Ranking the top 10 running backs in NY Jets history

The NY Jets have a rich history of talented running backs who have carried the team on their shoulders, leaving an indelible mark on the franchise's legacy. From hard-nosed runners to elusive playmakers, these athletes have thrilled fans with their speed, agility, and ability to break tackles.

The Jets have seen some all-time greats come through their backfield, including arguably one of the greatest running backs of all time, Curtis Martin. Like many of the others on the list, Martin got his start elsewhere before completing his career in the green and white.

Possibly the most difficult part of piecing together this list was considering some fan favorites and balancing them with those who put up some slightly better stats.

Additionally, as the demands of the position have changed, running backs tend to have the shortest careers of all players. Finding guys that spent enough time, plus putting together the stats to be included in the list, proved to be difficult.

This list of greats tends to be skewed towards some of the older backs as they spent longer in the league and had many more attempts than more recent backs. Nonetheless, some recent Jets still sneaked onto the list.

In this article, we will explore the top 10 running backs in New York Jets history who have etched their names in the annals of the green and white.

10. Adrian Murrell, RB, NY Jets

Adrian Murrell enjoyed a successful stint with the Jets from 1993 to 1997. He recorded four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons, displaying his consistency and durability. Murrell's speed, agility, and ability to find running lanes made him a reliable option in the Jets' offense.

Murrell tallied 860 carries for 3,447 yards as a Jet, adding 127 catches for 740 yards. He scored a total of 18 touchdowns with Gang Green from 1993-1997.

He would go on to play for the Arizona Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, and Washington over the next four seasons, finishing with over 1300 carries and almost 5200 yards in his career.

What is most impressive about Murrell in his time with the Jets was his ability to shoulder an incredible load by today's standards. In 1996, Murrell tallied 301 carries for 1,249 yards and followed that up in 1997 with another 300 carries for 1086 yards.

Lead backs in the NFL today are lucky to get to 200 carries per season, and Murrell managed to go over 300 in back-to-back campaigns.

Murrell began his career as a backup for the team, keeping his career stats a bit dampened with the team, and despite a few good seasons elsewhere, his two seasons of '96 and '97 stand out as his most successful, earning him a spot as a top 10 running back in New York Jets history.

9. Shonn Greene, RB, NY Jets

Shonn Greene provided a reliable and powerful presence in the Jets' backfield from 2009 to 2012. He showcased his skills in the playoffs, setting a franchise record with six rushing touchdowns in the postseason. Greene's ability to break tackles and churn out tough yards made him a key contributor to the team's success during his tenure.

Greene was another short-lived Jet, only playing four seasons with the club, but man were those four seasons great.

Greene played for the Jets during their dominant 2009 and 2010 seasons as a breakout back, emerging on the scene as the lead back during the 2009 season. Greene was a coach's favorite, embodying the "smashmouth" football style of the Rex Ryan era.

In the 2009 season, Greene rushed 108 times for 540 yards and two touchdowns. However, in the playoffs, Greene really found his footing. In just three games that postseason Greene ran 54 times for 304 yards, adding another two scores.

His biggest run that postseason came in the AFC Divisional Round against San Diego. With just seven minutes left and the Jets clinging to a 10-7 lead, Greene burst through the middle for a 53-yard touchdown run, putting away the game for good.

Greene continued his breakout playoffs in his sophomore season, rushing 185 times for 766 yards in the 2010 season. Once again, though, it was the playoffs when Greene shined the brightest.

He rushed for almost 200 yards over the next three games that postseason, once again putting away an opponent late. With just under two minutes left against the Patriots in the Divisional Round, Greene took a handoff and scampered 16 yards to increase the Jets' lead to 28-14 and send the team to the AFC Championship.

Greene would finish his Jets tenure with 822 carries for 3423 yards and 18 touchdowns, adding another 482 yards through the air.

Despite the lack of gaudy stats, his playoff moments earned him love and respect from Jets fans everywhere, earning him the number nine spot on the list. He would also go on to rush for over 1,000 yards in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons with the team.

