Running backs are fantasy football superstars because they can contribute to a team’s success in various ways. In addition to advancing the ball on the ground, they could also field passes from the quarterback. Doing well in both aspects could generate massive fantasy points in a game.
Therefore, it’s unsurprising that running backs dominate the top-10 spots in the fantasy football rankings. Depending on the rankings you’re looking at, there could be five or six of them in the top 15.
Hence, here are the top running backs for the 2024 fantasy football season. Having one of them on your roster boosts your chance of winning your league.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Christian McCaffrey Fantasy Football Outlook
17 days until Christian McCaffrey gets to run all over the league & give out stiff arms like candy
— Ciarra ✨ (@ciarranotmist) August 22, 2024
Despite the calf injury he’s nursing, McCaffrey remains the top-ranked player in fantasy football because of his impressive 2023 season. When healthy, he could easily match the 2,023 yards from scrimmage and 21 touchdowns he tallied last season.
Getting a contract extension should motivate McCaffrey to remain as the NFL’s premier running back. Therefore, for 2024, he could generate anywhere near the 391.3 points he generated in points-per-reception (PPR) leagues last season.
Breece Hall Fantasy Football Outlook
Running backs with fantasy football RB1 upside this season:
Bijan Robinson
CMC
Breece Hall
Jonathan Taylor
Travis Etienne
Josh JacobsThat’s it.
pic.twitter.com/lgdDb5yelK— Football Fanatics (@FFB_Fanatics) August 20, 2024
Hall had a fantastic comeback after having his rookie season cut short by an ACL injury. The running back from Iowa State had 994 rushing yards, 591 receiving yards, and nine total touchdowns in 17 games. Those numbers were good for 290.5 points in PPR. He could be up for another big season, mainly if the New York Jets’ revamped offensive line performs well in run blocking.
Bijan Robinson Fantasy Football Outlook
Bijan Robinson
Elite in 2023 on a per touch basis.
Amongst RBs
⁃ 5th in Yards Created
⁃ 7th in Evaded Tackles
⁃ 9th in Yards per TouchThe Falcons have committed to utilizing Bijan in a “Christian McCaffrey” role.
Should score 400+ FPts this year.
pic.twitter.com/zw0VrdSTxR https://t.co/NQ9kL6sbh3
— Joe Orrico (@NoExpertFF) August 17, 2024
Robinson manifested his versatility during his rookie season with the Atlanta Falcons, tallying 976 rushing yards, 487 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. His stats translated to 246.3 fantasy points in PPR. He could experience an increase in his stats with Kirk Cousins being their starting quarterback.
Derrick Henry Fantasy Football Outlook
This is Derrick Henry and Isiah Pacheco.
The 16th and 17th overall players in ESPN leagues.
Who would you draft for your fantasy football team? pic.twitter.com/uT3UPh2ASa
— Moody (@EricNMoody) August 16, 2024
He did reasonably well during his final season with the Tennessee Titans, finishing with 1,167 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. Henry’s total output for 2023 translated into 246.66 fantasy points in PPR. A change in scenery with the Baltimore Ravens could put him among the top running backs in fantasy.
Jonathan Taylor Fantasy Football Outlook
He Will See MORE Than Enough Run🚂
Jonathan Taylor Over 30.5 Total Yards (UD)
This Offense looked BAD in camp this week vs the Bengals and Shane Steichen made it CLEAR they need to be on the same page before week 1.
Steichen said in a press conference that this Colts O will… pic.twitter.com/PtavfRDRJ7
— BDGE Bets (@BDGEbets) August 22, 2024
The Indianapolis Colts running back did reasonably well in 2022 (861 yards, four touchdowns) despite missing six games due to an ankle injury. A year later, he had 741 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games. Since he’s not nursing an injury coming into the 2024 season, he could return to elite status, increasing his fantasy football output.
Other Considerations
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions
- Saquon Barkley, Eagles
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
Win More With RotoBaller
Be sure to also check out all of our other daily fantasy football articles and analysis to help you set those winning lineups, including this new RotoBaller YouTube video:
More Fantasy Football Analysis