The Bills have had a history of some the NFL’s most talented running backs. From bruising power backs to elusive ankle breakers, the franchise has enjoyed an impressive lineage of backs who defined eras and carried the offense. This is the Mafia Den top five who stand above the rest based on their impact, production, and legacy in Buffalo.
#1 – Thurman Thomas
No player better represents Buffalo’s golden era than Thurman Thomas. The Hall of Famer was the engine of the Bills’ four consecutive Super Bowl teams in the early 1990s. Equally dangerous as a runner and receiver, Thomas possessed elite vision, patience, and versatility that made him nearly impossible to defend.
He retired as the franchise’s all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns and remains one of the greatest all-around running backs in NFL history. His 1991 NFL MVP season cemented his place not only as the greatest Bills running back but arguably the greatest offensive player in franchise history.
#2 – O.J. Simpson
Before becoming a household name beyond football, O.J. Simpson was one of the most electrifying runners the NFL had ever seen. In 1973, he became the first player in league history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a 14-game season—an achievement that remains one of the most remarkable individual seasons in NFL history.
His combination of speed, vision, and breakaway ability revolutionized the position. While his post-football life has overshadowed his playing career, his accomplishments on the field remain among the greatest ever produced by a Buffalo Bill.
#3 – Cookie Gilchrist
One of the original stars of the Buffalo Bills, Cookie Gilchrist helped establish the franchise during the American Football League years. A rare blend of size, power, and athleticism, Gilchrist was nearly unstoppable near the goal line and became the face of Buffalo football during the team’s early championship seasons.
His dominance helped lead the Bills to back-to-back AFL Championships and laid the foundation for generations of Bills running backs to follow.
#4 – Fred Jackson
Few players have ever embodied the spirit of Buffalo quite like Fred Jackson. After taking the long road through indoor football and NFL Europe, Jackson became one of the most beloved players in franchise history.
Known for his relentless running style, toughness, and leadership, Jackson consistently outperformed expectations. Whether running between the tackles, catching passes out of the backfield, or blocking in pass protection, he did everything asked of him and earned the respect of teammates, coaches, and Bills Mafia alike.
#5 – Travis Henry
Overshadowed by some of the bigger names in franchise history, Travis Henry quietly put together one of the most productive stretches by a Bills running back. During his five seasons in Buffalo, Henry rushed for over 1,300 yards twice and provided the Bills with a physical, downhill rushing attack.
Despite sharing the spotlight later in his career with Willis McGahee, Henry’s production and consistency make him worthy of a place among Buffalo’s top five all-time running backs.
Honorable Mentions
Several outstanding running backs narrowly missed the top five:
Joe Cribbs was one of the NFL’s most explosive runners during the early 1980s and posted three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
LeSean “Shady” McCoy revitalized Buffalo’s offense after arriving in 2015, earning multiple Pro Bowl selections while becoming one of the league’s most elusive runners.
Marshawn Lynch showed flashes of greatness in Buffalo before being traded to Seattle, where he blossomed into one of the NFL’s premier power backs.
Willis McGahee overcame a devastating college injury to become a Pro Bowl-caliber runner and recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with the Bills.
Antowain Smith provided several productive seasons during the late 1990s and early 2000s and remains among the franchise’s top career rushers.
Every era has featured talented backs, but these players helped shape the identity of Buffalo football in different ways.
Whether it was the championship dominance of Cookie Gilchrist, the historic brilliance of O.J. Simpson, the all-around excellence of Thurman Thomas, the heart and determination of Fred Jackson, or the consistent production of Travis Henry, each left an unforgettable mark on the Buffalo Bills franchise.
Fun Fact: During the famous 1987 “Halloween Trade,” Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson was technically a member of the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo initially acquired Dickerson before immediately redirecting him to the Indianapolis Colts as part of the blockbuster deal that ultimately brought linebacker Cornelius Bennett to Buffalo. Dickerson never played a down for the Bills, but for a brief moment, one of the NFL’s greatest running backs was officially on Buffalo’s roster.