The Most Valuable RBs In The NFL 🏈

In a league that’s seen WRs become the focal point of NFL offenses, there’s still value in having a great RB. This position can make or break you, especially down the stretch. With a ton of talented, healthy backs ready to roll, who will win the rushing title? 🏈 (3 min read)

Author

Jeanie Verderese
August 19, 2022

Tonight's parlay is Patriots -3 vs. Panthers and Packers -3 vs. Saints. More info below on a chance to win $100 👇

Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images

It's All About The RBs

We're less than three weeks away from opening night of the NFL season, and holy sh*t do we need it badly. While most of the media's talk revolves around franchise QBs, I'm here to spotlight the top RBs 🔦

The NFL is a passing league, but running backs still provide a ton of value to their teams. However, the MVP award has not reflected that in recent years...

  • The last time a running back won NFL MVP was in 2012, when the Vikings' Adrian Peterson snagged the hardware 🏆

This year is no different, as QBs have flooded the top of the preseason MVP race. The running back with the best odds is Jonathan Taylor at +6000...not a bad bet to take if you peep Taylor's numbers from last season 👀

For RBs, beyond MVP, it's all about who can lead the league in total yards...I know you PPR guys love a back who can catch passes. Jonathan Taylor is the reigning rushing champ, but Derrick Henry (2x winner) is looking to regain that title 😤

  • Jonathan Taylor, IND: +400 (bet $100, win $400)

  • Derrick Henry, TEN: +650

  • Dalvin Cook, MIN: +1000

  • Nick Chubb, CLE: +1000

  • Joe Mixon, CIN: +1600

  • Christian McCaffrey, CAR: +1600

  • Rashaad Penny, SEA: +1600

  • Elijah Mitchell, SF: +1600

Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Top Rushing Contenders

There is an abundance of talent at the running back position this season, and an efficient rushing attack has still proven to be a successful strategy

  • Seven of the top ten rushing teams made the playoffs in 2021-22, including the top-ranked Eagles at 159.7 Y/G 🦅

With that said, let's take a look at a few of the top RBs heading into 2022-23 👇

🐎 Jonathan Taylor

  • O/U: 1,350.5 Rushing Yards

  • Taylor is last season's rushing champion and an ascending superstar at just 23 years old. He's primed to have another 300+ carry year, but his new QB situation might get in the way. The Colts acquired Matt Ryan to upgrade their passing attack, which could directly affect Taylor's volume and Indianapolis' offensive identity 😬

👑 Derrick Henry

  • O/U: 1,350.5 Rushing Yards

  • Henry was the rushing champion in 2019 and 2020, and he was on pace to make it a three-peat if it wasn't for his foot injury in Week 8. He's rushed for 1,000+ yards in three of his six NFL seasons, while Tennessee has continued to make him the focal point of their offense. I expect nothing less this year, especially since Ryan Tannehill will need time to build chemistry with his new WRs

🍽 Dalvin Cook

  • O/U: 1,150.5 Rushing Yards

  • Cook has the talent to be the No. 1 running back in the league, as long as he can stay healthy. In his last three seasons, he's rushed for over 1,000 yards and earned a Pro Bowl nod each year. With his role expanding under HC Kevin O'Connell, Cook has a chance to increase his already impressive production 📈

Trivia Question: In 2020, Derrick Henry rushed for 2,027 yards, which was fifth-most in a single season in NFL history. Can you name the player who has the most rushing yards in a single season? (answer below) 

Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images

For My Parlay Gurus

We'll have to wait and see who ends up with this season's rushing title, but I think King Henry is ready to reclaim his throne. In the meantime, there's a handful of NFL Preseason games on tonight to help fill the void in your football-less hearts. Here's the parlay I've cooked up 👇

  • Patriots -3 vs. Panthers: -110

  • Packers -3 vs. Saints: -110

$100 on this bet would win you $264 — if we hit, make sure you email [email protected] for a chance to win up to $100*. Many will enter, only some will win 😉

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Trivia Answer: Eric Dickerson rushed for 2,105 yards in 1984 with the Rams, the most in a single season in NFL history 

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