Running backs have played a key role in defining Philadelphia Eagles history, often serving as game-changers who shift momentum and propel the team forward.
From Steve Van Buren to LeSean McCoy, the Eagles have had a remarkable lineup of running backs throughout their history. These players not only racked up impressive stats but also made unforgettable plays that shaped the franchise’s legacy. But who stands out as the best?
Choosing the top 10 running backs in Eagles history wasn’t an easy task. We focused on players who made a significant impact during their time in Philadelphia, taking into account their performances in both the regular season and the playoffs. Here’s a look at the running backs who made the list.
*Note: All titles, awards and stats listed below are from each player’s tenure with the Browns only. All stats are from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise stated.
10. Billy Ray Barnes
Heavy on EaglesLikeness of Billy Ray Barnes jersey.
- Years as an Eagle: 1957-1961
- Championships and Awards:
- 1-time NFL Champion
- 3-time Pro Bowl
- Career regular season stats:
- 60 games
- 2,391 rushing yards
- 20 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 1 game
- 42 rushing yards
- Iconic performance: November 1, 1959, in a game against Washington, he rushed for 163 yards on 12.54 yards per attempt with a touchdown.
Barnes was part of the Eagles’ NFL Championship-winning team in 1960 and earned three Pro Bowl honors while rushing for 2,391 yards with 20 touchdowns during his time in Philly, allowing him to just barely crack our list of the top 10 best Eagles running backs of all time.
9. Darren Sproles
GettyDarren Sproles.
- Years as an Eagle: 2014-2019
- Championships and Awards:
- 1-time Super Bowl Champion
- 3-time Pro Bowl
- Career regular season stats:
- 61 games
- 1,331 rushing yards
- 12 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 2 games
- 25 rushing yards
- Iconic performance: October 30, 2016, in a game against the Dallas Cowboys, he rushed for 86 yards on 5.73 yards per attempt.
Sproles was on the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning team in 2018 and earned three Pro Bowl selections as an Eagle. His versatility as a returner and playmaking ability solidify his legacy within the franchise and land him at the No. 9 spot on our list.
8. Tom Woodeshick
Wikimedia CommonsTom Woodeshick.
- Years as an Eagle: 1963-1971
- Championships and Awards:
- 1-time Pro Bowl
- Career regular season stats:
- 111 games
- 3,563 rushing yards
- 21 rushing touchdowns
- Iconic performance: September 22, 1968, in a game against the New York Giants, he rushed for 129 yards on 8.6 yards per attempt with a touchdown.
Woodeshick holds the franchise record for games played by a running back with 111 games and ranks 10th in franchise history with 3,563 rushing yards while adding 21 rushing touchdowns. His impressive longevity along with one Pro Bowl selection as an Eagle earn him the No. 8 spot on our list.
7. Timmy Brown
GettyTimmy Brown.
- Years as an Eagle: 1960-1967
- Championships and Awards:
- 2-time NFL Champion
- 3-time Pro Bowl
- Career regular season stats:
- 96 games
- 3,703 rushing yards
- 29 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 1 game
- Iconic performance: November 7, 1965, in a game against the Cleveland Browns, he rushed for 186 yards on 11.63 yards per attempt with a touchdown.
Brown rushed for 3,703 yards and scored 29 touchdowns during his career with the Eagles. A two-time NFL Champion and three-time Pro Bowler, his contributions were pivotal in elevating the team’s performance in the 1960s. These achievements earned him the No. 7 spot on our list.
6. Duce Staley
GettyDuce Staley.
- Years as an Eagle: 1997-2003
- Career regular season stats:
- 98 games
- 4,807 rushing yards
- 22 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 7 games
- 384 rushing yards
- 2 rushing touchdowns
- Iconic performance: The “Pickle Juice Game” against the Dallas Cowboys on September 3, 2000, where he rushed for 201 yards. Due to the sweltering Texas heat, the Eagles used pickle juice to keep the team hydrated and prevent them from cramping.
Staley ranks fifth all-time in rushing yards for the Eagles and 10th in rushing touchdowns. His electrifying style earned him a devoted fan base, who loved to cheer “DUCE!” During his tenure, he also made a memorable appearance in the epic “Pickle Game,” where he ran for over 200 yards while drinking pickle juice on the sideline. Staley’s impressive contributions to the franchise secure him the No. 6 spot on our list.
5. Ricky Watters
GettyRicky Watters.
