The Best NFL Draft Running Back Classes Ever

The running back position has evolved quite a bit over the last 50 years. Whereas NFL offenses once centered multiple ball-carriers in traditional, run-focused attacks, the modern game has deemphasized the run game in favor of spread offenses and diversified weapons.

That may be changing in the coming years, as a running back revolution seems to be gaining ground. For now, though, the glory days of the running back are in the past. 

Still, it may be worth reflecting on some of the drafts that delivered all-time running back talent to the NFL. 

If you’re looking to the past to reminisce about the golden days of running backs, make sure you start with these NFL Drafts.

Best NFL Draft Running Back Classes

Best Running Back Classes: 1957

Yes, it’s that draft, where Cleveland selected Jim Brown at No. 6 overall. The all-time great played nine seasons, led the NFL in rushing for eight of them and finished his career with a then-record 12,312 yards. Along the way, he earned nine All-Pro nods, three MVPs, and one championship.

Of course, that’s just Jim Brown. At No. 1, the Packers took former Notre Dame star Paul Hornung, who served as one of the central offensive pieces for the Vince Lombardi-era Packers. 

At No. 2, the Rams grabbed Jon Arnett, who ultimately finished his 10-year career with even more yards than Hornung. 

Best Running Back Classes: 1983

The 1983 draft was stacked at more than running back, as this was the famously loaded draft where John Elway went No. 1. But the Rams took Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson right after at No. 2, and the talent never really let up.

As many NFL fans know, Dickerson set a record with 2,105 rushing yards in 1984. He went on to lead the NFL in rushing four different times over his 11-year career.

One pick after Dickerson, Seattle drafted Curt Warner – no, not that one – who exploded onto the scene with nearly 1,500 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns during his rookie year with the Hawks. 

And while plenty of tailbacks probably would have looked good with Joe Montana as their quarterback, San Francisco certainly struck gold with Roger Craig in the second round. He eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark in 1988 and was ultimately on board for three of the four Super Bowls of the 49ers’ Montana era. 

Best Running Back Classes: 1990

The 1990s was one of the last great eras for running backs, and it’s hard to cover that period without mentioning the Dallas Cowboys and Emmitt Smith. The first-round pick won NFL Rookie of the Year in ’90, then led the league in rushing in ’91, ’92, ’93, and ’95. The ’93 season included nearly 1,500 rushing yards, regular-season MVP, and a Super Bowl MVP. 

Ultimately, Smith finished his 15-year career with more than 18,000 yards, which crowned him as the league’s all-time leading rusher. Given the state of today’s NFL, it’s a record that may never be broken.

It’s difficult to compare anyone to Smith, but this is also a class that includes Rodney Hampton and Chris Warren, too. Not bad. 

Best Running Back Classes: 1995

Unlike some of the other choices here, the ’95 running back class isn’t exactly known for its depth. Virtually no first-rounders had any staying power, starting with No. 1 overall pick Ki-Jana Carter, who promptly tore his ACL during his first rookie preseason with the Bengals.

Still, the 1995 group earns inclusion because of two names: third-round pick Curtis Martin and sixth-round pick Terrell Davis. It’s the only draft since the AFL/NFL merger where two different running backs have been elected to the Hall of Fame.

Best Running Back Classes: 2008

I’ve written a bit more about the prolific 2008 class in another blog post detailing the drafts with the most running backs taken in the first round of the draft. To summarize: 2008 is the last draft with serious top-end depth at the RB position.

For now, anyway.

Darren McFadden, Rashard Mendenhall, and Chris Johnson highlighted a first-round group that ripped opponents in the late 2000s and early 2010s, even as the league was transitioning toward the modern passing game. 

Best Running Back Classes: 2017

If we’re looking at modern running back classes, you could probably do worse than 2017, which spawned Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey, Dalvin Cook, Joe Mixon, Alvin Kamara, Kareem Hunt, and James Conner – all before Day 3 of the draft even began.

Best Running Back Classes: 2023

It’ll be another decade at least before we can really write the book on the 2025 NFL class of running backs, but the early results seem promising. Here are some of the 2023 names to watch going forward:

• Bijan Robinson
• Jahmyr Gibbs
• Zach Charbonnet
• De’Von Achane
• Chase Brown