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We are only a handful of weeks away from the beginning of NFL training camps. That means it’s time to start planning for fantasy football drafts. We all know how important a stud running back is to a championship run. But how do you decide which backs to draft? One way to decide is by targeting talented backs playing behind good offensive lines. It sounds simple, but it’s actually an angle many fantasy gamers overlook.
For this exercise, we will use a combination of Pro Football Focus’s (PFF) Offensive Line Run Blocking Grade (RBLK) as well as Next Gen Stats Rush Yards Over Expectation (RYOE). RBLK speaks for itself, but RYOE measures the difference between actual rushing yards and expected rushing yards throughout the season. It’s a good way to identify which backs are gaining yards beyond what the offensive line provides them.
Make sure you keep up to date with all your fantasy football needs by following RotoBaller on X and checking out RotoBaller.com. Here are five of the top running back/offensive line combinations to target in your 2024 fantasy football draft.
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SF PFF RBLK Grade: 1st
McCaffrey RYOE Finish: 1st
What happens when you pair an elite running back with the best run-blocking offensive line in the league? You get McCaffrey’s 2023, which saw him score 21 total touchdowns en route to an RB1 finish.
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
This duo is set to return for the upcoming season. McCaffrey recently received a contract extension and shows no signs of slowing down. He’s set up for another big 2024 and is rightfully being taken as one of the top picks across all formats. Fantasy gamers can comfortably select him with a top pick in their drafts.
Saquon Barkley - Philadelphia Eagles
PHI PFF RBLK Grade: 3rd
Barkley RYOE Finish: 10th
The Eagles offensive line suffered a massive loss this offseason when center Jason Kelce decided to retire. His departure will be felt, but Philadelphia does have his successor lined up. Former second-round pick Cam Jurgens takes over for Kelce in 2024. It remains to be seen how he plays under center, but it will be hard-pressed to fill Kelce’s shoes. The rest of the offensive line remains strong, though, and it’s possible the loss of Kelce is not as bad as it appears. Overall, this is still a strong unit and a major asset to the team.
After letting D'Andre Swift walk in free agency, the Eagles opted to sign running back Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million contract. Despite finishing with only 3.9 yards per carry, Barkley remains one of the more talented backs in the league.
Tommy Devito to Saquon Barkley for a Giants touchdown! pic.twitter.com/tFEJFJFQza
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) November 19, 2023
This is undoubtedly the best situation of Barkley’s career. It’s salivating to think of what he might accomplish in this offense with all the talent surrounding him. He is a solid RB1 to target in drafts and should return a top-five finish for fantasy managers.
Kyren Williams - Los Angeles Rams
LAR PFF RBLK Grade: 5th
Williams RYOE Finish: 6th
Williams was phenomenal in 2023 and a variety of metrics will support that. His 21.3 PPR points per game were second only to McCaffrey. Most times, it would be easy to recommend drafting Williams. However, things were clouded a bit when the Rams selected running back Blake Corum in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
.@RamsNFL @UMichFootball @blake_corum joins @Kyrenwilliams23 what a great 1-2 punch behind a vastly improved OL. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/2bWACCWCCe
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 27, 2024
Williams is a good back, but the Rams' selection of Corum raises an eyebrow. At the least, it appears they want to lighten Williams' workload. The fact that the Rams had a front-row seat to Williams' 2023 and still drafted a back as decorated as Corum speaks volumes. He will have a role, but it’s unclear how large that role will be. For fantasy football purposes, as long as the rookie remains on the bench, Williams will continue to flourish.
Derrick Henry - Baltimore Ravens
BAL PFF RBLK Grade: 6th
Henry RYOE Finish: 12th
It’s no surprise to see the Ravens offensive line finish as high as they did. This is a team that has long prided itself on the ability to run the football. The offensive line did its part last year, but the Ravens felt their ground game could be better with someone more effective than Gus Edwards. So, they turned around and signed former Tennessee Titans back Derrick Henry this offseason.
Henry has scored double-digit rushing touchdowns every year since 2018. After watching Edwards score 13 touchdowns last year, it’s hard to imagine Henry won’t at least match that mark. There’s a very realistic chance Henry scores 15+ touchdowns. He is entering his age-30 season, but he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down.
Derrick Henry with a Touchdown 👑 🔥pic.twitter.com/UuSxNkhIHz
— Alabama DieHards (@DiehardsAlabama) October 1, 2023
The rushing volume may not be the same as it was in Tennessee since he’s competing with Lamar Jackson for touches. But make no mistake, Henry will see plenty of opportunities and will continue to feast around the goal line.
Bijan Robinson - Atlanta Falcons
ATL PFF RBLK Grade: T-7th
Robinson RYOE Finish: 13th
Say what you want about him, but the one thing former Falcons coach Arthur Smith could do was build a strong running game. In fact, Atlanta’s offensive line finished inside the top seven of PFF’s Run Blocking grade in all three of Smith’s seasons. For 2024, Raheem Morris takes over as Atlanta’s new head coach and brings Zac Robinson with him from the Los Angeles Rams to run the offense. Things will be slightly different this year in Atlanta, but this will remain a very friendly situation for running backs.
That’s where Bijan Robinson comes into play. While he didn't get the workload fantasy gamers were hoping for in his rookie season, Robinson showcased why the Falcons selected him eighth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Bijan Robinson 71-yard touchdown!
(Via: NFL, CBS)pic.twitter.com/U43CiJtpmk
— Sunday Night Football on NBC (@SNFonNBC) January 7, 2024
With a new coaching staff and a top run blocking unit, there’s little standing in Robinson’s way. Fantasy gamers should expect the sophomore back to surpass 300+ touches and improve upon his 2023 numbers. A full breakout can be expected, and drafters should feel very comfortable selecting him as their RB1.
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