James Brooks ranks in the all-time elite tier for running backs — a career that places Brooks in the top 3% of all players at the position. The Knox value model assigns Brooks a career score of 81, reflecting sustained impact that most players at the position never approach.

RBTB#0CUT

James Brooks

4× Pro BowlTop 3% all-time RBsIron LegendTwo-Way Profile

Height5'10"

Weight177 lb

BornDec 28, 1958

Age67

CollegeAuburn See College Stats

Rookie yr1981

Draft1981 · Rd 1, Pick 24 · SDG

All-Time Rank & Honors

career ranks, postseason ranks, awards, title context

Regular-season all-time ranks

59thRushing Yards·7,962 yds 94thRushing Touchdowns·49

Pro Bowls

Archetype Intelligence

Iron LegendExplore archetypes →

An all-time caliber running back (top 5% all-time) who combined elite production with excellent availability over their career. Iron Legends define eras — they show up, every game, for years on end.

Career Value · VORP

VORP 249 · #229 · Elite

Worth 249 points of value above a freely-available replacement running back — top 6% of all 4,642 ranked at the position. 11 of 12 seasons cleared the replacement bar, by +22.6 on average.See board →

Seasons above replacement

11 cleared

Beat replacement (adds to VORP) Below it — adds 0, never a debit

Replacement

the KC-H bar

→

Seasons over

cleared the bar

+22.6

Avg surplus

peak +40

11 seasons × ~22.6 surplus ≈ VORP 249

Combined Season Grid

The full season-by-season grids, joined on one timeline. Every selected stat family stays visible at once—no tab hopping.

4 grids split in one view

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Rushing								Receiving									Passing													Defense
Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Att	Yds	TD	Y/A	TD%	1D	1D%	Fmb	Tgt	Rec	Yds	TD	Ctch%	Y/R	Y/Tgt	AirYd/T	1D	Cmp	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	Int	TD%	Int%	Y/A	AdjY/A	TD:INT	Rate	Sk	Tkl	Solo	Ast	TFL	QBHits	Sk	Dis	Int	PD	FF	FR	TD	Sfty
1981	—	LAC	14	—	109	525	3	4.8	2.8	—	—	—	—	46	329	3	—	7.2	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	2	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	0	0	—	—	—
1982	—	LAC	9	—	87	430	6	4.9	6.9	—	—	—	—	13	66	0	—	5.1	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	0	0	—	—	—
1983	—	LAC	15	—	127	516	3	4.1	2.4	—	—	—	—	25	215	0	—	8.6	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	0	0	—	—	—
1984	—	CIN	15	—	103	396	2	3.8	1.9	—	—	—	—	34	268	2	—	7.9	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1985	—	CIN	16	—	192	929	7	4.8	3.6	—	—	—	—	55	576	5	—	10.5	—	—	—	1	1	100.0%	8	1	0	100.0	0.0	8.0	28.0	—	139.6	0	1	1	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	0	0	—	—	—
1986	—	CIN	16	—	205	1,087	5	5.3	2.4	—	—	—	—	54	686	4	—	12.7	—	—	—	0	1	0.0%	0	0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	—	39.6	0	1	1	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	0	0	—	—	—
1987	—	CIN	9	—	94	290	1	3.1	1.1	—	—	—	—	22	272	2	—	12.4	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1988	—	CIN	15	—	182	931	8	5.1	4.4	—	—	—	—	29	287	6	—	9.9	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	0	0	—	—	—
1989	—	CIN	16	—	221	1,239	7	5.6	3.2	—	—	—	—	37	306	2	—	8.3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	1	1	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	0	0	—	—	—
1990	—	CIN	16	—	195	1,004	5	5.1	2.6	—	—	—	—	26	269	4	—	10.3	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1991	—	CIN	15	—	152	571	2	3.8	1.3	—	—	—	—	40	348	2	—	8.7	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	0	0	—	—	—
1992	—	CLE	6	—	13	38	0	2.9	0.0	—	—	—	—	2	-1	0	—	-0.5	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
1992	—	TB	6	—	5	6	0	1.2	0.0	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Career		—	168	—	1,685	7,962	49	4.7	2.9	—	—	—	0	383	3,621	30	—	9.5	—	—	—	1	2	50.0%	8	1	0	50.0	0.0	4.0	14.0	—	100.0	0	10	8	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	0	0	0	0	—	—

Passing

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Cmp	Att	Cmp%	Yds	TD	TD%	Y/A	AdjY/A	TD:INT	Rate	VAL
1985	27	CIN	16	—	1	1	100.0%	8	1	100.0	8.0	28.0	—	139.6	18.4
1986	28	CIN	16	—	0	1	0.0%	0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	—	39.6	20.8
Career			32		1	2	50.0%	8	1	50.0	4.0	—	—	100.0	170.8

