NFL Betting: Most Rushing Yards

After racking up over 2000 yards last season, Tennessee's Chris Johnson is the heavy favorite to win this year's rushing title. Can he put up another monster campaign, or is a new champion waiting in the wings? Here's a look at 2010 NFL futures and the favorites to have the most rushing yards this year.

CHRIS JOHNSON, +450 Tennessee Titans

There's certainly a precedent for back-to-back rushing titles in the past 20 years. LaDainian Tomlinson did it in 2006-2007; Edgerrin James in 1999-2000; Barry Sanders in 1996-1997; and Emmitt Smith in 1991-1992-1993. Though his yardage will likely take a dip, Johnson has a great chance to join those impressive names thanks to his big-play ability.

ADRIAN PETERSON, +525 Minnesota Vikings

If Brett Favre ends up retiring, Peterson becomes to the new favorite; he rushed for 1760 yards in his last Favre-free season. Peterson had the lowest yards per carry of his career last season but a reduced workload as well; he should be fresh in 2010.

FRANK GORE, +700 San Francisco 49ers

Pretty solid value here. Gore racked up 1120 yards in 14 games despite running behind a bad offensive line; plenty of his yardage came thanks to hard work and busting open big runs. With two first-round linemen added in the 2010 draft, Gore might be in line to post his best year since 2006, when he rushed for 1695 yards. Injuries are a concern, though, as that was the only time he's lasted a full season.

MICHAEL TURNER, +850 Atlanta Falcons

Potentially great value here. Turner managed just 871 yards last year, but he still averaged a respectable 79 yards per game before being slowed by a leg injury. He reportedly worked his tail off throughout the offseason and arrived at came about 15 pounds lighter-closer to his weight in 2008, when he rushed for 1699 yards.

BEST OF THE REST

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina, +1200. Williams simply shares too many carries with running mate Jonathan Stewart. If either one of them goes down with an injury early in the season, though, the NFL rushing champion could be coming out of Carolina.

Ray Rice, Baltimore, +1300. Rice certainly has the talent; will he get the touches? Probably not. The diminutive playmaker will be protected by the Baltimore staff. Besides, the Ravens want to throw a bit more this year anyway.

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville, +1400. Jones-Drew makes a nice value pick considering he's the only real offensive weapon in Jacksonville. That also hurts him, though, as opponents game-plan for MoJo. He's also coming off his first ever 200-plus carry season (312 total).

Stephen Jackson, St. Louis, +1400. Like Jones-Drew, Jackson falls in the "only weapon" category with St. Louis. Somehow he managed 1416 yards with the plodding Rams, but anything more than that will be surprising.

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh, +1500. A very interesting gamble. Mendenhall broke loose for 1108 yards in his first season as a starter. With Ben Roethlisberger suspended for at least four games, there could be an increased emphasis on the run. If Mendy can build some momentum, he just might sneak into the race.