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It's getting harder and harder every year to rely on running backs in fantasy football. Very few have a workhorse role anymore, and most of them wind up getting hurt throughout the season. That could explain why wide receivers own the first round in drafts this season, as only four running backs have an ADP inside the top 12.
Last year, fantasy managers really had to navigate the running back position. Only 12 starting running backs played all 17 games in 2023, and some key backs like Nick Chubb and J.K. Dobbins suffered season-ending injuries.
So, what should fantasy managers do with injured running backs like Chubb and Dobbins in fantasy this season? Are they worth a pick in the later rounds? Let's dive in and find out.
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Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
When Chubb suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, some thought his career was over. After all, tearing your ACL, MCL, and meniscus all in one knee at the age of 28 years old is not easy to come back from. But the veteran is going to try and come back following his latest injury.
It still remains to be seen when Chubb will be ready to make his season debut in 2024. As of June 25, he has yet to return to practice, and there is currently no timetable set for when he will get on the practice field. Right now, the six-year veteran is practicing off to the side, but Browns general manager Andrew Berry said a couple of months ago that the running back is "progressing nicely." As a result, there's a chance that Chubb could make his season debut sometime early in the season.
Can't wait to see @NickChubb back on the field 🏈 pic.twitter.com/05Rx9hZbiv
— NFL (@NFL) June 25, 2024
While Week 1 seems like a long shot, he could be contributing on the field shortly after that. However, the 28-year-old isn't necessarily a strong target in fantasy drafts this year, even at his ADP of 89.7. Of course, fantasy managers want to draft Chubb because of his proven track record, but he likely won't be a consistent fantasy option in 2024. He is coming off a major injury, and there's a strong possibility that he is limited for most of the year.
With the Browns having Jerome Ford and adding D'Onta Foreman in free agency, the team doesn't necessarily need to give Chubb 18-20 carries per game like he was used to seeing. The veteran should definitely see more opportunities as the season goes on. However, it might be too late for some fantasy managers who are already out of playoff contention. It might be best to pass on the veteran coming off a horrific injury.
Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers
For those who don't pay close attention to college football, Jonathon Brooks is also coming off a major injury. Brooks tore his ACL in his final college season at Texas on November 11 against TCU. He would miss the rest of the season and didn't participate at the NFL Draft Combine in early March.
Still, his ACL injury didn't seem to affect his draft stock, as the Carolina Panthers took him with the 46th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Brooks was the first running back selected in the draft, and he has the biggest upside of any back in the class. Nevertheless, will he be healthy enough to contribute in Year 1?
The good news is that Brooks is on track to be cleared for training camp in late July. That should put him on schedule to be ready for the team's Week 1 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. With Carolina easing the rookie into training camp this summer, look for the Panthers to also be careful with their young running back to start the regular season. As a result, he is more of a stash candidate at his ADP.
#Panthers HC Dave Canales on Jonathon Brooks (ACL):
“Jonathon Brooks has a little bit of ways to go, so we’ll kind of progress them into camp.” pic.twitter.com/WYocbVqqNd
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) June 12, 2024
With Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard also on the team, Brooks will likely be eased into action in the first few weeks. Given his talent, though, he should eventually emerge as the Panthers' RB1.
So, picking the former Texas star at his 95.6 ADP will require some patience in the first half of the year, especially coming off a torn ACL. However, at 20 years old, there should be no limitations for him in the second half. That makes him a sneaky option in the later rounds.
J.K. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
It has been a couple of injury riddled seasons for Dobbins. After averaging six yards per carry and totaling 805 rush yards as a rookie, Dobbins has failed to build on that campaign. In 2021, he tore his ACL in the preseason, which caused him to miss that entire season and a large portion of 2022. Then, last year, the 25-year-old tore his Achilles in Week 1 against the Houston Texans, effectively ending his season.
Now, Dobbins is looking to stay healthy in 2024. He left the Baltimore Ravens in free agency and signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. The good news for the 25-year-old is that he suffered his Achilles injury in Week 1 of last season, meaning he should be a full go by training camp. The running back also said he feels 100% healthy heading into the year, and he believes he is going "to take off now."
The talent is obviously there for Dobbins, who was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Injuries, though, have set him back. Of course, the 25-year-old is a major risk to select in fantasy drafts this season, considering he has played in just 24 games since 2020. But why not take a chance on the Chargers running back at his 143.5 ADP?
Daniel Jeremiah (who covers the Chargers professionally) on the @MoveTheSticks podcast
“If you’re in a fantasy draft, draft JK Dobbins”
Gladly. pic.twitter.com/JQuw1oO8G1
— Corey Buschlen (@FootballStock) June 23, 2024
He's on an offense that wants to run the ball a lot, and there's a chance he could emerge as the team's RB1. Relying on him to be your RB2 or even RB3 in fantasy every week likely isn't a great strategy. However, he does have some upside in Los Angeles' offense, and drafting him as your RB4 or RB5 could make a lot of sense. He's worth a look in most formats in the 13th or 14th round.
Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell had an encouraging rookie campaign. He rushed for 396 yards and two touchdowns in just seven games while also catching nine passes for 93 yards. Those stats helped Mitchell score over 10 PPR fantasy points in four of seven contests.
However, Mitchell's rookie season was cut short after the 22-year-old tore his ACL in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Given how late he suffered the injury, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him miss most of the 2024 season. He hasn't gotten on the practice field yet, and head coach John Harbaugh has already ruled him out for Week 1. Harbaugh then went on to say that the running back should be back "sometime during the season."
It appears that Mitchell will not make his season debut for a while. With the Ravens also signing Derrick Henry in free agency, the 22-year-old won't have much fantasy value even when he returns. So, managers shouldn't spend a pick on him in drafts this summer.
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