Rushing

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Att	Yds	TD	Y/A	TD%	1D	1D%	Fmb
1985	27	CIN	16	—	192	929	7	4.8	3.6	—	—	—
1986	28	CIN	16	—	205	1,087	5	5.3	2.4	—	—	—
1981	23	LAC	14	—	109	525	3	4.8	2.8	—	—	—
1982	24	LAC	9	—	87	430	6	4.9	6.9	—	—	—
1983	25	LAC	15	—	127	516	3	4.1	2.4	—	—	—
1984	26	CIN	15	—	103	396	2	3.8	1.9	—	—	—
1987	29	CIN	9	—	94	290	1	3.1	1.1	—	—	—
1988	30	CIN	15	—	182	931	8	5.1	4.4	—	—	—
1989	31	CIN	16	—	221	1,239	7	5.6	3.2	—	—	—
1990	32	CIN	16	—	195	1,004	5	5.1	2.6	—	—	—
1991	33	CIN	15	—	152	571	2	3.8	1.3	—	—	—
1992	34	CLE	6	—	13	38	0	2.9	0.0	—	—	—
1992	34	TB	6	—	5	6	0	1.2	0.0	—	—	—
Career			168		1,685	7,962	49	4.7	—	—	—	—

Receiving

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Tgt	Rec	Yds	TD	Ctch%	Y/R	Y/Tgt	AirYd/T	1D
1985	27	CIN	16	—	—	55	576	5	—	10.5	—	—	—
1986	28	CIN	16	—	—	54	686	4	—	12.7	—	—	—
1981	23	LAC	14	—	—	46	329	3	—	7.2	—	—	—
1982	24	LAC	9	—	—	13	66	0	—	5.1	—	—	—
1983	25	LAC	15	—	—	25	215	0	—	8.6	—	—	—
1984	26	CIN	15	—	—	34	268	2	—	7.9	—	—	—
1987	29	CIN	9	—	—	22	272	2	—	12.4	—	—	—
1988	30	CIN	15	—	—	29	287	6	—	9.9	—	—	—
1989	31	CIN	16	—	—	37	306	2	—	8.3	—	—	—
1990	32	CIN	16	—	—	26	269	4	—	10.3	—	—	—
1991	33	CIN	15	—	—	40	348	2	—	8.7	—	—	—
1992	34	CLE	6	—	—	2	-1	0	—	-0.5	—	—	—
Career			162		0	383	3,621	30	—	9.5	—	—	—

Defense

Season	Age	Team	G	GS	Tkl	Solo	Ast	TFL	QBHits	Sk	Dis	Int	FR	TD	Sfty
1985	27	CIN	—	—	1	1	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	—	—	—
1986	28	CIN	—	—	1	1	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	—	—	—
1981	23	LAC	—	—	2	2	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	—	—	—
1982	24	LAC	—	—	1	1	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	—	—	—
1983	25	LAC	—	—	1	1	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	—	—	—
1988	30	CIN	—	—	1	1	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	—	—	—
1989	31	CIN	—	—	1	1	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	—	—	—
1991	33	CIN	—	—	2	0	—	—	—	0.0	0.0	—	—	—	—
Career					10	8	—	—	—	—	—	0	0	—	—

KV-H Anatomy

KV-H 81 · Great

A great career by KV-H: a peak-driven profile that scores 81 of 100, era-normalized against rush yds/g peers across 12 scored seasons.

Sustained

career value

×.6

Peak

best 3 seasons

×.4

×1

Longevity

career length

Blend 77.6 × longevity 1 = KV-H 81· confidence 98%

What builds the career mark of 72

On-field 53.7

Availability 18.3

On-field production Staying available

Season-by-season quality (era-relative rush yds/g)

1981bestavg 69elite 701992

All-Time Standing

how this career measures against the all-time greats at the position

Solid

of 100

Reached 43% of the all-time Rushing Yards leader — a solid all-time profile at the position.

43% of the all-time Rushing Yards leader43

2 categories ≥25% of the all-time leader67

A 0–100 scale where 100 = matched the all-time leaderat this position. Built only from visible encyclopedia data — career production vs. the all-time leader, plus efficiency (EPA) and comparable-player confidence — so it's a transparent context score, not a subjective rating. Tiers: Elite ≥ 85 · Strong ≥ 65 · Solid ≥ 45 · Depth < 45. Comparable-player confidence: 94%.

