Running backs are coming back into style in the NFL after a decade or so of the position being devalued to an all-time low. NFL history is filled with franchise-defining backs like Barry Sanders, who some consider to be the greatest talent of all time at the position. 

The Detroit Lions star and NFL Hall of Famer was as electric and exciting as anyone gets. He's certainly on the Mount Rushmore of all-time running backs for most NFL historians and fans.

Recently, Sanders joined DJ Siddiqi of RG News to disclose his own top running backs of all time. He started with some obvious choices of yesteryear, including himself. 

“You gotta put Jim Brown up there and you gotta put Walter Payton up there,” Sanders said. “You have to put Emmitt Smith up there because he’s the all-time leading rusher. And then maybe I’ll put myself up there.”

But the two modern running backs included former Alabama superstar Derrick Henry. The current Baltimore Ravens running back has been dominant throughout his career, and was the first active player he mentioned. 

"You gotta make room for Derrick Henry,” Sanders said. “He’ll be up there at some point."

Henry departed from the Tennessee Titans to the Baltimore Ravens last offseason. He concluded the season in second place for rushing yards, trailing only Saquon Barkley, with a total of 1,921 yards on 325 attempts. He topped the league with an average of 5.9 yards per carry, accumulating 909 yards after contact and breaking 42 tackles.

Of course, Sanders also mentioned Barkley alongside Eric Dickerson, and concluded he could go on and on.

Henry, though, was the most interesting inclusion for Crimson Tide fans. A five-time Pro Bowler and one-time All-Pro, he's led the league in carries four times, touchdowns three times, and yards twice. 

He's totaled 2,355 carries for 11,423 yards and 106 touchdowns through nine seasons. Although he's 30, there's no reason to think Henry can't continue to be productive for at least a few more years if he can stay healthy. He's only had one season with more than one missed game.

He's 19th all-time in rushing yards currently, and another average season for him in 2025 would get him right around Tony Dorsett for 10th. It's a shame Henry was a backup his first two seasons since he essentially lost two prime years of what's been a historic career.

Sanders had a legendary 10-season career with the Lions. He led the league in rushing four times and also topped the charts in rushing touchdowns once. A 10-time Pro Bowler, Sanders surprised many fans when he retired early from the game.

The old heads he also mentioned for his Mount Rushmore were more than deserving.

Jim Brown, often regarded as the greatest running back ever, won three MVP awards and dominated the league by leading in rushing in eight out of his nine NFL seasons.

Walter Payton, another legendary player, also earned an MVP title and won a Super Bowl. He set numerous rushing records and held the record for the most touchdown receptions by a non-receiver at the time of his retirement.

Emmitt Smith holds the NFL record for the most rushing yards, tallying 18,355 yards, while Payton ranks second with 16,726 yards.

Smith is a three-time Super Bowl champion and led the league in rushing four times, in addition to being the rushing touchdown leader three times.