Heaviest running backs in NFL history

[Rain Man]

The perceived size of Derrick Henry made me wonder about the largest running backs ever.

When I say 'running backs', I'm talking about guys who were really running backs, not the occasional hungry pig defensive tackle or blocking fullback.

So I went to our friendly pro-football-reference site, and sorted all running backs with 500+ career carries by weight. This uses the PFR weight, so I don't know if it's peak-year weight or last-year weight or rookie weight. It's just weight.

27 running backs with 500+ career carries are listed over 240 pounds, which is a smaller number than I expected. Without further ado, I present them in this thread in ascending order to build suspense.

[Rain Man]

#24-27 - The 242 Pounders

Donnell Bennett, 1994-2001, 1941 Yards, 102 Games Played
LaMont Jordan, 2001-2009, 3734 Yards, 114 Games Played
Duce Staley, 1997-2006, 5785 Yards, 114 Games Played
Barry Word, 1987-1994, 2897 Yards, 72 Games Played

We know a couple of these guys. Marty liked big backs and I cannot lie.

[Chiefshrink]

Marion Motley:thumb:

[ljmhawk]

Bettis has to be near the top

[Rain Man]

#21-23 - The 243-pounders

Jim Braxton, 1971-1977, 2769 Yards, 74 Games Played
Michael Bush, 2008-2014, 3250 Yards, 89 Games Played
Mike Tolbert, 2008-2017, 2649 Yards, 143 Games Played

I didn't think of Tolbert and Bush as some of the largest running backs ever. I remember Braxton was really big for his era, though I didn't remember him getting a lot of carries with O.J. Simpson around.

[Tribal Warfare]

Craig "Iron head" Heyward was 290 or more

[FloridaMan88]

Okoye had to have been at least 250 lbs.

[Rain Man]

#19-20 - The 244-pounders

Bam Morris, 1994-1999, 3320 Yards, 62 Games Played
Michael Turner, 2004-2012, 7338 Yards, 134 Games Played

Like I said, Marty liked big backs.

[Chiefshrink]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H5IuZlImP-o" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Rain Man]

#14-18 - The 245-pounders

Keith Byars, 1986-1998, 3107 Yards, 175 Games Played
Boobie Clark, 1973-1980, 3032 Yards, 94 Games Played
Ron Dayne, 2000-2007, 3722 Yards, 96 Games Played
Jamal Lewis, 2000-2009, 10607 Yards, 131 Games Played
Natrone Means, 1993-2000, 5215 Yards, 88 Games Played

Byars ended up more of a tight end, but he was a running back at first. I was curious as a child about Boobie's nickname.

I would've thought Dayne was bigger.

Jamaal Lewis was a productive guy for his size.

And of course who can forget Natrone?

[oldman]

I think Okoye played at about 260.

[Rain Man]

#12-13 - The 247-pounders

LeGarrette Blount, 2010-2018, 5759 Yards, 116 Games Played
Derrick Henry, 2016-2019, 3833 Yards, 62 Games Played

Henry seems so much bigger than Blount. I think there's some optical illusion about Henry.

[Rain Man]

#10-11 - The 248-pounders

Mike Alstott, 1996-2006, 5088 Yards, 158 Games Played
Marion Butts, 1989-1995, 5185 Yards, 104 Games Played

We had a lot of big running backs in the AFC West during the Marty years.

[Rain Man]

#9 - 250 pounds

Eddie Lacy, 2013-2017, 3614 Yards, 60 Games Played

It's funny because he was fat.

[Rain Man]

#8 - 251 pounds

Cookie Gilchrist, 1962-1967, 4293 Yards, 65 Games Played

His name was 'cookie'. I like that.

[Rain Man]

#6-7 - 252 pounds

Pete Johnson, 1977-1983, 5421 Yards, 94 Games Played
Jerome Bettis*, 1993-2005, 13662 Yards, 192 Games Played

His nickname was "Ponderous Pete". The Chargers traded away James Brooks, one of my favorite players for Ponderous Pete, who never impressed me as a runner.

Bettis - okay, whatever.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Marion Butts, Jerome Bettis, and Craig Heyward all come to mind.

Pooh Bear Williams probably didn’t get enough carries, but he was large as well.

