Workhorse Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings for All 32 Teams - Expected Snap Counts Analysis

September 5, 2024

John's workhorse fantasy football RB rankings, sleepers, breakdowns for 2024. His projected running back snap counts and expected workloads for all 32 teams.

There have been increasingly fewer "workhorse" running backs in the NFL. More teams are shifting towards "committee" roles in their backfields for various reasons. This can frustrate fantasy football managers, as it reduces the concentration of fantasy points for RBs and makes it more difficult to obtain league-winning or even high-scoring RBs.

The situation varies by NFL team. Some teams do still have true workhorses, some are in a state of transition, and some are full-blown two-way and even disgusting three-way committees. Some teams actually have more unique roles for their RBs, though, and this can lead to interesting implications.

Let's dive into all 32 starting RBs, ordered by expected "bell cow" potential, for fantasy football in 2024. Any running backs in questionable situations have been flagged with asterisks. This is a long read but well worth the time, so buckle in!

1. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers

McCaffrey was a legitimate bell cow in 2023. He was second in team Snap Count percentage in 2023, and no significant competition was brought in. Running back Isaac Guerendo was brought in but remains buried on the depth chart.

As long as McCaffrey is healthy (and he returned to practice Wednesday), he should be the clear No. 1 workhorse RB of 2024 and a lock to be top-5 in snap count percentage. There aren't many questions about this, and not much needs to be said. Book it.

2. Jonathan Taylor, Colts

The Colts signed Jonathan Taylor to a massive contract last offseason. 2023's Colts' RB2 has now ridden off to new lands, leaving Taylor with no competition in the backfield aside from Trey Sermon, who has yet to make an impact.

The Colts are confident in Taylor, and as long as he can stay healthy, they probably believe he can replicate (or come close to replicating) his magical RB1 season in 2021, where he scored 21.9 PPR fantasy points per game on the way to a rushing title.

JONATHAN TAYLOR LOSES EVERYONE AND TAKES IT 67 YARDS TO THE HOUSE 💨

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/bxytCo7JJF

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 19, 2021

Anthony Richardson presumably will serve as the technical RB2 (however that works), and they should hog the lion's share of the carries. Expect to see Taylor on the field with the offense a lot this season.

3. Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars 

Etienne ranked second in the league in RB team snap %. Etienne has far outplayed backfield mate Tank Bigsby, who has failed to do much of anything in his rookie season, and until Bigsby breaks out in a big way, the far more talented Etienne should hog the majority of the snaps.

Etienne's contributions in the receiving game make him an even more valuable asset for the Jaguars.

Etienne gives the Jags just what the needed

📺: #CINvsJAX on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/JZL7uE8ZOm pic.twitter.com/F675VgY970

— NFL (@NFL) December 5, 2023

Etienne is also a solid pass blocker, and his effort shines on tape, even if it doesn't show up on the stat sheet. Etienne is happy to fly down the field and make crucial blocks for his receivers if needed.

This is a play that won’t show up on the stat sheet: #Jaguars RB Travis Etienne sprinting up the field to make a crucial block for Calvin Ridley.

Amazing effort and hustle. pic.twitter.com/9eG1v7i6ec

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) September 10, 2023

Etienne is a do-it-all RB who deserves every snap he gets, and with little threat to his role, he should continue to be a workhorse RB.

4. Saquon Barkley, Eagles

Barkley's snap count remained high in 2023 in spite of injuries. A healthy Saquon is a workhorse. Signed to a three-year, $37.75 Million dollar contract this offseason by the Philadelphia Eagles, Barkley is still in his prime at age 27. Barkley averaged a whopping 80% of team snaps in 2022, 8% more than second place.

Barkley is still capable of making huge plays in both the passing and receiving game, and his playmaking ability is too great for the Eagles to ignore.

