Ranking the Top Five Running Backs Draft Classes in NFL History- The Ball Carriers Who Carried Their Teams

1. The Golden Era: The 1983 Running Backs Class

The 1983 NFL Draft class produced a remarkable group of running backs who would go on to leave their mark on the league for years to come. Here are some of the most notable running backs from the 1983 class:

• Eric Dickerson - Drafted 2nd overall by the Los Angeles Rams, Dickerson quickly established himself as one of the best running backs in the league. Over his 11-year career, Dickerson earned six Pro Bowl selections and was named a First-Team All-Pro five times, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his first seven seasons.
• Curt Warner - Selected 3rd overall by the Seattle Seahawks, Warner played nine seasons in the NFL, earning three Pro Bowl selections and helping the Seahawks reach their first Super Bowl in franchise history in 1983.
• James Brooks - Chosen in the 1st round (24th overall) by the San Diego Chargers, Brooks played 12 seasons in the NFL, earning four Pro Bowl selections and helping the Cincinnati Bengals reach Super Bowl XXIII in 1989.

2. The Ground and Pound: The 1995 Running Backs Class

The 1995 NFL Draft class brought forth a group of power running backs who would become key contributors to their teams' offensive success. Some of the top running backs from this class include:

• Curtis Martin - Drafted 74th overall by the New England Patriots, Martin went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL, earning five Pro Bowl selections and rushing for over 1,000 yards in 10 of those seasons. Martin was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
• Tyrone Wheatley - Selected 17th overall by the New York Giants, Wheatley played 10 seasons in the NFL, rushing for over 1,000 yards twice and earning a Super Bowl championship with the Oakland Raiders in 2002.
• Napoleon Kaufman - Chosen in the 1st round (18th overall) by the Oakland Raiders, Kaufman played six seasons in the NFL, rushing for over 1,000 yards twice and earning a Pro Bowl selection in 1997.

3. The Versatile Backs: The 2008 Running Backs Class

The 2008 NFL Draft produced a group of versatile running backs who have gone on to excel as both runners and receivers in the league. Here are some of the most notable running backs from the 2008 class:

• Chris Johnson - Drafted 24th overall by the Tennessee Titans, Johnson burst onto the scene as a rookie, rushing for over 1,200 yards and earning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. Over his nine-year career, Johnson rushed for over 1,000 yards six times and was named a First-Team All-Pro once.
• Matt Forte - Selected 44th overall by the Chicago Bears, Forte played 10 seasons in the NFL, earning two Pro Bowl selections and setting the NFL record for most receptions by a running back in a single season in 2014.
• Ray Rice - Chosen in the 2nd round (55th overall) by the Baltimore Ravens, Rice played six seasons in the NFL, earning three Pro Bowl selections and helping the Ravens win Super Bowl XLVII in 2013.

4. The Speedsters: The 2011 Running Backs Class

The 2011 NFL Draft brought forth a group of lightning-fast running backs who have established themselves as game-changers in the league. Here are some of the most prominent running backs from the 2011 class:

• Mark Ingram Jr. - Drafted 28th overall by the New Orleans Saints, Ingram has played 10 seasons in the NFL, earning three Pro Bowl selections and helping the Saints win Super Bowl XLIV in 2010.
• DeMarco Murray - Selected 71st overall by the Dallas Cowboys, Murray played seven seasons in the NFL, earning three Pro Bowl selections and leading the league in rushing yards in 2014.
• Dion Lewis - Chosen in the 5th round (149th overall) by the Philadelphia Eagles, Lewis has played nine seasons in the NFL, establishing himself as one of the league's premier receiving backs and earning a Super Bowl championship with the New England Patriots in 2017.

5. The New Generation: The 2017 Running Backs Class

The 2017 NFL Draft produced a new wave of talented running backs who have already made a significant impact in the league. Here are some of the most notable running backs from the 2017 class:

• Leonard Fournette - Drafted 4th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Fournette has played four seasons in the NFL, earning one Pro Bowl selection and helping the Jaguars reach the AFC Championship Game in 2017.
• Alvin Kamara - Selected 67th overall by the New Orleans Saints, Kamara has played four seasons in the NFL, earning three Pro Bowl selections and one First-Team All-Pro honor. Kamara is known for his exceptional receiving skills and has established himself as one of the best dual-threat running backs in the league.
• Christian McCaffrey - Chosen 8th overall by the Carolina Panthers, McCaffrey has played four seasons in the NFL, earning one Pro Bowl selection and setting the NFL record for most receptions by a running back in a single season in 2018. McCaffrey is a versatile back who is equally skilled as a runner and receiver.