If you’re hoping for a running back who’ll put up huge numbers – the best of his career – you should probably be looking at players who are under 28 years old. That’s how it tends to play out at the position.

We’ve been kicking around some ideas on running backs and aging, in part because players at that position aren’t getting paid. I posted a short blurb on yards-per-carry averages and ages yesterday. Those showed the average production for all running backs with at least 400 rushing yards in a season.

I had a thought on a different way to look at it, and the alternate stats appear below. On this one, I took the most productive season for each running back (just one season for each player, using PPR scoring). Then I took the top 100 seasons from the last 20 years and looked at the ages.

The most popular age for a peak season running back was age 24. And by a lot. Of the 100 seasons on the list, 21 came from 24-year-old backs – 7 more than any other age. All of the other ages between 23 and 27 had 10-14 seasons. That seems to be the window where running backs peak. Over 80 percent of peak running backs come from that group.

I pulled the same numbers for the ‘80s and ‘90s, but I don’t see anything super interesting. In those decades, there were nine fewer 24-year-olds, with 13 more who were either 25 or 26. But I am hesitant to say we’re looking at anything other than typical statistical variance. There were six fewer 30-year-old running backs who peaked in those decades.

Average age for peak running backs in the 32-team era: 25.3. For the ‘80s and ‘90s, it was 25.5.

RUNNING BACKS: BEST SEASONS
Age80-9002-Total
21134
225813
23161430
24122133
25181230
26171027
27141428
288513
29538
302810
31112
32011
33000
34101

I don’t think this is earth-shattering stuff, but for those who want to examine the top 100 running backs from each of these time periods, they appear below.

As this pertains to upcoming drafts, I notice that the running back position in general is a little old right now. Of the top 20 performers at the position last year (using PPR scoring), half are now at least 28 years old. Jerick McKinnon is 31. Derrick Henry and Aaron Jones will be 29 at the end of the year. Austin Ekeler, Nick Chub (pictured), Dalvin Cook, Jamaal Williams, James Conner, Alvin Kamara and unsigned Leonard Fournette are a year behind. Another two top-20 backs from last year are now 27 (Joe Mixon, Christian McCaffrey). So 60 percent of last year’s top 20 backs are at least 27 years old, making me think a good number of those guys will be falling off.

