5 Best Running Backs in Cleveland Browns History

In the late 1970s and into the early '80s, Pruitt was one of the better running backs in the entire NFL. He made the Pro Bowl in 1979 and 1980, helping the Browns to a couple of their brightest spots in a decade.

In nine years in Cleveland, Pruitt put together four 1,000-yard seasons. He might have had more, even, had he not spent the first three years as a backup to the No. 4 player on this list. Only three players have more yards rushing in franchise history.

4. Greg Pruitt (1973-1981)

This Pruitt, no relation to Mike Pruitt, was the best offensive player for the Browns in the mid-70s, an era that didn’t see Cleveland have much success.

But that wasn’t because of what he was doing. Greg Pruitt made four Pro Bowls from 1973 to 1977, excelling as both a return man and a tailback. He ran for 1,000 yards in three straight seasons from 1975 to 1977 and ran for another 960 in 1978.

A knee injury in 1979 limited him in the backfield for most of the rest of his career, but provided an entry for Mike Pruitt, anyway.

• MORE: Every QB Drafted by the Cleveland Browns

3. Nick Chubb (2018-2024)

Not many Browns players of the 21st century find their way on these lists. But Chubb is the best offensive player the franchise has had this century. Really, it isn’t close.

Chubb ranks third in team history in yards rushing, going for 6,843 over seven seasons in Cleveland. His 51 touchdowns are also third, behind only the two players ranked higher here. Chubb made four straight Pro Bowls from 2019 to 2022.

A knee injury limited him in 2023 and he hasn’t quite been the same since, moving on to Houston for the 2025 season. But seven years, Chubb was The Man for the Browns.

2. Leroy Kelly (1964-1973)

It turns out, every one of the Browns’ No. 1 running backs from 1954 to 1984 made this list. That’s quite a -- ahem -- run.

Kelly followed the No. 1 player here almost immediately, taking over starting duties in 1966 and immediately earning top-five MVP votes running for 1,140 yards and a league-high 15 touchdowns. It was the first of three straight top-five MVP finishes and first-team All-Pro seasons and the first of six straight Pro Bowl appearances.

Only one player ranks ahead of him in franchise history when it comes to rushing statistics. You won’t be surprised who it is.

1. Jim Brown (1957-1965)

It takes quite a bit to keep Kelly off the top spot in the Browns all-time rankings, but it’s fair to say when one of the best running backs to ever play did so for the Browns, then he’s going to rank in the top spot.

Brown didn’t even play into his 30s, retiring at age 29 after nine seasons, all in Cleveland. He was a first-team All-Pro in eight of those seasons and made the Pro Bowl in the other. Brown won three MVP awards and finished second two more times.

He won his only NFL title in 1964 after running for 1,446 yards, marking seventh time he’d led the league in rushing. He led again in 1965 and won his final MVP honor before calling it a career.

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