[Rain Man]

#5 - 253 pounds

Christian Okoye, 1987-1992, 4897 Yards, 79 Games Played

I think he played heavier than this, but PFR lists him at 253. I bet he was the fastest guy on this list.

[Rain Man]

#4 - 254 pounds

T.J. Duckett, 2002-2008, 2814 Yards, 93 Games Played

Okay. Whatever. I barely remember him.

[Rain Man]

#3 - 255 pounds

Larry Kinnebrew, 1983-1990, 3133 Yards, 88 Games Played

The Bengals seemed to really like big running backs. If Marty had coached for the Bengals, we would have seen a 350 pound running back.

[Rain Man]

#2 - 260 pounds

Craig Heyward, 1988-1998, 4301 Yards, 149 Games Played

Yeah, I can see this. He was a pretty entertaining runner.

[Rain Man]

And the heaviest running back to get 500+ career carries? You'll remember him. He was a giant in every since of the word.

#1 - 264 pounds

Brandon Jacobs, 2005-2013, 5094 Yards, 109 Games Played

[TribalElder]

Dontari Poe should have got more carries

[Demonpenz]

Duckett played LB in college as well

[T-post Tom]

Wow... flashback city. Haven't heard a lot of these names in years.

[Rain Man]

In summary, 8 of the 25 heaviest runners played for the Chiefs or Chargers in the 1980s. I find this interesting.

[stevieray]

John Riggins and Larry Csonka?


Prolly not quite that heavy.

[jerryaldini]

Great thread. Most excitement I've had in a while watching it unfold live.

[jerryaldini]

Marty in Cleveland also had the big back duo of Ernest Byner and Kevin Mack.

[Pitt Gorilla]

#2 - 260 pounds

Craig Heyward, 1988-1998, 4301 Yards, 149 Games Played

Yeah, I can see this. He was a pretty entertaining runner.

This may have been his “official” weight, but he played most of his career at least 20 lbs north of that. Some speculate he was over 3 bills.

[Why Not?]

I knew Jacobs was up there. Don’t know he was #1, so to speak. That dude was quite a load.

[Demonpenz]

there is really good highlight package of heyward on youtube. Harry Callus calling the game for pitt

[Demonpenz]

Lots of murmers around KC of brandon jacobs when he played at coffeyville ks. Like the size and speed were unreal

[Gadzooks]

In summary, 8 of the 25 heaviest runners played for the Chiefs or Chargers in the 1980s. I find this interesting.

Means & Butts are my favorite Chargers RBs all time, over LT.
At the same time, the Chiefs had Okoye & Word.
All 4 were meant to play RB.

Henry is like having an LB/DE with some burst playing RB. It's not the same.

Ah, the early 90's...

[Wilson8]

Running backs that did not weigh as much as the guys you have listed, but could run players over.
Earl Campbell - 232
Larry Csonka - 237
John Riggins - 230

[chiefzilla1501]

I know fullbacks don't count, but Patrick Ricard at 303 lbs is a mammoth in the backfield.

[UK_Chief]

Can you arrange the shortlist by their combine 40 time?

[Gadzooks]

Can you arrange the shortlist by their combine height measurement?

[Gadzooks]

Can you arrange the shortlist by their combine shoe size?

[Chris Meck]

Running backs that did not weigh as much as the guys you have listed, but could run players over.
Earl Campbell - 232
Larry Csonka - 237
John Riggins - 230

agreed. Those guys played in an era where a 300 pound lineman was highly unusual.

The 'Hogs' that Riggins ran behind was the first line that was all 300 pounds, if I remember correctly.

So guys like Campbell and Csonka were bigger in comparison to the defensive lines they were running at. Like they were the size of a lot of the defensive ends.

For what it's worth, Derrick Henry reminds me most of Campbell.

[Zhawk]

Awhile back I saw the starting lineups for the ‘69 Orange Bowl. KU vs Penn St and Riggins and Bobby Douglas were both HUGE compared to the linemen back then. Pretty much across the line OL and DL were like 205-210. Riggins and Douglas both weighed more than that.

The height of the linemen weren’t much different than today’s, but wow a LOT more beef on them. So Riggins WAS a beast back then...fast too. Freak.

