The Baltimore Ravens, established in 1996, may have a brief history, but they have firmly embedded the running game into their identity. From Jamal Lewis to Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins, the franchise has featured several powerful backs who have made their mark in the NFL.
Selecting the 10 best running backs in Ravens history was no easy task, but we focused on those who made a significant impact during their time in Baltimore. We considered their performance in both the regular season and the playoffs.
Here’s a look at who made the list:
Note: All titles, awards and stats listed below are from each player’s tenure with the Browns only. All stats are from Pro Football Reference unless otherwise stated.
10. Alex Collins
GettyAlex Collins.
- Years as a Raven: 2017-2018
- Career regular season stats:
- 25 games
- 1,384 rushing yards
- 13 rushing touchdowns
- Iconic performance: December 10, 2017, when Collins rushed for 120 yards on 18 attempts in a 39-38 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Alex Collins made a notable impact during his two seasons, rushing for 1,384 yards and 13 touchdowns across 25 games. He ranks 10th in Ravens history for rushing yards and seventh for rushing touchdowns, earning him the No. 10 spot on our list.
9. Bam Morris
GettyByron Bam Morris.
- Years as a Raven: 1996-1997
- Career regular season stats:
- 22 games
- 1,511 rushing yards
- 8 rushing touchdowns
- Iconic performance: December 8, 1996, when Morris rushed for 117 yards on 21 attempts in a 21-14 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Over 22 games, Byron Bam Morris rushed for 1,511 yards and 8 touchdowns. Alongside Earnest Byner, Morris was one of the Ravens’ first running backs, and in 10 fewer games, he rushed for 564 more yards than Byner, securing his spot on our list.
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8. J.K. Dobbins
GettyJ.K. Dobbins.
- Years as a Raven: 2020-2023
- Career regular season stats:
- 24 games
- 1,347 rushing yards
- 12 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 3 games
- 147 rushing yards
- 1 rushing touchdown
- Iconic performance: On January 3, 2021, Dobbins rushed for 160 yards on 13.21 yards per attempt with 2 touchdowns in a 38-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
J.K. Dobbins, despite missing the 2021 NFL season due to injury, rushed for 1,347 yards and 12 touchdowns in 24 games. After the Ravens signed Derrick Henry in 2023, Dobbins was let go and signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, where he is experiencing a resurgence. Had he not been injured in 2021, he would likely rank higher on our list.
7. Chester Taylor
GettyChester Taylor.
- Years as a Raven: 2002-2005
- Career regular season stats:
- 62 games
- 1,599 rushing yards
- 4 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 1 game
- Iconic performance: On December 5, 2004, Taylor rushed for 139 yards on 23 attempts with a touchdown in a 27-26 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
In 62 appearances with the Ravens, Chester Taylor largely served as Jamal Lewis’s backup, rushing for 1,599 yards and 4 touchdowns. His role as a change-of-pace back complemented Lewis’s powerful style, effectively wearing down defenses. This contribution secures him the No. 7 spot on our list.
6. Justin Forsett
GettyJustin Forsett.
- Years as a Raven: 2014-2016
- Championships & Awards:
- 1-time Pro Bowl
- Career regular season stats:
- 29 games
- 2,005 rushing yards
- 10 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 2 games
- 169 rushing yards
- Iconic performance: November 24, 2014, when he rushed for 182 yards on 22 attempts with 2 touchdowns in a 34-27 win over the New Orleans Saints.
Justin Forsett earns the No. 6 spot on our list after playing 29 games for the Ravens, where he accumulated 2,005 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. His versatility as both a runner and receiver was crucial, especially during his Pro Bowl selection in 2014. Although he was traded during the 2016 season after starting three games, Forsett left a lasting impact on the franchise with a total of 2,005 rushing yards and 452 receiving yards.
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5. Priest Holmes
GettyPriest Holmes #33 and O.J. Brigance of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate after defeating the New York Giants 34-7 in Super Bowl XXXV.
