2024 Fantasy Season: Running Backs
The Running Back position. The conundrum in fantasy football. You can talk to ten different people, and get ten different answers on how people value the running backs. One guy will draft two back to back. One guy will go back, receiver, back. One guy will go receiver twice before going back. One guy won’t draft a running back until round 10. It’s the strategy that is forever changing. And now more than ever, the position is becoming less and less dominant by one player. There are less than five teams who have a true (true) three down running back. The 49ers, Colts, Chiefs and Eagles are the only teams we know for certain will have a 3 down running back system in 2024. You say the Falcons? Zac Robinson already told reporter Tyler Allgeier will be a “big” part of the offense. Derrick Henry? Lamar isn’t running anymore I guess? AH, Breece Hall! Did the Jets just draft a bruising running back in Braelon Allen for their health? It’s just not a thing anymore. And you know what? THATS OK. Running backs are catching more passes than they ever did in the past, and that is expanding their fantasy value. On our list you will see players higher and lower than other sites, but we believe for the first time in a long time, the VALUE is their at the running back position.
Tier 1 - Everything is Awesome
Christian McCaffrey - San Francisco 49ers (Bye: 9) - Nothing needs to be said.
Jonathan Taylor - Indianapolis Colts (Bye: 14) - No Zack Moss. Full of-season. No contract hindrance. All systems go.
Tier 2 - Usage will be INSANE
3. Saquon Barkley - Philadelphia Eagles (Bye: 5) - A revitalized Barkley that can run behind an offensive line? He doesn’t have to be the entire offense? Yes please!
4. Bijan Robinson - Atlanta Falcons (Bye: 12) - Arthur Smith is no longer there, which is an immediate improvement. The Falcons have already said Bijan will be used how he should be used. Get ready.
5. Breece Hall - New York Jets (Bye: 12) - Maybe the most talented back in the league after CMC. Hall can do it all. As long as Rodgers in healthy, a top 10 finish is a guarantee.
Tier 3 - We REALLY like these guys. Not Top Tier though
6. Derrick Henry - Baltimore Ravens (Bye: 14) - Bold statement here. Derrick Henry may flirt with the touchdown record this season.
7. Jahmyr Gibbs - Detroit Lions (Bye: 5) - Tough putting a dual system back here in the top 10. But that’s how good Gibbs is. As the 23 season came to a close, the Lions used him more and more. I think that will be apparent early on this season.
8. Travis Etienne - Jacksonville Jaguars (Bye: 12) - ETN is what makes the Jags go. They added Mitch Morse to solidify the offensive line, and Trevor Lawrence is 100% healthy again. His running mate should eat his way to a Top 10 finish again.
9. Josh Jacobs - Green Bay Packers (Bye: 10) - If there is one player on this Top 10 I’m worried about, it’s Jacobs. Marshawn Lloyd is a guy. Like a real guy. The Packers offense is now run through its passing game, which Jacobs has never been a huge part in. However, he’s still a work horse, and if the Pack choose to run through him, he can be a top 10 back.
10. Aaron Jones - Minnesota Vikings (Bye: 6) - Maybe now that he’s out of GB, he can be used properly! Jones still has the highest rate per touch of any back since like 2019. Now with the potential to be with a rookie QB and another offensive minded HC, Jones may have his best season yet.
11. Kyren Williams - LA Rams (Bye: 6) - The Rams offense moves through Kyren Williams. He’s a dog. Sean McVay loves him. Blake Corum may eat into him a little bit, but unlike the Rams passing attack, Williams will get the bulk of the running work.
Tier 4 - Value, Value, Value
12. Isiah Pacheco - Kansas City Chiefs (Bye: 6) - Always pushing forward. The Chiefs leaned on him last year, and they may do so again. It’s not always pretty, but Pacheco always gets his.
13. Rhamondre Stevenson - New England Patriots (Bye: 14) - It should’ve been a federal crime how Stevenson was used last year. And maybe the Pats Front Office felt that way too, cause all the offensive guys who ran the show are gone. Belichick is out. Zeke is back in Dallas. There is no one to compete with Rhamondre for carries. With a rookie QB and HC, expect New England to run the ball a lot.
