AFC North: All-Time 53-man roster and depth chart
Running Backs
Starter
Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns
You could make a case that Jim Brown is the greatest running back of all-time. There are a lot of people in Cleveland who believe that to be the case, and he is certainly in that conversation. The three-time MVP won a championship in Cleveland and took over as the face of the franchise after Otto Graham.
Brown was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his nine seasons and was First Team All-Pro in all but one. He ran for over 1,200 in seven seasons and double digit touchdowns five times. Brown was a dominating force from the mid-50’s to the mid-60’s and likely would have had incredible career numbers if he played a few more seasons before getting into acting.
Reserves
Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jamal Lewis, Baltimore Ravens/Cleveland Browns
Two of the best running backs from the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, Bettis and Lewis were hard-nosed runners that could carry the load for their respective backfields. They both also one a Super Bowl, although at different points in their careers.
Bettis was drafted by the Rams and had an impressive rookie season in 1993, but The Bus really made his name in Pittsburgh. Bettis had six consecutive 1,000 yard seasons for the Steelers from 1996 to 2001, and was able to go out on top, winning a Super Bowl in his final season.
Lewis was drafted in 2000 and as a rookie, was the focal point of an offense that went on the win the Super Bowl. Lewis ran for an incredible 2,066 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2003, and totaled six other 1,000 yard seasons between the Ravens and Browns over the course of his career.
Honorable Mentions
Corey Dillon, Cincinnati Bengals
Dillon is the Bengals all-time leading rusher, totaling over 8,000 yards in his seven years in Cincy.
Leroy Kelly, Cleveland Browns
Kelly became the Browns leading rusher after Jim Brown, managing over 7,000 yards and 74 touchdowns in his 10 year, Hall of Fame career with the Browns.