Three Fantasy Football Running Backs With Early Season Value - 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

The 2024 NFL season is rapidly approaching, meaning it's time to start diving into which players to target in the later rounds of fantasy drafts. The fantasy football playoffs determine who walks away with their league's championship, so naturally, fantasy managers target assets who are likely to provide a boost late in the season.

However, if you're stashing rookies like Blake Corum or Trey Benson or players coming off injuries like Nick Chubb and Jonathon Brooks, you need at least a few "placeholders" early in the year. The three players mentioned in this article are likely to fade away as the season ramps up, but taking the discount of them and utilizing them in lineups is a great way to get an early season boost.

Without further ado, let's dive into three running backs who could carry additional early season value.

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Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

With second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks coming off an ACL tear, he's likely to be extremely limited all offseason, and it could take him a few weeks into the regular season to be ready for a significant workload. Last season, Chuba Hubbard quickly beat out Miles Sanders and posted 1,135 total yards and five touchdowns. That said, it would be a surprise if Hubbard is not the clear starter for Carolina to begin the season.

Although his ceiling is likely limited barring a quick offensive improvement, touches are touches, and he's a viable flex play at a cheap price tag. Carolina's first four games are against teams who were in the bottom half of the league in fantasy points allowed to running backs last year.

Chuba Hubbard scores on 4th & 2!

📺: #CARvsTEN on FOX
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— NFL (@NFL) November 26, 2023

Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns

With veteran running back Nick Chubb (knee) coming off the second major knee injury of his career dating back to college, the Browns are likely to be extra cautious with their longtime ball-carrier. Especially since Jerome Ford was largely effective last season, it doesn't make much sense to rush Chubb back into action.

Chubb could begin the season on the PUP list, meaning he'd be required to miss at least the first four games of the regular season. That would leave Ford in the RB1 role for at least a month, and D'Onta Foreman would likely see some action behind him.

JEROME FORD TO THE HOUSE.

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— NFL (@NFL) October 22, 2023

While sharing touches with Kareem Hunt last season, Ford posted four RB1 weeks and seven RB2 weeks in half-PPR formats. He's worth drafting at his RB36 price tag, especially since he should continue to get touches when Chubb is back.

Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens

This selection is a long shot, but Justice Hill is set up to operate behind Derrick Henry while Keaton Mitchell (knee) recovers from a torn ACL. Mitchell is not expected to return until mid-season, and late-round rookie Rasheen Ali is far from guaranteed a role. Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins are both gone.

The Ravens brought Henry in to be a workhorse back, but will they want to run him into the ground early in the season? The King's injury risk is also higher than ever entering his age-30 season, so Hill is worth a stash in deeper formats. He carries an ADP that puts him in the RB75 chair in drafts, so he's practically free and has a realistic path to touches in one of the league's best offenses.

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