14. James Conner - Arizona Cardinals (Bye: 11) - Every time we count this guy out, he produces. I’m not doing it again. Conner is healthy and Kyler Murray is starting the season healthy. Arizona may not be a great team, but they will be able to put up points.
15. De’Von Achane - Miami Dolphins (Bye: 6) - Fastest guy in the league. Home run hitter. What more do you want?
16. Alvin Kamara - New Orleans Saints (Bye: 12) - Last man standing on a failing offense. When he came back last year, he was RB2. He clearly still has it.
17. James Cook - Buffalo Bills (Bye: 12) - With the departures of Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, the Bills may lean on the ground game more. Cook was better as the season went on. Even with the Bills drafting Ray Davis, Cook still is the clear RB1.
18. Joe Mixon - Houston Texans (Bye: 14) - Mixon is in new territory this season. The Texans are a clear air raid offense, and unlike Cincy where Mixon got a ton of goal line touches, i’m not sure the same rules apply here. Buyer beware.
19. Tony Pollard - Tennessee Titans (Bye: 5) - As the lead guy in Dallas last year, he failed. Flat out failed. Now he’s in Tennessee to overtake a legend. Problem is the guy behind him is a beast. As soon as Pollard slips up, he might be out of a job. With the money he’s making, he will play. That alone garners him RB2 status.
20. Jaylen Warren - Pittsburgh Steelers (Bye: 9) - This is the year Warren takes over Najee. My only concern is Arthur Smith. But, even with Smith, Warren is faster, has better vision, and better catching ability. With a better QB under center, Warren should benefit.
Tier 5 - Potential is Key
21. Chase Brown - Cincinnati Bengals (Bye: 12) - My guys of 2024. Have him at 21 cause of the unknown. The Jacksonville game on MNF last year showed what he can do.
22. Nick Chubb - Cleveland Browns (Bye: 10) - Yes, he’s coming off injury. It was a gruesome injury at that. But I believe in Chubb. Can finish as an RB2 for certain.
23. D’Andre Swift - Chicago Bears (Bye: 7) - The Swift train goes to Chicago where he is an RB1 (again). Expect more of the same.
24. Najee Harris - Pittsburgh Steelers (Bye: 9) - Arthur Smith used Tyler Allegeir like he held his family hostage last season. Harris will play, and play a lot.
25. Tyjae Spears - Tennessee Titans (Bye: 5) - Another guy with top 10 potential. If he can grab the job from Pollard, watch out. Did you know that Spears led all running backs last year in 3rd down fantasy points for RB?
26. Austin Ekeler - Washington Commanders (Bye: 14) - Ekeler changes coasts and goes to a team where a rookie QB can use a back as a safety net to get him out of sticky situations. OH, and he also doesn’t have to carry the load running the ball? Where have I heard this story before?
27. Rachaad White - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Bye: 11) - White finished as RB4 last season. Truly wild stuff. Expect a massive regression.
28. Raheem Mostert - Miami Dolphins (Bye: 6) - Mostert ain’t scoring 21 touchdowns again. He also isn’t the starter going into 2024.
29. Kenneth Walker - Seattle Seahawks (Bye: 14) - I mean, I guess?
30. David Montgomery - Detroit Lions (Bye: 5) - We all are fans of David Montgomery. He will be used, but a lot less than last year.
31. Zamir White - Las Vegas Raiders (Bye: 10) - People are hyping up White. When people get hyped up, they tend to let down. The Raiders offense isn’t a juggernaut, so I’m tethering my expectations.
32. Blake Corum - LA Rams (Bye: 6) - First rookie back to be ranked? Why? Sean McVay.
33. Jonathan Brooks - Carolina Panthers (Bye: 11) - Coming off an injury but I trust Canales after Rachaad White finished as RB4 in 2023.
Tier 6 - Rookies mixed with boring/steady Vets
34. Gus Edwards - LA Chargers (Bye: 5) - Will start until he isn't .
35. Devin Singletary - New York Giants (Bye: 11) - Singletary showed spunk last year as the Texans RB1, but that offense was significantly better than where he is now.
36. Jaleel McLaughlin - Denver Broncos (Bye: 14) - McLaughlin almost took the job from Javonte Williams in 23. He will in 24.
37. Zack Moss - Cincinnati Bengals (Bye: 12) - Will be outplayed by Chase Brown, and then will assume the role he did in Indy last year. He did well in that role.
