Top 5 Dallas Cowboys Running Backs of All Time

There is a rich history of running backs that have graced the Silver and Blue of the Dallas Cowboys in their illustrious history. After 4 seasons, Ezekiel Elliott has already landed on this list but does he have what it takes to challenge for top spot? He made an immediate impact with the Cowboys ever since he was drafted 4^th overall in 2016 and he appears to have several years of elite production still in him. Presently, my list of top 5 running backs in Dallas Cowboys history includes Zeke but there were several options on the bubble that didn’t quite make the cut…

Honourable mention to…

Daryl Johnston 1989-1999

He was not known for his running or receiving skills but made frequent plays when called upon.  He was selected to 2 Pro-Bowls due to his role as lead blocker for the all-time leading rusher in league history, Emmitt Smith.

Duane Thomas 1970-1971

Duane Thomas’ star shone briefly but brightly during his career with the Dallas Cowboys. Once dubbed the next Jim Brown, he started off his career with a bang but his on the field excellence was marred in part by his refusal to speak to media and teammates while disputing his contract. It is believed that this lead to his being snubbed as Super Bowl MVP despite many believing he was worthy of the award. He deserves mentioning merely for his stellar 1971 season capped with a Super Bowl championship.

Herschel Walker 1986-1989 and 1996-1997

Many associate Herschel Walker for the infamous trade to Minnesota that helped launch the Dallas Cowboys dynasty of the 90’s. At the time, I was among many Cowboy fans devastated that they traded away their star running back only to finish 1-15 in 1989. That was because Herschel Walker was an explosive athlete who was a threat to score running the ball, receiving, or returning kicks. Little did I know that all of the draft picks the Cowboys obtained for the 2x Pro-Bowler would help build one of the greatest teams in the history of the NFL.

DeMarco Murray 2011-2014

His time with the Dallas Cowboys was brief but he shone brightly in 2013 and 2014. He was named to the Pro-Bowl in both of those seasons. He set the franchise record for rushing yards in a single season in 2014 while being named the AP Offensive Player of the Year. Murray is a formidable runner but also excels as a receiver and a pass blocker. If Murray would have re-signed in Dallas beyond 2015 he would surely have made this list but he is held back for having played only 2 seasons with the Cowboys as a full time starter.

That is an impressive group to land outside the top 5. Here is the group of backs who made the cut as the top 5 Running Backs in Dallas Cowboys history.

5) Don Perkins 1961-1968

Don Perkins ranks 3^rd all time in franchise rushing yards for Dallas Cowboys. He played his entire career with the Cowboys as both HB and FB with Dallas and was voted to the Pro-Bowl 6 times. Perkins played during the expansion years of the franchise and therefore does not have a lengthy playoff resume but he was productive in the postseason averaging 4.3 yards/carry, 71 yards/game and scored 3 TD’s in 4 games.

4) Calvin Hill 1969-1974

Calvin Hill was drafted to replace Don Perkins when he retired and immediately made a significant impact winning the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. He was a dual threat runner and receiver who was a key component of the 70’s Cowboy dynasty that won 2 Super Bowls. In 6 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys he was named to the Pro-Bowl 4 times and was the first Cowboys running back to surpass 1000 yards rushing, doing so on 2 occasions.

3) Ezekiel Elliott 2016 – Present

It may be considered a stretch to some to rank Elliott this high after only four seasons but what he has accomplished thus far merits this ranking. He has lead the league in rushing twice and would have done so a third time had he not been suspended for 6 games in 2017. Although he seems to have lost some of explosiveness he is still a dominant power runner who seems to always fall forward. In addition to his skills as a runner, he is a punishing pass blocker, and has produced impressive numbers as a receiver the last two seasons. What he has accomplished in fours years and what he should accomplish in the next few years will plant him firmly as the third ranked player on this list. However, he has a ways to go if he will have a chance to overtake #1 or #2 on this list.

2) Tony Dorsett 1977-1988

Tony Dorsett was a gifted runner with lightning speed who exploded onto the scene when he won the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and became the first Dallas Cowboys RB to rush for over 1000 yards in his first season. He also set the Dallas Cowboys franchise record in 12 036 yards, single season rushing yards with 1646, 8 1000+ yards seasons and 72 rushing TD’s! He was superb in the postseason averaging over 100+yards from scrimmage and 10 TD’s in 17 career playoff games. Tony Dorsett was only named to the Pro-Bowl on 4 occasions but he is considered one of the greatest running backs to have ever played in the NFL.

1) Emmitt Smith 1990-2002

Tony Dorsett set an impossibly high standard when he set all of his franchise records and yet there was one man who not only eclipsed those records but also surpassed all of the major NFL records in the process. Emmitt Smith was not a top 10 pick because did not possess elite size or speed but he is the most complete running back that has ever played the game. He is the all-time leading rusher in NFL history, the all-time leader in rushing TD’s and 1000 yard seasons. He was not only a dominant player in the regular season but even better in the post season. He is the all-time leader in playoff rushing yards and TD’s and one of the few great backs that have better numbers in the post season than the regular season. Smith is an 8 time Pro-Bowl selection, has won the AP Rookie of the Year Award and he was the 1993 regular season AND playoff MVP. The 3 time Super Bowl Champion and HOFer is without a doubt the greatest RB in Dallas Cowboys history and in my opinion the greatest running back of All-Time!

*Photo by 119413856©Jerry Coli|Dreamstime.com

All data and statistics obtained and verified from;https://www.pro-football-reference.com/

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MurrDe00.htm

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PerkDo00.htm

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HillCa00.htm

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DorsTo00.htm

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmitEm00.htm

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnDa00.htm

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WalkHe00.htm