Honestly, most NFL fans think of the Indianapolis Colts and immediately picture Peyton Manning’s pointing finger or Andrew Luck’s beard. It’s always been a "passing team," right? Well, that’s where the narrative starts to fall apart. If you actually look at the Indianapolis Colts running backs history, you’ll realize this franchise hasn’t just had "good" runners—they’ve basically been a factory for Gold Jackets.
From the muddy fields of Baltimore to the fast turf of Lucas Oil Stadium, the lineage is absurd. We’re talking about guys who didn't just move the chains; they redefined how the position was played.
The era of the "Every-Down" legend
Most people start the clock with Marshall Faulk, but you really have to go back to the Baltimore days to see where the DNA comes from. Lenny Moore was doing things in the 50s and 60s that would make modern fantasy owners weep. He was a hybrid before that was even a buzzword. Imagine a guy averaging 7.5 yards per carry in 1956. That’s not a typo. Moore was a receiving threat and a home-run hitter who finished his career with 113 total touchdowns.
Then you get into the 70s with Lydell Mitchell. He was the first Colt to ever put up three straight 1,000-yard seasons. He wasn't the biggest guy, but he was a workhorse. In 1974, he carried the ball 40 times in a single game against the Jets. Forty. Most modern backs don't get 40 carries in a month.
The Eric Dickerson trade that changed everything
In 1987, the Colts pulled off what remains one of the wildest trades in NFL history. They landed Eric Dickerson in a three-team blockbuster that involved ten players and picks. It was a massive gamble.
It paid off immediately.
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Dickerson showed up and rushed for over 1,000 yards in just nine games for Indy that year. People forget how dominant he was in that blue and white jersey. In 1988, he led the league with 1,659 rushing yards. He was the prototype—upright, smooth, and faster than he looked. Even though his time in Indy ended with some contract drama (as was the style at the time), his peak was as high as anyone's.
Why the Marshall Faulk move still hurts some fans
If you want to start a debate in an Indy sports bar, just bring up the Marshall Faulk trade. Drafted second overall in 1994, Faulk was the "Greatest Show on Turf" before the Rams even knew what that was. He was electric. He had four 1,000-yard seasons in five years with the Colts.
But then Bill Polian arrived.
Polian and Faulk didn't see eye-to-eye on his contract, and the Colts shipped him to St. Louis for a second and a fifth-round pick. It looked like a disaster on paper. Faulk went on to win an MVP and a Super Bowl. However, that trade paved the way for the next guy on the list, and he might be the most beloved player in the history of the city.
Edgerrin James and the "Edge" of greatness
In 1999, everyone expected the Colts to draft Ricky Williams. When they took Edgerrin James at number four, the city practically revolted.
Then he played.
"Edge" didn’t just replace Faulk; he arguably surpassed him in terms of pure rushing dominance within the Colts' system. He led the NFL in rushing as a rookie (1,553 yards) and did it again in 2000 (1,709 yards). He was the ultimate "Manning-era" back—pass blocking like a tackle and catching passes like a wideout. To this day, he is the franchise leader in:
- Career rushing yards: 9,226
- Rushing touchdowns: 64
- Total attempts: 2,188
It’s kind of a tragedy that James left for Arizona in 2006, the very year the Colts finally won the Super Bowl. But if you ask Peyton Manning, he’ll tell you they don't get that ring without the foundation Edge built.
The Jonathan Taylor takeover
Fast forward to the 2020s. After years of a "running back by committee" approach with guys like Joseph Addai (who was great in Super Bowl XLI) and Frank Gore (the ultimate pro), the Colts found their next superstar.
Jonathan Taylor is a freak of nature.
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In 2021, Taylor didn’t just lead the league; he owned it. He put up 1,811 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. He has the franchise record for the most rushing yards in a single game (253 against Jacksonville) and the most touchdowns in a single game (5 against Buffalo).
The crazy part? As of early 2026, he’s still climbing the all-time charts. He’s already sitting at second in career rushing yards for the franchise, trailing only Edge. His 4.9 yards per carry average is actually higher than James, Dickerson, or Faulk. He represents a return to that "bell-cow" mentality that defined the best eras of Colts football.
What about the guys we forget?
It’s easy to focus on the Hall of Famers, but the Indianapolis Colts running backs history is littered with cult heroes.
- Tom Matte: Played quarterback in the playoffs because everyone else was hurt.
- Alan Ameche: "The Horse" who scored the winning touchdown in the 1958 "Greatest Game Ever Played."
- Dominic Rhodes: An undrafted rookie who rushed for 1,104 yards in 2001 when Edge got hurt and later had 113 yards in the Super Bowl XLI win.
- Joseph Addai: The first rookie to ever have 10 catches in a Super Bowl.
The blueprint for the future
If you're looking at where the team goes next, the strategy is pretty clear. The Colts have never been afraid to spend high draft capital or big money on the backfield. They don't view running backs as "replaceable" parts; they view them as the engine.
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While the rest of the NFL went "pass-happy," the Colts usually stayed balanced. Even now, with Anthony Richardson’s dual-threat ability at QB, the running back remains the focal point of the scheme.
Actionable takeaways for Colts fans and historians:
- Watch the 2021 highlights: If you want to see the modern peak of the position, Taylor’s 2021 season is the gold standard for efficiency and explosive plays.
- Respect the "Edge": When debating the greatest Colt ever, don't leave Edgerrin James out of the top five. His 1999–2005 stretch is one of the most productive in NFL history.
- Track the records: Keep an eye on Taylor’s health. At his current pace, he could potentially pass Edgerrin James for the all-time franchise rushing lead by the end of next season or shortly after.
- Don't ignore the fullback history: Guys like Randy McMillan and Roosevelt Potts were the unsung heroes who cleared the way for the stars during the lean years of the 80s and 90s.