Saquon Barkley highlight reel from last year cause Why not? pic.twitter.com/wwedw5K6Ji

— Barstool New York (@BarstoolNYC) April 27, 2023

Barkley possesses the same mouthwatering skill set as he always has, and he returned to finish the 2023 season, so it appears he is healthy. Book him for a huge snap count in 2024.

5. Breece Hall, Jets

Hall had a strange season in 2023, marred by his ACL injury, Aaron Rodgers going down four snaps into the season, and a slew of offensive line injuries. Hall has genuine RB1 potential, and that should be reflected in the snap count, though the Jets may not have him on the field quite as much as the RBs above him.

The linked article in the paragraph above should tell you everything you need to know about Hall. He is easily a top-5 RB in the NFL, and the presence of late-round rookie Braelon Allen is likely a move to provide depth at the position and keep Breece healthy.

6. Joe Mixon, Texans

Mixon has been a workhorse RB his entire time with the Cincinnati Bengals, and that's unlikely to change. The Texans let Devin Singletary go, and Mixon signed with the Texans. Houston's Head Coach DeMeco Ryans has been open about Mixon's project-heavy usage.

#Texans HC DeMeco Ryans on his red zone offense:

“A good red zone offense, you have to be able to run the ball. All offenses in the history of the league that have been really good in the red zone, they’ve been able to run the ball. And that’s what it’s gonna take for us… We’re… pic.twitter.com/QOICCfgccq

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) September 4, 2024

Fellow Texans running back Dameon Pierce was an absolute non-factor last year. There were even questions if he would make the roster. Pierce projects to be a non-factor this year, being in the same scheme with the same OC. Mixon is the guy, in part because the Texans have no one else close to him to lean on.

7. Bijan Robinson, Falcons

Robinson was one of the best RB draft prospects in the last decade. Unfortunately, Arthur Smith criminally misused him, diverting volume to fellow running back Tyler Allgeier and sometimes even to Tight End Jonnu Smith. Bijan is projected to see a much higher snap count this year, purely owing to his elite skill set as a pass-catcher.

Bijan put together a nice season in 2023, but it left fantasy managers wishing for more. Their prayers will probably be answered, as we should expect a much higher snap count and usage for Bijan in 2024.

8. Jonathon Brooks, Panthers**

There are two asterisks for Brooks because this is an interesting scenario. To start the season, Chuba Hubbard will likely carry the majority of the workload, though it's difficult to say how the split will be with Miles Sanders. Brooks was a star at Texas, handling a workhorse load, and figures to be the same once healthy.

Brooks was widely considered to be the only RB in the 2024 class with a legitimate three-down skill set, and Panthers Head Coach Dave Canales just gave his former Buccaneers lead RB, Rachaad White, a ridiculous, league-leading 861 snaps in 2023, good for 78% of team snaps (more on Rachaad later). Brooks has drafted multiple rounds ahead of Rachaad.

Rachaad had insane usage despite terrible efficiency (3.6 YPC). When healthy, Brooks will likely be asked to carry a large workload. He's a solid pass protector and has excellent skills as both a runner and pass catcher. Brooks was heavily praised by Canales as being incredibly versatile.

Panthers HC Dave Canales on what RB Jonathon Brooks brings

focus on versatility to factor in the receiving game, on top of the obvious rushing skills pic.twitter.com/hr9Qge9Ob4

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) April 27, 2024

Canales should use Brooks as a workhorse at some time during the 2nd half of the season, after working him in slowly, starting around week 5-6.

9. James Conner, Cardinals

Conner put together a fantastic season in 2023. Despite missing time due to injury, Conner cracked the 1,000-yard mark, averaging 5.0 Yards Per Carry, and scored 7 Touchdowns. Conner is a polished RB, forcing missed tackles at one of the highest rates in the league and putting together an impressive highlight reel.

Though perhaps underutilized in this area, Conner is an excellent pass-catcher and a true do-it-all RB. Health has been the only barrier to his production so far, and it's likely he would've had a much better season, cracking the top 10 fantasy scorers at RB, if he had stayed healthy.

