10 NFL running backs who can lead the league in rushing

NASHVILLE, TN - NOVEMBER 24: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs the ball during the second half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 42-20. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

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FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – JANUARY 04: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans carries the ball in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /

1. Derrick Henry

Henry led the NFL in rushing yards a season ago and there’s no reason to expect his production to drop off this year. The Titans still need to base their offense around his ability to bludgeon opponents into submission.

It’s important to remember that Henry carried the ball 303 times for 1,540 yards in just 15 regular-season games in 2019. In other words, he spotted most of his competitors a full game’s worth of action and still managed to outproduce them all.

In a perfect world, the Titans would like to lighten his load this year. They hope that replacing Marcus Mariota with Ryan Tannehill for the full season will strengthen the team’s aerial attack. That’s a risky proposition though. When the chips are done with the Titans, they’re still going to court on Henry to dominate opponents on the ground.

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It’s very difficult for a running back to lead the NFL in rushing for two seasons in a row, but Henry is in a great spot to achieve the difficult feat. He’s a back who loves to carry the ball employed by a team that needs their ground game to be elite. Until Henry is dethroned, he remains the NFL rushing champion.

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