8. Bilal Powell, RB, NY Jets

Bilal Powell provided consistent production for the Jets from 2011 to 2018. Despite sharing carries with other running backs, Powell consistently showcased his versatility as a runner and receiver.

He recorded multiple 1,000-yard scrimmage seasons and was known for his elusiveness and ability to make defenders miss in the open field.

Powell, a fourth-round selection in the 2011 NFL Draft, is the longest-tenured Jet so far on this list. Primarily a special teams player and gadget weapon early in his career, Powell emerged as a dangerous weapon for the offense during the 2013 season.

In that 2013 campaign, Powell logged 176 carries for almost 700 yards and added another 36 catches for 272 yards. He would go on to have good, if not great, seasons in the 2016 and 2017 seasons as well.

In those two seasons, Powell logged over 1,500 rushing yards combined and an additional 550 receiving yards, scoring 10 touchdowns across two seasons. Powell also became the lifeblood of the organization, often playing bigger than his size and routinely being a hard worker during some difficult seasons.

Powell finished his Jets career with 850 carries for 3,675 yards and 15 touchdowns, adding 211 catches for another 1,600 yards and five scores. His longevity with the team and dual-threat ability as a pass-catching weapon get him on the list.

7. John Riggins, RB, NY Jets

John Riggins had a brief but impactful stint with the Jets from 1971 to 1975. Though he later achieved greater fame with Washington, Riggins displayed his potential in New York.

His combination of power, speed, and determination made him a formidable force in the backfield. Riggins' career took off after leaving the Jets, but his early contributions cannot be overlooked.

Riggins played five seasons with the Jets at fullback. Some younger readers might ask- how impactful could a fullback possibly have been? But being Riggins played during the 1970s and 1980s, his role was far different than the fullbacks of today.

To prove the point, in just five seasons with the Jets, Riggins logged 928 carries for 3,880 yards and 25 touchdowns. Across eight seasons with the team, Bilal Powell, the number eight entry on our list, only carried the ball 850 times.

Riggins's best season with the Jets was the 1975 season, where he carried the ball 238 times for 1,005 yards and eight touchdowns. He also caught the ball another 30 times for over 350 yards, earning him a spot in the Pro Bowl that season.

Following the 1975 season, Riggins signed with Washington, and it was here he would really emerge as a top rusher in the league. In those nine seasons in Washington, Riggins added almost 2,000 carries for over 7,400 yards and 79 touchdowns, and another 1,000 yards through the air.

One of the crazier stats I looked at while writing was that in just the 1983 season alone, Riggins carried the ball 375 times for 1,374 yards and 24 touchdowns, earning an All-Pro nomination.

Riggins would win a Super Bowl with Washington, earning a Super Bowl MVP and an induction into the 1980s All-Decade Team. Just his stats with the Jets would earn him a spot on the list, but his career as a whole solidified him as an all-time Jets great, even if he did get away. Riggins is still the 19th-leading rusher in NFL history.

6. Thomas Jones, RB, NY Jets

Another more recent back cracks the top 10 here at No. 6. Thomas Jones brought a tough and physical presence to the Jets' backfield from 2007 to 2010. He played a crucial role in the team's success during the 2009 season, which saw the Jets reach the AFC Championship Game.

Jones' hard-nosed running style and ability to grind out tough yards made him a fan favorite. He surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in each of his three seasons with the Jets and provided stability to the offense.

Despite only playing three seasons with the Jets, Jones ranks as the team's number seven all-time leading rusher. In those three seasons, Jones ran for 3,833 yards on 931 carries, averaging over 310 carries and almost 1300 yards per season. Additionally, Jones tallied 28 touchdowns in that span as well.

Jones's best season with the team was the 2008 season. In a run-heavy system with rookie Mark Sanchez at quarterback, Jones ran the ball 290 times for 1,312 yards and 13 touchdowns, earning his only Pro Bowl nomination.

He also caught 36 passes for 207 yards and two more scores, finding the endzone 15 times that season and surpassing 1,500 scrimmage yards, the only time he would do that in his career.

