B/R predicts Dalvin Cook, not Derrick Henry, will win rushing title

After what he has done the last few seasons, it seems almost outlandish to project anyone other than Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry to win the rushing title in 2021.

However, Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton clearly doesn’t see it that way, as he projects Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, and not Henry, to win the rushing title this coming season.

Why? He feels the addition of wide receiver Julio Jones will hurt Henry’s production enough to see him slip out of the top spot he has owned the past two years.

“This year, Cook will get his first rushing title as Tennessee balances its offense with the addition of wideout Julio Jones, which should lighten Henry’s workload,” Moton wrote.

Moton projects Cook to rush for 1,678 yards, and finishing in second behind him is Carolina Panthers back, Christian McCaffrey, with 1,272. He does have Henry finishing second in rushing touchdowns, though.

Even if the presence of Jones cuts into Henry’s production, regression in the rushing yards department for The King will, at worst, probably look like what Moton has projected for Cook, especially with a 17th game added.

We also have to remember that Jones’ presence will also lead to less stacked boxes against Henry, thus it’s very possible he can make up for the lost touches and production with a few more of his customary big runs.

Tennessee’s offense might be loaded, but it’s unfathomable to think Henry’s rushing total will fall as far as Moton has projected here.

If our life depended on correctly picking the leading rusher for the 2021 season, we’d go with Henry without a second thought.