NFL rushing props are among the hundreds of wagers at top betting sites once the season gets underway. Some of the most popular options include over/unders on rushing yards, total rushing TDs and longest runs for all of the top backs that are scheduled to play.
On a season-long basis, bettors can also make the call on which player will lead the league in rushing yards, as well as over/unders on total yardage for the game’s top backs. Here’s a look at what you need to know about betting on NFL rushing props.
Rushing props for NFL Week 1
The NFL has released next season’s schedule, and sportsbooks have the main betting odds on Week 1 games, but lines for rushing props will likely only come out closer to game day. We’ll take a look at the odds when that occurs.
NFL Week 1 rushing props
The first week of the regular season is filled with possibilities for both teams and bettors alike. Beyond betting on how the RBs will perform, you can also take your chances with a range of other NFL player props:
- Touchdown props: Bet on players to score multiple TDs and more.
- Passing props: Wager on longest pass completions and more.
- Receiving props: Wager on receiving yards and more.
As for the running games, there are a number of options week in and week out. Here’s a look at some of the top NFL rushing props:
Over/under rushing yard props
In advance of the games, oddsmakers will set lines for total rushing yards for each of the top RBs scheduled to play. Bettors then get to make a simple choice: Will the player go over or under the line? While researching, things to consider include the average output for the selected back, as well as how many yards the opponent typically gives up on the ground.
Rushing TD props
You can also bet on which backs will carry their respective clubs across the goal line. As the season moves along, you’ll get a better sense of which backs are seeing the most opportunity in the red zone, as well as which clubs are trending toward allowing a good deal of rushing scores.
Longest rush prop bets
Monster runs quickly find their way into the NFL highlight reels, and bettors can try to forecast which players will make it happen. Sportsbooks will set a benchmark number for the top backs. Bettors can then choose over or under that amount.
What are NFL rushing props?
For individual games, you can place your bets on the various player, team and game props, several of which will be for over/under on rushing yardage.
There are also season-long rushing props. These are long-term futures wagers that can provide you with additional rooting interest throughout the season, and a chance at solid profits if you make the right call.
NFL rushing props 2023
Futures odds for the winner of the next Super Bowl can become available before the current one is even in the books. Other futures odds will come out a few months after the season comes to a close, including rushing props. Here’s a look at some of the top rushing props, but note that the exact offerings may vary by sportsbook.
Most rushing yards
For this prop, you’re placing your bets on which player you think will lead the league in rushing for the entire year. If we look at some recent odds from the DraftKings sports app, here’s what the numbers looked like for a few favorites heading into the 2022 season:
- Jonathan Taylor +450
- Derrick Henry +650
- Dalvin Cook +1000
- Nick Chubb +1000
The positive odds across the board set the stage for some potentially lucrative returns. A bet of $10 on Taylor to lead the league would have resulted in $45 in profit if that had turned out to be the case, while a $100 wager would have brought back $450.
While there’s no way to predict which backs will make it through the season unscathed, it’s a good idea to try to account for injury risk while you’re making your choices. For example, if you’re not feeling great about a team’s offensive line, then betting on that club’s top back to lead the league might not be a good idea.
Most rushing TDs
This prop works the same as season-long yardage leaders with the goal of picking out which back will lead the league in rushing touchdowns. Odds work in the same fashion. Here were the top favorites heading into the 2022 season:
- Jonathan Taylor +450
- Derrick Henry +650
- Joe Mixon +900
Most rushing attempts
The league leader in yardage also has a great chance to lead in attempts. You can bet on who will be the leader here as well at some online sportsbooks.
Player over/unders
Sportsbooks will also post over/under bets on individual running back totals. For example, say DraftKings was offering the below prop on New York Jets RB Breece Hall.
DraftKings has set the bar at 830.5 rushing yards. If they wish, bettors can wager on whether Hall will clear it. The odds are equal on both sides, but they may shift depending on where the money is going.
As the offseason advances, we can expect to see more options, including rushing TDs. Once the regular season gets underway, over/under rushing props will be available for each game.
Which RBs have the best chance to lead the league in yards?
Heading into the 2022 season, Jonathan Taylor was the clear favorite to lead the league in rushing yards. The tough season for him and the Colts led to a shift at the top of the board. There was some jockeying for much of the season, but Josh Jacobs ended up taking the rushing crown with 1,653 yards. Derrick Henry finished in second with 1,538, while Nick Chubb was third at 1,525.
Who led the NFL in rushing last season?
There was a new rushing champion atop the charts. Here are the top 10 finishers from last season and their totals.
| Rank | Player | Team | Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Jacobs | Las Vegas Raiders | 1,653 |
| 2 | Derrick Henry | Tennessee Titans | 1,538 |
| 3 | Nick Chubb | Cleveland Browns | 1,525 |
| 4 | Saquon Barkley | New York Giants | 1,312 |
| 5 | Miles Sanders | Philadelphia Eagles | 1,269 |
| 6 | Dalvin Cook | Minnesota Vikings | 1,173 |
| 7 | Justin Fields | Chicago Bears | 1,143 |
| 8 | Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers | 1,139 |
| 9 | Travis Etienne | Jacksonville Jaguars | 1,125 |
| 10 | Aaron Jones | Green Bay Packers | 1,121 |
Recent NFL rushing yard leaders
If we look back over the past 10 years, two players have won a pair of rushing titles, with one of them going back-to-back. Here’s a look back at the last decade of rushing champs.
| Season | Player | Team | Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Josh Jacobs | Las Vegas Raiders | 1,653 |
| 2021 | Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis Colts | 1,811 |
| 2020 | Derrick Henry | Tennessee Titans | 2,027 |
| 2019 | Derrick Henry | Tennessee Titans | 1,540 |
| 2018 | Ezekiel Elliott | Dallas Cowboys | 1,434 |
| 2017 | Kareem Hunt | Kansas City Chiefs | 1,327 |
| 2016 | Ezekiel Elliott | Dallas Cowboys | 1,631 |
| 2015 | Adrian Peterson | Minnesota Vikings | 1,485 |
| 2014 | DeMarco Murray | Dallas Cowboys | 1,845 |
| 2013 | LeSean McCoy | Philadelphia Eagles | 1,607 |
FAQ
Are season-long NFL props void if a player gets injured during the season?
No, bets are active as soon as Week 1 begins and remain live until we know the outcome. Sportsbooks will not adjust bets like season-long rushing yard leaders due to the injury of a single player. However, if the player ends up out for the season before play begins, sportsbooks will void and refund bets on that player.
Which NFL player had the most rushing yards in a single season?
Eric Dickerson set the all-time rushing yard record for a single season in 1984. As a member of the Los Angeles Rams, he rushed for 2,105 yards on 379 attempts.
When was the last time a running back won the NFL MVP award?
Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings was the last running back to win the NFL MVP award, doing so in 2012. The award has gone to a quarterback every season since.