2024 Running Back Committees

2024 Running Back Committees

After three preseason games and countless cuts, rosters appear to be set for the upcoming 2024 NFL season. Yes, there will be waiver wire claims and practice squad additions. But most fantasy football managers will do their last mock drafts and turn to their league drafts. Before you are on the clock, make sure you are up to date on the running back situations across the league. Here are the potential 2024 running back committees heading into the season and how they could be used in your starting lineup.

ADP courtesy of Fantasy Pros in half-PPR formats as of 8/28/2024

2024 Running Back Value: RB1 Without the Premium

2 Viable Starters

Detroit Lions

Jahmyr Gibbs (13th overall; RB6)

David Montgomery (57th overall; RB21)

Advice: Draft Both

Jahmyr Gibbs has now suffered two soft tissue injuries this offseason. He missed time in his rookie year due to a soft tissue injury. Still, when Gibbs played he returned massive results as a rookie. After coming back from his injury, Gibbs finished as the RB3 in points and PPG from Week 7 thru the Week 17 fantasy football championship. This was helped by scoring nine touchdowns in the10 week window and averaging 13 rush attempts and 3.8 receptions per game.

Gibbs won’t see a true bellcow workload due to David Montgomery’s presence. Despite missing two games after Gibbs returned from injury, Montgomery was still the RB23 (RB16 PPG) from Week 7 thru 17. Given Gibbs’ soft tissue issues, Montgomery should still have plenty of work in 2024. Detroit offers one of the best 2024 running back committees from a fantasy football perspective.

Miami Dolphins

De’Von Achane (21st overall; RB11)

Raheem Mostert (71st overall; RB25)

Advice: Draft Either with Caution

There was no better backfield in 2023 than the Miami Dolphins. Both De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert finished top-5 in PPG. Achane had fantasy production through breakaway runs, while Mostert led the league with 18 rushing touchdowns (21 total).

Achane’s fantasy football ceiling knows no bounds. Since 2017, Achane’s 16.5 PPG in half-PPR formats ranks 4th among all rookies. Only Alvin Kamara, Kareem Hunt, and Saquon Barkley had better rookie seasons. Granted, he is a true home run or strike out fantasy football option. Achane had five games where he was RB8 or better; the other five his best finish was RB26. As of this writing, he is listed second on the Miami depth chart behind Mostert.

Mostert’s connection with Dolphins’ head coach Mike McDaniel goes back to their days in San Francisco. In his two seasons with the Dolphins, Mostert finished as the RB30 and RB3 in PPG, respectively. He is now 32 as he enters his third year with the Dolphins. That’s his largest concern heading into 2024, along with the nearly guaranteed regression from a touchdown standpoint.

Achane offers boom/bust potential that can win or lose you a week. He’s currently going as a second round pick, yet is set as the backup in Miami. Mostert is 32 and is coming off a season with 21 total touchdowns. This is an offense you want your hands on from a fantasy football perspective, but there are plenty of questions who will get the work in the most explosive 2024 running back committees.

More: Rookies You Need to Draft in 2024 Fantasy Football

1 Starter

Denver Broncos

Javonte Williams (81st overall; RB27)

Jaleel McLaughlin (148th overall; RB48)

Advice: Draft both

I wrote on the upside of Javonte Williams earlier this offseason and believe he has the potential to be a top-12 running back this year. Earlier this offseason, it was believed he was a potential cut candidate. That ended up being Samaje Perine. Now, his ADP is rising as we head into draft season; on August 14th, Williams was RB32.

Denver’s running backs last year saw 150 targets and 346 rush attempts between Williams, Perine, and McLaughlin. In Sean Payton’s last five seasons in New Orleans, Alvin Kamara was paired with Mark Ingram or Latavius Murray. Kamara in those five seasons averaged 12.5 rush attempts and 5.1 receptions per game. A season after coming back from a torn ACL, Williams averaged 13.6 rush attempts and 2.9 receptions. The combo of Ingram and Murray averaged 11 rush attempts and 2.4 receptions. I list those out for one reason: history shows there is plenty of work to go around for two running backs in Denver.

