Early 2024 Fantasy Football Rankings And Analysis: Running Backs

Fantasy football players like to start preparing and researching well ahead of their 2024 drafts. In this latest installment of my early positional rankings release, I provide updated 2024 seasonal ranks. Consensus rankings from the RotoBaller staff can be found here.

In this article, I supply some of my thoughts when constructing the 2024 running back rankings. There are two prominent RBs to consider after the usual No. 1 is taken, and some questions apply to the back half of the top 12. I also shine a spotlight on value targets in the RB2 and RB3 ranges.

Following the RB rankings analysis, you will find my latest RB rankings, which are powered by FantasyPros. Other positions are included and will be adjusted as I roll out the early rankings by position. RB analysis here is based on PPR scoring yet can apply to other formats.

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Early 2024 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings Insights

The top two after CMC: As is the normal annual custom, Christian McCaffrey will be the first player off the board in many drafts, and those who don’t land the No. 1 overall pick won’t have a shot at the San Francisco superstar. Fantasy players drafting in the top half of the first round, though, should consider prioritizing Breece Hall and Bijan Robinson once McCaffrey is taken.

Hall will dominate the RB touches for the Jets, and both he and Robinson can deliver top-level fantasy seasons as versatile weapons on offenses with improved QB play. Both the Jets and Falcons' lead RBs will be capable of double-figure TD production while also displaying their versatility.

How high should Jahmyr Gibbs be drafted?: There is palpable fantasy excitement rightfully surrounding Jahmyr Gibbs in 2024. He is a major upside play on an ascending offense. But consistent impactful production remains less likely with David Montgomery still in the picture. I slightly prefer Saquon Barkley and a rebounding Jonathan Taylor over Gibbs, who is just outside my top five.

Count on Kyren: Some fantasy players may be less apt to draft Kyren Williams as a top-eight RB after the Rams drafted the nifty Blake Corum. I don’t see the rookie significantly cutting into Williams’ value in a significant way. Los Angeles lacked a reliable complementary back to prevent the 5-foot-9, 194-pounder from being overworked. Corum will fill that role as a breather/backup RB while Williams maintains much of the workload he has earned and will be worthy of a top-10 pick at the position.

A new address for Josh Jacobs: The former Raider is coming off a disappointing season, but can reemerge as a very productive RB1 in a promising Packers offense. Jacobs will be less of a primary defensive target in a balanced and quickly improving offense that should provide consistent TD opportunities. I have him ranked 11th, yet did consider putting Jacobs a spot or two higher.

#Packers HC Matt LaFleur on Josh Jacobs:

“He can be a high-volume guy. Just studying him, I think there’s more out there for him, in regards to the passing game, using him out of the backfield.”

LaFleur on the backfield split:

“You guys know how I feel philosophically — I… pic.twitter.com/8k7jlCqo3y

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) March 26, 2024

Achane is so tempting: In Weeks 3-5 last season, De'Von Achane finished in the top five at RB in every game. He also had a top-three finish in Week 13 and a top eight in Week 7. While injuries and inconsistency were concerns, Achane quickly emerged as a guy who could spur your fantasy team to a win in any week. He could conceivably start to surpass Raheem Mostert as a TD source this season or at least share some more of the TD production with him.

Achane has the talent to finish in the top five at RB, or health issues and shared touches could lead to a roller coaster ride. He is the ultimate reward/risk play, so if you pick the 22-year-old, get quality RB insurance later in the draft.

A big season from Swift?: The Bears have been searching for a stabilizing force at RB, and I believe they have found their man in D'Andre Swift. We have yet to see his best season and should get it in 2024. Swift will be expected to ease pressure on Caleb Williams and will also be a regular receiving option on flat and shorter passes. Plus, he can get frequent TD chances as a finisher on the deepest Bears offense we have seen in a long time. Swift will be a luxury as a fantasy RB2 if you land him for that role.

Can new #Bears running back D'Andre Swift lead you to a #FantasyFootball championship this season?@Jeff_Mans

🎧🏈🎙️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/kvQKV640je

— Fantasy Sports Radio (@SiriusXMFantasy) May 21, 2024

Expect White to emerge: The Raiders have cleared the runway for Zamir White to be their pure lead RB. They did not bring in any major competition for him in the offseason (Alexander Mattison won’t threaten his starting spot). White is a promising package of strength and some speed, and while some erratic stretches from the Las Vegas offense might bog down his production on occasion, I expect the third-year man to function as a quality fantasy RB2.

Another shot for Pollard: The former Cowboy didn’t produce as hoped as a lead RB for a prolific Dallas offense. Yet, the Titans gave Pollard a contract that is top 10 in Average Annual Value, suggesting that he will get another opportunity to operate as a No. 1 RB on an NFL depth chart. There should be natural lingering skepticism surrounding the ex-Dallas RB, and Tyjae Spears is also in the picture. The projected role, though, does mark Pollard as a top-25 RB.

Eye on Ekeler: We witnessed a major falloff from Austin Ekeler last season, but I am expecting him to at least bounce back to low-end RB2/high-end RB3 status. He had four 20-point PPR games last season, so the ex-Chargers star is still capable of spike weeks and should continue to be a frequent threat as a receiver, especially working with a rookie QB who will take to him as a frequent target. Ekeler should also be highly motivated to demonstrate that he is not quite done. I am willingly going to target him just outside of the top 25 at RB.

We've all seen the 13 MPH Packers run, but worth remembering Austin Ekeler was fully healthy for less than one full game in 2023.

High-ankle sprains are no joke. Dude hit 19.6 MPH before the injury.pic.twitter.com/zgzxrDJWMs

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 11, 2024

Former Bills as lead RBs: Zack Moss and Devin Singletary never became reliable fantasy options when they were in Buffalo. Both guys, though, filled in well enough when called on as starters last year, and now will be the No. 1 RBs for the Bengals and Giants, respectively. Neither RB has been a dependable fantasy producer over a full season yet.

Moss will play in a better offense, obviously, but Chase Brown is a legitimate threat to his possible workload. Singletary has less pressing competition with the Giants. I prefer Moss as a top-25 RB and place Singletary in the top-30 range. I rank them higher than many other analysts who seem to be more skeptical. The projected roles do keep both of them in my top half of the RB3 range.

Beyond the Top 35

-The fact that Dallas only brought Ezekiel Elliott back to compete with Rico Dowdle leads me to believe that Dowdle is a viable value RB3/4 target.

-Chase Brown has the potential to break a big play from anywhere on the field. I do prefer him as a best-ball option, yet also see the speedy back as an interesting mid-range RB4.

-Jaylen Wright may take on a significant role in the Miami backfield at some point because Achane and Mostert are noted injury risks.

-Buffalo’s Ray Davis can complement James Cook as an inside runner and will see at least occasional TD chances. He does fit into my top 50.

-Rookies Kimani Vidal and Tyrone Tracy Jr. are recommended late-round picks. Vidal has Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins ahead of him, which means he didn’t land in a situation that can block a path to quality work. Tracy may emerge as the top backup to Singletary, who is no lock to dominate the carries.

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