Putting Up Numbers· NFL

The Vikings' best running backs since 1966

Adrian Peterson has the most rushing yards of the 114 running backs who played with the Vikings since 1966, 11,750 in 123 games. Robert Smith is 2nd with 6,818.

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The Vikings' running backs this season

  • Aaron Jones7 games, 65.4 a game2,144 with the Vikings.458rushing yards
  • Jordan Mason3 games, 49.0 a game905 with the Vikings.147rushing yards

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

Compare with in · side by side

The Vikings' best running backs since 1966
PlacePlayerrushing yardsrushing TDsscrimmage yards
1Adrian Peterson2007 – 2016 · 123 games11,7509713,695
2Robert Smith1993 – 2000 · 98 games6,818328,110
3Dalvin Cook2017 – 2022 · 73 games5,993477,787
4Chuck Foreman1973 – 1979 · 93 games5,887528,944
5Ted Brown1979 – 1986 · 104 games4,546407,396
6Darrin Nelson1982 – 1992 · 129 games4,231186,433
7Dave Osborn1966 – 1975 · 119 games4,214275,622
8Bill Brown1966 – 1974 · 124 games3,644345,382
9Michael Bennett2001 – 2005 · 63 games3,174124,214
10Terry Allen1991 – 1994 · 47 games2,795233,470
11Chester Taylor2006 – 2009 · 61 games2,789184,146
12Alfred Anderson1984 – 1991 · 108 games2,374223,416
13Alexander Mattison2019 – 2023 · 75 games2,370113,088
14Herschel Walker1989 – 1991 · 42 games2,264202,945
15Aaron Jones2024 – 2026 · still playing2,14492,841
+458 this season
16Clint Jones1967 – 1972 · 74 games2,008192,314
17Oscar Reed1968 – 1974 · 71 games1,96882,644
18Jerick McKinnon2014 – 2017 · 58 games1,91872,902
19Rickey Young1978 – 1983 · 89 games1,744103,999
20Leroy Hoard1996 – 1999 · 49 games1,689262,266
21Moe Williams1996 – 2005 · 115 games1,535212,836
22Rick Fenney1987 – 1991 · 63 games1,508112,136
23Latavius Murray2017 – 2018 · 32 games1,420141,664
24Toby Gerhart2010 – 2013 · 58 games1,30551,905
25Mewelde Moore2004 – 2007 · 51 games1,28512,376

rushing yards by decade

2020s

  1. Dalvin Cook2020 – 2022 · 44 games3,889
  2. › Aaron Jones2024 – 2026 · 36 games2,144
  3. Alexander Mattison2020 – 2023 · 62 games1,908
  4. › Jordan Mason2025 – 2026 · 19 games905
  5. Ty Chandler2022 – 2025 · 35 games710

2010s

  1. Adrian Peterson2010 – 2016 · 77 games7,263
  2. Dalvin Cook2017 – 2019 · 29 games2,104
  3. Jerick McKinnon2014 – 2017 · 58 games1,918
  4. Latavius Murray2017 – 2018 · 32 games1,420
  5. Toby Gerhart2010 – 2013 · 58 games1,305

2000s

  1. Adrian Peterson2007 – 2009 · 46 games4,487
  2. Michael Bennett2001 – 2005 · 63 games3,174
  3. Chester Taylor2006 – 2009 · 61 games2,789
  4. Robert Smith2000 · 16 games1,521
  5. Moe Williams2000 – 2005 · 66 games1,407

1990s

  1. Robert Smith1993 – 1999 · 82 games5,297
  2. Terry Allen1991 – 1994 · 47 games2,795
  3. Leroy Hoard1996 – 1999 · 49 games1,689
  4. Herschel Walker1990 – 1991 · 31 games1,595
  5. Scottie Graham1993 – 1996 · 50 games1,239

1980s

  1. Darrin Nelson1982 – 1989 · 97 games4,016
  2. Ted Brown1980 – 1986 · 90 games3,995
  3. Alfred Anderson1984 – 1989 · 81 games2,049
  4. Rick Fenney1987 – 1989 · 40 games1,033
  5. Allen Rice1984 – 1989 · 74 games860

1970s

  1. Chuck Foreman1973 – 1979 · 93 games5,887
  2. Dave Osborn1970 – 1975 · 77 games2,115
  3. Oscar Reed1970 – 1974 · 58 games1,569
  4. Clint Jones1970 – 1972 · 35 games1,208
  5. Brent McClanahan1973 – 1979 · 95 games1,207

1966–69

  1. Bill Brown1966 – 1969 · 54 games2,674
  2. Dave Osborn1966 – 1969 · 42 games2,099
  3. Clint Jones1967 – 1969 · 39 games800
  4. Oscar Reed1968 – 1969 · 13 games399
  5. Jim Lindsey1966 – 1969 · 31 games329

Also with the Vikings: quarterbacks · receivers · tight ends · Minnesota Vikings record book

Read next

Method

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