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NFL: Top 5 RBs in the 2000s

Staff

Published

February 11, 2025

BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 07: Jamal Lewis #31 of the Baltimore Ravens runs with the ball during a NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on November 7, 2004 at M & T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

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

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning flips a short pass to Tiki Barber. The Indianapolis Colts beat the New York Giants by a Score of 26 to 21 at Giants Stadium, The Meadowlands, East Rutherford, NJ., September 10, 2006. (Photo by Rich Gabrielson/NFLPhotoLibrary)

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

CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 19: Running back Fred Taylor #28 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs with the football against the Cleveland Browns during a game at Cleveland Browns Stadium on December 19, 1999 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Jaguars defeated the Browns 24-14. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images)

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

Colts runningback Edgerrin James leaves the field with the ball after scoring late in the game as the Indianapolis Colts defeated the San Francisco 49ers by a score of 28 to 3 at Monster Park, San Francisco, California, October 9, 2005. (Photo by Robert B. Stanton/NFLPhotoLibrary)

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

LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers during a game against the Oakland Raiders at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, California on September 11, 2006. San Diego won 27-0. (Photo by Robert B. Stanton/NFLPhotoLibrary)

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.

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