38. Marshawn Lloyd - Green Bay Packers (Bye: 10) - Superstar in the making. Get in early and stash.
39. Ezekiel Elliott - Dallas Cowboys (Bye: 7) - Touchdown dependent.
40. Roschon Johnson - Chicago Bears (Bye: 7) - Swift never is fully a true RB1, so Johnson will get his touches. He impressed last year, and this could be an audition to take the role in 2025.
41. Jerome Ford - Cleveland Browns (Bye: 10) - Will be a viable RB2 early in the year until Chubb comes back. Once he does, then Ford goes back to being a fringe bench player/waiver wire guy.
42. Brian Robinson Jr. - Washington Commanders (Bye: 14) - I probably have Robinson too low, but I think Ekeler fits that offense better. With a rookie QB, Washington will have to run the ball. But Daniels does run, so that takes away Robinson’s punch a little bit.
43. AJ Dillon - Green Bay Packers (Bye: 10) - LaFleur loves this guy. For reasons unknown.
44. Rico Dowdle - Dallas Cowboys (Bye: 7) - Will be used more than Cowboys fans would probably like.
45. Zach Charbonnet - Seattle Seahawks (Bye: 14) - Dude has ability and is just rotting in Seattle. Don’t like that one bit.
46. Ray Davis - Buffalo Bills (Bye: 12) - Intriguing rookie. Has a chance to be a factor. May take a little time to catch on.
47. Bucky Irving - Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Bye: 11) - Please read Ray Davis.
48. JK Dobbins - LA Chargers (Bye: 5) - Will the same song and dance happen again?
49. Tyler Allgeier - Atlanta Falcons (Bye: 12) - Unfortunately I think the days of Tyler Allgeier being a focal point of the Falcons offense are gone.
Tier 7 - Bottom of the Barrel
50. Chuba Hubbard - Carolina Panthers (Bye: 11) - Viable backup
51. Kendre Miller - New Orleans Saints (Bye: 12) - Can he stay on the field?
52. Khalil Herbert - Chicago Bears (Bye: 7) - battling for reps with Johnson
53. Antonio Gibson - New England Patriots (Bye: 14) - Alex Van Pelt wanted him. There needs to be a reason.
54. Ty Chandler - Minnesota Vikings (Bye: 6) - Aaron Jones has never been a 3 down back in his career. Chandler outplayed Mattison. Excellent handcuff.
55. Javonte Williams - Denver Broncos (Bye: 14) - I think the injury cooked him.
56. Keaton Mitchell - Baltimore Ravens (Bye: 14) - Guy was electric before he got hurt. The lighting to Henry’s thunder.
57. Elijah Mitchell - San Francisco 49ers (Bye: 9) - Only viable if CMC gets hurt.
58. Trey Benson - Arizona Cardinals (Bye: 11) - College tape didn’t impress me.
59. Tyrone Tracy Jr. - New York Giants (Bye: 11) - Will be a threat in the passing game if Drew Lock plays QB.
60. Dameon Pierce - Houston Texans (Bye: 14) - Yawn.
61. Kenneth Gainwell - Philadelphia Eagles (Bye: 5) - Was a fun thing before Saquon got there.
62. Tank Bigsby - Jacksonville Jaguars (Bye: 12) - Jags want to use this guy, but does he want to be used.
63. Braelon Allen - New York Jets (Bye: 12) - Goal line and short yardage threat. Think AJ Dillon lite.
64. Cordarelle Patterson - Pittsburgh Steelers (Bye: 9) - Follows Arthur Smith around.
Tier 8 - What’s Lower than Low?
65. Clyde Edwards-Helaire - Kansas City Chiefs (Bye: 6) - Not even worth it.
66. Jamaal Williams - New Orleans Saints (Bye: 12) - Remember when he cried?
67. Audric Estime - Denver Broncos (Bye: 14) - Possible late season bloomer.
68. Jeff Wilson Jr. - Miami Dolphins (Bye: 6) - good back buried on a deep depth chart.
69. Miles Sanders - Carolina Panthers (Bye: 11) - My god this guy sucks.
70. Alexander Mattison - Las Vegas Raiders (Bye: 10) - Shit the bed when presented an opportunity.
