NFL nut Kyle Robins (@AhhYeahKyleYeah) runs the rule over the Rushing market ahead of the 2018/19 season.
NFL 2018/19 Preview: Rushing Market
Whilst I don’t like backing favourites, there’s not a chance I’m staying clear of Ezekiel Elliott here. Best priced 3/1 with SkyBet, Elliott will look to put last season behind him and attack this year with full throttle.
The Cowboys' star running back won’t have the burden of a six-game suspension hanging over him entering this year, and with what most people see as the strongest offensive line in football, there’s no reason he can’t’ recreate his 2016 form.
The former Ohio State star rushed for 1,631 yards as a rookie, averaging a crazy 108.7 rushing yards per-game. Whilst his numbers obviously took a hit last year due to his suspension, he still stood head and toes above the rest in terms of game averages.
Kareem Hunt led the league last year with 1,327 yards rushing, just the 300 yards shy of Elliot the year before. And whilst Hunt was outstanding as a rookie, Elliot blew him out of the water in yards per-game averages. Hunt averaged 82.9 yards per-game compared to Elliot's 98.3 on his way to 983 rushing yards through 10 games.
Now, if Elliot was to recreate those numbers this year, he’d easily be in line to run away with another Rushing title, but there’s expectations for even more. With some tipping him to even reach the 2,000-yard mark and be the first player since 2012 to achieve the feet.
Alternative markets
I could easily sit here and put up Elliot for Most Rushing Touchdowns at 5/1 favourite. However, I’m going to reach a little further on this one, and Alvin Kamara at 18/1 with SkyBet offers up a load of value.
The Saints back blew onto the scene mid-season last year and still accounted for eight rushing touchdowns off just 120 carries. Despite the fact he never managed more than 12 carries in a single game last year, he could benefit majorly from Mark Ingram’s four game suspension to start the season and see an increase in carries.
If Kamara can hit the ground running, there’s no reason he can’t eclipse his total rushing touchdowns of last year, especially given the Saints love to get him involved in and around the red zone.
Best Bets
NFL 2018/19 – Most Rushing Yards: Ezekiel Elliott (3/1 SkyBet)
NFL 2018/19 – Most Rushing Touchdowns: Alvin Kamara (18/1 SkyBet)
