It’s easy to see why Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott is the favorite to lead the NFL in rushing in 2018. As a rookie two years ago, Zeke exploded on the scene and topped the circuit with a Cowboys rookie record 1,631 yards, a total that was more than 300 yards better than what second place Jordan Howard amassed.
Last year, despite missing six games due to a suspension, Elliott nearly eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark. He totaled 983 yards to rank 10th and his 98.3 yards per game led the league and was more than 10 yards per game better than Todd Gurley. Average out his yards per game for a full season and Elliott would have finished over 200 yards better than Kareem Hunt.
There are a number of productive running backs in the league still in their prime who can give Zeke a run for his money. After a fast start to last season, Hunt slowed down in the second half, but he still led the league. He’s the third favorite on the odds board at +866. Le’Veon Bell at +604 and Todd Gurley at +889 round out the top-4.
There are several players with long odds who would pay handsomely if they were able to amass the most yards. The Chargers are committed to running the football better and added some veteran linemen to help Melvin Gordon, who opened at +2032. Rookie Saquon Barkley will get plenty of touches for the New York Giants behind a revamped O-line and could be worth a few sheckels at +1682.
Odds To Gain the Most Rushing Yards in 2018
Ezekiel Elliott +300
Le'Veon Bell +604
Kareem Hunt +866
Todd Gurley II +889
Leonard Fournette +967
Jordan Howard +1211
Saquon Barkley +1682
Dalvin Cook +1807
David Johnson +1872
LeSean McCoy +2032
Melvin Gordon +2032
Derrius Guice +2608
Field - Any Other Player +3500
Alex Collins +3710
Rashaad Penny +3710
Ronald Jones II +3710
Lamar Miller +5000
Devonta Freeman +5000
Marshawn Lynch +5000
Royce Freeman +5000
Alvin Kamara +5000
Derrick Henry +5000
Jay Ajayi +5000
Joe Mixon +5000
Sony Michel +6500
Isaiah Crowell +6500
Jerick McKinnon +6500
Players to Watch
Ezekiel Elliott
Current Odds +300
There’s a reason why Zeke is a big favorite to lead the league, and it’s because he’s the best back in an ideal situation. Elliott led the NFL in 2016 when Jason Witten and Dez Bryant were catching passes. Without those two this season, you can expect the Cowboys to give Elliott more touches. The line wasn’t as dominant last season with Tyron Smith missing time due to injuries and you can expect the group to return to form this year with Elliott taking advantage.
Le’Veon Bell
Current Odds +604
Bell has rushed for over 1,200 yards in each of the past two seasons and didn’t even play a complete 16 games. He sits near the top of the list because the Steelers have one of the most diverse offenses with a boatload of playmakers and an underrated line. Bell is also the best pass catching back in the league and has excelled as a receiver. That’s been a big part of Pittsburgh’s offense and will continue to be as long as Ben Roethlisberger is pulling the trigger. Also, the contract situation has muddied the waters and Bell could be on his way out of Pittsburgh, making him a player to fade.
Saquon Barkley
Current Odds +1682
Barkley is definitely a longshot worth taking a look at. A rookie has led the NFL in rushing the past two seasons and Barkley joins a team that has improving an awful ground game on the top of its to-do list. He’s no stranger to being the lead back and putting up impressive numbers, having done that for three years at Penn State. Barkley amassed over 1,000 yards each season, totaling 1,496 in 2016 and 1,271 with 5.9 yards per carry last year, claiming Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors the last two years. The Giants upgraded their offensive line with free agents Nate Solder and Patrick Omameh and drafting Will Hernandez in the second round. Barkley will be featured prominently and could rack up big numbers.
Leonard Fournette
Current Odds +967
Another longshot to lead the league in rushing, Fournette is another player in a good situation to payoff his backers. In his 2016 rookie season, the LSU product ran for 1,040 yards in 13 games, but inconsistency prevented bigger numbers. He tallied 100 or more yards five times, but he was also limited to fewer than 50 yards four times. He will get touches in an offense that values running the football. The Jags had the most rush attempts and yards in the NFL last season, and that’s not likely to change in 2018.
Most Rushing Yards Pick: Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
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