There are concerns in Denver. They have a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix and are currently have a win total set at 5.5 wins, the second worse mark in the league. But given their current ADP, both Williams and McLaughlin are bargains if they get the work the Saints duos received under Sean Payton. Denver is one of my favorite 2024 running back committees.

Los Angeles Rams

Kyren Williams (16th overall; RB7)

Blake Corum (119th overall; RB41)

Advice: Draft both

News broke late on Tuesday, August 27th that involved a current RB1 in Kyren Williams.

Jourdan Rodrigue dove into this deeper in a thread on X, quoting McVay as saying this is “another way for Williams to get touches and ‘impact the game’ and added his comfort level with this decision is there due to the presence of Blake Corum and Ronnie Rivers.”

Typically in McVay’s offense only one running back is featured. Williams’ ADP will likely fall some after this news. At a middle-to-back-end of the second for Williams and the end of the 10th for Corum, as a back who could see work, are both solid values. This is likely not as competitive as some of the other 2024 running back committees, but was worth mentioning due to news of Williams returning punts.

Seattle Seahawks

Kenneth Walker (44th overall; RB16)

Zach Charbonnet (139th overall; RB44)

Advice: Draft Both

The new Seahawks coaching staff has been raving about Walker and his potential of being a three-down back this season. If that’s the case, Walker should outperform his current ADP.

Walker averaged 17 and 16.5 touches per game in his first two seasons, primarily on the ground. Since Walker took over as the starter in Week 6 of his rookie year, he’s averaged 18.2 touches per game (14 half-PPR PPG). The downside with Walker was little involvement in the passing game, but talks of making him a three-down back could put that to rest.

Even with Walker’s expected usage, Charbonnet is still a value going towards the end of the 12th round. He averaged 4.3 YPC and two receptions per game while splitting work with Walker a year ago. He may not have the upside many believed after Seattle used a 2nd round pick on him in the 2023 NFL Draft. Nonetheless, at their current ADP, Seattle offers one of the best 2024 running back committees in the league.

More: Fantasy Depth Charge: Players to Draft From Crowded Rooms

Time Share

Cincinnati Bengals

Zack Moss (84th overall; RB29)

Chase Brown (107th overall; RB36)

Advice: Draft Either at Current ADP

In the article above, Sam Schneider wrote a great piece hitting on crowded rooms heading into the season. Teams he discussed will come up a couple more times in this section.

Cincinnati goes from a bellcow in Joe Mixon to a committee in Moss and Brown. As of this writing, Zack Moss is listed as the RB1 for the Bengals. From Weeks 2 thru 5 without Jonathan Taylor, Zack Moss averaged 20.4 PPG and was the RB4 (RB6 in PPG). His 210 touches and seven touchdowns were a career high. Given these totals, it makes perfect sense he is in a committee with Brown.

Chase Brown enters his second year in Cincinnati with just 58 touches. Yet, when he was on the field, Brown brought value to Cincinnati. Brown averaged 5.8 yards per touch in his limited time behind Mixon. He has plenty of room to grow, and additional playing time this year alongside Moss will help for his career. I think both are fine where their current ADP is at for added roster depth.

Los Angeles Chargers

Gus Edwards (111st overall; RB39)

J.K. Dobbins (130th overall; RB42)

Advice: Either at Value

Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus does a great job of logging snaps during preseason games. The issue with the Chargers backfield is neither Edwards or Dobbins played this preseason.

Edwards enters 2024 as a 29-year old running back who finished as the RB19 (RB27 PPG) a year ago. The issue with Edwards 2023 season is he saw a career high in carries (198), rushing yards (810) and rushing touchdowns (13). His 13 rushing touchdowns were more than his reception total of 12. He now travels to the Chargers where he has history with offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

J.K. Dobbins is coming off an Achilles injury that happened in Week 1. He’s played in just nine games the last three years. When both played during Dobbins rookie year under Roman, they both finished the year between 130 and 145 carries. Dobbins had the advantage in touchdowns (nine to six), but both finished under 20 receptions. At this value in the middle of the 10th round for Edwards and 11th for Dobbins, either are fine selections. Just know neither will crack your starting lineup barring an injury or you are in a bye week crunch.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Najee Harris (67th overall; RB23)

Jaylen Warren (88th overall; RB30)

Advice: Draft Either or Both

I love Najee Harris this season at his current ADP. He had 284 total touches last year (16.7) and that was the lowest mark of his career. No, he was not as efficient as fantasy football managers would like. But what other running back in his range will see this workload? Not to mention Arthur Smith’s offenses have finished in the top-3 in rush attempts in three of the last four years.

