Most Random 1,000-yard Rushing Seasons Since 2000

Putting up a 1,000-yard rushing season can make a career, especially these days with pass-happy offenses and spread formations. Only nine running backs went over the 1,000-yard mark in 2018, a full 14 less than the year 2000, when 23 guys made it happen. In between, there have been hundreds of monster performances from the running back position, but most of them come from dudes like Marshawn Lynch and Adrian Peterson, who combined for 14 different 1,000-yard seasons since 2007.

Rarely does a guy accomplish the feat and fade away, but it happens. I’ve put together a list of 20 different running backs who had one monster season…and that’s it. These 20 running backs listed below had 1,000-yard rushing seasons only once; not before or after did any of them reach the mark again. Some got close, like veteran back Lamar Smith, who followed his lone 1,000-yard season in 2000 with 968 yards in 2001, but most are dudes who were just a blip on the NFL radar. Steve Slaton, for example, had a monster rookie season, tallying almost 1,300 rushing yards before making a quick exit just three years later. He had more yards in that first season than his next three combined. Michael Bennett even made a Pro Bowl for his lone 1,000-yard rushing season, only to bounce all over the league afterward, never getting over 500 yards in a single shot.

Overall, there’s a nice mix of guys like Smith and Slaton on the list below. I’m sure you’ll recognize some names, but others will be complete blanks. I mean, who remembers Chris Brown (not Breezy) and his 1,067 rushing yards from 2004? I didn’t, that’s for sure.

20 Most Random 1,000-yard Rushing Seasons Since 2000

James Allen — Chicago Bears (1,120 rushing yards, 2000)

Lamar Smith — Miami Dolphins (1,139 rushing yards, 2000)

Dominic Rhodes — Indianapolis Colts (1,104 rushing yards, 2001)

Michael Bennett — Minnesota Vikings (1,296 rushing yards, 2002)

Kevan Barlow — San Francisco 49ers (1,024 rushing yards, 2003)

Chris Brown — Tennessee Titans (1,067 rushing yards, 2004)

Kevin Jones — Detroit Lions (1,133 rushing yards, 2004)

LaMont Jordan — Oakland Raiders (1,025 rushing yards, 2005)

Tatum Bell — Denver Broncos (1,025 rushing yards, 2006)

Ladell Betts — Washington Redskins (1,154 rushing yards, 2006)

Julius Jones — Dallas Cowboys (1,084 rushing yards, 2006)

Ronnie Brown — Miami Dolphins (1,008 rushing yards, 2006)

Justin Fargas — Oakland Raiders (1,009 rushing yards, 2007)

LenDale White — Tennessee Titans (1,110 rushing yards, 2007)

Steve Slaton — Houston Texans (1,282 rushing yards, 2008)

Derrick Ward — New York Giants (1,025 rushing yards, 2008)

Beanie Wells — Arizona Cardinals (1,047 rushing yards, 2011)

Stevan Ridley — New England Patriots (1,263 rushing yards, 2012)

Jeremy Hill — Cincinnati Bengals (1,124 rushing yards, 2014)

Justin Forsett — Baltimore Ravens (1,266 rushing yards, 2014)