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Most analysts said the 2024 running back draft class was not the strongest. A year after both Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs went in the top 12, no running back went in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
However, plenty of talented backs were still selected in this year's draft. Jonathon Brooks was the first off the board in the second round, while Trey Benson heard his name called early in the third round. Even a player like Blake Corum has the tools to be a solid back in the league one day.
But how involved will those running backs be in Year 1? Let's look at four rookie running backs destined for a committee role in 2024.
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Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers
Brooks was the clear RB1 in the 2024 draft class. He sat behind Robinson in his first two college seasons at Texas in 2021 and 2022 before moving up the depth chart in 2023. Last year, he ran for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns across 11 games. However, a torn ACL cut his season short.
Still, the Panthers selected him with the 46th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He now joins a crowded backfield in Carolina with Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard also in town. Nonetheless, the rookie should see plenty of opportunities in his first year in the league.
Asked rookie RB Jonathon Brooks how close he was to returning and he said “whenever the time is right.” #KeepPounding
— For Panthers Fans Only (Podcast) (@FPFO_Podcast) July 30, 2024
Brooks is the most talented running back of that group and is the team's RB1 for the foreseeable future. Fantasy managers, though, should expect the rookie to be in a committee for most of the 2024 season. The 21-year-old is coming off a torn ACL, so the Panthers will likely be extremely careful with their young running back in his first year.
He missed all of rookie minicamp as part of his ongoing recovery, and the team will ease him into training camp. While Hubbard will likely start the season as the team's starter, look for the rookie to be more involved as the season progresses. That makes him a sneaky selection in the eighth or ninth round of 2024 fantasy football drafts.
Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins continued to add speed to their offense by trading up in the 2024 NFL Draft to select running back Jaylen Wright. Miami saw something it liked in Wright and traded a 2025 third-round pick to select the former Tennessee product with the 120th overall pick.
Now, playing time might be hard to come by for the rookie running back in Year 1. Raheem Mostert just received a two-year extension, and De'Von Achane is entering his second NFL season. However, don't think Wright won't be involved in some capacity in 2024. His speed can be used in both the running and passing game right away, as he ran a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine earlier this offseason.
Jaylen Wright has the most Rookie Draft steam I have ever seen from a 4th Round RB in a committee backfield.
It is a perfect storm of talent+scheme+fit & drafters are taking shots.
The ultimate “worth it” bet.
The Mike McDaniel factor is real.pic.twitter.com/1YyM6mS9yH
— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) May 6, 2024
Mostert and Achane also dealt with some injuries last year. If either were to miss some time in 2024, that would pave the way for Wright to see more opportunities. While the rookie won't see a big workload by any means, he figures to see some chances here and there as the Dolphins' RB3 -- thanks to his speed.
Audric Estime, Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos running back group is a mess heading into the season. Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Audric Estime are currently the top-4 running backs in Denver's offense in training camp. However, one of those backs figures to be released before Week 1.
Considering the Broncos just drafted Estime with the 147th overall pick in this year's draft, he should be safe from any roster cut in late August. McLaughlin will also be on the roster after showcasing his potential in his rookie season in 2023. So, that leaves Williams and Perine as the possible cut candidates from this backfield.
Whichever back does get cut would help Estime's chances of seeing more playing time right away. He would be the team's RB3 and could see plenty of opportunities in a rebuilding year for the Broncos. The rookie has the potential to emerge as Denver's goal-line back, especially after rushing for 18 touchdowns in his final college season at Notre Dame in 2023.
The Broncos are surely going to want to see what they have in the rookie in his first year. As a result, Estime should be involved in 2024. The 20-year-old might start the season lower on the Broncos' depth chart, but he could move his way up based on his play on the field.
Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
No Day 3 running back has been more impressive this offseason than Kimani Vidal. Vidal was selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft after rushing for 1,661 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final college season at Troy. The rookie will now join a crowded backfield in Los Angeles.
The Chargers signed both J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards in free agency this offseason, but Vidal should come in as the team's RB3. Given both Dobbins and Edwards' injury history over the past few seasons, the rookie could see more opportunities than people think.
#Chargers OC Greg Roman on Kimani Vidal:
“Extremely productive. Maximizes runs. Really good vision, his brain and his feet are kinda connected quickly, so when he sees something, his feet are moving right there… Once we get the pads on, we’ll see more, and once we get into the… pic.twitter.com/nhypZIN954
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) July 26, 2024
Still, being the RB3 on a Chargers offense that wants to run the ball at a high level should help him get on the field in Year 1. While he does face an uphill battle to see significant playing time behind both Dobbins and Edwards, the potential is there for him to see some chances right away. So, he's likely a running back fantasy managers should monitor on waivers throughout the season.
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