Projecting 2026 1000-Yard Rushers

Projecting the 2026 1,000-yard rushers is not an exact science. Even though the quarterback is widely considered the most important position in all of team sports, running backs fuel the success of teams. We take a look at the top rushers in the NFL for the 2025 season, and then a projection of the 2026 1000 Yard Rushers. Our look will also include the probability that each running back reaches the plateau in 2026.

2026 1000-Yard Rushers, Projecting the Best

2026 1000 Yard Rushers: Predicting the Future (predicted yards, probability of topping 1,000 yard mark)

2026 1000 Yard Rushers Top Ten

1. Jonathan  Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (1,970 yards, 99%; 15% chance >2,000 yards) – Taylor has reached his prime, and with a healthy Daniel Jones pressuring defenses through the air, Taylor should rack up the yards.
2. Bijan Robinson,  Atlanta Falcons (1894 yards, 98%; 9% chance >2,000 yards) – Robinson has an excellent chance at being one of the two running backs to top the 2,000-yard mark. The Falcons will have questionable quarterback play this season, with Robinson as Atlanta’s top offensive option.
3. James Cook, Buffalo Bills (1,620 yards, 95%) – Cook led the league in rushing in 2025 and should back it up with another outstanding season in 2026.
4. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (1,597 yards, 93%) – Henry is a stud and hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down yet.
5. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (1,588 yards, 92%) – The Rams’ upgrading of the defense this offseason has been legendary, and this actually benefits Williams more than anyone. The Rams should have more second-half leads than ever this season, and it will mean Williams is going to run the rock even more.
6. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers (1,377 yards, 80%) – CMC keeps on chugging along in his path to the Hall of Fame. Even considering McCaffrey’s injury history, topping the century mark is nearly a foregone conclusion.
7. Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals (1,333 yards, 77%) – Love is the man in Arizona, and he certainly will be given chances to run the ball.
8. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders (1,303 yards, 75%) – Jeanty should easily top the 1,000-yard mark with an improved cast surrounding him.
9. De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (1,279 yards, 73%) – Achane netted his big contract extension. The Dolphins traded away Jaylen Waddle and have a new quarterback, Malik Willis. Raheem Mostert left for the Raiders. The best plan is to hand off the ball to Achane.
10. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (1,224 yards, 70%) – Jacobs is iffy. If he stays out of trouble, he may collect 1,500+ yards. If not, this total could plummet to 600-700 yards.

2026 1000 Yard Rushers: Second Ten

11. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1,151 yards, 70% – Baker Mayfield just lost Mike Evans so that Irving will benefit with more carries, in theory.

12. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys (1,149 yards, 68%) – The Cowboys have so many weapons. Williams would ordinarily be in line for 1600+ yards, but with Cee Dee Lamb and George Pickens at wide receiver, there are only so many rushing yards to go around.

13. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles ( 1,153 yards, 66%) – Barkley is a stud for sure, but the mileage is adding up. There are still plenty of weapons in Philly, which makes spreading the ball around a challenge.

14. Alvin Kamara,  New Orleans Saints/ TBD (1,100 yards, 64%) – Kamara may net a decent chunk of yards in New Orleans, but the real question is if he gets traded and where he ends up. Money is on Kamara landing in Denver.

15. Breece Hall, New York Jets (1,090 yards, 62%) – Hall has a nice contract in tow. Does this mean, though, that since he is getting paid, his effort declines?

16. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (1,018 yards, 53%) – Hubbard has the tools, but will Carolina stick to the running game or let Bryce Young cook?

17. Kenneth Walker, Kansas City Chiefs ( 1,013 yards, 52%) – Walker’s addition to the Chiefs is good for Kansas City’s offense. Whether he can rise past the 1,000-yard plateau is nearly a 50-50 proposition, however.

18. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions ( 996 yards, 27%) – Gibbs is in a prolific offense, which reduces the likelihood of him reaching the mark.

19. D’ Andre Swift, Chicago Bears ( 970 yards, 20%) – Caleb Williams is a playmaker, which hurts Swift’s chances of gaining 1,000 yards. He will come up short.

20. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans (925 yards, 19%) – Although Pollard has a coach, Robert Saleh, who will want to run the ball, Pollard is likely to lose carries to rookie running back Nic Singleton.

21. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings (900 yards, 13%) – Jones may get plenty of opportunities to run the ball, with the uncertainty at quarterback among Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy. Even so, Justin Jefferson is going to get tons of targets, and Jones will struggle to top 1,000 yards.

2026 1000 Yard Rushers: A Look Back at 2025

The NFL had eleven rushers top the 1,000-yard mark in 2025, led by the Buffalo Bills’ James Cook with 1,621 yards. Not far behind were another pair from the AFC, Derrick Henry of the Ravens (1,595 yards) and Jonathan Taylor of the Colts (1,585 yards). This is a look at rushers who had at least 800 yards, bringing the total to 14 running backs.

Main Photo: Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images