These are the best running backs for each season over the past 30 years. This list is based off rushing & receiving stats as well as impact for their team. Some people value some stats over others and my goal was to look at their statline and team success as a whole.
Other season-by-season lists:
Best Cornerback Seasons
Best Wide Receiver Seasons
Best Quarterback Seasons
1990
Best Running Back – Barry Sanders
Rushing: 1470 yards, 14 touchdowns, 5.3 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 480 yards, 3 touchdowns, 36 receptions.
Runner Up – Thurman Thomas
Rushing: 1297 yards, 11 touchdowns, 4.8 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 532 yards, 2 touchdowns, 49 receptions.
1991
Best Running Back – Barry Sanders
Rushing: 1548 yards, 16 touchdowns, 4.5 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 307 yards, 1 touchdowns, 41 receptions.
Runner Up – Thurman Thomas
Rushing: 1407 yards, 7 touchdowns, 4.9 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 631 yards, 5 touchdowns, 62 receptions.
1992
Best Running Back – Emmitt Smith
Rushing: 1713 yards, 18 touchdowns, 4.6 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 335 yards, 1 touchdowns, 59 receptions.
Runner Up – Thurman Thomas
Rushing: 1487 yards, 9 touchdowns, 4.8 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 626 yards, 3 touchdowns, 58 receptions.
1993
Best Running Back – Emmitt Smith
Rushing: 1486 yards, 9 touchdowns, 5.3 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 414 yards, 1 touchdowns, 57 receptions.
Runner Up – Jerome Bettis
Rushing: 1429 yards, 7 touchdowns, 4.9 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 244 yards, 0 touchdowns, 26 receptions.
1994
Best Running Back – Barry Sanders
Rushing: 1883 yards, 7 touchdowns, 5.7 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 283 yards, 1 touchdowns, 44 receptions.
Runner Up – Emmitt Smith
Rushing: 1484 yards, 21 touchdowns, 4.0 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 341 yards, 1 touchdowns, 50 receptions.
1995
1995 – Emmitt Smith
Rushing: 1773 yards, 25 touchdowns, 4.7 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 375 yards, 0 touchdowns, 62 receptions.
Runner Up – Barry Sanders
Rushing: 1500 yards, 11 touchdowns, 4.8 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 398 yards, 1 touchdowns, 48 receptions.
1996
Best Running Back – Terrell Davis
Rushing: 1538 yards, 13 touchdowns, 4.5 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 310 yards, 1 touchdowns, 36 receptions.
Runner Up – Barry Sanders
Rushing: 1533 yards, 11 touchdowns, 5.1 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 147 yards, 0 touchdowns, 24 receptions.
1997
Best Running Back – Barry Sanders
Rushing: 2053 yards, 11 touchdowns, 6.1 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 305 yards, 3 touchdowns, 33 receptions.
Runner Up – Terrell Davis
Rushing: 1750 yards, 15 touchdowns, 4.7 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 287 yards, 0 touchdowns, 42 receptions.
1998
Best Running Back – Terrell Davis
Rushing: 2008 yards, 21 touchdowns, 5.1 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 217 yards, 2 touchdowns, 25 receptions.
Runner Up – Jamal Anderson
Rushing: 1846 yards, 14 touchdowns, 4.5 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 319 yards, 2 touchdowns, 27 receptions.
1999
Best Running Back – Marshall Faulk
Rushing: 1381 yards, 7 touchdowns, 5.5 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 1048 yards, 5 touchdowns, 87 receptions.
Runner Up – Edgerrin James
Rushing: 1553 yards, 13 touchdowns, 4.2 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 586 yards, 4 touchdowns, 62 receptions.
2000
Best Running Back – Marshall Faulk
Rushing: 1359 yards, 18 touchdowns, 5.4 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 830 yards, 8 touchdowns, 81 receptions.
Runner Up – Edgerrin James
Rushing: 1709 yards, 13 touchdowns, 4.4 yards per attempt.
Receiving: 594 yards, 5 touchdowns, 63 receptions.
1 comment
[…] It was only until OJ’s 4th season he was 3rd in the MVP voting. The following year he finally won that MVP title while also becoming the first player ever to rush for over 2000 yards in only a 14 game season. Add another 2-3 games and he would still hold the record today. It is one of the best running back seasons ever. […]