Nick Chubb and Derrick Henry were the only two running backs last year to go over 1,400 yards on the ground. Will either of them go over it again in 2020?
Last NFL season, two running backs were able to rush for over 1,400 yards. Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans was the only running back in football to average over 100 yards per game on the ground, as he had 1,540 yards in 15 games. Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns finished second in the league at 1,494 yards on the ground in 16 games. Will either get over 1,400 again in 2020?
The Fantasy Footballers address this topic on their buy or sell segment from Tuesday’s episode. Though they are not entirely ruling it out, it’s been over a decade a running has been able to rush for over 1,400 yards in back-to-back seasons. The last tailback to do it was LaDainian Tomlinson in his prime as the superstar running back for the then-San Diego Chargers.
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Jason Moore believes Henry can do it again because the Tennessee offense is so predicated on his rushing ability. While the Titans lost right tackle Jack Conklin to the Browns in free agency, Moore pointed out how it was left tackle Taylor Lewan‘s return that made a difference. Lewan missed the first four games of the year. Henry would have averaged 1,700 had Lewan played in all 16 games.
Mike Wright believes the Browns signing Conklin away from the Titans could help Chubb do it again, but doesn’t think either running back will break the 1,400-yard threshold. He expects Ryan Tannehill to be more of a part of the Titans’ passing game in his second season. Wright also wants to see how new Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski’s offense looks in Cleveland next year.
Andy Holloway is skeptical about it too because having around 300 carries in back-to-back seasons will take a toll on even the most in-shape bell-cow backs in the league. If you miss any time due to injury, there’s really no shot at getting to 1,400 yards in this pass-heavy league the NFL has become.
Ultimately, it would be foolish to rule either Chubb or Henry out of this entirely. Though we shouldn’t count on either to break 1,400 yards again on the ground, they are the type of ball carriers who could certainly do it. Henry playing on the franchise tag in Tennessee is also something to keep an eye on. Will he honor the tag and how much will the Titans overwork him?