We are two weeks into the 2023 free agency period and, while a lot of players have already found a new home, one of the better dual-threat running backs is still available – Jerick McKinnon. He might not be the type of running back you build an offense around, but he can be a valuable piece to any offense.
I mean, look at what he did with the Kansas City Chiefs last season – more specifically the last six games of the season (when it mattered most). He only had 142 rushing yards during that span, but he had 27 catches on 31 targets for 274 yards and 8 touchdowns – yes, 8 receiving touchdowns in a 6-game span.
Catching that many touchdowns in such a small sample size would be an incredible milestone for any wide receiver – let alone a running back! McKinnon ended up finishing the season with 56 catches (71 targets), 512 yards, and 9 touchdowns – adding another 291 yards and one touchdown on 72 rushes.
RELATED: 25 of the Strongest Running Back in NFL History
Who Are the Greatest Dual-Threat Running Backs in NFL History?
What Jerick McKinnon did last year was something football fans don’t get to see often. In fact, McKinnon broke a single-season franchise record for most receiving touchdowns (9) by a Chiefs’ running back – beating out Jamaal Charles (7 touchdowns in 2013) and Kareem Hunt (7 touchdowns in 2018).
That’s not all. McKinnon also tied an NFL single-season record for most receiving touchdowns (9) by a running back in the Super Bowl era (1970-present). He now joins Chuck Foreman (9 TDs with Vikings in 1975), Leroy Hoard (9 TDs with Browns in 1991), and Marshall Faulk (9 TDs with Rams in 2001).
There are two ‘running backs’ who had more reception touchdowns in a season prior to 1970. Tommy McDonald had 10 reception touchdowns with the Eagles in 1959 and Johnny ‘Blood’ McNally had 11 reception touchdowns with the Packers in 1931. Of course, that was a much different time period.
Jerick is also the first running back (in the Super Bowl era) to record a touchdown reception in six straight games. His impressive season has us reminiscing about some of the greatest dual-threat running backs (those that can both run and catch the ball) of all-time. Let’s see which running backs fit in that category!
(The following list of dual-threat running backs is in no particular order)
20. Darren Sproles
Darren Sproles was drafted by the San Diego Chargers with the No. 130 overall pick (4th round) in 2005 and went on to spend 14 seasons in the NFL with the Eagles, Chargers, and Saints. He retired with 3,552 yards and 23 TDs on the ground, but also had 553 receptions for 4,840 yards and 32 TDs receiving.
Sproles was a much better catcher than he was a runner, but that can be credited to how he was utilized – because he did both well. His career-highs were 603 rushing yards in 2011, 6 rushing touchdowns in 2014, 86 receptions in 2011, 710 receiving yards in 2011, and 7 receiving touchdowns in 2011 and 2012.
19. Herschel Walker
Herschel Walker was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the No. 114 overall pick (5th round) in 1985 and spent 12 seasons in the NFL with the Cowboys, Vikings, Eagles, and Giants. He retired with 8,225 yards and 61 TDs on the ground, but also had 512 receptions for 4,859 yards and 21 TDs receiving.
Walker surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark twice in his career – including a career-high 1,514 rushing yards in 1988. He also had 10 or more rushing touchdowns twice – including 12 rushing TDs in 1986 as a rookie. His impressive rookie season also ended with a career-high 76 receptions for 837 receiving yards.
18. Marcus Allen
Marcus Allen was drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders with the No. 10 overall pick (1st round) in 1982 and spent 16 seasons in the NFL with the Raiders and Chiefs. He retired with 12,243 yards and 123 touchdowns on the ground, but also added 587 receptions for 5,411 yards and 21 touchdowns receiving.
Allen surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark three times and had at least 10 rushing TDs six times – including career-highs of 1,759 rushing yards in 1985 and 13 rushing TDs in 1984. He also had at least 400 receiving yards in each of his first six seasons – including a career-high 758 receiving yards in 1984.
17. Tiki Barber
Tiki Barber was drafted by the New York Giants with the No. 36 overall pick (2nd round) in 1997 and spent his entire 10-year career with the team between 1997 and 2006. He retired with 10,449 yards and 55 touchdowns on the ground, adding another 5,183 yards on 586 catches and 12 touchdowns receiving.
Barber surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in six of his final seven years in the league – including 5,040 yards and 27 touchdowns in his final three seasons. He also had at least 500 receiving yards in six of his final eight seasons, including a career-high 72 catches in 2001 and 719 receiving yards in 2000.
16. Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush was drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 2 overall pick (1st round) in 2006 and spent 11 seasons in the NFL with the Saints, Lions, Dolphins, Bills, and 49ers. He retired with 5,490 yards and 36 TDs on the ground, but also had 477 receptions for 3,598 yards and 18 touchdowns receiving.
Bush never quite lived up to the hype in the NFL, but he still had 3,078 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground between 2011 and 2013 (3 seasons) and had an impressive rookie season in 2006 that featured 565 yards rushing, 88 receptions, 742 yards receiving, and 8 total touchdowns with New Orleans.