OH MY GOD JAMES CONNER WITH ONE HAND

MAGIC BY KYLER AND CONNER
pic.twitter.com/MCg3JjfMIX

— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) December 31, 2023

Fellow Cardinals RB Rookie Trey Benson was likely brought in as a depth piece and to learn behind Conner. Though Conner may lose some snaps to Benson, Benson is a raw prospect in many areas, and Conner's success should earn him the workhorse role.

It's also the final year of Conner's contract, and if the Cardinals don't plan on resigning him, it's possible they plan on "running him into the ground" in his last season with the team.

10. Alvin Kamara, Saints

Despite having poor rushing efficiency last season, averaging just 3.9 Yards Per Carry, it would be tough for the Saints to siphon any significant amount of his snaps to other RBs. Fellow Saints RB Kendre Miller is beginning the season on Injured Reserve and will miss at least the first four games.

Miller was drafted by the Saints in 2023 and has failed to make an impact, largely due to nagging injuries. Miller has struggled to stay healthy during his entire tenure with the Saints, and that seems unlikely to change, given that he has a hamstring injury, one of the most difficult injuries to recover from due to its high rate of recurrence.

Expect Kamara to take a high number of snaps for the Saints in 2024. They might not have much other choice.

11. Kenneth Walker, Seahawks

Though fellow Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet took quite a few of Walker's snaps in 2023, it's important to note that this could be part of the reason why former OC Shane Waldron and HC Pete Carroll were fired. The Seahawks offense was not managed well in 2023, and new OC Ryan Grubb has a different attitude.

DK Metcalf said he thinks the run game will be the bread and butter of the Seahawks offense, and that was part of Ryan Grubb’s initial message to the team this offseason.

Full exchange here: pic.twitter.com/o0eA0NThgI

— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) September 4, 2024

Grubb plans to make the run game the "bread and butter" of the offense in 2024. Even better for Walker, Grubb was effusive in his praise for Walker in the passing game and as a "three-tool" running back, implying bell cow potential.

#Seahawks OC Ryan Grubb on Kenneth Walker:

“I think he gets better every single day. I think the sky’s the limit for him. I think he’s a really, really talented, powerful back that’s a true three-tool guy… He’s electric out of the backfield as a pass-catcher.” pic.twitter.com/b3FAKUQHib

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) August 7, 2024

Expect Grubb to use Walker much more heavily. Walker struggled with injuries in 2023,  which may have bothered him throughout the season and could explain Charbonnet's abnormally high usage, but Walker is fully healthy heading into 2024.

12. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots

The Patriots signed their Stevenson to a huge contract this offseason. Rhamondre is the RB1 for the team, and with minimal competition backing him up (Antonio Gibson has not made an impact in the NFL at all), expect Rhamondre to take the vast majority of snaps.

It's possible that due to the horrible state of the Patriots offensive line, Gibson could be subbed in for blowout games where there is no chance of the team coming back. However, the Patriots defense projects to be solid. It can be tricky predicting snap counts for bottom-tier teams, but count on Rhamondre having a good workload.

13. Josh Jacobs, Packers*

Jacobs may seem too low on this list. After all, he was an absolute workhorse in Las Vegas, ranking fifth in snap percentage in 2023.

However, he had a horribly inefficient season, and typically, RBs with such low-efficiency experience a decrease in volume the following season. Additionally, anyone who's rostered a Packers lead RB has been frustrated at the Packers' insistence on using a committee approach to the backfield.

They've done this no matter how awful the backup RB is (and A.J. Dillon is bad). However, RB2 of the Packers, MarShawn Lloyd, has been dealing with a hamstring injury, and third-string RB Emanuel Wilson was limited at practice with a hip injury. The Packers may have no choice but to use Jacobs as a workhorse initially.

