The Cowboys' best running backs since 1966
Emmitt Smith has the most rushing yards of the 127 running backs who played with the Cowboys since 1966, 17,162 in 201 games. Tony Dorsett is 2nd with 12,036.
The Cowboys' running backs this season
- Javonte Williams8 games, 66.0 a game1,729 with the Cowboys.528rushing yards
- Tyler Goodson5 games, 17.2 a game86rushing yards
By decade: 2020s · 2010s · 2000s · 1990s · 1980s · 1970s · 1966–69
Compare with in · side by side
| Place | Player | rushing yards | rushing TDs | scrimmage yards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmitt Smith1990 – 2002 · 201 games | 17,162 | 153 | 20,174 |
| 2 | Tony Dorsett1977 – 1987 · 157 games | 12,036 | 72 | 15,468 |
| 3 | Ezekiel Elliott2016 – 2024 · 118 games | 8,488 | 71 | 10,893 |
| 4 | Calvin Hill1969 – 1974 · 73 games | 5,009 | 39 | 6,368 |
| 5 | Robert Newhouse1972 – 1983 · 168 games | 4,784 | 31 | 5,740 |
| 6 | DeMarco Murray2011 – 2014 · 53 games | 4,526 | 28 | 5,726 |
| 7 | Marion Barber2005 – 2010 · 88 games | 4,356 | 47 | 5,636 |
| 8 | Walt Garrison1966 – 1974 · 114 games | 3,886 | 30 | 5,680 |
| 9 | Tony Pollard2019 – 2023 · 78 games | 3,621 | 23 | 4,940 |
| 10 | Herschel Walker1986 – 1997 · 81 games | 3,491 | 27 | 6,047 |
| 11 | Julius Jones2004 – 2007 · 53 games | 3,480 | 18 | 4,152 |
| 12 | Felix Jones2008 – 2012 · 64 games | 2,728 | 11 | 3,790 |
| 13 | Don Perkins1966 – 1968 · 42 games | 2,385 | 18 | 2,912 |
| 14 | Ron Springs1979 – 1984 · 88 games | 2,180 | 28 | 4,208 |
| 15 | Troy Hambrick2000 – 2003 · 50 games | 1,896 | 8 | 2,156 |
| 16 | Dan Reeves1966 – 1972 · 86 games | 1,888 | 23 | 3,371 |
| 17 | Javonte Williams2025 – 2026 · still playing | 1,729 | 19 | 1,970 |
| +528 this season | ||||
| 18 | Duane Thomas1970 – 1971 · 25 games | 1,596 | 16 | 1,822 |
| 19 | Rico Dowdle2020 – 2024 · 39 games | 1,464 | 4 | 1,857 |
| 20 | Timmy Newsome1980 – 1988 · 121 games | 1,226 | 19 | 3,192 |
| 21 | Preston Pearson1975 – 1980 · 79 games | 1,207 | 5 | 3,481 |
| 22 | Darren McFadden2015 – 2017 · 20 games | 1,174 | 3 | 1,519 |
| 23 | Sherman Williams1995 – 1998 · 59 games | 1,162 | 4 | 1,494 |
| 24 | Tashard Choice2008 – 2011 · 45 games | 1,139 | 8 | 1,636 |
| 25 | Doug Dennison1974 – 1978 · 52 games | 1,112 | 19 | 1,222 |
rushing yards by decade
2020s
- Tony Pollard2020 – 2023 · 64 games3,166
- Ezekiel Elliott2020 – 2024 · 62 games3,083
- › Javonte Williams2025 – 2026 · 24 games1,729
- Rico Dowdle2020 – 2024 · 39 games1,464
- Malik Davis2022 – 2025 · 17 games411
2010s
- Ezekiel Elliott2016 – 2019 · 56 games5,405
- DeMarco Murray2011 – 2014 · 53 games4,526
- Felix Jones2010 – 2012 · 44 games1,777
- Darren McFadden2015 – 2017 · 20 games1,174
- Joseph Randle2013 – 2015 · 27 games822
2000s
- Marion Barber2005 – 2009 · 75 games3,982
- Julius Jones2004 – 2007 · 53 games3,480
- Emmitt Smith2000 – 2002 · 46 games3,199
- Troy Hambrick2000 – 2003 · 50 games1,896
- Felix Jones2008 – 2009 · 20 games951
1990s
- Emmitt Smith1990 – 1999 · 155 games13,963
- Sherman Williams1995 – 1998 · 59 games1,162
- Chris Warren1998 – 1999 · 24 games694
- Daryl Johnston1990 – 1999 · 135 games541
- Lincoln Coleman1993 – 1994 · 18 games312
1980s
- Tony Dorsett1980 – 1987 · 113 games8,597
- Herschel Walker1986 – 1989 · 49 games3,388
- Ron Springs1980 – 1984 · 72 games1,932
- Timmy Newsome1980 – 1988 · 121 games1,226
- Robert Newhouse1980 – 1983 · 57 games597
1970s
- Robert Newhouse1972 – 1979 · 111 games4,187
- Calvin Hill1970 – 1974 · 60 games4,067
- Tony Dorsett1977 – 1979 · 44 games3,439
- Walt Garrison1970 – 1974 · 65 games2,589
- Duane Thomas1970 – 1971 · 25 games1,596
1966–69
- Don Perkins1966 – 1968 · 42 games2,385
- Dan Reeves1966 – 1969 · 44 games1,711
- Walt Garrison1966 – 1969 · 49 games1,297
- Calvin Hill1969 · 13 games942
- Les Shy1966 – 1969 · 30 games510
Also with the Cowboys: quarterbacks · receivers · tight ends · Dallas Cowboys record book
Method
- Every running back who played with the Cowboys since 1966, ranked by rushing yards over his games there. Regular-season games only.
- The numbers here start in 1966, so a running back who played with the Cowboys before then isn't here.
- A decade counts his rushing yards with the Cowboys in its seasons.