PEAK SEASONS BY RUNNING BACKS (2002-2022)
YearPlayerAgeRunRecTotalTDPPR
2006LaDainian Tomlinson, S.D.271,8155082,32331483.3
2019Christian McCaffrey, Car.231,3871,0052,39219471.2
2003Priest Holmes, K.C.301,4206902,11027447.0
2006Steven Jackson, St.L.231,5288062,33416419.4
2016David Johnson, Ariz.251,2398792,11820413.8
2009Chris Johnson, Ten.242,0065032,50916398.9
2010Arian Foster, Hou.241,6166042,22018396.0
2003Ahman Green, G.B.261,8833672,25020395.0
2017Todd Gurley, LAR231,3057882,09319387.3
2018Saquon Barkley, NYG211,3077212,02815385.8
2013Jamaal Charles, K.C.271,2876931,98019382.0
2005Shaun Alexander, Sea.281,880781,95828378.8
2022Austin Ekeler, LAC279157221,63718378.7
2020Alvin Kamara, N.O.259327561,68821377.8
2021Jonathan Taylor, Ind.221,8113602,17120377.1
2011Ray Rice, Balt.241,3647042,06815376.9
2006Larry Johnson, K.C.271,7894102,19919374.9
2007Brian Westbrook, Phil.281,3337712,10412372.4
2002Ricky Williams, Mia.251,8533632,21617370.6
2014LeVeon Bell, Pitt.221,3618542,21511370.5
2014DeMarco Murray, Dall.261,8454162,26113361.1
2005Tiki Barber, NYG301,8605302,39011361.0
2012Adrian Peterson, Min.272,0972172,31413351.4
2014Matt Forte, Chi.291,0388081,84610350.6
2002Charlie Garner, Oak.309629411,90311347.3
2020Dalvin Cook, Min.251,5573611,91817343.8
2003Jamal Lewis, Balt.242,0662052,27114337.1
2020Derrick Henry, Ten.262,0271142,14117337.1
2006Frank Gore, S.F.231,6954852,1809333.0
2003Deuce McAllister, N.O.251,6415162,1578332.7
2013LeSean McCoy, Phil.251,6075392,14611332.6
2018Ezekiel Elliott, Dall.231,4345672,0019331.1
2022Josh Jacobs, L.V.241,6534002,05312330.3
2004Domanick Williams, Hou.241,1885881,77614329.6
2009Maurice Jones-Drew, Jac.241,3913741,76516325.5
2002Clinton Portis, Den.211,5083641,87217322.2
2015Devonta Freeman, Atl.231,0565781,63414320.4
2004Curtis Martin, NYJ311,6972451,94214319.2
2019Aaron Jones, G.B.251,0844741,55819318.8
2012Doug Martin, T.B.231,4544721,92612313.6
2008DeAngelo Williams, Car.251,5151211,63620307.6
2014Marshawn Lynch, Sea.281,3063671,67317306.3
2010Peyton Hillis, Cle.241,1774771,65413305.1
2002Travis Henry, Buff.241,4383091,74714301.7
2021Najee Harris, Pitt.231,2004671,66710300.7
2006Willie Parker, Pitt.261,4942221,71616298.6
2017Kareem Hunt, K.C.221,3274551,78211297.2
2005LaMont Jordan, Oak.271,0255631,58811296.8
2013Knowshon Moreno, Den.261,0385481,58613296.6
2021Joe Mixon, Cin.251,2053141,51916289.9
2017Melvin Gordon, LAC241,1054761,58112288.1
2018James Conner, Pitt.239734971,47013284.0
2017Mark Ingram, N.O.281,1244161,54012284.0
2022Nick Chubb, Cle.271,5252391,76413283.4
2008Michael Turner, Atl.261,699411,74017282.0
2008Thomas Jones, NYJ301,3122071,51915277.9
2011Darren Sproles, N.O.286037101,31310277.3
2014Eddie Lacy, G.B.241,1394271,56613276.6
2007Joseph Addai, Ind.241,0723641,43615276.6
2018James White, N.E.264257511,17612276.6
2008Steve Slaton, Hou.221,2823771,65910275.9
2010Darren McFadden, Oak.231,1575071,66410273.4
2006Reggie Bush, N.O.215657421,3079272.7
2004Corey Dillon, N.E.301,6351031,73813268.8
2020David Montgomery, Chi.231,0704381,50810266.8
2019Leonard Fournette, Jac.241,1525221,6743261.4
2012C.J. Spiller, Buff.251,2444591,7038261.3
2012Alfred Morris, Was.241,613771,69013258.0
2002Duce Staley, Phil.271,0295411,5708258.0
2012Trent Richardson, Cle.229503671,31712254.7
2020James Robinson, Jac.221,0703441,41410252.4
2010Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG241,2353141,5498251.9
2003Moe Williams, Min.297456441,3898251.9
2022Rhamondre Stevenson, N.E.241,0404211,4616251.1
2005Rudi Johnson, Cin.261,458901,54812249.8
2022Tony Pollard, Dall.251,0073711,37812248.8
2014Justin Forsett, Balt.291,2662631,5298246.9
2010Rashard Mendenhall, Pitt.231,2731671,44013245.0
2015Danny Woodhead, S.D.303367551,0919243.1
2006Ladell Betts, Was.271,1544451,5995242.9
2007Marion Barber, Dall.249752821,25712241.7
2019Chris Carson, Sea.251,2302661,4969240.6
2011Ryan Mathews, S.D.241,0914551,5466240.6
2018Tarik Cohen, Chi.234447251,1698240.0
2002Michael Bennett, Min.241,2963511,6476237.7
2021Antonio Gibson, Was.231,0372941,33110237.1
2009Ryan Grant, G.B.271,2531971,45011236.0
2017Carlos Hyde, S.F.279383501,2888235.8
2016LeGarrette Blount, N.E.301,161381,19918234.9
2007Willis McGahee, Balt.261,2072311,4388234.8
2013Fred Jackson, Buff.328903871,27710234.7
2021Cordarrelle Patterson, Atl.306185481,16611234.6
2015Lamar Miller, Mia.248723971,26910233.9
2016Jordan Howard, Chi.221,3132981,6117232.1
2007Earnest Graham, T.B.278983241,22210231.2
2006Kevin Jones, Det.246895201,2098229.9
2022Jamaal Williams, Det.271,066731,13917229.9
2006Chester Taylor, Min.271,2162881,5046228.4
2004Reuben Droughns, Den.261,2402411,4818228.1
