If there were a BetMGM online sportsbook or something equivalent decades ago that offered things like football betting on NFL futures odds, I’d be curious to see what the Buffalo Bills’ odds were during the 1990s and before that, when they had some of the greatest running backs to play the game.
That being said, below, I’ll rank the seven best running backs in Bills history.
Greatest Buffalo Bills Running Backs
7. Travis Henry
Henry was with the Bills from 2001 to 2004, and during that time, he was named to the Pro Bowl in 2002.
That season, he ran 325 times for 1,438 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Over his Bills career, he ran 963 times (fifth in franchise history) for 3,849 yards (seventh) and 27 touchdowns (eighth).
6. Joe Cribbs
Cribbs spent a total of five seasons with the Bills over two separate stints.
While with them, he was a three-time Pro Bowler and was a PFWA All-Rookie team member.
He ran 1,082 times (fourth) for 4,445 yards (fifth) and 21 touchdowns (15th). He also caught 180 passes for 1,783 yards and 15 more touchdowns.
5. Fred Jackson
Jackson was a fantastic dual-threat running back as a runner and pass-catcher.
He was with the team from 2006 to 2014 and ran 1,279 times (third) for 5,646 yards (third) and 30 touchdowns (sixth).
As a pass-catcher, he recorded 322 catches for 2,640 yards and seven touchdowns. His 322 catches are sixth in Bills history among all pass catchers.
4. LeSean McCoy
McCoy had a stellar career with the Philadelphia Eagles before coming to Buffalo, and in Buffalo, that career only continued, with three Pro Bowl appearances.
He ran 885 times (sixth) for 3,814 yards (eighth) and 25 touchdowns (10th). McCoy also caught 175 passes for 1,334 yards and five scores.
3. Cookie Gilchrist
Gilchrist was technically a fullback, but he deserves a mention on this list.
He was with the Bills from 1962 to 1964. He was a member of the 1964 AFL championship team, was the AFL MVP in 1962, was a two-time first-team All-AFL, second-team All-AFL, was a three-time AFL All-Star, led the AFL in rushing yards twice and in rushing touchdowns three times.
He ran 676 times for 3,056 yards and 31 touchdowns (fifth).
2. O.J. Simpson
Simpson was the No. 1 overall pick by the Bills in the 1969 NFL Draft. He was the 1973 NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.
Additionally, he was a five-time first-team All-Pro, went to five Pro Bowls, led the NFL in rushing yards four times, in rushing touchdowns twice, and in scoring once, among other accolades and achievements.
He ran 2,123 times (second) for 10,183 yards (second) and 57 touchdowns (third).
Simpson is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
1. Thurman Thomas
Thomas was with the Bills from 1988 to 1999, during which he earned numerous accolades.
In 1991, he was the NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.
He was a two-time first-team All-Pro, three-time second-team All-Pro, went to five Pro Bowls, and the Bills retired his No. 34.
Thomas ran 2,849 times (first) for 11,938 yards (first) and 65 touchdowns (first). Not only that, but Thomas caught 456 passes for 4,341 yards and 22 touchdowns.
His 456 catches are not only the most among Bills running backs, but also third among all Bills pass catchers.
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