MarShawn Lloyd, Jaylen Wright, Ray Davis - 2024 Fantasy Football Running Back Outlooks

Running backs got no respect in the 2024 NFL Draft.

No running backs were selected in the first round. Only one was taken in the second. Finally, in the third and fourth rounds, the tailbacks started flying off the shelves like notebooks at a back-to-school sale. Will any of these middle-round rookies have any fantasy relevance? That is the question you need to answer if you are hoping to win your fantasy league in 2024.

So what are the fantasy outlooks this season for rookie runners MarShawn Lloyd, Jaylen Wright, and Ray Davis? Here is my take:

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MarShawn Lloyd, RB - Green Bay Packers - Fantasy Football Outlook (ADP: RB44, overall 139)

Green Bay’s backfield is in flux for the first time in several seasons. After years of Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon ruling the roost, things have changed drastically after the Packers unceremoniously released Jones and brought in Las Vegas Raiders mainstay Josh Jacobs in the offseason.

Lloyd was USC’s top tailback and showed he can make plays on the ground and by catching passes out of the backfield. Jacobs is normally a ball hog when he is the center of a rushing attack, though, and Dillon is a solid understudy. The good news for Lloyd is even though he is No. 3 on the depth chart he could be the top option as the third-down guy on pass plays. Lloyd is definitely worth more in PPR leagues due to his pass-catching ability because his amount of rushing attempts will be limited by Jacobs and Dillon, although it sounds like Green Bay offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich likes him a lot.

#Packers OC Adam Stenavich on whether MarShawn Lloyd will see limited action his rookie season, ala AJ Dillon:

“No, I would like to get him out there as much as possible. He’s got a skill set that’s a little bit different than AJ’s, as far as his speed… It’ll be nice to get him… pic.twitter.com/PSWW3CbCOZ

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) May 6, 2024

Jaylen Wright, RB - Miami Dolphins - Fantasy Football Outlook (ADP: RB49, overall 156)

On paper, Wright is not joining the best team to have a fantastic fantasy season. He will be third on Miami’s depth chart behind veteran Raheem Mostert, who scored 21 total touchdowns and rushed for 1,000 yards for the first time in his career last year. and second-year speedster De'Von Achane, who is one of the most dangerous playmakers in the NFL and averaged a league-best 7.8 yards per carry in his rookie campaign.

Wright’s fantasy value is not D.O.A., however, because Mostert and Achane have a penchant for getting injured. Neither has the durability Walter Payton had, that’s for sure. Wright is one tackle away from having a prime position in Mike McDaniel’s high-flying attack. Even though it is a pass-first offense, it is a superb system for running backs to thrive in. Set your sights on Wright in your keeper and dynasty leagues, as he could be Miami’s RB1-A by 2025.

Ray Davis, RB - Buffalo Bills - Fantasy Football Outlook

(ADP: RB50, overall 158)

The Kentucky/Vanderbilt/Temple product enters the running back fray in Buffalo with a better chance of being the No. 2 RB on his team than Lloyd and Wright do, at least coming out of camp. Veteran backup Ty Johnson is his only competition for the leftover carries workhorse James Cook leaves behind – on the rare instances Josh Allen’s top tailback exits games.

Davis is a different type of runner than Cook is. Davis lowers his helmet and grinds out tough yards between the tackles, while Cook utilizes his supreme speed to run off tackle and outside. That’s a plus for Davis, who should see more playing time and touches due to offering a running style Cook doesn't offer. Considering Cook only scored two rushing touchdowns last season, Davis could quickly become the vulture running back, ala Gerald Riggs, who gets the ball by the end zone after Cook does the dirty work between the 20s.

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