2013Giovani Bernard, Cin.226955141,2098224.9
PEAK SEASONS BY RUNNING BACKS (1980-1999)
YearPlayer0RunRecTotalTDPPR
1995Emmitt Smith, Dall.261,7733752,14825426.8
1983Eric Dickerson, LAR231,8084042,21220392.2
1984James Wilder, T.B.261,5446852,22913390.7
1985Roger Craig, S.F.251,0501,0162,06615388.6
1998Terrell Davis, Den.262,0082172,22523385.5
1985Marcus Allen, Oak.251,7595552,31414383.2
1981William Andrews, Atl.261,3017352,03612356.6
1997Barry Sanders, Det.292,0533052,35814352.8
1989Dalton Hilliard, N.O.251,2625141,77618343.4
1998Jamal Anderson, Atl.261,8463192,16516341.5
1992Thurman Thomas, Buff.261,4876262,11312341.3
1980Billy Sims, Det.251,3036211,92416339.4
1986Herschel Walker, Dall.247378371,57414317.4
1996Ricky Watters, Phil.271,4114441,85513314.5
1996Terry Allen, Was.281,3531941,54721312.7
1981Chuck Muncie, S.D.281,1443621,50619311.8
1989Neal Anderson, Chi.251,2754341,70915310.9
1998Fred Taylor, Jac.221,2234211,64417310.4
1997Dorsey Levens, G.B.271,4353701,80512307.5
1981Ted Brown, Min.241,0636941,7578306.7
1998Garrison Hearst, S.F.271,5705352,1059305.5
1995Derek Loville, S.F.277236621,38513305.5
1992Barry Foster, Pitt.241,6903442,03411305.4
1983Curt Warner, Sea.221,4493251,77414303.4
1985Joe Morris, NYG251,3362121,54821302.8
1981Wendell Tyler, LAR261,0744361,51017298.0
1984Ottis Anderson, St.L.271,1746111,7858296.5
1984Gerald Riggs, Atl.241,4862771,76313296.3
1994Chris Warren, Sea.261,5453231,86811295.8
1992Lorenzo White, Hou.261,2266411,8678291.7
1985Lionel James, S.D.235161,0271,5438288.3
1983John Riggins, Was.341,347291,37624286.6
1986James Brooks, Cin.281,0876861,7739285.3
1980Joe Cribbs, Buff.221,1854151,60012284.7
1981Pete Johnson, Cin.271,0773201,39716281.7
1985Tony Dorsett, Dall.311,3074491,75610281.6
1999Stephen Davis, Was.251,4051111,51617278.6
1988John Settle, Atl.231,0245701,5948275.4
1995Edgar Bennett, G.B.261,0676481,7157274.5
1981George Rogers, N.O.231,6741261,80013274.0
1996Larry Centers, Ariz.284257661,1919272.1
1994Natrone Means, S.D.221,3502351,58512269.5
1986Gary Anderson, S.D.254428711,3139269.5
1980Earl Cooper, S.F.237205671,2879265.7
1988Greg Bell, LAR261,2121241,33618265.6
1995Harvey Williams, Oak.281,1143751,4899261.6
1986Lorenzo Hampton, Mia.248304461,27612260.6
1985Stump Mitchell, St.L.261,0065021,50810259.4
1997Napoleon Kaufman, Oak.241,2944031,6978257.7
1988Keith Byars, Phil.255177051,22210254.2
1992Cleveland Gary, LAR261,1252931,41810253.8
1988John L. Williams, Sea.248776511,5287252.8
1998Robert Edwards, N.E.241,1153311,44612251.6
1984James Jones (LSU), Det.235326621,1948251.5
1985Earnest Byner, Cle.231,0024601,46210251.2
1992Rodney Hampton, NYG231,1412151,35614247.6
1997Jerome Bettis, Pitt.251,6651101,7759246.5
1991Robert Delpino, LAR266886171,30510245.5
1981Gerry Ellis, G.B.248604991,3597244.1
1985Freeman McNeil, NYJ261,3314271,7585243.8
1997Karim Abdul-Jabbar, Mia.238922611,15316240.3
1985Tony Nathan, Mia.296676511,3186239.8
1983Ron Springs, Dall.275415891,1308238.8
1987Charles White, LAR291,3741211,49511238.5
1988Ickey Woods, Cin.221,0661991,26515237.5
1993Terry Kirby, Mia.233908741,2646237.4
1993Johnny Johnson, NYJ258216411,4624237.2
1985Craig James, N.E.241,2273601,5877236.5
1986Tony Collins, N.E.274126841,0968234.6
1986Darrin Nelson, Min.277935931,3867233.6
1984Earnest Jackson, S.D.251,1792221,4019233.1
1994Leroy Hoard, Cle.268904451,3359232.5
1985Butch Woolfolk, Hou.253928141,2065230.6
1985Kevin Mack, Cle.231,1042971,40110229.1
1990Albert Bentley, Ind.305566641,2206229.0
1995Ironhead Heyward, Atl.291,0833501,4338228.3
1983Curtis Dickey, Balt.271,1224831,6057226.5
1984Sammy Winder, Den.251,1532881,4416224.1
1989Christian Okoye, K.C.281,480121,49212223.2
1989Eric Metcalf, Cle.216333971,03010222.6
1986Walter Abercrombie, Pitt.278773951,2728222.2
1995Bernie Parmalee, Mia.288783451,22310221.3
1992Ronnie Harmon, S.D.282359141,1494217.9
1988Earl Ferrell, Phoe.309243151,2399215.9
1995Adrian Murrell, NYJ257954651,2603215.0
1995Errict Rhett, T.B.251,2071101,31711211.7
1990Merril Hoge, Pitt.257723421,11410211.4
1986Rueben Mayes, N.O.231,353961,4498209.9
1980Cullen Bryant, LAR298073861,1936208.3
1986Gerald Willhite, Den.273655298949208.0
1992Reggie Cobb, T.B.241,1711561,3279207.7
1990Derrick Fenner, Sea.238591431,00215207.2
1989Bobby Humphrey, Den.231,1511561,3078205.6
1980Eddie Lee Ivery, G.B.238314811,3124205.2
1980Clarence Harmon, Was.254845341,0188203.8
1997Raymont Harris, Chi.271,0331151,14810202.8
1993Leonard Russell, N.E.241,0882451,3337201.3
1999Curtis Enis, Chi.239163401,2565200.6
1999Tyrone Wheatley, Oak.279361961,13211200.2
1999Mike Alstott, T.B.269492391,1889199.8

—Ian Allan