The workhorse running back was alive and well in the 2000s, with several productive backs receiving heavy workloads each year. That made for some serious superstars at the position, and I will try to narrow that group down to the 10 best.
10. Priest Holmes, BAL/KC
Holmes was an incredibly dynamic back who struggled to stay healthy in Baltimore but exploded in Kansas City. Despite only playing all 16 games in a season four out of 10 times, he managed to rack up over 6,500 career rushing yards on 4.6 yards per carry and make 3 Pro Bowls.
9. Steven Jackson, STL
At 240 pounds, Jackson was a tough man to tackle once he got rolling. The 3-time Pro Bowler ran for over 1,000 yards every year from 2005 to 2010, peaking with 1,528 yards in 2006, and became a fan favorite in St. Louis.
8. Ahman Green, GB/HOU
Green was insanely productive for Green Bay in the early 2000s – a whopping 1,833-yard, 20-touchdown season in 2003 was the fourth of five straight 1,100-yard seasons to start off the decade. He made 4 Pro Bowls in Green Bay and remains the Packers’ all-time leading rusher.
7. Shaun Alexander, SEA/WAS
The former first-team All-American at Alabama thrived in Seattle, gaining over 1,300 yards four times in five seasons. His monstrous 2005 season – 1,880 yards and 27 rushing TDs on 5.1 yards per carry – helped the Seahawks make their first Super Bowl appearance.
6. Clinton Portis, DEN/WAS
Portis excelled in Denver behind Mike Shanahan’s revolutionary zone-running scheme for two 1,500-yard seasons to begin his career, and continued to produce after the Redskins traded for him. He made 2 Pro Bowls and gained nearly 9,700 career rushing yards.
5. Jamal Lewis, BAL/CLE
Lewis was a machine for the majority of his career – if he played, he produced. Although he suffered a torn ACL and missed the entire 2001 season, he continued to rack up 1,000-yard seasons – including a 2,066-yard one in 2003. All in all, he rushed for over 10,000 yards in his nine-year career.
4. Tiki Barber, NYG
Barber initially struggled to find carries in the Big Apple, but once he did, there was no denying his star power. Despite never being a workhorse until later in his career, Barber racked up over 10,000 career yards and made 3 Pro Bowls by averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
3. Fred Taylor, JAX/NE
Taylor was an explosive playmaker for a productive Jacksonville offense. Despite weighing around 230 pounds, he had a surprising amount of agility to go with home-run speed. He had six 1,000-yard seasons in the 2000s and totaled 11,695 rushing yards in his career.
2. Edgerrin James, IND/ARI/SEA
James was a special multi-tool weapon for Peyton Manning in Indianapolis – the 4-time Pro Bowler and current NFL Hall of Famer excelled as both a runner and a receiver. He ran for over 1,500 yards four times and caught at least 50 passes in a season five times.
1. LaDanian Tomlison, SD/NYJ
One of the most productive running backs in NFL history, Tomlinson was a one-man wrecking crew in San Diego. Five Pro Bowls, one Offensive Player of the Year award, and one NFL MVP fail to capture his dominance. His 2006 season – over 2,300 total yards and 31 TDs – may never be equaled again.
