Best running back props to consider for the 2019 NFL season
After covering the best quarterback props for the 2019 season earlier in the week, the next leg in our three-part series shifts to the running backs as we spot the best value picks to lead the league in rushing yards and touchdowns.
Odds to lead NFL in rushing yards
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ezekiel Elliott | 7-2 |
| Saquon Barkley | 9-2 |
| Joe Mixon | 12-1 |
| Derrick Henry | 16-1 |
| Le'Veon Bell | 16-1 |
| Nick Chubb | 18-1 |
| Leonard Fournette | 20-1 |
| Melvin Gordon | 20-1 |
| Todd Gurley | 20-1 |
| Christian McCaffrey | 25-1 |
| Dalvin Cook | 25-1 |
| David Johnson | 25-1 |
| Marlon Mack | 25-1 |
| James Conner | 25-1 |
| Chris Carson | 30-1 |
| Kerryon Johnson | 30-1 |
| Sony Michel | 30-1 |
| Aaron Jones | 35-1 |
| Alvin Kamara | 40-1 |
| David Montgomery | 40-1 |
| Derrius Guice | 40-1 |
| Devonta Freeman | 40-1 |
| Josh Jacobs | 40-1 |
| Kenyan Drake | 40-1 |
| Miles Sanders | 40-1 |
| Phillip Lindsay | 40-1 |
It's not surprising to see Elliott lead the pack as he's paced the league in rushing yards twice through his first three seasons. However, he's not our favorite in this field.
Favorite - Saquon Barkley (9-2)
The Giants have no other choice than to become a run-first football team in 2019. They traded away their top receiver - a position that was already a weakness - and they're employing a 38-year-old quarterback with a rookie wild card behind him. Moreover, they shored up the interior line in the offseason to give Barkley more lanes to run through.
The only concern here comes with New York playing from behind and taking away touches from Barkley in the running game. Otherwise, the second-year back is in a solid situation to build off his 1,307-yard rookie campaign.
Underdog - Derrick Henry (16-1)
Henry finally burst onto the scene during his third year in 2018, surpassing the 1,000-yard mark after totaling 1,234 in his first two seasons combined. The Titans desperately need a bounce-back year from quarterback Marcus Mariota and should have a better passing game with A.J. Brown added to the receiving corps. Still, Tennessee will be a run-heavy team under newly promoted offensive coordinator Arthur Smith, who appears hell-bent on progressing in that department in 2019.
Long shot - Kerryon Johnson (30-1)
The Lions' running game finally started to emerge last season with Johnson at the forefront. While the running back is trending toward a big sophomore season in his own right, perhaps the most intriguing element is new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who, despite wanting to run an "explosive" passing game, plans to create it out of the run. theScore's fantasy expert, Justin Boone, loves the upside Johnson offers and doesn't mind selling Stafford this season - that should tell you enough about Detroit's offensive approach.
Odds to lead NFL in rushing touchdowns
| Player | Odds |
|---|---|
| Ezekiel Elliott | 6-1 |
| Derrick Henry | 10-1 |
| James Conner | 10-1 |
| Todd Gurley | 10-1 |
| Saquon Barkley | 12-1 |
| Le'Veon Bell | 16-1 |
| Alvin Kamara | 18-1 |
| Nick Chubb | 18-1 |
| Joe Mixon | 18-1 |
| Sony Michel | 18-1 |
| Marlon Mack | 20-1 |
| Melvin Gordon | 20-1 |
| Chris Carson | 25-1 |
| Leonard Fournette | 25-1 |
| Aaron Jones | 30-1 |
| Christian McCaffrey | 30-1 |
| David Johnson | 30-1 |
| Damien Williams | 35-1 |
| David Montgomery | 35-1 |
| Mark Ingram | 35-1 |
| Devonta Freeman | 40-1 |
| Josh Jacobs | 40-1 |
| Kerryon Johnson | 40-1 |
| Dalvin Cook | 45-1 |
| Derrius Guice | 45-1 |
| Phillip Lindsay | 50-1 |
Gurley comes into 2019 having led the league in rushing touchdowns in each of the last two seasons, though his health could inhibit him from making it a three-peat. Here's who we're dialed in on:
Favorite - Alvin Kamara (18-1)
It may be unusual to label an 18-1 option a favorite, but Kamara will undoubtedly be in the mix by season's end. He flirted with the top spot last year with 14 rushing TDs but was edged out by Gurley's 17. Kamara saw the second-most red-zone attempts in the NFL last season at 52 and is an attractive buy at this number.
Underdog - Marlon Mack (20-1)
Mack put up a rather quiet nine touchdowns last season in a high-powered Colts offense. He should expect an uptick in production in 2019 after being named the lead back by head coach Frank Reich on Tuesday. Mack finished just inside the top 10 in red-zone attempts for running backs last season and should be another fixture in Indianapolis' scoring output.
Long shot - Christian McCaffrey (30-1)
There were some missed opportunities for McCaffrey last season. He ranked fourth in the league with 46 red-zone attempts but only averaged 2.9 yards per carry in those situations. Couple his big-play ability with the chance for some positive regression and McCaffrey is your best long shot of the bunch.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.