Jones continued his Jets dominance in the 2009 season, his final with the team. In that year, Jones ran a career-high 331 times for over 1,400 yards and 14 touchdowns. He formed the foundation for a dynamic 1-2 punch with rookie Shonn Greene, carrying the team to the AFC Championship Game that year.

Despite a lack of sustained success with the Jets, Jones' career numbers are gaudy. Across 12 seasons with five different teams, Jones logged 2,678 carries for over 10,500 yards and 68 touchdowns.

He also added over 300 catches for an additional 2,000 yards. Jones ranks 26th all-time in NFL rushing yards, 19th in all-time carries, and 37th in touchdowns.

5. Johnny Hector, RB, NY Jets

Johnny Hector, the longest-tenured running back on the list thus far, played with the team from 1983 to 1992. Despite never being a lead starting running back for the team, Hector managed to find ways to impact games on limited attempts.

He is endeared to the hearts of Jets fans as he spent all 10 professional seasons with the team, never playing for another NFL franchise.

Although not having the career stats of some of the other names on the list, Hector's career numbers with the Jets earn him a top-five spot on our list. With the Jets, Hector ran 1,051 times for 4,280 yards and 41 touchdowns.

Hector ranks as the team's fifth all-time leading rusher and fifth in total carries and also ranks as the number three running back in touchdowns scored. He ranks above Curtis Martin and Emerson Boozer in yards per attempt and has a higher added value over Thomas Jones and Shonn Greene.

Hector's best years were from 1984-1989. In those six seasons, Hector averaged about 135 attempts for 540 yards, adding almost eight touchdowns per year. He also averaged 27 catches for 2,445 yards per season over that stretch as well.

Due to his longevity with the team and positive comparisons to other Jets legends, Hector ranks at number five on the list. Despite never having a true "breakout" season, or seasons, like some others, his career numbers stand out amongst Jets running backs.

4. Matt Snell, RB, NY Jets

Matt Snell was an integral part of the Jets' Super Bowl-winning team in 1969. As a bruising runner, Snell excelled in short-yardage situations and was known for his physicality. He became the first player in Super Bowl history to score a rushing touchdown, further solidifying his place in Jets history.

Snell played nine seasons in the NFL, all with the Jets. His career stats added up over time, although he never really had a terrific individual season, falling in behind Emerson Boozer for much of his later career.

Nonetheless, Snell ran 1,057 times for 4,285 yards with the Jets, adding 24 touchdowns. He also caught 193 passes for 1,375 yards and seven additional touchdowns.

Snell has the hardware to back up his ranking as number four on the list. Snell made three Pro Bowls during his career and 1 All-Pro Team in 1969. Snell was also an NFL Champion, an AFL Champion, and won Rookie of the Year in 1964.

In that 1964 season, Snell ran 215 times for 948 yards, both of which would remain his career high for a season. He also caught 56 passes for 393 yards and scored six total touchdowns.

His All-Pro season of 1,969 saw him run 191 times for 695 yards and four touchdowns, also adding 22 catches for 187 yards as well.

Again, although Snell never rushed for 1,000 yards in a single season, Snell's ability to both run and catch, as well as his impressive career stats and accolades, makes him stand out as an all-time great. The fact he also was a crucial member of the team's only Super Bowl win adds to his lore among fans.

3. Emerson Boozer, RB, NY Jets

Alright, here is where we start to get to the true Jets' legends. Emerson Boozer's career with the Jets spanned from 1966 to 1975. Despite battling injuries, Boozer showcased his talent and versatility as a running back.

He was known for his powerful running style, often breaking tackles and gaining tough yards. Boozer played a key role in the Jets' Super Bowl victory in 1969.

Like the past few entries on the list, Boozer played all 10 seasons with the Jets, totaling 1,291 carries for 5,135 yards and 52 touchdowns. He also added 139 catches for 1,488 receiving yards and an additional 12 touchdowns.