- Years as a Raven: 1997-2000
- Championships & Awards:
- 1-time Super Bowl Champion (2001)
- Career regular season stats:
- 48 games
- 2,102 rushing yards
- 10 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 4 games
- 45 rushing yards
- Iconic performance: On November 22, 1998, Holmes rushed for a franchise-record 227 yards in a 20-13 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. That record stood until it was broken in 2003.
Priest Holmes rushed for 2,102 yards and 10 touchdowns with the Ravens, making significant contributions to the offense in the late 1990s and helping establish a strong ground game. While he achieved greater success with the Kansas City Chiefs, his time in Baltimore laid the foundation for his career and shaped the Ravens’ identity. Holmes’s impact earns him the No. 5 spot on our list.
4. Willis McGahee
GettyWillis McGahee.
- Years as a Raven: 2007-2010
- Championships & Awards:
- 1-time Pro Bowl
- Career regular season stats:
- 59 games
- 2,802 rushing yards
- 31 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 7 games
- 271 rushing yards
- 4 rushing touchdowns
- Iconic performance: On January 3, 2010, McGahee rushed for 167 yards on 16 attempts with 3 touchdowns in a 21-13 win over the Oakland Raiders.
During his four seasons with the team, Willis McGahee tallied 2,802 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns, ranking fourth in franchise history in rushing touchdowns behind quarterback Lamar Jackson and fifth in rushing yards. McGahee was the feature back for most of his time with the Ravens and had a Pro Bowl season in 2007, nudging him past Holmes for the No. 4 spot on our list.
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3. Gus Edwards
GettyGus Edwards.
- Years as a Raven: 2018-2023
- Career regular season stats:
- 69 games
- 3,395 rushing yards
- 26 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 7 games
- 222 rushing yards
- Iconic performance: November 17, 2019, when Edwards rushed for 112 yards on 14 yards per attempt with a touchdown in a 41-7 over the Houston Texans.
Gus Edwards was a vital contributor to the Ravens’ ground game, consistently making impactful plays alongside fellow back J.K. Dobbins. Over five seasons with the team, he has totaled more than 3,300 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns, demonstrating his potential as a key asset when healthy. While injuries have hindered both his and Dobbins’s time in Baltimore, Edwards’s contributions, coupled with his ranking among the top five in several key statistical categories in franchise history, earn him the No. 3 spot on our list of the best Ravens running backs.
2. Ray Rice
GettyRay Rice.
- Years as a Raven: 2008-2013
- Championships & Awards:
- 1- time Super Bowl Champion (2012)
- 3-time Pro Bowl
- Career regular season stats:
- 92 games
- 6,180 rushing yards
- 37 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 12 games
- 750 rushing yards
- 5 rushing touchdowns
- Iconic performance: On December 19, 2010, Rice recorded a career-high 233 yards from scrimmage, marking the third-highest total in Ravens history.
A key piece to the Ravens’ Super Bowl XLVII victory, Ray Rice excelled in clutch moments during his time in the league. He recorded 6,180 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns, ranking second in franchise history in both categories. His All-Pro honors and over 3,000 receiving yards showcase his dual-threat ability. Rice’s impact on the field cements his legacy as one of the franchise’s all-time greats, earning him the No. 2 spot on our list.
1. Jamal Lewis
GettyJamal Lewis.
- Years as a Raven: 2000-2006
- Championships & Awards:
- 1- time Super Bowl Champion (2000)
- 1-time All-Pro
- 1-time Pro Bowl
- Career regular season stats:
- 91 games
- 7,801 rushing yards
- 45 rushing touchdowns
- Career postseason stats:
- 6 games
- 426 rushing yards
- 4 rushing touchdowns
- Iconic performance: On September 14, 2003, Lewis set the NFL record for rushing yards in a single game with 295 yards. This record has since been surpassed by Adrian Peterson, the current record holder with 296 yards rushing in a single game.
Jamal Lewis is widely recognized as the best running back in Ravens history. A pivotal player in the team’s first Super Bowl victory in 2000, he set the tone for what the franchise looks for when selecting or signing running backs. As the franchise’s all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns, his impactful runs in critical moments solidified his legacy as a cornerstone of Ravens football, earning him the No. 1 spot on our list.
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