Unfortunately for fantasy players who rostered Jacobs, when Lloyd and Wilson are back to full health, Jacobs' snap count should dip. Last year's Packers RB1 registered 20th in snap percentage in 2022, even though he played most of the season.

14. Derrick Henry, Ravens

Henry, like Jacobs, is moving from a team that used him as a workhorse (until recently) to a team that prefers a committee approach. Tennessee cryptically only gave him 53% of snaps last year, using Tyjae Spears much more than expected. It's possible the Titans thought he couldn't handle such a large workload.

Henry is now 30 years old, and NFL RBs take brutal punishment throughout their careers, especially workhorses. Expect Henry to have a large role but not dominate snaps like higher-tier workhorse RBs. The Ravens will need to keep him healthy for the playoffs, and he's never been a big pass catcher.

On obvious passing downs, Henry may not be on the field much.

15. Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs

Chiefs running back Pacheco was projected by many to have a massive role in 2024. However, the emergence of rookie fellow RB Carson Steele and the signing of Samaje Perine quelled these rumors. Steele is a tackle-breaking machine and could siphon goal-line carries from Pacheco, and Perine is a legit pass-catching RB.

Carson Steele Chiefs RB2? pic.twitter.com/LwnTD1bc4e

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) August 26, 2024

Expect Steele to be used at the goal line in some capacity and for Perine to take over in some obvious passing situations where he excels as a pass blocker and catcher. Perine is also slated to play on Thursday against the Ravens.

16. James Cook, Bills

Cook received significant volume in 2023, but the Bills drafted Ray Davis, and Cook has a big problem: he's terrible inside the opposing 20-yard line. Cook averaged just 2.4 Yards Per Carry from the opposing 1-19-yard line. A big reason Josh Allen runs so much could be Cook's ineptitude close to the goal line.

Davis has no such issues. He weighs 30 more pounds than Cook (220 to 190) and is a better power runner. The Bills have been looking for a short yardage back and have found it in Davis. The Bills backfield should be more of a committee. McDermott had high praise for the rookie.

High praise from Sean McDermott regarding rookie RB Ray Davis, who flashed for the team tonight:

“Ray was making some big time runs. They were physical. He was physical and almost looking for contact. Squaring his pads up to the line of scrimmage - I respect that.”…

— Ajay Cybulski (@AjayCybulski) August 18, 2024

Expect Davis to frustrate Cook's fantasy managers this year. Cook isn't likely to ever get the goal line carries, and this backfield will be more of a committee than people hope.

17. Aaron Jones, Vikings

The rest of the RBs on this list, including Jones, profile to be used in, at best, pseudo-committees. Jones has had injury issues throughout his career, which have hampered his potential bell cow usage. The Vikings are reportedly expected to keep Jones under 20 touches per game.

With this in mind, it's reasonable to expect a decent dosage of Ty Chandler in the game, as Jones' injury history could limit his snaps. The Vikings probably don't want to use him extensively as a pass blocker.

18. Devin Singletary, Giants

Singletary has had a solid career to this point but has never been able to take over a bell cow role. Fellow Giants RB Tyrone Tracy Jr. could emerge, but he's dealt with injury issues, which may take time. Singletary is still the clear lead back, and Tracy was a late-round pick, so especially in the early weeks, the Giants should lean on Singletary.

This is admittedly a difficult backfield to predict, as the Giants have had an atrocious offense, and it's hard to know how much they'll run behind what has been one of the worst offensive lines in recent years.

UPDATE: Brian Daboll expressed major confidence in Singletary. ESPN's Giants reporter Jordan Ranaan expects Singletary to have a massive snap count. He should be higher on this list.

Attention fantasy owners: RB Devin Singletary is going to have prime usage. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him take more than 80% of the Giants snaps in a role similar to Saquon Barkley last season.

