2020/2021 NFL Season Leaders and Player Totals - Predictions & Odds

• Being the seasonal leader at the end of the year at your position is considered a total honor in the NFL.
• As expected, the top three QBs predicted to lead the NFL in passing yards this season are the Kansas City Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, the Atlanta Falcons’ Matt Ryan and the Los Angeles Rams’ Jarod Goff.
• The clear-cut favorite to lead the league in Receiving yards is the same player who won the honor last season, New Orleans Saints’ star Michael Thomas.
• The top-2 running backs from last season are predicted to go at it again for total rushing yards honors – Tennessee Titans’ Dereck Henry and Cleveland Browns’ Nick Chubb.

There are three main NFL leader categories that oddsmakers pay close attention to every season – total passing yards, receiving yards and rushing yards – and it is no surprise to see some of the same talented players predicted to be at the top of those lists again.

Of course, one of the things that makes NFL betting so much fun is the fact that any of these favored athletes could have a breakout season and suddenly be the new leader in their particular category, though it’s just as likely that a few of them will be on teams that mysteriously tank in 2020.

So here we examine each of these three totals categories and list the predictions and odds of the top-10 athletes in each, plus we make our picks and explain our logic with the hope that taking a look at this data will help you make a more educated wager for yourself.

Good luck!

Odds taken from DraftKings

If you want to find out more about DraftKings, like bonuses, how to open an account, pros/cons, and more, check out our DraftKings in-depth review.

Keep in mind the odds in these wagers will shift plenty of times before the actual games are played, so be sure to check back here often to get all the latest numbers.

Quarterback With Most Passing Yards in 2020

Pick:  Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

This pick could totally backfire, sure, but when you think about GOAT Tom Brady being suddenly placed in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers passing attack that last year allowed their quarterback Jameis Winston to lead the league in this category despite throwing to the opposition an NFL-leading 30 times, the possibilities are mind-blowing.

With Brady and his advanced level football IQ under center, most of those interceptions will be gone and those same superstar receivers – Mike Evans and Chris Godwin – will now be targeted by one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the league who has been desperate to throw at veteran targets.

Then add Brady’s ability to throw to Gronk again, that is unretired tight end Rob Gronkowski, (plus the other Bucs tight end, O.J. Howard, is no slouch as a receiver either) and suddenly this relatively “long shot” QB could take this honor over some far younger competition.

Most NFL Receiving Yards in 2020

Pick:  Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

This one seems like a no-brainer – the way the New Orleans Saints offense typically game plans, deep threat receiver Michael Thomas is targeted almost twelve times a game, which last season culminated in 149 receptions and 1,725 total yards with 9 touchdowns, a clear first in this category.

No reason to think anything will change in 2020 – Thomas is healthy and his quarterback is hungry for another Super Bowl ring, especially after alienating himself from his teammates of color with some controversial remarks he made to the media this offseason.

But Brees has made sincere amends so now Thomas and he should be able to move forward and lather, rinse and repeat what they did last season so that the 2x All-Pro and 3x Pro Bowl receiver can keep atop the charts at his position once again.

Most NFL Rushing Yards in 2020

Pick:  Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

This honor will once again be a close race between the Tennessee Titans’ Dereck Henry and the Cleveland Browns’ Nick Chubb, the battle coming down to Week 17 last season when Henry surged ahead for the win with 1,540 total yards compared with Chubb’s 1,494.

Expect the Cleveland star to take the win in this category this season – Chubb’s Browns are going to be even more run-centric in 2020 and he will be receiving most of the carries, with rookie head coach Kevin Stefanski a big fan of featuring the rushing attack in his offensive game plans and looking to make his mark in the league.

The Browns play winter football in Ohio, so having a dependable rusher like Chubb in the backfield keeps Cleveland’s offense consistent even when there’s snow on the ground or in the air making Baker Mayfield’s passing attack less effective, so expect him to carry the team on his back (and legs) once again.