Cleveland Browns: Top 5 running backs in franchise history

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28 Oct 1990: Running back Kevin Mack of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, California. The 49ers won the game, 20-17. /

5. Kevin Mack (1985-1993)

Kicking off our list is one of the best power running backs in Browns history, 1984 draftee, Kevin Mack. Coming out of Clemson University, and then the USFL’s Los Angeles Express, Mack quickly gained a reputation as a man that defenders didn’t even want to tackle.

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Mack earned the nickname “Mack Truck” over the course of his career for a reason. Over nine seasons, Mack racked up 5,123 yards, along with 46 touchdowns and countless broken tackles. At 6-foot and 244, Mack’s stocky build and acceleration allowed him to bust through tacklers.

Would the Browns still have made three conference championship games and five playoff appearances from 1985-1993 without Mack’s presence? It’s impossible to say for sure. But, it seems likely that Mack was able to put them over the hump in the AFC.

4. Greg Pruitt (1973-1981)

For number four, it was difficult to pick just one Pruitt brother to put on this list. Both played for the Browns, played running back, and played at basically the same time. But all in all, Greg Pruitt edges out his brother Mike Pruitt for the number four spot on this list.

Pruitt makes this list because of his incredible production for the Browns. During his nine years in the orange and brown, Pruitt rushed for nearly 5,500 yards, and scored 25 touchdowns. The Browns loved their fullbacks back in the day, and Pruitt was no exception.

Pruitt’s running style, much like Mack’s would define the Browns for years to come. Behind any offensive line, Pruitt was determined to get the job done, and his impact was greatly missed when he left for the Los Angeles Raiders in 1982.

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