Brian Daboll and this #Giants staff love and trust him. #nfl #giants #fantasy pic.twitter.com/O4N9VSCGIV

— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) September 5, 2024

19. Rachaad White, Buccaneers

Rachaad White is in danger of losing a significant portion of his snaps to Bucky Irving. This backfield could become a full-blown committee. Rachaad has been terribly inefficient. A full breakdown of his red flags can be found here. It's worth noting that almost no RB with rushing averages as low as Rachaad (3.6 YPC in 2023) maintains their workload for long.

RB volume is extremely fragile in the NFL, and efficiency is one of the biggest leading factors to a large dip in workload the next season. It's quite possible that Canales merely propped up Rachaad's numbers with huge volume, and he could stand to lose more snaps than any other running back in the NFL year after year.

20. Kyren Williams, Rams****

There are a lot of asterisks here because we don't know what will happen with Kyren Williams this year. The Rams used multiple rounds higher of draft capital to select Blake Corum, an RB who profiles similarly to Kyren but with a significantly faster 40 time.

Corum is much more accomplished than Kyren in college, easily lapping him in overall production. Conflicting reports have come out of the Rams organization and coaching staff, with Kyren being named the punt returner and Corum the kick returner (probably overblown). You can find a full breakdown of Kyren's situation here.

Williams handled a massive workload in 2023, but it's alarming that the Rams would draft an arguably more talented version of Kyren in 2023. Corum could be his backup all year or step in due to a Kyren injury, steal the job, and never look back, given McVay's history of preferring a workhorse RB.

Deal with the Rams backfield with caution.

21. Raheem Mostert, Dolphins**

More asterisks! Mostert's snap count is difficult to predict. He handled a large workload in 2023, but the Dolphins didn't have much depth behind him, and De'Von Achane struggled through injuries.

Achane has bulked up and should be able to handle a higher workload. Mostert is 32, and it's questionable if Mostert will end the season as the Dolphins' RB1. The Dolphins also drafted Jaylen Wright, a 210-pound RB with blazing speed, and McDaniel has shown he's willing to get rookies involved (... see Achane in 2023).

Complicating matters, Achane should be used all over the field in 2024, being split out wide and in the slot as well as at RB. Yes, Achane will be used as a receiver. Will Mostert be on the field with Achane out wide on the field often? Will they do zero-RB sets in these cases? How does Wright factor in? There are so many unknowns.

It's reasonable to expect Mostert's snap count to decline significantly by the middle of the season. Achane may take over the backfield, considering he had record-breaking efficiency last year and has addressed his size (and hopefully durability) concerns. And the Dolphins may have drafted Mostert's eventual replacement.

22. David Montgomery, Lions

Montgomery is in a full-blown committee with Jahmyr Gibbs, and though Montgomery was a starter last year, we saw Gibbs' workload increase as the season went on. Montgomery and Gibbs ended the season splitting drives, sharing the goal line work, and divvying up the carries along the rest of the field pretty evenly.

Expect more of the same this year. Gibbs should handle the majority of the passing game work, but with alternating drives, the Lions may prefer to just throw to their WRs/TEs while Montgomery is on the field.

23. Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders

Robinson Jr. projects to be in a relatively even committee with Austin Ekeler. If Ekeler is hampered by injury this season, he could maintain a roughly even workload split with Robinson. However, if Ekeler is as sluggish as he was last season (terrible PFF grade, bad efficiency), Robinson could take on more of a workload.

The Commanders paid Ekeler under $9 million for a two-year contract, which is pretty low for an RB of his (former) caliber. They may expect him to fall off to some degree, but he will be a factor.

24. Javonte Williams, Broncos

Broncos Head Coach Sean Payton loves his committees. His ideal backfield involves an Ingram/Kamara-like split, with one handling the majority of the pass-catching duties. That projects to be Jaleel McLaughlin, who was explosive in space and played very well as a pass-catcher.

Javonte's devastating knee injury in 2022 appeared to affect him in 2023, and injuries of that magnitude can often cause permanent declines in explosiveness and production.

