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There's little more lovable than having your own stud running back - and owning two is even better. In the times of running -back-by-committee, finding a true full-time back is hard enough without worrying when a player makes their eventual downturn for good. The old rule of thumb was the "30 year old wall". With players like LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook fast approaching 30, it's time to look back in the NFL for an idea of what other good running backs did.
There are hundreds of running backs either playing or on practice squads or on the periphery waiting for a chance to play. But what fantasy football is all about is starting running backs and the more studly the better. So for a set of players that have seen success in the recent past, let's consider the 105 running backs who have placed in the top 20 at least once in the last ten years (standard performance scoring).
| Faulk, Marshall |
10 |
Garner, Charlie |
4 |
Stewart, James |
3 |
Smith, Lamar |
2 |
Johnson, Johnny |
1 |
| Martin, Curtis |
10 |
Hearst, Garrison |
4 |
Thomas, Thurman |
3 |
Wheatley, Tyrone |
2 |
Jordan, Lamont |
1 |
| Dillon, Corey |
9 |
Jackson, Steven |
4 |
Warren, Chris |
3 |
White, LenDale |
2 |
Kaufman, Napoleon |
1 |
| Tomlinson, L. |
8 |
Johnson, Rudi |
4 |
Abdul-Jabbar, Karim |
2 |
Williams, Harvey |
2 |
Loville, Derek |
1 |
| Barber, Tiki |
7 |
Jones, Thomas |
4 |
Addai, Joseph |
2 |
Barlow, Kevan |
1 |
Mack, Stacey |
1 |
| Bettis, Jerome |
7 |
McAllister, Deuce |
4 |
Allen, Marcus |
2 |
Bates, Mario |
1 |
Maroney, Laurence |
1 |
| Dunn, Warrick |
7 |
Murrell, Adrian |
4 |
Anderson, Mike |
2 |
Bennett, Michael |
1 |
McClain, Le'Ron |
1 |
| George, Eddie |
7 |
Staley, Duce |
4 |
Barber, Marion |
2 |
Betts, Ladell |
1 |
Pittman, Michael |
1 |
| James, Edgerrin |
7 |
Westbrook, Brian |
4 |
Bennett, Edgar |
2 |
Brown, Chris |
1 |
Rhodes, Dominic |
1 |
| Taylor, Fred |
7 |
Williams, Ricky |
4 |
Droughns, Reuben |
2 |
Brown, Ronnie |
1 |
Russell, Leonard |
1 |
| Watters, Ricky |
7 |
Alstott, Mike |
3 |
Hampton, Rodney |
2 |
Duckett, T.J. |
1 |
Salaam, Rashaan |
1 |
| Green, Ahman |
6 |
Anderson, Jamal |
3 |
Harris, Raymont |
2 |
Edwards, Robert |
1 |
Slaton, Steve |
1 |
| Portis, Clinton |
6 |
Davis, Domanick |
3 |
Heyward, Craig |
2 |
Enis, Curtis |
1 |
Smith, Kevin |
1 |
| Smith, Emmitt |
6 |
Gore, Frank |
3 |
Jacobs, Brandon |
2 |
Forte, Matt |
1 |
Taylor, Chester |
1 |
| Alexander, Shaun |
5 |
Henry, Travis |
3 |
Johnson, Larry |
2 |
Foster, De'shaun |
1 |
Thomas, Anthony |
1 |
| Holmes, Priest |
5 |
Jones-Drew, M. |
3 |
Levens, Dorsey |
2 |
Gary, Olandis |
1 |
Thomas, Rodney |
1 |
| Lewis, Jamal |
5 |
McGahee, Willis |
3 |
Lynch, Marshawn |
2 |
Graham, Earnest |
1 |
Tillman, Lewis |
1 |
| Sanders, Barry |
5 |
Parker, Willie |
3 |
Means, Natrone |
2 |
Grant, Ryan |
1 |
Turner, Michael |
1 |
| Allen, Terry |
4 |
Rhett, Errict |
3 |
Morris, Bam |
2 |
Hoard, Leroy |
1 |
Williams, Carnell |
1 |
| Davis, Stephen |
4 |
Smith, Antowain |
3 |
Parmalee, Bernie |
2 |
Johnson, Anthony |
1 |
Williams, DeAngelo |
1 |
| Davis, Terrell |
4 |
Smith, Robert |
3 |
Peterson, Adrian |
2 |
Johnson, Chris |
1 |
Williams, Moe |
1 |
From that objective universe, let's pare down to just the players who have retired and had at least three appearances in the top 20 over the last ten years. That leaves us 28 very productive and retired running backs.
| Faulk, Marshall |
10 |
Watters, Ricky |
7 |
Davis, Stephen |
4 |
Alstott, Mike |
3 |
Smith, Robert |
3 |
| Martin, Curtis |
10 |
Smith, Emmitt |
6 |
Davis, Terrell |
4 |
Anderson, Jamal |
3 |
Stewart, James |
3 |
| Dillon, Corey |
9 |
Alexander, Shaun |
5 |
Garner, Charlie |
4 |
Davis, Domanick |
3 |
Thomas, Thurman |
3 |
| Barber, Tiki |
7 |
Holmes, Priest |
5 |
Hearst, Garrison |
4 |
Henry, Travis |
3 |
Warren, Chris |
3 |
| Bettis, Jerome |
7 |
Sanders, Barry |
5 |
Murrell, Adrian |
4 |
Rhett, Errict |
3 |
|
| George, Eddie |
7 |
Allen, Terry |
4 |
Staley, Duce |
4 |
Smith, Antowain |
3 |
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