Rank | Player | Team(s) by season | Carries | Yards | Average
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
1 | Emmitt Smith^ | Dallas Cowboys (1990–2002) Arizona Cardinals (2003–2004) | 4,409 | 18,355 | 4.2
2 | Walter Payton^ | Chicago Bears (1975–1987) | 3,838 | 16,726 | 4.4
3 | Frank Gore* | San Francisco 49ers (2005–2014) Indianapolis Colts (2015–2017) Miami Dolphins (2018) Buffalo Bills (2019–present) | 3,548 | 15,347 | 4.3
4 | Barry Sanders^ | Detroit Lions (1989–1998) | 3,062 | 15,269 | 5.0
5 | Adrian Peterson* | Minnesota Vikings (2007–2016) New Orleans Saints (2017) Arizona Cardinals (2017) Washington Redskins (2018–present) | 3,036 | 14,216 | 4.7
6 | Curtis Martin^ | New England Patriots (1995–1997) New York Jets (1998–2005) | 3,518 | 14,101 | 4.0
7 | LaDainian Tomlinson^ | San Diego Chargers (2001–2009) New York Jets (2010–2011) | 3,174 | 13,684 | 4.3
8 | Jerome Bettis^ | St. Louis/L.A. Rams (1993–1995[a]) Pittsburgh Steelers (1996–2005) | 3,479 | 13,662 | 3.9
9 | Eric Dickerson^ | Los Angeles Rams (1983–1987[b]) Indianapolis Colts (1987–1991) Los Angeles Raiders (1992) Atlanta Falcons (1993) | 2,996 | 13,259 | 4.4
10 | Tony Dorsett^ | Dallas Cowboys (1977–1987) Denver Broncos (1988) | 2,936 | 12,739 | 4.3
11 | Jim Brown^ | Cleveland Browns (1957–1965) | 2,359 | 12,312 | 5.2
12 | Marshall Faulk^ | Indianapolis Colts (1994–1998) St. Louis Rams (1999–2005) | 2,836 | 12,279 | 4.3
13 | Edgerrin James | Indianapolis Colts (1999–2005) Arizona Cardinals (2006– 2008) Seattle Seahawks (2009) | 3,028 | 12,246 | 4.0
14 | Marcus Allen^ | Los Angeles Raiders (1982–1992) Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1997) | 3,022 | 12,243 | 4.1
15 | Franco Harris^ | Pittsburgh Steelers (1972–1983) Seattle Seahawks (1984) | 2,949 | 12,120 | 4.1
16 | Thurman Thomas^ | Buffalo Bills (1988–1999) Miami Dolphins (2000) | 2,877 | 12,074 | 4.2
17 | Fred Taylor | Jacksonville Jaguars (1998–2008) New England Patriots (2009–2010) | 2,534 | 11,695 | 4.6
18 | Steven Jackson | St. Louis Rams (2004–2012) Atlanta Falcons (2013–2014) New England Patriots (2015) | 2,764 | 11,438 | 4.1
19 | John Riggins^ | New York Jets (1971–1975) Washington Redskins (1976–1985) | 2,916 | 11,352 | 3.9
20 | Corey Dillon | Cincinnati Bengals (1997–2003) New England Patriots (2004–2006) | 2,618 | 11,241 | 4.3