Fantasy Football Legends: The Greatest Running Back of All Time

By Jason Bolton September 06, 2024 05:47

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Few positions in fantasy football generate as much discussion and heated debate as running backs. They often serve as the heart and soul of fantasy teams, providing the explosive plays or consistent yardage necessary to salvage or spoil a season. Just like in fantasy football, the running back has evolved to meet with NFL changes and/or fantasy strategy, which is having multiple stud wideouts rather than an elite RB. This article reviews the greatest legends of all time in running back, looking into their statistics and accolades and how they have influenced NFL history and/or fantasy football.

Jim Brown

When people think about domination, the name Jim Brown instantly enters their minds. Brown spent the rest of his career, from 1957 to 1965, as a member of the Cleveland Browns and paced all rushers in total yards in eight out of nine seasons. His career average of 104.3 rushing yards per game still stands as the top mark in NFL history, and his seven games with at least four touchdown passes are tied for second-most all-time behind Peyton Manning's eight such performances. With a mix of power, speed, and vision to match few others in football history, Brown was unquestionably able to provide defenses with nightmares and become a legend.

Achievements:

9 Pro Bowl selections
3-time NFL MVP
Pro Football Hall of Fame (1971)

Barry Sanders

Barry Sanders was a fixture on the human highlight reel, with an unmatched level of agility and a penchant to make defenders miss. At the same time, he played for the Detroit Lions from 1989 to 1998, rushing over 1,000 yards. His ability to avoid defenders and break long runs endeared him to fantasy football fans.

Achievements:

10 Pro Bowl selections
NFL MVP in 1997
Hall of Fame 2004

LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson was a human cheat code when he played with the San Diego Chargers. From 2001-2011, Tomlinson was everywhere in the top fantasy scorers running back because he received runner ever since. He scored 31 touchdowns in a season (2006) and is one of, if not the greatest fantasy football seasons ever.

Achievements:

5 Pro Bowl selections
NFL MVP in 2006
Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017

Emmitt Smith

He was a model of consistency and durability, the NFL's all-time leading rusher, Emmitt Smith. While primarily playing for the Dallas Cowboys from 1990 to 2004, Smith's nose for touchdowns and yardage accumulation made him a fantasy cornerstone over his career.

Achievements:

8 Pro Bowl selections
3-time Super Bowl Champion
Pro Football Hall of Fame, 2010
Pros And Cons Of Comparisons

Running Back Role Evolution

The running back position has changed a lot over the years. Running backs like Jim Brown used to carry the ball on most plays in the old days of NFL football. The college and professional level positions have always required strength and power-speed combo to some extent.

This evolution has also been reflected in fantasy football; back in the olden days, when fantasy leagues were first created, running backs dominated because they handled the ball more than anyone else and scored many points. Yet the NFL is also a league that has featured more and more passing as time goes on, which enhances the worth of running backs who are receivers out of the backfield.

Ultimately, no matter who you hold in the highest regard, these legends helped shape a treasured custom and potential obsession of fantasy football enthusiasts like myself.