NFL record likely to fall No. 4: Rushing Yards
Current record: 2,105 — Eric Dickerson in 1984
It seems to be a trend on this list that players in their second season end up setting an NFL record. Another one to do so was Eric Dickerson, the Los Angeles Rams selection in the 1983 NFL Draft.
Taken second overall out of SMU, Dickerson burst onto the scene with 1,808 yards and 18 touchdowns as a rookie. That was just a taste of what he could do as he went for an NFL-record 2,105 yards the following season.
Before that time, only O.J. Simpson had topped the 2,000-yard mark, going for 2,003 in 1973 for the Buffalo Bills. Since Dickerson accomplished the feat, six others have done so — but they have yet to catch him.
The closest was Adrian Peterson, who had 2,097 yards in 2012 for the Minnesota Vikings. Had he gotten maybe one more broken tackle that season, he might have been able to pull it off. But alas, Dickerson still stands atop the pack.
But with 17 games, it feels like someone could eventually catch him. If there was anyone that could do so, it seems as though Derrick Henry would be the guy. Tennessee is still a run-first team and with A.J. Brown traded, they might rely on him even more.
There’s also Jonathan Taylor, who was arguably the best running back in the NFL last season as he had 1,811 yards.
Players most likely to break the record: Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor