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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Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

5. Joe Mixon

The arrival of Joe Burrow in Cincinnati should really open things up for the Bengals run game in 2020. That gives Mixon a real chance to emerge as a dark horse threat to lead the NFL in rushing.

He certainly got the workload required to rack up big yards during his 2019 campaign. His 278 rushing attempts gave him plenty of opportunities to find holes in the opposing defense. Unfortunately for Mixon, the Bengals offense was just too predictable to give him great success on those carries.

His 4.1 yards per carry average last season was a disappointment. If he can revert back to his 2018 mark of 4.9 yards per rushing attempt it’s easy to see how his production could skyrocket. To lead the league in rushing he’ll need to go over five yards per carry, but that’s possible for a Cincinnati offense that could become a top-10 scoring unit in the league.

Burrow and his receivers are going to get all of the offseason hype for Cincinnati, but don’t sleep on Mixon’s ability to benefit from the offense becoming more dynamic. He’s got the right combination of strength and speed to keep the chains moving and sprinkle in a few big plays. Both traits are required of a running back who wants to lead the NFL in rushing yards.

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