Payton is unlikely to use Javonte as a workhorse with the emergence of Jaleel, and Audric Estime was likely drafted as an insurance policy and Javonte's eventual replacement.

25. Zack Moss, Bengals

Reporting out of the Bengals organization has indicated that Moss and fellow RB Chase Brown will share a nearly even split. Neither has much bell cow potential, and fantasy ADPs have reflected this.

Brown didn't look good in limited action last year with the Bengals other than on a long reception through wide-open space on a busted coverage by the defense.

26. Zamir White, Raiders

ZamirWhite handled workhorse duties in Josh Jacobs' stead to the end of 2023 and performed reasonably well for fantasy managers. What did the Raiders do after losing Jacobs to the Packers? Immediately sign Alexander Mattison and draft Dylan Laube. You can find a longer breakdown here.

Raiders OC Luke Getsy authored a hideous three-way committee backfield in Chicago, and there's no reason he won't do the same here. This is likely a committee backfield.

27. Jerome Ford, Browns*

Asterisk here because while Jerome Ford should handle the majority of the carries and workload while Nick Chubb is gone, if Chubb returns to even 70% of his former self this year, Chubb will be the man in Cleveland.

Chubb is a historically great running back. Should Chubb not fully recover, it's possible we will see more of a committee, and if Chubb does end up being somewhat fine, Ford may still have a presence.

28. D'Andre Swift, Bears

There may be nothing the Bears love more than disgusting two to three-way committees, and though there is a new Offensive Coordinator in town (Shane Waldron), we just saw Waldron criminally misuse Kenneth Walker after his monster rookie season.

Walker was limited to just over 50% of the team's snaps under Waldron, with Charbonnet being used heavily despite not making much of an impact and being a fantasy non-factor. Swift profiles as more of a pass-catching back, but he isn't a good pass blocker or a power runner, so he will lose snaps to the highly efficient Khalil Herbert.

Roschon Johnson saw reasonable work last year as well and is a powerful runner and a solid pass blocker. We'll see a mix of all three backs this year.

29. Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys

Elliott was highly inefficient last year, logging a putrid 3.5 Yards Per Carry. However, he has proven to be durable, an asset that Rico Dowdle, his Running Back mate, does not share. Dallas also signed Dalvin Cook, which could dilute Zeke's snap share even more.

The Cowboys are looking like a strange three-way committee, and that's likely to hold if Dowdle stays healthy and Cook is remotely like his former self.

30. J.K. Dobbins / Gus Edwards, Chargers

Yeah... the Chargers listed Dobbins and Edwards as co-starters on the team site's depth chart. New Head Coach Jim Harbaugh prefers a run-heavy approach, so we'll get to see plenty of action from both.

If Dobbins' leg can hold up, this could be a relatively even split all year, providing both perform well and stay ahead of fellow RB rookie Kimani Vidal.

31. Najee Harris, Steelers

There are two emotions that are important to note here. One is love: Arthur Smith's love for weird three-way committees, even giving carries to his backup Tight Ends (really). The other is hate: the hate fantasy managers have for Arthur Smith consistently frustrates them with his unorthodox personnel decisions.

Those who rostered Bijan Robinson are versed in his RB usage tactics. Why did Tyler Allgeier get so many carries last year? What has Cordarrelle Patterson shown he has left in the tank? Yet Patterson was signed by the Steelers, and there have been rumors of him having a role in Pittsburgh.

Smith surprises us with something weird, as he always does. If it were not for Smith, I'd have Harris much higher, but it's just tough to predict what Smith will do.

32. Tony Pollard, Titans

The Titans have been open about Pollard and fellow Titans RB Tyjae Spears being in a nearly even split for workload in 2024. Expect them to be telling the truth. Both Pollard and Spears are explosive (well, Pollard was before 2023) RBs with pass-catching chops and solid runners.

New Titans HC Brian Callahan called Spears and Pollard "interchangeable", and that's probably how he'll use them.

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