RADIO
There are plenty of factors that contribute to running backs topping the 1,000-yard rushing mark in a season. Staying healthy is definitely one of them. Of the 12 backs who rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2023, eight of them played at least 16 games.
Kyren Williams (12 games), James Conner (13 games), David Montgomery (14 games), and Raheem Mostert (15 games) were the only running backs who topped 1,000 yards and played in less than 16 games. Workload is also very important for running backs to reach that goal, as nine of the 12 backs saw at least 220 carries.
So, which five running backs could rush for over 1,000 yards for the first time in 2024? Let's dive in and find out.
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Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson almost topped 1,000 yards as a rookie after rushing for 976 yards on 214 carries in 2023. With Arthur Smith now gone as the team's head coach and Robinson entering his second season, the 22-year-old should see more chances in the running game. That makes him an easy candidate to finish with at least 1,000 yards on the ground.
#Falcons HC Raheem Morris on his plans for the offense:
“It starts with the run. Bijan Robinson’s exciting, let’s not kid ourselves. It starts with the run and that up front crew and the toughness that they play with and they displayed last year and how they get off the ball.… pic.twitter.com/LLkJl6oyet
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) June 19, 2024
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs also just missed out on rushing for over 1,000 yards as a rookie in 2023. Gibbs rushed 182 times for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first season. Now, entering Year 2, expect the 22-year-old to see more opportunities on the ground. If he can see more than 210 carries in 2024 -- which seems fairly easy -- he should rush for over 1,000 yards for the first time in his career.
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco should have rushed for over 1,000 yards last year. However, a shoulder injury caused him to miss two games, and the team decided to sit him out in a meaningless Week 18 game. Pacheco ran for 935 yards on 205 carries last season. If he can stay healthy in 2024, he should easily top the 1,000-yard mark, considering he should see most of Kansas City's running back touches.
Pop took it alllll the way home 🏠 #TouchdownTuesday pic.twitter.com/Lq5KwYqC45
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) April 23, 2024
De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane is one of the few running backs who doesn't need a high workload to top 1,000 rush yards. On just 103 carries last season, Achane ran for 800 yards and eight touchdowns across 11 games. If the speedy back can see somewhere between 180 to 200 carries next year, he should be able to rush for at least 1,000 rush yards. In Year 2, that should be no problem for the 22-year-old.
Breece Hall, New York Jets
The last player who should cross the 1,000-yard milestone in 2024 is New York Jets running back Breece Hall. Hall hasn't been at full strength in his first two years in the league after tearing his ACL in 2022 and being limited in the first half of the 2023 campaign. Entering his third year, though, Hall should easily rush for over 1,000 yards. He has no competition for touches in New York's backfield, which should help him carry the ball 250-plus times this season.
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