15. Ricky Watters
Ricky Watters was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 45 overall pick (2nd round) in 1991 and spent 10 seasons in the NFL with the Seahawks, 49ers, and Eagles. He retired in 2001 with 10,643 yards and 78 touchdowns on the ground – adding 467 catches for 4,248 yards and 13 TDs receiving.
Watters surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark seven times in his 10-year career and had at least 10 rushing TDs in three of his first five seasons. He had at least 40 receptions eight times (career-high 66 catches in 1994) and at least 400 yards receiving six times (career-high 719 receiving yards in 1994).
14. Matt Forte
Matt Forte was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the No. 44 overall pick (2nd round) in 2008 and spent 10 seasons in the NFL with the Chicago Bears and New York Jets. He retired in 2017 with 9,796 yards and 54 touchdowns on the ground, but also had 554 receptions for 4,672 yards and 21 TDs receiving.
Forte surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark five times and had at least 800 rushing yards in all but one of his seasons. In 2014, he had a career-high 102 receptions for 808 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns – finishing the season with 1,846 all-purpose yards and 10 total touchdowns with the Bears.
13. Ronnie Harmon
Ronnie Harmon was drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the No. 16 overall pick (1st round) in 1986 and spent 12 seasons in the NFL with the Chargers, Bills, Titans/Oilers, and Bears. He retired in 1997 with just 2,774 yards and 10 TDs on the ground, but had 582 receptions for 6,076 yards and 24 TDs receiving.
Harmon only surpassed the 500-yard rushing mark once in his career – he had 544 rushing yards in 1991 – but he did most of his damage as a receiving back. He had at least 40 receptions eight times and had at least 400 yards receiving nine times – including career-highs of 79 catches and 914 yards in 1992.
12. Roger Craig
Roger Craig was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers with the No. 49 overall pick (2nd round) in 1983 and spent 11 seasons in the NFL with the 49ers, Vikings, and Raiders. He retired in 1993 with 8,189 yards and 56 touchdowns on the ground – adding 566 catches for 4,911 yards and 17 TDs as a receiver.
Craig surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark three times and had at least 500 yards rushing in 8 of his 11 seasons – he had a career-high 1,502 rushing yards and 9 rushing TDs in 1988. He also surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark once with 1,016 yards in 1985 – also leading the league in receptions with 92.
11. Keith Byars
Keith Byars was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 10 overall pick (1st round) in 1986 and spent 13 seasons in the NFL with the Eagles, Dolphins, Patriots, and Jets. He retired in 1998 with 3,109 yards and 23 TDs on the ground, but also had 610 receptions for 5,661 yards and 31 TDs receiving.
Byars surpassed the 500-yard rushing mark in two of his first three seasons, but didn’t do much damage on the ground beyond that. He did, however, have at least 50 catches on 7 occasions and surpassed the 500-yard receiving mark in 6 straight seasons – including a career-high 819 yards (81 catches) in 1990.
10. Brian Westbrook
Brian Westbrook was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 91 overall pick (3rd round) in 2002 and spent 9 seasons in the NFL with the Eagles and 49ers. He retired in 2010 with 6,335 yards and 41 touchdowns on the ground, but also had 442 catches for 3,940 yards and 30 touchdowns receiving.
Westbrook surpassed the 1,200-yard rushing mark in two consecutive seasons (2006, 2007) and also had 167 receptions for 2,550 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns during those years. He had at least 600 yards rushing in six straight seasons and at least 400 yards receiving in five straight seasons.
9. Charlie Garner
Charlie Garner was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the No. 42 overall pick (2nd round) in 1994 and spent 11 seasons in the NFL with the Eagles, Raiders, 49ers, and Buccaneers. He retired in 2004 with 7,097 yards and 39 TDs on the ground, and 559 catches for 3,711 yards and 12 receiving TDs.
Garner surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in two consecutive seasons (1999, 2000) and had at least 500 rushing yards in 7 of his 11 years in the league. He also had at least 40 catches five times and 500 receiving yards four times – including career-highs of 91 catches and 941 yards receiving in 2002.
8. Thurman Thomas
Thurman Thomas was drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the No. 40 overall pick (2nd round) in 1988 and spent 13 seasons in the NFL with the Bills and Dolphins. He retired in 2000 with 12,074 yards and 65 touchdowns on the ground, but also had 472 catches for 4,458 receiving yards and 23 receiving TDs.
Thomas surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in eight consecutive seasons between 1989 and 1996, with a career-high 11 rushing TDs in 1990. He also had at least 40 catches six times, 500 receiving yards four times, and a career-high 6 receiving TDs in 1989. He led the league in scrimmage yards four times.
7. Jamaal Charles
Jamaal Charles was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs with the No. 73 overall pick (3rd round) in 2008 and spent 11 seasons in the NFL with the Chiefs, Broncos, and Jaguars. He retired in 2018 with 7,563 yards and 44 TDs on the ground, but also had 310 catches for 2,593 yards and 20 TDs receiving.
