Raiders' Murray, 49ers' Hyde Among Predicted Leading Rushers
With the 2015 football season quickly approaching, odds-makers at Bovada have released preseason rankings for who is likely to lead in each stat category by the end of the season. In this case, they have just released the top-23 players chances for leading passing yards, rushing yards and receiving yards.
Passing Leaders - Receiving Leaders
The 49ers have been a run-first team for more than the last decade, but have never had a rusher lead the league in rushing yards since Joe Perry in 1954. Their all-time leading rusher and possible hall of fame player Frank Gore has left and Carlos Hyde is stepping in as the starter.
The Raiders, on the other hand, haven't had much success running the ball lately, mostly due to aging, injured running backs. This year, with new starters from last year's season-opening game, they both looked prime to make their names known in the running game.
Check out the top odds for the lead rusher in 2015:
Adrian Peterson 7/2
Jamaal Charles 8/1
Marshawn Lynch 8/1
DeMarco Murray 8/1
LeSean McCoy 17/2
Eddie Lacy 9/1
Jeremy Hill 11/1
Le'Veon Bell 14/1
C.J. Anderson 16/1
Joseph Randle 20/1
Alfred Morris 20/1
Justin Forsett 25/1
Matt Forte 25/1
Melvin Gordon 33/1
Latavius Murray 33/1
Carlos Hyde 40/1
Frank Gore 50/1
Todd Gurley 50/1
Mark Ingram 50/1
Doug Martin 50/1
Lamar Miller 50/1
T.J. Yeldon 50/1
Jonathan Stewart 66/1
Joique Bell 100/1
Andre Ellington 100/1
Chris Ivory 100/1
Rashad Jennings 100/1
There's no surprise for the top four players - they seem to get yards in their sleep. The Raiders have Latavius Murray sitting tied for 14th with rookie Melvin Gordon at 33/1 odds. Second-year back Hyde sits right behind him at 16th with 40/1 odds in what will be his first year as a starter in the NFL.
Another interesting note, longtime running back Frank Gore has worse odds to lead in rushing than Hyde, his former apprentice from last year. It will be interesting to watch all three of these names, as they are in a new role or new team from last year. Murray showed flashes of brilliance late last season and will be the starting back for Oakland, while Hyde leapfrogged Kendall Hunter and Reggie Bush as the starter after an impressive rookie season.
Source: Bovada