Buffalo Bills: LeSean McCoy is 1,046 Yards Away From Massive Milestone

Oct 23, 2016; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy (25) looks on before the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

LeSean McCoy is just 1,046 yards away from totaling 10,000 yards on his career — something that’s only been done 29 times in NFL history.

When the Buffalo Bills traded for LeSean McCoy in 2015, giving the Philadelphia Eagles Kiko Alonso, Shady had already made a name for himself as one of the league’s most gifted running backs.

Not only had he already been in the league for 6 years already — all with Philly — but he had also accumulated 6,792 yards over that span. He only failed to total 1,000 yards or more in two seasons, his rookie year in 2009 and a season where he played just 12 games in 2012.

In his first season with Buffalo, McCoy finished with 895 yards on 203 carries and a disappointing 3 touchdowns. His season was limited due to injuries all over the place, causing him to miss four games. The 2015 season brought his career yards total to 7,687 yards.

That brought us to last year, where LeSean McCoy thought it best to stop playing around and show opposing teams that he’s not going to let age — or injuries — slow him down anymore. Only missing one game, McCoy bounced back and totaled 1,267 yards on 234 carries. He added an astonishing 13 touchdowns and 5.4 yards per carry to that stat-line.

It was quite the season, noting that he rushed for 372 yards more than the year before despite only carrying the ball 31 more times. He proved to be extremely effective while limiting his carry amount — exactly what you want from a running back turning 29. Luckily, he’s still playing like he’s five years younger.

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After adding his 1,267 yards from last season into his career total, it brought it to an astounding 8,954 yards in just 8 years. That’s an average of 1,119 yards per season — better than Thurman Thomas’ 930 yards per season. Noted, that was over 13 seasons and totaling 12,074 yards in the regular season.

Taking last season into consideration, LeSean McCoy is now just 1,046 yards away from cracking the 10,000 yard milestone over his career. Since he is averaging more than that per season since entering the league, it should be an easy task for an established running back that has proclaimed himself to be the “best back in the league.”

Reaching 10,000 rushing yards in your career is quite the accomplishment for any running back. It’s something that has been done by 29 other players throughout NFL History. Some notable names that have crossed that plateau in recent years are Frank Gore (IND), Adrian Peterson (free agent) and Steven Jackson (free agent/retired).

Gore has 13,065 yards over 12 seasons and reached the 10k mark in his 10th season. Peterson has 11,747 yards through 10 seasons, reaching the mark in his 7th season. Jackson finished his career with 11,438 yards over 11 seasons, reaching 10,000 in his 9th season.

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There are also three other running backs — besides McCoy — that could potentially reach the 10k mark this season: Matt Forte (NYJ), Chris Johnson (free agent) and Marshawn Lynch (free agent/retired). Forte needs 585 yards and will have a good chance to do it this season. Johnson needs just 463 yards, but currently isn’t on a roster. Lynch needs 888 yards and would need to have a big role on the Oakland Raiders’ offense to reach the 10,000 mark — if he even decides to join the team.

Looking at those three running backs, they have all played one more season than LeSean McCoy, meaning Shady is doing it quicker than all of them.

For a full list of the 29 running backs that have already accomplished the feat, here you go:

Emmitt Smith — 18,355 yards
Walter Payton — 16,726 yards
Barry Sanders — 15,269 yards
Curtis Martin — 14,101 yards
LaDainian Tomlinson — 13,684 yards
Jerome Bettis — 13,662 yards
Eric Dickerson — 13,259 yards
Frank Gore — 13,065 yards
Tony Dorsett — 12,739 yards
Jim Brown — 12,312 yards
Marsall Faulk — 12,279 yards
Edgerrin James — 12,246 yards
Marcus Allen — 12,243 yards
Franco Harris — 12,120 yards
Thurman Thomas — 12,074 yards
Adrian Peterson — 11,747 yards
Fred Taylor — 11,695 yards
Steven Jackson — 11,438 yards
John Riggins — 11,352 yards
Corey Dillon — 11,241 yards
O.J. Simpson — 11,236 yards
Warrick Dunn — 10,967 yards
Ricky Watters — 10,643 yards
Jamal Lewis — 10,607 yards
Thomas Jones — 10,591 yards
Tiki Barber — 10,449 yards
Eddie George — 10,441 yards
Ottis Anderson — 10,273 yards
Ricky Williams — 10,009 yards

Next: LeSean McCoy Wasn't the 1st RB Taken in 2009 NFL Draft

How far do you think LeSean McCoy will get up this list? Leave your thoughts below!

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