Dating back to 2000, the NFL has seen standout performances from the running back position. The league has transitioned to pass-heavy offenses, but running backs continue finding ways to dominate the game. The position has produced players who have come close to surpassing Eric Dickerson’s single-season record of 2,105 yards. After the 1995 season saw Emmitt Smith break John Riggins’ 1983 record of 24 rushing touchdowns, the record was surpassed in 2003, 2005, and 2006. Here is a look at the top ten most dominant running back seasons since 2000.
1. 2006 LaDainian Tomlinson
The Hall of Famer dominated the NFL throughout his career. He took the league by storm during his rookie 2001 season. His best, and record-breaking, season came in 2006. That season Tomlinson had 1,815 rushing yards, 28 rushing touchdowns, 508 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. He holds the NFL single-season record with 28 rushing touchdowns.
2. 2005 Shaun Alexander
Alexander put together a great career, and 2005 was special. He finished the year with 1,880 rushing yards, 27 rushing touchdowns, 78 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. Alexander is the Seattle Seahawks all-time rushing leader. He finished his career with 9,453 rushing yards, 100 rushing touchdowns, 1,520 receiving yards, and 12 receiving touchdowns.
3. 2003 Priest Holmes
After four mediocre seasons with Baltimore, Priest Holmes joined Kansas City and put together a magnificent three-year stretch. During the 2003 season, Holmes finished with 1,420 rushing yards, 27 rushing touchdowns, and 690 receiving yards. That season would be the last time he surpassed 900 rushing yards in a season.
4. 2021 Jonathan Taylor
Taylor has been a weapon for Indianapolis since 2020. Injuries have often plagued him, but he’s greatly produced when healthy. He produced a monster 2021 season, finishing with 1,811 rushing yards, 18 rushing touchdowns, 360 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns. He has a chance to finish the 2025 season as the best of his career.
5. 2005 Larry Johnson
The longtime Kansas City Chief had two seasons of dominant performances. His best season came in 2005. That year, he finished with 1,750 rushing yards, 20 rushing touchdowns, 343 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. The next season, Johnson finished with 1,789 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns, 410 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns.
6. 2002 Priest Holmes
The year before his earth-shattering 2003 season, Priest Holmes was equally as dominant. The running back finished the 2002 season with 1,615 rushing yards, 21 rushing touchdowns, 672 receiving yards, and three receiving touchdowns. Holmes’ 2002 and 2003 seasons are one of the best back-to-back campaigns in NFL history.
7. 2020 Derrick Henry
Henry has been dominant throughout his career. He’s posted great seasons during his eight years with the Titans and his first season with Baltimore in 2024. However, his 2020 season with Tennessee will go down as the best of his career. That season, Henry finished with 2,027 rushing yards, 17 rushing touchdowns, and 114 receiving yards.
8. 2012 Adrian Peterson
The future Hall of Famer was one of the best running backs during his time in the NFL. His best season came in 2012, following ACL and MCL tears in December of 2011. En route to his only MVP, Peterson played all 16 games, finishing with 2,097 rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, 40 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown. He started the 2012 season eight months removed from knee surgery.
9. 2024 Saquon Barkley
Barkley has battled injuries during his eight-year career but posted his best numbers during the 2024 season. In his first season with Philadelphia, the running back finished with 2,005 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, 278 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns. He finished the season with a career-high 5.8 yards per carry.
10. 2009 Chris Johnson
Chris Johnson surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in his six seasons with Tennessee from 2008-2013. He had the best season of his career in 2009. He finished the year with 2,006 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, 503 receiving yards, and two receiving touchdowns. After finishing 2nd in the 2008 Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, Johnson ended his 2009 season winning the NFL AP Offensive Player of the Year.
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