Charles surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in five of his first seven years in the league – including a career-high 1,509 rushing yards in 2012. He also had at least 35 catches five times and had career-highs of 70 catches, 693 receiving yards, and 7 receiving touchdowns – all of which came in the 2013 season.
6. Alvin Kamara
Alvin Kamara was drafted by the New Orleans Saints with the No. 67 overall pick (3rd round) in 2017 and just completed his sixth season in the NFL – all with the Saints. Through 88 games played, he has 5,135 yards and 49 TDs on the ground, and 430 receptions for 3,753 yards and 22 receiving TDs.
Kamara has had at least 728 yards rushing in every season since entering the league – including a career-high 932 rushing yards and 16 rushing TDs in 2020. He had exactly 81 receptions in each of his first three seasons and a career-high 83 catches in 2020, and a career-high 826 receiving yards in 2017.
5. Austin Ekeler
Austin Ekeler was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017 and just completed his sixth season in the NFL – all with the Chargers. Through 89 games played, he has 3,727 yards and 34 TDs on the ground, as well as 389 receptions for 3,448 yards and 29 TDs receiving.
Ekeler didn’t receive a lot of touches as a rookie, but has at least 530 rushing yards in every season since – including at least 900 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons. He had 92 receptions for 993 yards and 8 receiving TDs in 2019 and 107 catches for 722 yards and 5 receiving TDs last season.
4. Christian McCaffrey
Christian McCaffrey was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with the No. 8 overall pick (1st round) in 2017 and just completed his sixth season in the NFL with the Panthers and 49ers. Through 75 games played, he has 4,726 yards and 38 TDs on the ground, and 442 catches for 3,756 yards and 22 receiving TDs.
McCaffrey has struggled with injuries in recent years, but he’s fun to watch when healthy. He surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in three seasons so far – including 1,387 yards and 15 TDs in 2019. That same year, he had 116 catches (NFL record) for 1,005 receiving yards and 4 receiving touchdowns.
3. Priest Holmes
Priest Holmes was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens in 1997 and spent 10 seasons in the NFL with the Ravens and Chiefs. He retired in 2007 with 8,172 yards and 86 touchdowns on the ground, but also had 339 catches for 2,962 receiving yards and 8 receiving touchdowns.
Holmes surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark four times – including at least 1,420 rushing yards in three consecutive seasons. Between 2001 and 2004, he had 5,482 rushing yards and 70 rushing TDs (4 seasons). During that time span, he added 225 catches for 2,163 receiving yards and 6 receiving TDs.
2. LaDainian Tomlinson
LaDainian Tomlinson was drafted by the San Diego Chargers with the No. 5 overall pick (1st round) in 2001 and spent 11 seasons in the NFL with the Chargers and Jets. He retired in 2011 with 13,684 yards and 145 touchdowns on the ground, but also had 624 receptions for 4,772 yards and 17 receiving TDs.
Tomlinson surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark in each of his first eight seasons and at least 1,600 rushing yards in three of those seasons – he had a career-high 1,815 rushing yards and 28 rushing TDs in 2006. He also had at least 50 catches 9 times (including 100 catches in 2003) and at least 400 receiving yards 7 times.
1. Marshall Faulk
Marshall Faulk was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts with the No. 2 overall pick (1st round) in 1994 and spent 12 seasons in the NFL with the Colts and Rams. He retired in 2005 with 12,279 yards and 100 touchdowns on the ground, but also had 767 receptions for 6,875 receiving yards and 36 receiving TDs.
Faulk surpassed the 1,000-yard rushing mark on seven occasions – including a career-high 1,382 yards in 2001 and 18 rushing TDs in 2000. He also had at least 80 catches in five straight seasons and surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark once in 1999 (1,048 yards). He terrorized opposing defenses.
Dual-Threat Running Backs Are Changing the Game
Dual-threat running backs have always had a leg-up on their counterparts, helping to change the dynamic of any offense and allowing for added versatility with the playbook. And since teams tend to favor those that can both run and catch the ball, dual-threat running backs are becoming more common in the NFL.
In 2022, there were two dual-threat running backs who stood out from the pack – Christian McCaffrey and Austin Ekeler, both of whom were mentioned in the list above. McCaffrey ended the year with 85 catches for 741 yards and 5 touchdowns, while Ekeler had 107 catches for 722 yards and 5 touchdowns.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Inside Justin Fields’ Historic Performance vs. Miami Dolphins; Who Are the 20 Greatest Dual-Threat Quarterbacks of All-Time?
There were two other dual-threat running backs who finished the year with at least 500 receiving yards – Leonard Fournette (73 catches, 523 yards, 3 touchdowns) and Jerick McKinnon (56 catches, 512 yards, 9 touchdowns. Alvin Kamara, Joe Mixon, and Rhamondre Stevenson also impressed us.
Contents
What to Read Next...
At The Buzzer, or ATB is the place for those who love sports, life, family, community, and so much more. We are far from the run-of-the-mill 24/7 sports news websites. We not only bring you what’s happening in the world of sports in terms of trades and breaking news, but we also bring you the news that goes on behind the scenes, like big life moments, and so much more. So take a minute and read one of our articles, we promise you won't regret it.