Nobody saw it coming. Most people assumed Christian McCaffrey or maybe Derrick Henry would just sleepwalk into another rushing title. But that is not how the 2025 NFL season actually played out. If you were looking for the player with the most yardage NFL rushing this year, you probably didn't have James Cook on your bingo card back in August.
The Buffalo Bills star didn't just win; he dominated.
Cook finished the regular season with a massive 1,621 rushing yards. He took 309 carries and turned them into a career-defining year. It's kinda wild when you think about the Bills' history of being a "pass-first" team under Josh Allen. Honestly, the shift in Buffalo’s offensive philosophy was the biggest story of the season. They stopped relying solely on Allen’s arm and started punishing people on the ground.
The Race for 1,600: Cook, Henry, and Taylor
For most of December, the leaderboard was a total mess. It felt like every Sunday the top spot swapped hands. Derrick Henry, now the focal point of the Baltimore Ravens' ground game, was breathing down Cook’s neck until the very last week. Henry finished with 1,595 yards. He’s 31 now. Most backs are retired or "specialists" at that age, but King Henry just keeps stiff-arming Father Time into the turf.
Then you've got Jonathan Taylor in Indianapolis. He was the only guy to carry the ball more than Cook, logging 323 attempts. Taylor ended up with 1,585 yards and led the entire league with 18 rushing touchdowns. If the Colts hadn't struggled with consistency at quarterback, he might have cleared 1,700 easily.
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Breaking Down the Top 5
- James Cook (BUF): 1,621 Yards, 12 TDs
- Derrick Henry (BAL): 1,595 Yards, 16 TDs
- Jonathan Taylor (IND): 1,585 Yards, 18 TDs
- Bijan Robinson (ATL): 1,478 Yards, 7 TDs
- De'Von Achane (MIA): 1,350 Yards, 8 TDs
Bijan Robinson is the one who really fascinates the scouts. He had the longest run of the year—a 93-yard house call—and finished with 2,298 yards from scrimmage. That's the best in the NFL. He’s basically a wide receiver playing running back, which is why his rushing total "only" hit 1,478 despite him being arguably the most talented player on this list.
Why the "Most Yardage" Stats Don't Tell the Whole Story
Stats can be liars. You look at a guy like Saquon Barkley, who moved over to the Eagles. He had 1,140 yards. On paper, that looks like a "down" year compared to the leaders. But Saquon only played 16 games and shared a backfield with Jalen Hurts, who poaches a ton of goal-line work.
The efficiency of De'Von Achane in Miami is even crazier. He rushed for 1,350 yards on only 238 carries. That is an average of 5.7 yards per carry. If Achane ever stayed healthy enough to get 300 carries like James Cook, he’d probably rush for 2,000 yards. But Mike McDaniel is smart; he knows Achane is a Ferrari you don't drive 100 miles every single day.
The Mid-Tier Monsters
We also saw some surprising names pop up in the 1,000-yard club this year. Rico Dowdle over in Carolina (yes, the Panthers actually had a run game!) put up 1,076 yards. Chase Brown in Cincinnati finally took the lead role and crossed the 1,000-yard mark exactly.
It’s also worth mentioning Kyren Williams. The Rams' workhorse finished with 1,252 yards. He doesn't have the "home run" speed of Bijan or Achane—his longest run was only 34 yards—but he is a grinder. He gets four yards when there is only one yard available. Coaches love that stuff.
What Most People Get Wrong About Rushing Leaders
There’s this persistent myth that the rushing leader always comes from the best team. That isn't true. James Cook is on a great Bills team, sure. But Jonathan Taylor’s Colts missed the postseason. Sometimes, having a bad quarterback actually helps a running back’s volume because the team has no choice but to hand the ball off 25 times a game.
Another misconception is that "old" backs are dead. Look at Derrick Henry. Look at Christian McCaffrey. CMC still put up 1,202 yards despite the 49ers dealing with a revolving door of injuries on the offensive line.
"Volume is king in the NFL. You can be the most talented back in the world, but if your coordinator wants to throw 45 times a game, you aren't winning a rushing title." — Analytics perspective from Pro-Football-Reference contributors.
The Rookie Impact and Future Outlook
Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders' rookie sensation, nearly cracked the top 15. He finished with 975 yards. Watching him play feels like watching a young Marshawn Lynch. He broke 24 tackles this season, which is elite for a first-year player.
Next year, the landscape is going to shift again. James Cook has a target on his back now. Defenders are going to "stack the box" against Buffalo more than they ever have. If you're looking at who might take the crown in 2026, keep an eye on Jahmyr Gibbs. He had 1,223 yards this year while splitting carries with David Montgomery. If Montgomery moves on, Gibbs is a lock for 1,500+.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Bettors
- Watch the Offensive Line Moves: James Cook’s success was tied to Buffalo's improved interior blocking. If a team loses their starting center or guard in free agency, fade their running back.
- Efficiency vs. Volume: If you're playing fantasy or betting on "over/under" yardage, look at attempts. Jonathan Taylor and James Cook were the only two to cross 300 carries. That's the magic number.
- Age is a Number (For Now): Don't bet against Derrick Henry until the wheels actually fall off. We've been saying he's "too old" for three years. He just keeps proving everyone wrong.
The 2025 season proved that the bell-cow back isn't dead; it just looks different. It’s no longer about 35 carries a game. It’s about being explosive on 18 carries and being a threat in the passing game to keep the defense honest. James Cook mastered that balance, and that's why he’s sitting at the top of the mountain.
To keep track of how these numbers shift heading into the playoffs and the 2026 offseason, monitor the official NFL "Next Gen Stats" for rushing north-south efficiency. You'll see that the guys with the most yardage aren't always the fastest—they're just the ones who hit the hole the hardest without dancing in the backfield.