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We all know how important an elite running back is in fantasy football. Countless times has a rusher gotten hot and carried fantasy gamers everywhere to a championship. If you can find such a running back in your draft, you’ve got an instant leg up on the competition.
So, which backs are capable of single-handedly carrying you to a title? The three names that most come to mind this year are Christian McCaffrey, Bijan Robinson, and Breece Hall.
All three players are talented enough to finish as the overall RB1. Let’s have a quick dialogue on why you should feel comfortable investing in all of these backs during your 2024 fantasy football draft.
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McCaffrey remains the top option at the running back position. He brings Marshall Faulk-type upside and remains one of the best backs in the league.
49ers QB from the NFC Championship game Christian McCaffrey runs for a 65 Yard Touchdown
pic.twitter.com/4QtPeae8bm— Pardon My Take (@PardonMyTake) September 10, 2023
He enters his age-28 season, which is older for a running back. But don’t overthink this one. McCaffrey plays behind one of the best run-blocking offensive lines, and his underlying metrics are still strong. McCaffrey finished first in Next Gen Stats Rush Yards Over Expectation (RYOE), fifth in Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) Rushing Grade, and fourth in PFF’s Breakaway Run Percentage (Breakaway %). Averaging over 24 PPR points per game and scoring 21 total touchdowns last year, McCaffrey is once again in the conversation for the first overall pick in all formats.
Breece Hall 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook
Just a year removed from ACL surgery, Hall finished as the overall PPR RB2 in 2023. He once again displayed the familiar game-breaking speed that we saw during his 2022 rookie season.
BREECE HALL GONE 🔥
72 YARD TD.
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/efNet16M9D
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 8, 2023
Hall’s situation has improved heading into 2024. Aaron Rodgers is set to return, the team added tackles Tyron Smith and Olumuyiwa Fashanu to bolster the offensive line, and signed Mike Williams to improve the receiving game. Rodgers remains a pocket passer, and Hall should continue seeing many checkdown targets as a result. His big-play ability paired with his pass-catching chops make him one of the next-best choices after McCaffrey. Should the Jets offense reach new levels with Rodgers, don’t be surprised if Hall overtakes McCaffrey as the RB1.
Bijan Robinson 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook
Robinson enjoyed a fine rookie season, but finishing as the overall RB9 and RB16 in fantasy points per game was not what fantasy managers had in mind after selecting him in Round 1. Even though it was a disappointing fantasy finish, Robinson gave owners a taste of what he could accomplish with a larger role.
Desmond Ridder (16) to Bijan Robinson (7)
Atlanta Falcons
71 yards
pic.twitter.com/oplhOKSTau— NFL TD Videos (@NFLTDsVideos) January 7, 2024
2024 is a new season and brings new life for Robinson. Raheem Morris was hired as the Falcons' new head coach, and he tasked former Rams offensive coordinator Zac Robinson with turning around the offense. This is great news for Bijan Robinson’s fantasy football outlook as Zac Robinson comes from a system that is very fantasy-friendly for backs and traditionally utilizes one bell-cow back (see Todd Gurley and Kyren Williams).
Expect to see Robinson and that eighth overall draft pedigree on full display this year. An overall RB1 finish is well within reach.
Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football?
The truth is you can feel comfortable selecting any of these backs in your draft. Who you take just depends on where you’re drafting in the first round. If you land a top-3 pick, McCaffrey is your man. If you’re in the middle of the first round, Robinson and Hall are your targets. Feel free to select whichever one you prefer. All three are fantastic options and are capable of carrying your team to a title.
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