Career Aging Trajectory

vs. position group average · KV-H basis

Amber = this player (normalized to own peak). Indigo = average RBs aging curve. Group peak age: 21. Source: StatVault KV-H era (1999+).

From Scrimmage · Career

Scrimmage Yds

11,583

7,962 rush · 3,621 recv

Total TDs

49 rush · 30 recv

Total Touches

2,068

1,685 carries · 383 rec

Yds / Touch

5.6

rushing + receiving

College Stats

AuburnCollege listed; stat table pending import

College stats are not imported for this profile yet.

StatVault has the verified college attribution (Auburn), but no parsed college box-score table is present in this profile artifact. The section stays here so every profile has a consistent college-stats landing point without fabricating unavailable rows.

Reference Graph

Career teammates and draft class, derived from year-by-year rosters — every name is linked.

1981 Draft Class· this player went #24

#1George RogersRB #3Freeman McNeilRB #10David VerserWR #12Randy McMillanRB #13David OverstreetRB #14Willie ScottTE #16Mark NicholsWR #19Brian HollowayOT #28Booker MooreRB #31David HughesRB #32Dave YoungTE #33Neil LomaxQB #34James WilderRB #35Gary LewisTE #37Cris CollinsworthWR #39Mardye McDoleWR

Franchise Succession

the room, before and after

James inherited the Cincinnati Bengals RB room from Stanford Jennings (1984–1990), and handed it to Ickey Woods (1988–1991).

Larry Kinnebrew 1983–1987Stanford Jennings 1984–1990James Brooks 1984–1991Ickey Woods 1988–1991Craig Taylor 1989–1991Eric Ball

Similar Players

Statistical + physical similarity across every player in the database, position-relevant (0–100%).

Movementderived from season history

1992team change
Joined CLE (from CIN)
1992final season
Last recorded season with CLE
1984team change
Joined CIN (from LAC)
1981draft
Drafted by SDG — Round 1, Pick 24
1981team change
Joined LAC (from SDG)

Athletic & Unique Profile

verified measurements and curated source-tagged facts

5'10" / 177 lb

Frame

Knox

StatVault's proprietary player intelligence, informed by full career data. How Knox works →

Historical Knox · KV-H

Era-normalized career quality — z-scored against 12-season peers. See all →

peak 86

Season Report Cards· KV-H era-normalized per season

B1981

B+1982

B1983

B1984

B+1985

A1986

C+1987

A1988

A+1989

A1990

B+1991

D1992

Availability

Era Translator

Rush Yds translated to the 2025NFL — each season's standing among its own-era peers, projected onto 2025's scoring environment. Modern-era (1999+) coverage.

Season	Actual Rush Yds	Rush Yds/G	→ 2025 Rush Yds	→ 2025 /G
1981	525	37.5	716+191	42.1
1982	430	47.8	958+528	56.4
1983	516	34.4	721+205	42.4
1984	396	26.4	640+244	37.6
1985	929	58.1	1,248+319	73.4
1986	1,087	67.9	1,504+417	88.5
1987	290	32.2	827+537	48.6
1988	931	62.1	1,548+617	91
1989	1,239	77.4	1,871+632	110.1
1990	1,004	62.8	1,608+604	94.6
1991	571	38.1	1,021+450	60.1
1992	38	6.3	322+284	18.9

Data: nflverse:draft_picks, nflverse:players, wikipedia:season-stats (CC-BY-SA, facts-only), nfl.com:official-stats (facts-only reference), nfl.com:official-stats (games-played, facts-only reference) · multi-source verified via the StatVault Oracle · updated 6/18/2026

Career Value · VORP

249 career value over replacement — #229 all-time of 4,642. 20.8/season above a replacement-level RB.

Draft OutcomeSteal ↑

Pick #24 (Rd 1) · SDG · 1981 · +24.5 vs expected KV-H

81actual

56.5 expected · Δ+24.5

💔+32.1 stolen VORP·1.44 szns lost

Fan Rating

Rate James Brooks — All-Time

Tap a star to rate

Explore More

Similar Players

Charlie Garner

96% match

Hugh McElhenny

96% match

Bucky Irving

93% match

Ollie Matson

93% match

Brian Westbrook

92% match

Compare James Brooks vs Player Report data error

James Brooks

All-Time Rank & Honors

Archetype Intelligence

Career Value · VORP

Combined Season Grid

Passing

Rushing

Receiving

Defense

KV-H Anatomy

All-Time Standing

Career Aging Trajectory

From Scrimmage · Career

College Stats

Reference Graph

Top Teammates

1981 Draft Class· this player went #24

Franchise Succession

Similar Players

Movementderived from season history

Athletic & Unique Profile

Knox

Era Translator

Career Geography