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Alvin Kamara and Kenneth Walker are both looking over their shoulders because of how their teams have behaved in recent drafts.
The New Orleans Saints selected Kendre Miller in the third round of the 2023 draft. Meanwhile, the Seattle Seahawks drafted Zach Charbonnet in Round 2 of the same year. These running backs can compete for playing time against their more established counterparts. But despite the threat of reduced playing time, Kamara and Walker will still figure heavily in both team’s offenses.
Which running back is the better fantasy football option for the 2024 NFL season?
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Is Alvin Kamara on the Decline?
Last season, Kamara finished with 694 rushing yards and five touchdowns. While he had more rushing touchdowns in 2023 than in the previous season, he had fewer rushing yards and his yards per carry dropped to 3.9, the second-worst rate of his career.
Meanwhile, his 466 receiving yards last year are the second fewest of his career, while his 6.2 yards per catch is his worst in seven seasons. Despite the slight decrease in his numbers, RotoBaller's Fantasy Football Rankings have Kamara 15th among running backs and 49th overall in PPR formats heading into the 2024 NFL season. His ADP of 54 makes him a valuable contributor as a mid-round pick in all league formats.
Hoping we get to see Alvin Kamara better utilized as a pass catcher this season.
(🎥: @BootKreweMedia) pic.twitter.com/KZBkIhDUYi
— Chris Rosvoglou (@RosvoglouReport) June 12, 2024
The Saints hope that Miller can eventually succeed as their backfield leader. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to eight games and 156 rushing yards. His disappointing rookie season will retain Kamara as the lead running back. If Miller stays healthy, he might share more of the load with the five-time Pro Bowler.
Can Kenneth Walker III Sustain His Solid Start?
Despite his various injuries last season, Walker still finished with 905 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He solidly delivered as an RB2, averaging 13.3 fantasy points per game, and finished 19th among running backs in PPR formats.
However, Zach Charbonnet’s emergence threatens to take more playing time off him. Last season, the rookie from UCLA had 671 yards from scrimmage (462 rushing) and a touchdown.
Kenneth Walker ll rookie 2022-23 Highlights #Seahawks #NFL #Seattle pic.twitter.com/h8rgpbeVnp
— Dirtbag Sport Productions (@dirtbag09) February 25, 2023
The Seahawks might undergo a shift in offensive mentality under new offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, maximizing the talents of their impressive wide receiver corps (DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Jaxon Smith-Njigba). But while Walker’s numbers might take a hit, reaching 1,000 rushing yards in 2024 is a realistic target.
Who Should You Draft in Fantasy Football Between Kamara and Walker?
Walker (RB18, 60th overall, per RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings) isn’t far behind Kamara in fantasy football projections. Therefore, both players can deliver fantastic numbers as an RB2 on your roster. However, Kamara gets the edge if they are still on the draft board. He will still get most of the Saints’ carries and have a fair share of catches until Miller proves he can take over.
Conversely, transitioning to a pass-heavy offense might reduce Walker’s numbers this season. Likewise, Kamara offers more upside as a pass-catcher, making him the slightly better option between the two.
It also helps that the Saints are tied with the Atlanta Falcons for the easiest schedules in 2024 based on their opponents’ combined winning percentage. The Seahawks are not far behind (tied at 24th), but they will face tough opposition within the NFC West (49ers, Rams, Cardinals).
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