Derrick Henry vs. Jonathan Taylor - Who Should I Draft in 2024 Fantasy Football?

There are a ton of different decisions that fantasy managers will have to make on draft day, especially early on. Those early rounds could also make or break your fantasy season, so there is definitely some pressure to pick the right players with your first couple of picks.

One decision that fantasy managers might have to make is between Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry and Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. Both former Pro Bowlers are going within the few first rounds of fantasy drafts.

So, which running back should fantasy players draft in 2024? Let’s dive into it.

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Derrick Henry 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

After spending his first eight years with the Tennessee Titans, Henry will now join the Ravens' No. 1 rushing offense in 2024. Last season, Baltimore ran the ball at the highest mark (49.9%) and totaled 26 rushing touchdowns, which certainly bodes well for the 30-year-old veteran. He should immediately step in and lead Baltimore's ground game behind a solid offensive line.

Day one of OTAs, let’s get it ‼️ pic.twitter.com/ZmhhZinQ0u

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) May 20, 2024

Similar to his Tennessee days, Henry should receive almost all the running back carries out of the Ravens backfield this season, especially with Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins both leaving in free agency. The sky is certainly the limit for the veteran in fantasy in 2024 -- even at age 30. He can easily rush for over 1,200 yards and score at least 15 touchdowns in this Baltimore offense, making him a great pick in fantasy drafts.

Henry has also finished as a top-10 fantasy running back in four of the past five seasons. Don't expect that to change this upcoming year. 

Jonathan Taylor 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

Taylor is coming off his second straight disappointing season after dealing with an ankle injury for most of the year. He played in just 10 games in 2023 and finished as the RB33 in all formats. However, fantasy managers shouldn't write off the 25-year-old in fantasy just yet.

JONATHAN TAYLOR. 67 YARDS. GOOD NIGHT.

📺: #NEvsIND on @NFLNetwork
📱: https://t.co/DL75sQUMR5 pic.twitter.com/V0jzema8xz

— NFL (@NFL) December 19, 2021

He is just three years removed from an overall RB1 finish and has the talent to finish as a top fantasy back again. Taylor also gets to run behind a great offensive line that should be better in 2024 than it was a season ago. It's hard not to forget what the young running back did in his first two NFL seasons. If he can stay healthy, he will certainly finish top five at the position in fantasy. 

Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football?

Fantasy managers can't go wrong with either running back early in fantasy drafts. Both have the potential and upside to finish top five at the position. However, Taylor might be the better pick of the two. With injuries now fully behind the Colts running back, he has a higher ceiling than Henry does in 2024.

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