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5 Best Running Backs in Detroit Lions History

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs runs in for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders.Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

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5 Best Running Backs in Detroit Lions History

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zach Kaplan | Last updated Jul 20, 2026 4:20 PM ET

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The Detroit Lions' history of developing offensive talent is well-documented.

While their struggles over the years have been generally marked by front office turmoil and poor draft day decisions, they've developed and nurtured historically gifted talent at quarterback and wide receiver.

From Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson and Amon-Ra St. Brown, this current iteration of the Lions doesn't look quite like the scuffling teams of the 2000s, but that's far from a reason to ignore the Lions' history of ground-game greatness.

Here are the top five running backs to play in the Motor City.

5. Altie Taylor (1969-1975)

Nick Pietrosante is the most notable omission on this list, but Taylor moved quickly up the Lions' all-time ranks during his time as a feature back in the early days of the franchise.

In 1975, it was Pietrosante's career rushing yards record that was broken by Taylor, who surpassed 4,297 yards in just his sixth season -- it took Pietrosante seven seasons to do so.

Taylor only needed 91 games, 83 as a starter, to etch his name among the all-time greats in Lions franchise history, thus making him a no-brainer candidate to appear on this list.

4. Jahmyr Gibbs (2023-Present)

Gibbs' stock is steadily rising, and there's a true argument for him to be the No. 2 halfback on this list. Already sixth in rushing yards in Lions franchise history, Gibbs' 73 yards per game and his 39 career touchdowns in just three seasons are third most by a Lions player.

Gibbs has made three Pro Bowls in as many seasons and was tied for the most touchdowns in the NFL in 2024, with 16 rushing touchdowns and four receiving touchdowns.

Much of Gibbs' early success was marked by his speedster role in the "Sonic and Knuckles" backfield tandem with David Montgomery, who was dealt to the Texans after the 2025 season.

3. Dexter Bussey (1974-1984)

A career Lion, Bussey was the 65th overall pick in 1974 and made an impact early in his career with 1,076 scrimmage yards in 1976, 858 of them on the ground.

After only playing eight games in 1977, Bussey appeared in 16 games in four straight seasons from 1978 to 1981, breaking Taylor's career rushing record in that final year.

Unfortunately, reduced to a backup in 1983, Bussey still appeared in 15 or more games at the twilight of his career, and his 5,105 rushing yards (remember that number) is third in Lions franchise history.

2. Billy Sims (1980-1984)

Remember Bussey's career mark of 5,105 rushing yards? Just one measly yard separates Bussey and Sims, a product of Oklahoma, on the Lions' all-time franchise rushing yards leaderboard, as Sims finished his career with 5,106 yards.

Sims would have easily run up the score on Bussey if not for a catastrophic right knee injury midway through the 1984 season. He was not able to return, even after two years of rehabilitation attempts.

Still, for just five seasons, Sims was a highlight reel in Detroit, putting together three seasons of 1,000-plus rushing yards and three seasons of 400-plus receiving yards in that span. His 42 touchdowns are second in franchise history.

1. Barry Sanders (1989-1998)

Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders carries the football.Imagn Images

Not only is Sanders the best running back in Lions franchise history, he has a legitimate argument for best running back in NFL history, consistently sharing rarefied air with Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, and Jim Brown.

Sanders finished with 15,269 rushing yards (currently fourth-most in NFL history) but was ranked second all-time behind Payton after his abrupt retirement at the age of 31.

Sanders' NFL career was equally an opera as it was a tragedy. He was once ranked by NFL Network as the No. 1 player to never play in a Super Bowl, and the two-time Offensive Player of the Year and Offensive Rookie of the Year couldn't make it past the Eagles' and Buccaneers' stifling ground defenses in 1995 and 1997, respectively.

That 1997 season was something special, as Sanders took home the MVP award at the age of 29 after posting 2,053 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, and three receiving scores.

It's hard to see Sanders' status at the top of the Lions' running back GOAT list ever changing.