
In 1980, Ottis was named second-team All-Pro (1980) and first-team All-Pro in 1979. He was ranked seventh among semifinal players when he officially ended his career.
9. Le’Veon Bell
The teams; Pittsburgh Steelers (2013-2018); New York Jets (2019–present)
Unlike some of the other NFL running greats on this list, Bell is still active in American football. The 6-foot-3 player was the second running back to be selected in the 2013 NFL Draft after signing a four-year, $4.12 million contract with the Steelers, where he earned exceptional records, such as the most rushing yards in the playoffs. (170, 2016).
Le’Veon Bell has played in the Pro Bowl three times (2014, 2016, 2017). So far, he has magnificent records in his professional career, including 5,336 (Rushing yards), 2,660 (Receiving yards) and more. The star player is currently with the New York Jets.
10. Barry Sanders
Team: Detroit Lions (1989-1998)
Still a talented running back, Sanders decided to end his career in 1998 after gaining 2,921 receiving yards and 15,269 rushing yards. He also earned Pro Bowl status for all seasons from 1989 to 1998.
Among other honours, the footballer was also named a second-team All-Pro, All-NFC twice from 1989 to 1992 and from 1994 to 1997.
11. Marcus Allen
Teams: Los Angeles Raiders (1982–1992); Kansas City Chiefs (1993-1997)
Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame inductee Marcus Allen has some envious titles to his name. As the most respected running back of all time, he broke several records during his active years and finally said goodbye to football after amassing 12,243 rushing yards.
The University of Southern California graduate and Super Bowl (XVIII) MVP has also won other titles such as NFL (1985), Running Yard Leader, and NFL Rookie of the Year ( 1982), to name a few.
12. Franco Harris
Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers (1972-1983); Seattle Seahawks (1984)
One of the greatest carry-alls in the NFL, Harris’ professional career spanned 13 years and it was amazing throughout. A Hall of Fame inductee, he won four Super Bowl games and also played in the Pro Bowl in his first nine seasons.
Some of his career highlights include NFL Team of the 1970s and NFL Man of the Year (1976). Prior to his retirement in 1984, Franco had earned 9 touchdowns and other stunning scores.
13. Eric Dickerson
Teams: Los Angeles Rams (1983-1987); Indianapolis Colts (1987-1991); Los Angeles Raiders (1992); Atlanta Falcons (1993)
Dickerson is the only man on our list who has represented more than two teams in the league. Texas-born footballer Sealy still sits in eighth place all-time, although he struggled to hold onto his value towards the end of his career.
Eric appeared in the Pro Bowl six times and was one of the best in the NFL in his day. The 1983 contestant has put up massive and impressive scores over his career.
14. Earl Campbell
Teams: Houston Oilers (1978-1984); New Orleans Saints (1984-1985)
Born Count Christian Campbell, this player holds the record as one of the greatest running backs in the NFL. During his years of physical activity, he was much loved by many people due to his ability to break tackles, his running style and his aggressiveness on the pitch.
The Texas-born player has won the Super Bowl five times and also won several titles/awards. Campbell retired from football in 1985 with impressive records.
15. Marshall Faulk
Teams: Indianapolis Colts (1994-1998); St. Louis Rams (1999-2006)
Last but not least is a Louisiana nativeMarshall Faulk. He invested 12 seasons for the various teams he represented in the league. Under his belt, he made it to the Super Bowl just once and then had a blast at the Pro Bowl seven times.
In 2000, the football star was honored as the league’s touchdown leader and most valuable player, much to the delight of his fans. A look back at his career shows he achieved impressive records in receiving touchdowns (6,875), rushing yards (12,279), touchdowns (100) and carries per runner (4.3 ), becoming one of the best back defensemen in the NFL.