The top 10 Rookie Running Back Seasons in NFL History

For much of its history, the NFL has been a league where top-level running backs could make an instant impact and best define their careers. From ridiculous yardage totals to franchise-altering performances, these rookie campaigns have helped solidify the respective places of the best ball carriers in NFL history.

This article analyzes the 10 greatest rookie running back seasons of all time, breaking down important statistics and the context surrounding each record-breaking performance.

1. Billy Sims, Detroit Lions (1980)

The Detroit Lions' choice of Billy Sims, with the no. 1 pick in 1980, had been considered a franchise-changer, and it took a little while for the Oklahoma product to ensure that billing was as accurate as he was. Sims had 1,303 rushing yards in his rookie campaign and league bests in TD runs with 13.

Sims' mix of speed, agility, and power made him a nightmare for opposing defenses. He averaged 5.0 yards per carry and also contributed as both a check-down outlet and 621 receiving yards receiver out of the backfield to truly excel at being a dual-threat weapon from that position. His breakout performance helped the Lions improve from a two-win team in 1979 to nine wins and a playoff berth, earning him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Injuries derailed Sims' career far too soon, but his remarkable 1980 season still ranks as one of the all-time best debuts by a running back.

2. Clinton Portis, Denver Broncos (2002)

Picked by the Broncos in the 2002 NFL Draft, Portis topped the NFL with 15 rushing touchdowns and 1,508 yards. His mix of burner speed, toughness, and field vision made him difficult to bring down. His breakaway ability helped the Broncos to a 9-7 record and kept them from missing the playoffs as he provided balance with consistent offensive output behind an otherwise potent passing game.

Portis had a breakout rookie season to launch his NFL career, which would include a Pro Bowl bid and more than 9,000 rushing yards. He posted arguably one of the best-ever rookie seasons by a running back.

3. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys (2016)

For the Dallas Cowboys, drafting Ezekiel Elliott with the 4th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft is exactly what they needed. Elliott was as good as he always appeared, and it was one of the best rookie seasons ever at his position.

Elliott turned in 15 games played, leading the league with 1,631 rushing yards. His blend of power, speed, and vision made him a nightmare for defenses to stop, as he also carried a 5.1 yards per carry average. Elliott finished the season as a First-Team All-Pro, racking up 13 wins in his team's complex.

Though Elliott has been through some ups and downs in his on-field career since that rookie season, it remains one of the most dominant first-year efforts for a running back in NFL history.

4. Ottis Anderson, St. Louis Cardinals (1979)

When the St. Louis Cardinals took Ottis Anderson with the 8th overall pick in the 1979 NFL Draft, it appeared to be a franchise-changing move out of Miami product could have spent more time delivering on that promise. In his rookie year, Anderson ran for 1,605 rushing yards and scored 15 touchdowns.

His power and surprising agility would plague defenses for years, charging his way over tennis courts 5.0 yards per carry on average during an illustrious career. A big part of that improvement from the 6-10 Cardinals in 1978 to an 8-2 team in '79 was his dominance as a rookie, leading him to Offensive Rookie Of The Year.

Anderson went on to enjoy a productive 14-year NFL career, earning two Pro Bowl berths and winning Super Bowl MVP honors. But his top-ten rookie year with the Cardinals is still one of the best ever produced by a running back in NFL history.

5. Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins (2012)

During his rookie season, Morris recorded a league-high 1,613 rushing yards and added 13 touchdowns. Morris' bruising style of play helped lead the Redskins to their first NFC East division championship and playoff berth since 1999 while also leading Morris to his first Pro Bowl.

His career would largely peter out after that, but his 2012 season is one of the best performances from a rookie running back in recent memory.

6. Edgerrin James, Indianapolis Colts (1999)

The Indianapolis Colts were looking for immediate help on offense when they drafted Miami product Edgerrin James 4th overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. James would not disappoint, turning in one of the best rookie seasons ever by a running back.

James enjoyed an excellent 11-year NFL career, which included four Pro Bowls and a Super Bowl victory with the Colts. However, his phenomenal rookie year still stands as one of the best among all running backs at any point in time.

7. George Rogers, New Orleans Saints (1981)

The Saints drafted Heisman Trophy winner George Rogers, No. 1 overall out of South Carolina, in the NFL Draft on April 28, 1981. Rogers lived up to the hype, compiling one of the greatest rookie seasons in history by a running back.

Rogers ran for 1,674 yards and scored in all but two games. The 6-foot-1,318-pounder terrorized defenses with his bruising running style and breakaway speed 

After the promising start to his career, Rogers ran out of gas, but 1981 stands as one of the best rookie seasons logged by an NFL running back.

8. Alfred Morris, Washington Redskins (2012)

When the Washington Redskins used a sixth-round pick in the 2012 NFL draft on Florida Atlantic running back Alfred Morris, few envisioned him blossoming into one of the game's bright young backs. Nevertheless, Morris soon silenced some critics and assembled a rookie season for the ages.

He led the league in rushing and ran for 13 TDs to gain 1,613 yards. Given his blend of power, vision, and patience, he was an ideal fit in the Redskins' zone-blocking scheme and still managed 4.8 yards a pop. Morris starred in leading Washington to the NFC East division title and a playoff berth, earning his first Pro Bowl nod.

Morris's career quickly disappeared after his sensational debut, yet the 2012 campaign remains one of the last decade's finest rookie years for a running back.

9. Eric Dickerson, Los Angeles Rams (1983)

Dickerson rushed for a then NFL record of 1,808 rushing yards in only twelve games and scored eighteen touchdowns. He also led the NFL with those totals. Not surprisingly, this overwhelming blend of size and sprinter speed made Peterson a legitimate freak of nature as he chugged along to 1,341 rushing yards (4.6 ypc) while also catching 51 balls for another 404 yards and a pair of scores. Dickerson's performance was a catalyst for the Rams, going from a 2-7 team in 1982 to producing an NFL record six consecutive shutout quarters and finishing at 3-8.

Dickerson would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and his 1983 season ranks as one of the best rookie years for an RB in NFL history. 

10. Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions (1989)

The Detroit Lions had high hopes when they took Barry Sanders 3rd overall in the 1989 NFL Draft to give their anemic offense a shot in the arm. Sanders did not disappoint, posting arguably one of the most exciting rookie seasons by a back in NFL history.

He rushed for 1,470 yards with 14 TDs in a league-high 16 games, not to mention his light feet, vision, and even better breakaway speed, which were a nightmare for most defenses. He averaged an incredible 5.3 yards per carry during his career. Sanders was part of the reason for a drastic increase in wins from the 4-12 season in 1988 to finishing with a record of 7-9, which earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

He would have a Hall of Fame career, establishing himself as one of the all-time greats at running back in NFL history. His rookie season of 1989 is the greatest debut year performance by a running back ever, showing off both the jaw-dropping talent and game-breaking greatness that would help define Neal's Hall of Fame career from there on out.

Throughout its storied history, the NFL has seen many great running backs, yet these iconic players easily register as the best rookie campaigns ever by an RB. These stars entered the NFL landscape with a bang, breaking records for most yardage and transforming their sides.