I recently came across a video where a Saints fan gave his take on the top five running backs in franchise history. His list was interesting—and a little controversial. He named Ricky Williams and Darren Sproles as honorable mentions. Then, his top five went like this: Reggie Bush at five, Deuce McAllister at four, Mark Ingram at three, Pierre Thomas at two, and Alvin Kamara at number one.
Naturally, that led me down a rabbit hole. I wanted to know: how could someone make a list like that and leave off some names that longtime Saints fans used to swear by? I also wanted to see how his list compared to the official All-Time Rushing Leader list for the franchise.
For example, at one point in Saints history, it was hard to have a football conversation without someone mentioning Craig “Ironhead” Heyward. He was a bruiser in the truest sense—big, strong, and relentless. Watching him run was like watching a wrecking ball in motion. Heyward sits at 17th on the team’s all-time rushing list, which might be underwhelming until you remember he was a fullback. Production-wise, that position just doesn’t compete with halfbacks. Still, it’s wild to think about how impactful he was despite that.
Then there’s Chuck Muncie. In a book I recently read on Saints history, – Tales From The New Orleans Saints Sidelines – A Collection of The Greatest Saints Stories Ever Told by Jeff Duncan – Muncie was described as ultra-talented—a guy who could’ve been a franchise icon if things had worked out differently. Drafted in 1976, he played with the Saints until 1980 before heading to San Diego. He made the Pro Bowl in 1979 while wearing the black and gold, but he wasn’t known for being the most focused or disciplined during his time in New Orleans. Once in San Diego, he immediately thrived—earning votes for NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors in what was his only his first full season with the Chargers. As for his place in Saints lore? Muncie is 8th on the team’s all-time rushing list with 3,393 yards. Across his NFL career, he totaled 6,702 rushing yards—still less than Kamara’s 6,779 in nine seasons.
There are also names like George Rogers, Dalton Hilliard, and Hokie Gajan, who defined earlier eras of Saints football. But even they get overshadowed by the more recent running back stars of the last 20 years. That includes the man currently holding down the RB1 spot in New Orleans.
Let’s break it all down.
My List – Top 5 Running Backs in Saints History
1) Alvin Kamara
(5 Pro Bowls)
Kamara has simply been the best. Period. He was electric during the years when the Saints were loaded with weapons, and he’s been the lone bright spot when the team has struggled. Oddly, Kamara has never had a 1,000-yard rushing season—but that hasn’t stopped him from dominating in all-purpose yards. Whether you need a back to catch 10 passes, score 5 touchdowns on Christmas, or be your most reliable offensive threat, Kamara’s been that guy. A true modern-day superstar.
2) Deuce McAllister
(2 Pro Bowls)
After the Ricky Williams experiment went up in flames, Deuce stepped in and gave Saints fans the comfort they desperately needed. He was the guy during the Jim Haslett era—the third best era in Saints history behind the Brees-Payton run and the Jim Mora years. When the team needed a steady, productive presence in the backfield, Deuce delivered. Every time.
3) Mark Ingram
(2x Pro Bowler with the Saints)
Ingram was a key figure during the Brees-Payton glory years and, for a brief time, the Saints’ all-time leading rusher. If not for his brief detour in Baltimore, he might still be holding that crown. The former Heisman winner was the “Boom” in the famous “Boom and Zoom” duo with Kamara. He started slow in New Orleans—thanks in part to Sean Payton’s rotation-heavy style—but once he got rolling, he was one of the most productive and passionate runners in team history.
4) Dalton Hilliard
(1 Pro Bowl)
Hilliard spent his entire career in New Orleans and was the RB1 during the Jim Mora Era, the second greatest stretch in Saints history. He wasn’t surrounded by much: no Pro Bowl QB, no overwhelming offense—but he was clutch when the team needed him. His best year came in 1989, 1st year as the primary starter, he rushed for 1,262 yards and made the Pro Bowl. He shared the spotlight with Rueben Mayes for a few seasons, and Mayes often outperformed him during those years. But once the stage belonged to Hilliard alone, he shined.
5) George Rogers
(2x Pro Bowler with the Saints)
After Chuck Muncie left in 1980, the Saints needed a spark. Enter George Rogers—the 6’2”, 228-pound bulldozer from Duluth, GA. In 1981, he didn’t just meet expectations—he shattered them. He ran for 1,674 yards and 13 touchdowns as a rookie, winning NFL Rookie of the Year and finishing 9th in MVP voting (right behind Muncie). He made back-to-back Pro Bowls and was a dominant force during a time when the Saints needed anything to cheer about.
Honorable Mentions
- Pierre Thomas – The ultimate underdog. A major piece of the Saints’ Super Bowl XLIV run and arguably the greatest undrafted running back in franchise history. Helped anchor the early Payton-Brees years and always showed up in big games.
- Reggie Bush – People knock him for not living up to the Heisman hype, but in the Saints offense, he was exactly what they needed. Electric, versatile, and deadly in space. His run to the Super Bowl showed off his brilliance, even if he never truly thrived between the tackles until Miami and Detroit.
- Darren Sproles – After Bush left, Sproles stepped into the role seamlessly. A dynamic playmaker, he was 28th on the all-time rushing list, but his impact went far beyond yards. A perfect fit in the Saints’ offense.
- Ricky Williams – Though he didn’t live up to the media circus that surrounded his arrival, he put up big numbers: 3,129 rushing yards in just three seasons. Once he left for Miami, he blossomed, rushing for 1,853 yards in his first year with the Dolphins.
- Rueben Mayes – The Canadian-born back was one of just three Saints RBs to win NFL Rookie of the Year, alongside Kamara and George Rogers. Injuries slowed him down, but his early career production was special.
Saints’ All-Time Leading Rushers
- Alvin Kamara – 6,779 yards
- Mark Ingram – 6,500 yards
- Deuce McAllister – 6,096 yards
- George Rogers – 4,267 yards
- Dalton Hilliard – 4,164 yards
- Pierre Thomas – 3,745 yards
- Rueben Mayes – 3, 408 yards
Kamara’s Place in the NFC South
Where does Kamara rank among the entire NFC South? Surprisingly, even without a single 1,000-yard season, Kamara is only 539 yards away from becoming the all-time rushing leader in the division. The current leader is Jonathan Stewart, who posted 7,318 yards in 10 seasons with the Carolina Panthers.
Let’s look at the top rushers by NFC South team:
- Panthers – Jonathan Stewart: 7,318 yards
- Saints – Alvin Kamara: 6,779 yards
- Falcons – Gerald Riggs: 6,631 yards
- Buccaneers – James Wilder: 5,957 yards
Kamara is also nearing the NFC South rushing touchdown record. He has 60 rushing TDs, which puts him ahead of Mike Alstott and tied with Michael Turner—but still just behind Cam Newton, who holds the record with 63.
Final Thoughts
Saints fans are lucky. They’re getting the rare treat of watching their all-time leading rusher still suit up in the black and gold—and still be productive. That doesn’t happen often.
Now, the decline for elite running backs can come suddenly. One day, the “burst” is just gone, and rarely does it return. Adrian Peterson is one of the few who briefly regained it after losing it. But with Kamara, there’s hope. Because of how carefully he was used early in his career, there are still flashes of that trademark explosiveness. And as long as he’s got it—even just a glimpse—Saints fans should enjoy the ride. They’re witnessing greatness.
- Images were collected from player’s Instagram pages.