Jaylen Warren suffered a hamstring injury this preseason, but per Mike Tomlin, is not expected to be long term. We could expect Warren to have a similar workload to Tyjae Spears last year in Tennessee. Spears saw 70 targets last year while backing up Derrick Henry, catching 52. If Warren can maintain his production in the passing game and stay efficient as a rusher (5.1 YPC in his career), both Steelers running backs can find their way in your fantasy football lineups this fall.

Tennessee Titans

Tony Pollard (79th overall; RB26)

Tyjae Spears (99th overall; RB35)

Advice: Draft Either or Both

Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears played alongside each other in Week 1 and 3 of this preseason. When playing with the starters, Pollard outsnapped Spears 18 to 13.

Pollard entered the 2023 season with Dallas as their bellcow back with the departure of Ezekiel Elliott. What many didn’t factor heading into the 2023 season was Pollard was coming off an ankle injury that forced him to leave a playoff game against the 49ers. This led to a slow start for his 2023 campaign.

Pollard said he didn’t feel fully healthy until Week 11 against the Panthers. In Weeks 1 thru 10, Pollard was RB23 (RB27 in PPG); this is one spot higher than De’Von Achane, who played in just four games in that span. From Weeks 11 thru 17, Pollard was RB18 (RB22 PPG). If Pollard can produce like he did when he was in Dallas’s committee, he should outperform his ADP.

Spears proved he can contribute when he’s on the field as he backed up Derrick Henry as a rookie. Spears caught 52 of his 70 targets and was efficient when on the field.

Granted, these numbers come with Pollard playing hurt for most of 2023. Spears offered a nice change of pace from the bruising Derrick Henry, averaging 4.5 YPC. His 1.9 yards after contact ranked tied for 17th among running backs with at least 100 carries.

Tennessee used first round pick on offensive tackle JC Latham and brought in Lloyd Cushenberry from Denver to boost the offensive line. With the duo of Pollard and Spears, Tennessee offers one of the more fascinating 2024 running back committees this year.

Washington Commanders

Brian Robinson Jr. (89th overall; RB31)

Austin Ekeler (93rd overall; RB33)

Advice: Robinson > Ekeler

In the two preseason games played together, Robinson outsnapped Ekeler 16 to 13. This leads to them being almost back-to-back in mock drafts this summer. I’m not sure if the Washington backfield will amount to much compared to other 2024 running back committees. But if I’m targeting one Washington running back, I’m zoning in on Robinson.

One of the reasons I’ll target Robinson over Ekeler is his age advantage. Ekeler is 29 entering 2024; however, he doesn’t have the typical workload of a 29-year old back with years as a starter. Many will tell you Ekeler showed his age last year, when he declined to a career-low 3.5 YPC. This came after Ekeler missed weeks 2 thru 4 due to a high ankle sprain and was never the same. Another concern for Ekeler is touchdown production with Washington. When Ekeler was a top fantasy football option, he scored 20 and 18 total touchdowns.

Robinson has led the Commanders in rush attempts since being drafted in 2022. I would expect this to continue into 2024. Robinson did see 48 targets (36 receptions) last year despite playing alongside Antonio Gibson. With a handful of departures, Robinson will hopefully be more involved in the passing game, even with Ekeler’s arrival. I agree with both of the running backs current ADP, but would give the slight edge to the more youthful Robinson heading into 2024.

More: The Worst Pick In Every Round of 2024 Fantasy Football Drafts

Physically Unable to Perform (PUP)

Carolina Panthers

Jonathan Brooks (PUP; 94th overall; RB34)

Chuba Hubbard (140th overall; RB45)

Advice: Wait on Brooks, Draft Hubbard

Jonathan Brooks was placed on the PUP list and cannot return until Week 5 against Chicago.

