Putting Up Numbers· NFL

The Patriots' best running backs since 1966

Sam Cunningham has the most rushing yards of the 146 running backs who played with the Patriots since 1966, 5,453 in 107 games. Jim Nance is 2nd with 5,002. Rhamondre Stevenson is 4th, with 4,036; 612 more passes Tony Collins for 3rd.

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The Patriots' running backs this season

By decade: 2020s · 2010s · 2000s · 1990s · 1980s · 1970s · 1966–69

Compare with in · side by side

The Patriots' best running backs since 1966
PlacePlayerrushing yardsrushing TDsscrimmage yards
1Sam Cunningham1973 – 1982 · 107 games5,453437,358
2Jim Nance1966 – 1971 · 79 games5,002405,763
3Tony Collins1981 – 1987 · 102 games4,647327,003
4Rhamondre Stevenson2021 – 2026 · still playing4,036305,543
+367 this season · passes Tony Collins for 3rd in 14 games at his pace
5Curtis Martin1995 – 1997 · 45 games3,799324,689
6Kevin Faulk1999 – 2011 · 160 games3,609167,310
7Don Calhoun1975 – 1981 · 93 games3,391234,005
8John Stephens1988 – 1992 · 76 games3,249174,030
9Corey Dillon2004 – 2006 · 42 games3,180373,611
10LeGarrette Blount2013 – 2016 · 49 games2,917343,054
11Stevan Ridley2011 – 2014 · 48 games2,817222,963
12Antowain Smith2001 – 2003 · 45 games2,781213,308
13Craig James1984 – 1988 · 52 games2,469113,288
14Leonard Russell1991 – 1993 · 43 games2,437132,787
15Laurence Maroney2006 – 2009 · 45 games2,430212,839
16Mosi Tatupu1978 – 1990 · 194 games2,415183,258
17Sony Michel2018 – 2020 · 37 games2,292142,550
18Carl Garrett1969 – 1972 · 51 games2,235153,393
19Damien Harris2019 – 2022 · 37 games2,094202,375
20BenJarvus Green-Ellis2008 – 2011 · 47 games2,064292,356
21Andy Johnson1974 – 1981 · 94 games2,017133,824
22Sammy Morris2007 – 2010 · 47 games1,486121,939
23Dion Lewis2015 – 2017 · 30 games1,41382,109
24Horace Ivory1977 – 1981 · 46 games1,336141,769
25Mack Herron1973 – 1975 · 35 games1,29892,087

rushing yards by decade

2020s

  1. › Rhamondre Stevenson2021 – 2026 · 78 games4,036
  2. Damien Harris2020 – 2022 · 36 games2,082
  3. › TreVeyon Henderson2025 – 2026 · 23 games1,114
  4. Antonio Gibson2024 – 2025 · 22 games644
  5. Ezekiel Elliott2023 · 17 games642

2010s

  1. LeGarrette Blount2013 – 2016 · 49 games2,917
  2. Stevan Ridley2011 – 2014 · 48 games2,817
  3. Sony Michel2018 – 2019 · 29 games1,843
  4. BenJarvus Green-Ellis2010 – 2011 · 32 games1,675
  5. Dion Lewis2015 – 2017 · 30 games1,413

2000s

  1. Kevin Faulk2000 – 2009 · 141 games3,280
  2. Corey Dillon2004 – 2006 · 42 games3,180
  3. Antowain Smith2001 – 2003 · 45 games2,781
  4. Laurence Maroney2006 – 2009 · 45 games2,430
  5. Sammy Morris2007 – 2009 · 31 games1,430

1990s

  1. Curtis Martin1995 – 1997 · 45 games3,799
  2. Leonard Russell1991 – 1993 · 43 games2,437
  3. John Stephens1990 – 1992 · 46 games1,248
  4. Robert Edwards1998 · 16 games1,115
  5. Terry Allen1999 · 16 games896

1980s

  1. Tony Collins1981 – 1987 · 102 games4,647
  2. Craig James1984 – 1988 · 52 games2,469
  3. Mosi Tatupu1980 – 1989 · 147 games2,282
  4. John Stephens1988 – 1989 · 30 games2,001
  5. Bob Perryman1987 – 1989 · 41 games1,197

1970s

  1. Sam Cunningham1973 – 1979 · 90 games5,163
  2. Don Calhoun1975 – 1979 · 63 games2,399
  3. Andy Johnson1974 – 1979 · 62 games1,990
  4. Carl Garrett1970 – 1972 · 37 games1,544
  5. Mack Herron1973 – 1975 · 35 games1,298

1966–69

  1. Jim Nance1966 – 1969 · 53 games4,017
  2. Carl Garrett1969 · 14 games691
  3. Larry Garron1966 – 1968 · 31 games579
  4. R.C. Gamble1968 – 1969 · 21 games346
  5. Gene Thomas1968 · 9 games215

Also with the Patriots: quarterbacks · receivers · tight ends · New England Patriots record book

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Method

  • Every running back who played with the Patriots 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 Patriots before then isn't here.
  • A decade counts his rushing yards with the Patriots in its seasons.