Eric Dickerson: Greatest rookie season in NFL history

Eric Dickerson may be remembered most for the record-breaking numbers he put up in his second year, but he had the greatest rookie season in NFL history.

Since setting the record for most rushing yards by a rookie running back 35 years ago, no one has been able to break Eric Dickerson’s 1,808 rushing record. There have been some admirable efforts, but even Dickerson himself knows that his record is never in jeopardy.

It wasn’t just the numbers that make Dickerson’s rookie season the single most impressive in NFL history; it was the overall impact he had on the Los Angeles Rams the second he stepped on the field.

Prior to drafting Dickerson, the Rams were struggling to capture the Super Bowl magic they had in 1979. It’s no coincidence that as soon as Dickerson put on a Rams uniform the team immediately saw results. A 9-7 record with a trip to the divisional round playoffs after beating the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card game, all because of Dickerson’s efforts.

Whether it was in the open field or running over players, Dickerson excelled at every part of the game. Needed him to catch a pass? No problem, he was a solid receiver too.

Dickerson was especially dangerous because of his size and speed. Running backs are typically either bruisers who can run over defenders, or have the speed and finesse to get down the field behind blocks. Dickerson was a combination of the two. At 6-foot-3, he was taller than your average running back, and being a former track standout at SMU only made him a tougher target for defenses to tackle.

The numbers Dickerson produced earned him Offensive Rookie of the Year, his first of five Pro-Bowl nods and First-Team All-Pro.

While running backs regress with age, Dickerson just followed up an impressive rookie campaign with another record-breaking season. In his second season Dickerson shattered the single-season rushing record, finishing with 2,105 rushing yards, a record he still holds today.