I’m personally lower on Brooks than the consensus. I believe he’s more of a play in 2025 after he’s a full year removed from the ACL injury. Brooks will likely be eased in to the lineup once he comes off the PUP list. But if Chuba Hubbard is playing well, will he have the fantasy impact many are anticipating?

Given his current ADP of a late 12th round pick, Hubbard offers one of the better values in fantasy drafts. When he took over as the starter in Week 6 last year, Hubbard was the RB18 (RB22 in PPG). Enter Dave Canales as the new head coach; Canales spent last year as the Buccaneers head coach. Under Canales, Rachaad White finished as the RB5 (RB9 in PPG). If you can get RB2 production once again for Hubbard the first month of the season, he’ll outperform his current ADP. Hubbard is one of my favorite predraft values.

Cleveland Browns

Nick Chubb (PUP; 91st overall; RB32)

Jerome Ford (112nd overall; RB39)

Advice: Pass on Chubb, Reach for Ford

Nick Chubb was placed on the PUP list and cannot return until Week 5 against Washington.

There is a lot working against Chubb in 2024. He enters the season at 28 years old and comes off a horrible injury in Week 2 of 2023 where he suffered a torn ACL, MCL, and meniscus.

Per Dr. Jesse Morse, the injury required two surgeries to reconstruct his knee. The second surgery was performed in mid-November. It typically takes a year of playing time to return after an ACL injury. Given the extent of Chubb’s injury and age, I would expect him to be eased into playing time in the middle of this year.

Enter Jerome Ford. From his first start in Week 3 thru the fantasy football championship in Week 17, Ford was the RB15 (RB20 in PPG). He’s now going in the middle of round 10. Pierre Strong is currently the only other back on the roster. Ford has workhorse potential for the first two months of the season. No matter how you start your roster build, Ford fits the mold for your fantasy roster. He should outperform his current ADP and offers great value heading into fantasy drafts this fall.

More: Dark Horse Candidates to be QB1 Overall in 2024 Fantasy Football

Mess of a Backfield

Dallas Cowboys

Ezekiel Elliott (108th overall; RB37)

Rico Dowdle (130th overall; RB42)

Advice: Pass

I believe this will be a messy backfield and offer little to no upside, barring injury, to your fantasy football roster. It took a Rhamondre Stevenson injury for Zeke to have a fantasy football role. In his last two seasons, Elliott has averaged 3.66 YPC on 13 carries per game. Even 12 total touchdowns in his last season in Dallas only landed Elliott at RB15 on a PPG basis in 2022. Rico Dowdle saw 106 total touches last year at 25 years old; he had just seven total touches in his first two years. It’s hard to imagine a breakout at 26 years old for any running back. Now add in a Dalvin Cook signing and this backfield gets messier.

I’d imagine Dallas is one of the top-3 passing offenses in the league this year. I’m out on the Dallas running back committee ahead of the 2024 season.

Las Vegas Raiders

Zamir White (68th overall; RB24)

Alexander Mattison (227th overall; RB64)

Advice: Pass

The departure of Josh Jacobs creates a path for Zamir White to be the starter in his third year. When Jacobs was out during the fantasy football playoffs, White was the RB8 (10 PPG). He averaged 21 carries, 99.3 yards, and 2.3 receptions. While it was expected White was the starter, it could be more of a committee. Per Nathan Jahnke’s breakdown of the preseason snaps, White played further into the games with backups. This could call for a time share situation in Las Vegas.

Alexander Mattison comes over from Minnesota as their lead back in 2023. His 210 total touches a year ago led to his best finish in half-PPR formats…RB36 (RB43 in PPG). Mattison has averaged under 4.0 YPC in each of his last three years and has a career high of 32 receptions and six total touchdowns. If White cannot outperform Mattison, neither back will be a viable fantasy football option. I’m currently down on both of the Raiders backfield heading into the 2024 season.

 

Which is your favorite of the 2024 running back committees? Let me know and let’s discuss on X! Follow @DrewRoberts_  for more college football, NFL, and football betting discussion.

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