Fansided

25 best NFL running backs of the 21st century

By Brad Weiss

Charger RB LaDainian Tomlinson runs down the field as the San Diego Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20 - 9 on December 17, 2006 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Tracy Frankel/Getty Images)
Charger RB LaDainian Tomlinson runs down the field as the San Diego Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20 - 9 on December 17, 2006 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Tracy Frankel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 25
Next
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 30: Running back Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams rushes against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 30, 2012, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 30: Running back Steven Jackson #39 of the St. Louis Rams rushes against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 30, 2012, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

25 best NFL running backs of the 21st century

24. player. 51. . . . Steven Jackson

In the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft, the then-St. Louis Rams drafted Oregon State running back Steven Jackson. Known for his ability to get the job done on the ground, and out of the backfield, Jackson would go on to put together a special career with the Rams, and during that time, became one of the more productive backs in football.

Jackson spent 2004 through 2012 seasons with St. Louis, two years with Atlanta, and then a final season in New England. It was with the Patriots that Jackson would score the only playoff touchdown of his career, though it would be in the last NFL game he would play, the AFC Championship that year against Denver.

In his rookie season, Jackson rushed for nearly 700 yards, but would then go on to post eight consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns. In 2006, he became the only player in NFL history to run for 1,400 yards, receive 800 yards in a single season, and still holds the franchise record for most rushing yards with 11,438.

A dual-threat out of the backfield, Jackson finished his career with over 15,000 all-purpose yards, 78 touchdowns, and was a three-time Pro Bowler.

Home/NFL