[2112]

That play where Earl Campbell runs over Isaiah Robertson and Robertson holds onto his jersey and actually tears it off while Campbell keeps running to the goal line was a play I’ll never forget. I’ve still never seen anything like that. Bum Phillips killed him though by using him too much. He was fast too

[2112]

That play where Earl Campbell runs over Isaiah Robertson and Robertson holds onto his jersey and actually tears it off while Campbell keeps running to the goal line was a play I’ll never forget. I’ve still never seen anything like that. Bum Phillips killed him though by using him too much. He was fast too

Sorry he just knocked him on his ass lol

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F9y_KZwOq9g

[Beef Supreme]

Craig Heyward had the best nickname. Ironhead.

[Sorce]

Dontari Poe should have got more carries

You don't want to put your QB at risk for injury.

[Lzen]

Great list. I'm pretty sure I remember during games that they would announce Okoye's weight as 260. Perhaps that was with pads.

And a small critique. Would you include the teams they played for next time? Thanks.

[DJ's left nut]

Lots of murmers around KC of brandon jacobs when he played at coffeyville ks. Like the size and speed were unreal

Was about to say the same thing.

I would hear stuff about this mountain of a human being just destroying dudes in Central Kansas when I was in Kirksville. I didn't think much of it; he didn't even really stay on my radar when he was at Auburn.

But then when he kinda burst onto the scene for the Giants I was like "Wait a minute, is THAT the monster that played at Coffeyville?"

Dude was taaaaaaall for a RB, that's why he's as heavy as he is. Henry is sort of the same way. That's why you had to love guys like Heyward and Tolbert - those dudes were like 5'10'' and built like bowling balls.

[Rausch]

Excellent thread. I'm a huge fan of the "phat backs" myself.

Guys like Barry Foster, Means, Okoye, etc...

[Rain Man]

Great list. I'm pretty sure I remember during games that they would announce Okoye's weight as 260. Perhaps that was with pads.

And a small critique. Would you include the teams they played for next time? Thanks.

I remember that as well. For some reason I also thought Marion Motley was a monster of 280 or something. But I'm just using the PFR listed weight, and they seem to run a little smaller than i remember.

[DJ's left nut]

Talking about 'perceived size' - you figure it's because Henry is an upright runner?

I seriously have no idea how that guy has any ribs left. You're right, he looks like a planet out there and it has to be because he's just running through the line like me on a morning jog. Guy doesn't get himself behind his pads at all.

But somehow he's the guy delivering blows more often than not.

Still not sure how he abuses teams the way he does. Seems like he should end up with a bruised spleen pretty much every week.

[Coochie liquor]

I remember that DVD offense in Atlanta. Warrick Dunn, Vick, and Duckett. Thunder and lightning.

[DJJasonp]

i think the pads have gotten more "space age", if you will......so much slimmer than back in the 70s and 80s.

Okoye looked like he had two satellite dishes for shoulder pads!

[VAChief]

The pads in the past definitely make a visual comparison difficult. Big backs were 225 to 235 back in the 70's and 80's but looked like mountains.

James Wilder was 225 but in pads looks bigger. My favorite clip of him against Nebraska below. Great game, that team was loaded but always seemed to play down to competition as well as up.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzMil-f8MpE

[Lzen]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6OO-w04DUv4" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[ThaVirus]

Brandon Jacobs was a load. I'll never forget him running over Laron Landry.

Landry may as well have been a speed bump.

[Discuss Thrower]

durr William Perry durrrrrrrr

[gblowfish]

When I think of really big backs who were hard to stop:
Marion Motley
Larry Csonka
Christian Okoye
Earl Campbell
Ironhead Heyward
Jerome Bettis
Norm Bulash
Cookie Gillcrist
Ickey Woods
John Riggins

[lawrenceRaider]

#21-23 - The 243-pounders

Jim Braxton, 1971-1977, 2769 Yards, 74 Games Played
Michael Bush, 2008-2014, 3250 Yards, 89 Games Played
Mike Tolbert, 2008-2017, 2649 Yards, 143 Games Played

I didn't think of Tolbert and Bush as some of the largest running backs ever. I remember Braxton was really big for his era, though I didn't remember him getting a lot of carries with O.J. Simpson around.

