NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s

NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s – #7 Matt Forte

#7 – Matt Forte

I wasn’t as shocked as for Foster, but Forte is no doubt better than the fan voting rank. He was one of the first really tremendous receivers at running back in what I see now as the decade evolution for the scat back. For that reason he is the leader over the decade for receiving yards by a running back.

I talked up his receiving ability, but his 7629 rushing yards rank 5th for the decade. His 4.3 yards per carry average hurts his ranking, but it wasn’t the most dominant decade for the Bears franchise.

Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s – #6 Demarco Murray

#6 – Demarco Murray

This was another very difficult ranking for me. If we’re looking at the 3 most dominant seasons of the decade for running backs, Murray would be a riser. In 2014 he had one of the best seasons ever rushing for 1845 yards and 13 touchdowns while adding nearly 500 yards receiving.

I’ve talked about perfect scheme fits and that was Murray with the Cowboys. He was a downhill runner, one cut runner who would explode through the smallest holes. Unlike a guy like LeSean McCoy, he saw his yards and took them.

All this being said, his career was short lived  due to his physical style of running. He only played from 2011-2017, but his impact throughout earns him a spot on this list.

It’s also worth mentioning he rushed for 1287 yards and 12 touchdowns with the Titans in his 6th season.

NFL Top 10 Best Running Backs of the 2010s – #5 Jamaal Charles

#5 – Jamaal Charles

Did you know that Jamaal Charles is the all-time leading running back with more than 1000 carries for yards per attempt? Jamaal Charles was a burner and his y/a reflects that.

He only played 88 games throughout the decade mainly due to an injury plagued career. Jamaal Charles struggled to stay healthy only playing a full 16 game season once.

Regardless this list honors his impact when healthy. This was a guy who made up for a bad offensive line with his speed. His 5.3 yards per attempt was hard fought through some very impressive highlights.