Second-Year Breakouts? 2024 Fantasy Football Running Back Sleepers

For many years, fantasy football players tried their best to avoid rookies in drafts. Recently, we have seen more rookies make an immediate impact. Just last we saw C.J. Stroud and Puka Nacua emerge as elite rookie options.

While we saw several rookies make immediate contributions last year, we also had our share of disappointments at the running back position. It’s nothing to fret over as not all players enter the league and instantly produce. Sometimes, players need to gain a little experience before eventually making an impact in year two. Which second-year running backs are primed to make a jump in 2024?

Make sure you keep up to date with all your fantasy football needs by following RotoBaller on X and checking out RotoBaller.com. Here are five sophomore running backs with upside to target in your 2024 fantasy football draft.

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Kendre Miller - New Orleans Saints

It was a tough rookie season for Miller. The 2023 third-round pick out of TCU missed time during the year due to knee, ankle, and hamstring injuries. While he struggled to stay on the field, Miller did briefly show why the Saints invested a third-round pick in him.

Don’t forget about #Saints RB Kendre Miller in your #fantasyfootball leagues.

Talented player. Could thrive if the opportunity presents itself.

pic.twitter.com/ca8Hat1rKr

— The Fantasy Football Stallion (@FF_Stallion) May 10, 2024

Alvin Kamara is currently ahead of Miller on the depth chart. However, he turns 29 this year and has shown signs of slowing down. He posted career lows in rushing yards, yards per reception, and yards per target. Kamara finished 46th in Next Gen Stats Rush Yards Over Expectation (RYOE), 46th in Pro Football Focus’ Elusive Rating, and 40th in Fantasy Points Data Suite’s Missed Tackles Forced Per Attempt (MTF/ATT).

If Kamara’s play continues to decline, Miller could potentially capitalize. He’s lined up for a camp battle with Jamaal Williams for the backup running back job. Given Williams’ struggles last year, it’s a battle Miller can win. This would put him among the top handcuff options for 2024. While his stats underwhelmed, Miller passed the eye test in limited action as a rookie. He’s an intriguing late-round draft pick in all formats.

Jaleel McLaughlin - Denver Broncos

McLaughlin displayed impressive burst and quickness whenever he touched the football as a rookie.

Who picked up Jaleel McLaughlin 💪
pic.twitter.com/9EmqarvKMi

— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) October 8, 2023

He graded out very well across several metrics. Pro Football Focus (PFF) graded McLaughlin as their 16th-highest rusher in 2023, and he also finished 7th in PFF’s signature Elusive Rating. Among rushers with 65 carries, McLaughlin also finished fifth in MTF/ATT. There is serious upside here if he is given more opportunities this year. Running backs have always been heavily involved in Sean Payton’s offense. After a disappointing season from Javonte Williams, McLaughlin may command more touches in 2024.

Listed at five-foot-seven and 180 lbs, it’s unlikely McLaughlin ever becomes a featured back. However, he can still be a useful asset in PPR leagues if he can carve out a Reggie Bush-type role. McLaughlin has a National Fantasy Football Championship (NFFC) average draft position (ADP) of 186th overall. At this cost, he is the exact type of player who can help win your league if he hits. If he doesn’t, just kick him to the curb.

Tyjae Spears - Tennessee Titans

Spears was snookered behind starting back Derrick Henry for most of his rookie season. Despite that, Spears finished ninth among all running backs in Elusive Rating and 22nd in PFF’s Breakaway %.

Where does Tyjae Spears go in fantasy drafts next season? pic.twitter.com/Idy5gARkEe

— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) January 7, 2024

With the Titans allowing Henry to walk in free agency, Spears was poised to take over as the Titans' new RB1. That changed once the team signed former Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard to a three-year $21.75 million deal in free agency. Pollard is coming off a down season where he averaged a career-low 4.0 yards per carry and saw many of his advanced metrics decline from his 2022 season. The two backs figure to split touches to start the year.

Spears is younger and appears to be the more explosive back. He also finished higher than Pollard in Elusive Rating, RYOE, and MTF/ATT. If Pollard’s 2023 struggles bleed over to 2024, Tennessee may hand the reins over to Spears. With an NFFC ADP of 95th overall, Spears makes for a fine selection, particularly for gamers who opt for a zero RB approach.

Chase Brown - Cincinnati Bengals

Brown’s 2023 got off to a rocky start. Missing time with a hamstring injury, he only received five touches during the season’s first 11 games. After that, the Bengals coaching staff must have seen something they liked as Brown averaged nearly nine touches and 53 scrimmage yards per game from Weeks 13-18. That would equate to roughly 150 touches and 900 scrimmage yards over a 17-game season. This would be enough to warrant flex consideration in fantasy leagues. His final stats underwhelmed, but Brown displayed big-play ability during the year.

CHASE BROWN TOUCHDOWN 😤
pic.twitter.com/ZmlMAufDku

— Barstool Illini (@BarstoolILL) December 10, 2023

Head Coach Zac Taylor has hinted at Brown receiving a bigger role this season. While Zack Moss was brought in to be the lead back, he has never handled more than 210 touches in a season nor has he ever been a significant pass-catching threat. There could be room for Brown to carve out a role in this offense, and he may provide stand-alone value as a flex option in PPR leagues.

Zach Charbonnet - Seattle Seahawks

Charbonnet is armed with a smashmouth running style that can be difficult for defenders to handle.

Zach Charbonnet making Marshawn Lynch proud with this run pic.twitter.com/LDwuYBnkdk

— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) September 24, 2023

He finished higher than running mate Kenneth Walker in RYOE and Rush Yards Over Expectation Per Attempt (RYOE/ATT). He’s arguably the better back. A new coaching staff arrives in Seattle this year. They have no loyalty to any of the current players. It’s unclear who this new staff will favor. Charbonnet can provide standalone value if he forces more touches and could eventually emerge as the favored back if he outplays Walker during the season.

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