- Years as an Eagle: 1995-1997
- Championships and Awards:
- 2-time Pro Bowl
- Career regular season stats:
- 48 games
- 3,794 rushing yards
- 31 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 3 games
- 145 rushing yards
- 1 touchdown
- Iconic performance: Watter’s most iconic performance as an Eagle was on October 20, 1996, in a game against the Miami Dolphins, where he rushed for 173 yards on 6.92 yards per attempt with a touchdown in the Eagles’ 35-28 victory.
Watters recorded 3,794 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns, placing him seventh all-time in franchise history for both categories. Though his time with the Eagles was relatively brief, he ranks higher on the all-time rushing list than several players who spent more years with the team. His significant impact during his tenure earns him the No. 5 spot on our list.
4. Wilbert Montgomery
GettyWilbert Montgomery.
- Years as an Eagle: 1977-1984
- Championships and Awards:
- 2-time Pro Bowl
- Career regular season stats:
- 100 games
- 6,538 rushing yards
- 45 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 7 games
- 518 rushing yards
- 6 touchdowns
- Iconic performance: In the 1980 NFC Championship Game against the Dallas Cowboys, Montgomery rushed for 142 yards and a touchdown in the Eagles’ 20-7 victory, sending the Eagles to the 1981 Super Bowl.
Montgomery was a two-time Pro Bowler during his career with the Eagles. He rushed for 6,538 yards and scored 45 rushing touchdowns. His total ranks second in franchise history, only behind LeSean McCoy. Montgomery had a massive 194 rushing yards in the 1980 NFC Championship Game to help lead the Eagles past the Cowboys and into the 1981 Super Bowl, adding to his prestige and securing his position as the No. 4 running back on our list.
3. Steve Van Buren
Wikimedia CommonsSteve Van Buren on a 1948 Bowman Gum football trading card.
- Years as an Eagle: 1944-1951
- Championships and Awards:
- 2-time NFL Champion
- 5-time First-Team All-Pro
- Career regular season stats:
- 83 games
- 5,860 rushing yards
- 69 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 4 games
- 365 rushing yards
- 2 touchdowns
- Iconic performance: On December 19, 1948, in the 1948 NFL Championship Game against the Chicago Cardinals, he ran for 98 yards and scored the only touchdown in the Eagles’ 7–0 win.
Van Buren won two NFL Championships and had five First-Team All-Pro selections. In 83 regular-season games, he ran for 5,860 yards and scored 69 rushing touchdowns. It is hard to leave Van Buren out of the top two spots on our list because, let’s face it, he was a winner. But unfortunately, those championships came pre-Super Bowl era and don’t hold as much weight as players who played during the harder-hitting Super Bowl era, landing him at the No. 3 spot on our list.
2. Brian Westbrook
GettyBrian Westbrook.
- Years as an Eagle: 2003-2009
- Championships and Awards:
- 1-time First-Team All-Pro
- 2-time Pro-Bowl
- Career regular season stats:
- 107 games
- 5,995 rushing yards
- 37 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 11 games
- 591 rushing yards
- 3 touchdowns
- Iconic performance: On October 26, 2008, he returned from a rib and ankle injury to record 167 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns, plus 42 receiving yards, in a game against the Atlanta Falcons.
Westbrook established himself as one of the Eagles’ all-time greats, earning one First-Team All-Pro selection and two Pro Bowl nods. He ran for 5,995 yards and 37 touchdowns while also recording 3,790 receiving yards, making him the franchise’s leader in yards from scrimmage while also being third in total rushing yards. Westbrook played a crucial role on several competitive Eagles teams, including one that reached the Super Bowl, earning him the No. 2 spot on our list.
1.LeSean McCoy
GettyLeSean McCoy.
- Years as an Eagle: 2009-2014
- Championships and Awards:
- 4-time First-Team All-Pro
- 3-time Pro-Bowl
- Career regular season stats:
- 90 games
- 6,792 rushing yards
- 44 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 3 games
- 147 rushing yards
- 1 touchdown
- Iconic performance: During the 2013 “Snow Bowl” against the Detroit Lions, he rushed for 217 yards, setting a franchise record for rushing yards in a single game.
McCoy is undeniably the crown jewel of Eagles running backs. He ran for a staggering 6,792 yards, paired with 44 touchdowns in just 90 games. McCoy’s agility and explosive playmaking earned him four First-Team All-Pro selections and three Pro Bowl nods. Despite the team’s struggles during his time with the Eagles and Chip Kelly inexplicably trading him to the Buffalo Bills for Kiko Alonso, his undeniable talent and impact on the field elevate him to the top of our list.
The list isn’t over yet! See our pick for Number 11 HERE. Sound off to let us know who we missed!
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The 10 Best Eagles Running Backs of All Time, Ranked