When Boozer was first selected back in the 1966 draft, the AFL and NFL were still separated. Since the Jets chose him in the fourth round of the AFL Draft and the Steelers selected him in the seventh round of the NFL Draft, Boozer decided to sign with the Jets.

It would be a wise decision as, by 1968, Boozer would forever be cemented as a Jets great. Boozer and the Jets won the Super Bowl that year, with Boozer rushing for 441 yards and five touchdowns across 12 games.

Boozer ranks as the number three leading rusher in Jets history, with the fourth most carries and second most rushing touchdowns. Boozer would make two Pro Bowls with the Jets and add the all-important Super Bowl to his impressive resume.

Deservingly so, Boozer clocks in at No. 3 on the countdown.

2. Freeman McNeil, RB, NY Jets

Freeman McNeil was a standout running back for the Jets from 1981 to 1992. Known for his explosive speed and elusive running style, McNeil consistently delivered big plays on the ground.

He ranks second on the Jets' all-time rushing list and earned three Pro Bowl selections during his career. McNeil's ability to find holes in the defense and break off long runs made him a beloved figure in Jets history.

McNeil, for many teams, may even top the list — he was that good. He played all 12 seasons with the franchise, rushing 1,789 times for 8,074 yards and 38 touchdowns. He also caught 295 passes out of the backfield for 2,961 yards and 12 more touchdowns.

In terms of Jets on the list, McNeil signifies the breaking point from the pack. He rushed for almost 3,000 yards more than Emerson Boozer, the number three all-time Jets rusher. He also tallied nearly 600 more career carries than Boozer, and in terms of total yards, he blows away the rest of the pack.

McNeil would earn three Pro Bowl nominations in 1982, 1984, and 1985. He also earned an All-Pro nomination during the 1982 season. In that 1982 season, McNeil ran 151 times for 786 yards, averaging a staggering 5.2 yards per carry.

McNeil would later top 1,000 rushing yards during both the 1984 and 1985 seasons, becoming the first player in Jets history to accomplish that feat.

McNeil ranks as the 53rd all-time leading rusher in NFL history as well as 54th all-time in carries. More surprisingly, because of his dual-threat ability, McNeil also ranks 83rd all-time in scrimmage yards in NFL history. He truly was an all-time great.

1. Curtis Martin, RB, NY Jets

Was there really any surprise here? Curtis Martin, not only the best Jets running back in team history, is also arguably one of the five best running backs in NFL history.

Martin stands atop the list as the greatest running back in Jets' history. During his tenure from 1998 to 2005, Martin amassed an impressive list of accomplishments. He became the franchise's all-time leading rusher, reaching the 1,000-yard mark in each of his first 10 seasons.

Martin was traded from the rival New England Patriots to the Jets back in March 1998 and became the star running back of the modern era for the team.

In eight seasons with the team, Martin ran 2,560 times for 10,302 yards, adding 58 rushing touchdowns. Martin also managed to catch 367 passes for 2,439 more yards and an additional five scores.

Martin made the Pro Bowl three times with the Jets and also made the All-Pro team in 2004. The 2004 season was certainly one for the record books as Martin carried the ball 371 times for almost 1,700 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Martin was also the 1995 Rookie of the Year with the Patriots, where he also made two more Pro Bowls for a total of five in his career.

In seven postseason games with the Jets, Martin ran 133 times for 528 yards and three scores, adding another 250 yards through the air, holding the Jets record for most postseason rushing yards.

Much like Freeman McNeil marked a shift from the rest of the pack, Martin ranks in a group of his own. He tallied more than 2,000 yards more than McNeil (in far fewer games), almost 700 more carries, and 20 more touchdowns than McNeil.

Martin also finds himself in the uppermost echelon of NFL greats as well. Martin ranks fourth in all-time carries, sixth all-time in rushing yards, 13th all-time in rushing touchdowns, and 10th all-time in scrimmage yards.

Martin also ranks fourth in Jets history in Approximate Value added (Pro Football Reference), behind only Don Maynard, Mo Lewis, and Joe Namath. Not too shabby on Jets' all-time great company.