Over/Under for Most Rushing Yards By a Player in 2019 Set at 1,525, Most Receiving Yards at 1,600
- Ezekiel Elliott’s 2016 season was the last time a player surpassed 1,525 rushing yards
- The Cowboys running back led all players in rushing yards in 2018, but managed just 1,434
- Julio Jones is the only player to record at least 1,601 receiving yards in the last four years
The latest prop bets set over/unders on how many yards the NFL’s leading rusher and receiver will pile up in 2019.
The total for running backs is at just 1,525 yards, which is lower than the total for the leading pass-catcher (1600).
What’s the best bet for each wager?
Over/Under For Most Rushing Yards By A Player In 2019
| Over/Under Rushing Yards | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 1525 Yards | -115 |
| Under 1525 Yards | -115 |
*Odds taken 08/19/2019.
The NFL has seen a steady decline in most rushing yards per season by a player over the last five years. No running back has surpassed 1,800 rushing yards since DeMarco Murray accomplished the feat in 2014.
Ezekiel Elliott, who has led the NFL in rushing two of the last three years, came the closest when he posted 1,631 yards in 2016, but his league-leading total from 2018 was a mere 1,434 yards.
Will this be the year running backs rebound?
Elliott is one of the favorites to lead the league in rushing yards, but the Cowboys star is holding out while seeking a new deal with the team. Are there any other running backs capable of reaching the over on this bet?
NFL Rushing Leaders: 2016-2018
| Year | Most Rushing Yards (Player) | Number of RBs with at least 1,526 Yards |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,434 (Ezekiel Elliott) | 0 |
| 2017 | 1,327 (Kareem Hunt) | 0 |
| 2016 | 1,631 (Ezekiel Elliott) | 1 |
In 2018, Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants finished second in rushing with 1,307 yards — which is 218 short of the total of 1,525. The Giants don’t have many weapons in the air, so expect Barkley’s workload to increase heading into the regular season.
Guess what?
we're 2️⃣6️⃣ days away from Week 1…
sooo here's EVERY @saquon TD, enjoy ? pic.twitter.com/EFlzQWzq8k
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 13, 2019
Another strong option to exceed the 1,525 mark is Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley, who missed the last two games of 2018 but still managed 1,251 yards rushing.
The Rams will, once again, be one of the top offensive teams in the NFL, but Gurley’s production in the backfield will depend on whether the 2017 Offensive Player of the Year can stay healthy. Betting on the health of a player with Gurley’s injury history is too risky.
Pick: Under 1,525 Rushing Yards (-115)
Over/Under For Most Receiving Yards By A Player In 2019
| Over/Under Receiving Yards | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 1600 Yards | -115 |
| Under 1600 Yards | -115 |
Julio Jones was the only player to go over 1,600 receiving yards a year ago. The Atlanta Falcons star reeled in 113 catches for a league-leading 1,677 receiving yards.
Can Jones — or any receiver for that matter — exceed 1,600 yards this season?
Julio Jones catch over Luke Kuechly! pic.twitter.com/tPzNx6exbB
— Jordan Frye (@AtlFrye5) August 19, 2019
Jones is actually the only player over the last four seasons to record 1,601 or more receiving yards. He had a career-best 1,871 yards in 2015.
In 2016, T.Y. Hilton led the league with 1,448 and, the following season, Antonio Brown’s 1,533 receiving yards were the most in the NFL.
Jones, who is now 30 years old, is the favorite to record the most receiving yards in 2019, but is far from the only player capable of the feat.
NFL Receiving Leaders: 2016-2018
| Year | Most Receiving Yards (Player) | Number of WRs with at least 1,601 Yards |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1,677 (Julio Jones) | 1 |
| 2017 | 1,533 (Antonio Brown) | 0 |
| 2016 | 1,448 (T.Y. Hilton) | 0 |
Michael Thomas has seen his receiving yards rise each season. The New Orleans Saints star went from 1,245 in 2017 to 1,405 last season — an increase of 160 yards. As the NFL’s highest-paid wideout, look for Thomas to take another step forward this season.
DeAndre Hopkins fell just short of reaching the projection in 2018, finishing with 1,572 receiving yards. Considered by many as the NFL’s best wide receiver, the Houston pass catcher is coming off the best season of his already storied career.
That Clemson connection is strong.@deshaunwatson to @DeAndreHopkins for SIX.#DETvsHOU pic.twitter.com/vkveeou97K
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 18, 2019
Oddsmakers also list Hopkins as a +900 bet to lead the NFL in receiving yards in the upcoming season.
This is going to be the year of the wide receiver, with a lot more players in the 1,400-to-1,500 yard receiving range. And there will be a select few that in the running to exceed 1,600 — Thomas and Hopkins leading the charge.
Pick: Over 1,600 Receiving Yards (-115)
Angelo Montilla is a writer, visual design instructor and graphic designer based on the East Coast. As a journalism graduate, his experience in the media industry spans more than 15 years and includes work with Nation Network, SportsBreak, Featurd, Hockey Writers and the Windsor Star.
