Who Should I Draft? Kenneth Walker III, Austin Ekeler, Jaylen Warren Fantasy Football Outlooks (2024)

The running back position has changed over the past few years. NFL teams have gone from having a featured guy earning 400 touches per season to using multiple running backs.

Unfortunately, that’s not ideal for fantasy players. Yet, a split backfield can provide meaningful fantasy value. The Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders, and Pittsburgh Steelers are three teams with two talented running backs on the roster.

While Kenneth Walker III, Austin Ekeler, and Jaylen Warren have to split the backfield workload with another running back, all three are solid fantasy football picks this season. However, which one should fantasy players target in their 2024 drafts?

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Kenneth Walker III 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

Walker was the RB19 last season, averaging 12.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 905 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in 15 contests. Many were afraid to draft the explosive runner after the Seahawks added Zach Charbonnet in the offseason.

However, Walker was the featured running back, scoring 90% of the backfield’s touchdowns last season. Reportedly, he should have a similar role this upcoming season.

Kenneth Walker III's second TD!

Just like that, we're tied in Detroit.

📺: #SEAvsDET on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/TBNIJpV1Up

— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023

Austin Ekeler 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

While Ekeler changed teams in the offseason, going from the Los Angeles Chargers to the Commanders, the veteran has gas left in the tank. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury has high expectations for Brian Robinson Jr. and Ekeler this season, especially with a rookie quarterback under center.

The veteran averaged 11.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in 2023. However, he played most of the season with a high ankle sprain.

#Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury on the RB room:

“Austin Ekeler has been fantastic. I think there’s a narrative out there that maybe he lost a step, or something was off, and that couldn’t be further from the truth from what I’ve seen… [Brian Robinson], he’s a No. 1 back in this… pic.twitter.com/WuDYGIk59f

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) August 22, 2024

Jaylen Warren 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

Unfortunately, Warren suffered a hamstring injury in the Steelers’ Week 2 preseason matchup, putting his status for the start of the regular season in doubt. Last season, he was the RB25, averaging 9.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Warren had the fifth-most receptions among running backs with 61.

Fantasy players should expect him to have a larger role on offense under new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.

Steelers RB Jaylen Warren (hamstring) to miss multiple weeks; Week 1 status up in air, per @TomPelissero https://t.co/TMtzmH1ZT4 pic.twitter.com/5LThuKc6yc

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) August 18, 2024

Who Should I Draft in Fantasy Football?

All three running backs are solid options for fantasy players. However, Walker should be the first of the trio drafted, coming off the board at least two rounds before the other two. He has the most upside and talent of the trio.

Furthermore, Walker is the No. 1 running back on his team. Meanwhile, Ekeler and Warren are the No. 2 running back on the depth chart behind Robinson and Najee Harris.

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