As the NFL season approaches, two prominent players, Mike Evans and Derrick Henry, are on the brink of achieving significant milestones that would solidify their legacies in professional football. Evans aims to extend his record of consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, while Henry seeks to ascend the all-time rushing yards leaderboard.
Mike Evans: Chasing History with 12 Consecutive Seasons
Mike Evans stands out as the only player in NFL history to begin his career with 11 straight seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards. This remarkable feat ties him with the legendary Jerry Rice, who achieved his 11-year streak starting in his second season. As Evans enters his age-32 season, he needs just one more 1,000-yard season to claim the record outright.
Last season, a hamstring injury limited Evans to 14 games, but he still managed to secure his 11th consecutive season with a total of 1,004 yards. In the final game, he caught nine passes for 89 yards, showcasing his determination to maintain his streak. The odds for Evans to achieve another 1,000-yard season in 2025 are set at +125.
With Baker Mayfield leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense, Evans is expected to remain a primary target. The absence of Chris Godwin Jr. until October further positions Evans as the top option. Analysts, including Matt Bowen, predict that if Evans can start strong, he will likely surpass the 1,000-yard mark, thus claiming his place in NFL history.
Derrick Henry: Climbing Toward the Top 10 in Rushing Yards
On the other side of the ball, Derrick Henry is positioned to climb into the top 10 of career rushing yards. Currently ranked 19th with 11,423 yards, Henry needs 1,317 yards to surpass Tony Dorsett for the 10th spot. Last year, he became the first running back over 30 to rush for more than 1,900 yards in a single season.
Henry’s odds for reaching the milestone are strong, with a projected season total of 1,250.5 yards at odds of -130, and a chance to exceed 1,500 yards at +155. Additionally, with 106 career rushing touchdowns, he is just one score shy of moving into sixth place all-time, currently tied with Jim Brown.
Bowen notes that Henry showed no signs of slowing down last season, finishing with 1,921 rushing yards and ranking second in the league with 45 carries of 10 yards or more. Given his performance and the offensive structure of the Baltimore Ravens, Henry is expected to surpass Dorsett this season.
Quarterbacks and Other Milestones
Several quarterbacks are also on the verge of significant career milestones. Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams is just 23 touchdown passes away from joining the exclusive 400 career touchdown club, a feat only achieved by eight quarterbacks. He averaged 23.5 TDs per season, and with a strong supporting cast, he has the potential to reach this milestone.
In a different scenario, Russell Wilson will enter his first season with the New York Giants, needing 3,865 passing yards to surpass the 50,000-yard mark. Wilson, who has not thrown for over 4,000 yards since the 2020 season, faces challenges with competition from rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, making this milestone less certain.
Meanwhile, Dak Prescott is looking to break franchise records with the Dallas Cowboys. He needs 35 touchdown passes to tie Tony Romo for most in team history. Additionally, Prescott is close to surpassing Romo’s career passing yards record, needing just 2,747 yards. However, a shift in the Cowboys’ offensive strategy under new coach Brian Schottenheimer may limit his opportunities.
Micah Parsons, a standout defensive player, is aiming for double-digit sacks in each of his first five seasons. He currently ranks among the league’s elite edge rushers and only needs to replicate his previous success to join Hall of Famer Reggie White in this exclusive club.
Lastly, Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings is poised to break the record for most receiving yards through six seasons. With only 944 yards needed to surpass Randy Moss’ record, Jefferson’s incredible start to his career positions him well to achieve this milestone.
As the 2025 NFL season unfolds, the eyes of fans and analysts alike will be on these players as they strive for greatness, adding their names to the annals of football history.
