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10 NFL running backs who can lead the league in rushing

By Rucker Haringey

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)
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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Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys runs with the ball in the first quarter against the Washington Redskins in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

3. Ezekiel Elliott

Elliott is coming off back-to-back seasons where he’s notched at least 300 carries for the Cowboys offense. Dak Prescott may be the face of the Dallas franchise, but Elliott still carries a very heavy workload for this offense.

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The question is how the installation of Mike McCarthy as the team’s head coach might change things. It’s easy to envision a scenario where the new regime in Dallas wants to cut down on Elliott’s touches slightly. Keeping him fresh for the postseason seems to be a wise strategy for the Cowboys to employ.

On the other hand, there’s no guarantee that Dallas will have the luxury to hold Elliott back during the regular season. They’ve got to make it to the playoffs before they want to make a Super Bowl run. Giving Elliott the ball out of the backfield remains one of their most efficient offensive strategies.

Elliott has the natural ability to lead the NFL in rushing and he’s playing behind an offensive line that can power him to those rare heights. The problem he’ll face in 2020 is that the team’s passing game should be too good to give him 300+ carries again. That will hurt his individual production, but it should be a better recipe for Cowboys wins.

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