Bush was playing while at least 260 while a Raider. He might have been 243 when drafted.

[Wilson8]

Since you mentioned Derrick Henry in the opening.

It is going to be really interesting to see what happens with Derrick and the Tennessee Titans with him being a UFA free agent this next year.

He certainly deserves to be paid. He is a very important part of the Titans offense.

BUT, how much do you pay and for how many years with a physical back that probably has a very limited number of years to be good?

Titans also have to deal with giving Ryan Tannehill a big increase of the Salary Cap Pie.

[Wilson8]

Possible big backs in the 2020 NFL draft.

A.J. Dillon, 6-0, 250 Boston College, 4.58 est 40, JR declared, Shoe Size ???

Najee Harris, 6-2, 230 Alabama, 4.53 est 40, JR undeclared but has until 7 days after National Championship game. Again no idea on shoe size.

[Buehler445]

Talking about 'perceived size' - you figure it's because Henry is an upright runner?

I seriously have no idea how that guy has any ribs left. You're right, he looks like a planet out there and it has to be because he's just running through the line like me on a morning jog. Guy doesn't get himself behind his pads at all.

But somehow he's the guy delivering blows more often than not.

Still not sure how he abuses teams the way he does. Seems like he should end up with a bruised spleen pretty much every week.

I was just asking my buddy the same thing. How the fuck can that dude run like that? I remember coming into the league I was thinking gosh he might die in camp.

But like you say, he's murdering fools out there. With his knees I guess?

I've never seen anything like it.

[Pitt Gorilla]

I was just asking my buddy the same thing. How the **** can that dude run like that? I remember coming into the league I was thinking gosh he might die in camp.

But like you say, he's murdering fools out there. With his knees I guess?

I've never seen anything like it.Wasn't Eddie George similar?

[Hydrae]

Wasn't Eddie George similar?

He may have been the more upright RB I have ever seen. Never quite got how he did it without getting killed but it worked for him.

[DJ's left nut]

He may have been the more upright RB I have ever seen. Never quite got how he did it without getting killed but it worked for him.

Well, I mean, he mostly DID get killed.

Sure, he kept getting yards, but for the last 5 seasons of his career the guy was sporting a 3.4 YPC average. He was mostly an ineffective player who Fisher just kept giving the football.

By 27 years old he was mostly cooked - Fisher just didn't seem to notice. From 2000 to 2004 there were 41 guys who carried the ball more than 500 times over that span. Eddie George ranked 41st in YPC.

Ron Dayne, Amos Zereoue and Troy Hambrick were more effective runners over that timespan than Eddie. Poor dude was ground into a fine powder.

[MMXcalibur]

#14-18 - The 245-pounders

Keith Byars, 1986-1998, 3107 Yards, 175 Games Played
Boobie Clark, 1973-1980, 3032 Yards, 94 Games Played
Ron Dayne, 2000-2007, 3722 Yards, 96 Games Played
Jamal Lewis, 2000-2009, 10607 Yards, 131 Games Played
Natrone Means, 1993-2000, 5215 Yards, 88 Games Played

Byars ended up more of a tight end, but he was a running back at first. I was curious as a child about Boobie's nickname.

I would've thought Dayne was bigger.

Jamaal Lewis was a productive guy for his size.

And of course who can forget Natrone?

I remember watching Natrone Means and wondering how in the hell the defenders could still be standing after meeting him at the point of attack.

[suzzer99]

So you're saying all I need is to talk someone into giving me 500 carries in the NFL and I could be #1 at something?

[Hammock Parties]

#19-20 - The 244-pounders

Bam Morris, 1994-1999, 3320 Yards, 62 Games Played
Michael Turner, 2004-2012, 7338 Yards, 134 Games Played

Like I said, Marty liked big backs.

There is no way Bam Morris weight 244 pounds in 1999.

That dude was at least 275.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51nM4diRfpL._SY445_.jpg

[Gadzooks]

I remember watching Natrone Means and wondering how in the hell the defenders could still be standing after meeting him at the point of attack.

That's what made him good. What made him even better was was when he got a burst of speed and met the tiny secondary folks.

[Deberg_1990]

Craig ‘IronHead’ Heyward weight?