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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) /
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CANTON, OHIO – AUGUST 07: Edgerrin James, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Class, takes a selfie with his bust during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 7, 2021, in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane-Pool/Getty Images)
CANTON, OHIO – AUGUST 07: Edgerrin James, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Centennial Class, takes a selfie with his bust during the induction ceremony at the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 7, 2021, in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Ron Schwane-Pool/Getty Images) /

25 best NFL running backs of the 21st century

Edgerrin James. 3. player. 46. . .

Playing college football at the University of Miami (FL), it is hard to be recognized as one of the all-time greats at the school. The U has produced so many incredible running backs, including a few already mentioned on this list, but Edgerrin James stands as arguably the most prolific backs in school history, and one of the greatest running backs the NFL has ever seen as well.

Drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 4 overall pick in the 1999 draft, James would play seven seasons with the Colts, before three with the Arizona Cardinals, and one in Seattle. The NFL’s Rookie of the Year in 1999, James would lead the NFL in rushing yards as a rookie, and in his second year, establishing himself quickly as an unstoppable force for the Colts.

For his career, James would go on to make four Pro Bowls, was first-team All-Pro once, and second-team twice. In 11 seasons, he rushed for over 1,000 yards seven times, including an astonishing 3,200-plus across his first two years. Of his seven 1,000-yard campaigns, four times he went over 1,500, finishing with over 12,000 rushing yards in his career.

James was a part of one of the more prolific offenses in football during his time with the Colts, as he helped build up the franchise to the point where they won the Super Bowl the year after he left. Still, he became the all-time leading rusher during his time there and is currently enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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