Houston Texans: Top 3 running backs of 2010s

1. Arian Foster (2009-15)

We all know in any “best of Houston Texans lists” when it comes to running backs, the top player to lead the way is Arian Foster, who came to the roster as an undrafted free agent and became the greatest running back the Texans have ever had in their backfield.

From 2009-15, Foster was the leader of the Texans offense with his overall play of not only rushing the football, but also catching the football, too. Foster began the past decade with a 2010 season where he led the NFL in rushing in just his second overall season. That year, Foster was selected first-team All-Pro and to the Pro Bowl as well. Foster also rushed for 1,616 yards with 16 rushing touchdowns, as he averaged 101 yards rushing per game to also lead the league.

That was the start of three consecutive years of Foster having way over 1,000-yard rushing season while with the Houston Texans. In 2011, Foster was again selected to the Pro Bowl, where he totaled 1,224 yards on 278 carries with 10 touchdowns. He averaged nearly 95 yards per game rushing that season. Again in 2012, Foster was one of the very best with a third-consecutive Pro Bowl selection.

In 2012, Foster rushed for 1,424 yards and 15 touchdowns on 351 carries, as that season he averaged 89 yards per game. Following a year hampered by injury, the 2014 season was Foster’s last great season with the Texans as he totaled 1,246 yards on 260 carries with eight touchdown rushed, That season, he also had a career-high five touchdown receptions.

No Texans player has matched the production Foster had for a majority of his career with the franchise, and with the Texans entering a new decade of running backs, only time will tell if another Texans player can have a three-year stretch like Foster accomplished.

Achieving that feat will be tough, but if a player does, they’ll have earned a great career just like Foster accomplished while with the Houston Texans.