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3 best running backs in Los Angeles Rams history
The Los Angeles Rams have been fortunate enough to have an extensive amount of talented running backs play for their franchise.
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The Los Angeles Rams have been fortunate enough to have an extensive amount of talented running backs play for their franchise. Even though the Rams released him earlier this offseason, Todd Gurley was one of the best rushers to play for the organization.
Despite injuries derailing his career with Los Angeles, Gurley finished with 5,404 rushing yards in five seasons with the franchise (sixth-most in team history). At the same time, Gurley would also score 58 rushing touchdowns with the Rams, which is tied for the most in franchise history.
Before Gurley’s knee injury in 2018, there was an argument to be had that he was the best running back in the NFL. Sadly, his concerning knee ailment could prevent him from playing at an All-Pro level in his career again. And if he does revert back to playing at an elite level, he’ll be doing it for the Atlanta Falcons.
Besides Gurley, Los Angeles has employed quite a few All-Pro talents at the running back position. With that in mind, here are the top three running backs in the Rams’ first 83 years of existence.
Eric Dickerson
In the 1983 NFL Draft, the Rams lucked out with taking Eric Dickerson with the No. 2 pick in the first round. Despite being a rookie, Dickerson would gallop for 1,808 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns in 1983.
While Dickerson would spend just four seasons and some change with the Rams, he would accumulate 7,245 rushing yards and 56 rushing touchdowns with the franchise. To this day, Dickerson remains as Los Angeles’ second all-time leading rusher. Plus, he still holds the single-season for rushing yards from when he rushed for 2,105 yards with the Rams in 1984.
After his time with the Rams, Dickerson went on to have a successful career with the Indianapolis Colts. Nonetheless, Dickerson will always be remembered as a legend in Los Angeles.
Steven Jackson
One of the most underrated running backs to ever play in the NFL was Steven Jackson. In the early-to-mid-2000s, there were a handful of running backs that were considered the best in the league. Compared to other running backs though, Jackson was one of the only bright spots on the Rams’ roster.
Following a ton of success in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the Rams failed to make the postseason between 2005-2016. While the team never posted a winning record in his nine seasons, Jackson compiled 10,138 rushing yards and 56 rushing touchdowns. He remains the all-time leading rusher in franchise history.
Even at his size, Jackson also hauled in 407 receptions for 3,324 yards as a receiving threat in the offense. Despite the team’s lack of success while he was in the backfield, Jackson is severely underrated by most fans and the media alike. But Rams fans understand just how good Jackson was for nearly a decade.
Marshall Faulk
In today’s NFL, the elite options at running back are guys that can be a weapon in the rushing and passing attack. Before guys like Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, and Alvin Kamara existed, Marshall Faulk was lighting up the NFL.
As a matter of fact, this past season, McCaffrey joined a reserved group of running backs that have notched 1,000+ rushing yards and 1,000+ receiving yards in the same season. The two running backs that achieved the feat before McCaffrey was Faulk and Roger Craig.
Amid his time with the ‘Greatest Show on Turf’ offense, Faulk rushed for 6,958 yards (third-most in team history) and 58 touchdowns (tied for the most in team history). What’s impressive about Faulk is that he’s fourth all-time in receptions for the Rams with 470 receptions.
He’s also the 10th all-time leader in receiving yards in franchise history. There’s a reason why Faulk is one of eight players in Rams’ history to have their jersey number retired.
