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NFL legend Adrian Peterson names best running back in league
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- NFL legend Adrian Peterson names best running back in league
NFL legend Adrian Peterson has made his choice for the best running back in football, and his answer should carry plenty of weight. The former Minnesota Vikings superstar believes Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson is currently the best pound-for-pound player at the position.
🚨🚨#Vikings legend Adrian Peterson says #Falcons Bijan Robinson is pound for pound best RB in the NFL https://t.co/57PBSoftim
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) October 15, 2026
Peterson, who spent 14 seasons in the NFL and finished his career with 14,918 rushing yards, knows exactly what it takes to dominate as a running back. His endorsement of Robinson comes as the Falcons star continues to put together one of the strongest starts of his career.
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Peterson puts Robinson at the top
Sep 20, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) rushes during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
During a conversation with Jordan Schultz , Peterson was asked to rank his top five running backs in the NFL. Robinson came in at No. 1, followed by Jonathan Taylor, Kenneth Walker, Derrick Henry, and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Peterson went even further when discussing Robinson, calling him a special player and saying he believes Robinson is the "best running back in the league right now" on a pound-for-pound basis.
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That is significant praise coming from one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
Peterson also pointed to Robinson's vision, explosiveness, and ability to make defenders miss as reasons for his high opinion. He even compared some of Robinson's cutting ability to his own style of running, while suggesting Robinson has the potential to be an MVP-caliber player.
The ranking also shows how highly Peterson views the current crop of NFL running backs. Henry and Taylor remain among the league's elite, while Gibbs and Walker have established themselves as legitimate stars.
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Robinson has the numbers to back it up
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday,
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Falcons won the game, 35-14. Tork Mason/Green Bay Press-Gazette Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Robinson's 2026 season provides plenty of evidence for Peterson's argument. Through five games, Robinson leads the NFL with 580 rushing yards on 102 carries while averaging 5.7 yards per attempt. He also has four rushing touchdowns and has forced 21 missed tackles as a runner, according to PFF.
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NFL statistics also have Robinson atop the league in rushing yards, ahead of Kenneth Walker III and James Cook.
His production has been particularly impressive over the past few weeks. Robinson rushed for 194 yards against Green Bay and followed that performance with 145 yards and two touchdowns against New Orleans.
Robinson's dominance has already earned him a massive financial commitment from Atlanta. The Falcons agreed to a three-year extension worth up to $75 million in August, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history.
With Robinson leading the NFL in rushing and continuing to impact games as both a runner and receiver, Peterson's assessment is becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss. For one of the greatest running backs ever to put Robinson at the top of his list is another major endorsement of just how special the Falcons star has become.
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