FFB Does Fantasy Football Rankings: Your Top 50 Running Backs for 2024
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2. Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons) -
If you happened to get past the baseless "sensitive material" warning on my wide receivers rankings then you should already know this, but the Falcons are in a much better spot heading into 2024. Kirk Cousins is in town, and Arthur Smith is gone. We all saw what happened last year with Bijan - it was puzzling and underwhelming. I wholeheartedly expect the Falcons to utilize him more this year, similar to the way the 49ers have with CMC. Bijan is just too good not to be finding mismatches and making opposing linebackers look dumb out of the backfield. There's no excuse not to get more out of him after they drafted him 8th overall and got timid, and I believe they will this year.
3. Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts) -
The past is the past. We don't need to discuss the circus holdout and/or injury situation that he endured last year, we're here to focus on the future. What we'll have is a full season of Jonathan Taylor coming in healthy with minimal competition for touches (Trey Sermon is his backup, wtf?) for the first time since 2021. If you'll recall, he was fantasy's RB1 in 2021. That level of performance is still in there and it's not unreasonable to hope for somewhere in the neighborhood of 5 ypc, 1,400-1,500 rushing yards, and 10-15 TDs.
4. Breece Hall (NY Jets) -
After a rookie season cut short by injury, he blasted off in 2023. This is all the more impressive considering who his quarterback was and the general whirlwind of stupidity that followed after Aaron Rodgers got hurt two minutes into the season. EVEN MORE impressive considering he was more or less shunned from touching the ball around the goal line.
Now that Rodgers is back, maybe the Jets might finally contend, and Breece Hall could hit 300 total touches/1,600 total yards by week 15.Breece Hall finishing as 2023's overall fantasy RB2 with *one* carry inside the five-yard line all year was wild, man
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) July 22, 2024
5. Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles) -
A change of scenery and quite possibly the best offensive line in the league will be just what the doctor ordered for Saquon and I don't think $26 million guaranteed is going in his pocket for him to get anything less than 270 carries.
6. Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens) -
The Ravens plucked King Henry away from Tennessee and there's officially no more confusion in Baltimore. No more pathetic weekly "Justice Hill or Gus Edwards" dilemmas. Who knows when Keaton Mitchell will be back, so my advice is to just plug in Henry and let him work. It may not be a 350 carry season, but 280 isn't out of the question, let's just trust the data with this one. He's 30 years old and the running back age/bell-curve theory is out there, but he's been the exception to the rule so far. He hasn't been under 4.2 ypc in his entire career and I don't anticipate him slowing down right yet. He's joining a superior offense and he's likely to get a healthy dose of touches around the goal line. He's produced as consistently as anyone I can think of over the last 6 years amassing 80 touchdowns in that span, so it's perfectly acceptable to put your trust in Tractorcito.
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7. Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions) -
I adore the skillset here, but I saw enough last year to keep me from taking the top-5 bait for Gibbs. There's gonna be enough of David Montgomery involvement to frustrate owners, but I'm foreseeing an elite season from Gibbs nonetheless. Taking all that into consideration, we'll see a strong, hybrid output with 1,500-1,800 yards from scrimmage. He's elusive and he's fast, and I expect 5.0+ yards per touch with 250 touches at the absolute bare minimum.
8. Rachaad White (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) -148 seconds of Jahmyr Gibbs making dudes miss pic.twitter.com/ElGVI9Cv61
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) July 23, 2024
Another 2023 breakout, Rachaad White emerged as a dangerous pass-catching threat as well as the bell cow on the ground. I talked a lot last year about "Christian McCaffrey-lite" and I stand by that. He got plenty of red zone love, carried the ball 272 times, and caught 64 of 70 targets for 549 yards. If he can get past the 1,000 yard mark on the ground and turn the corner on his yards per carry we could be looking at a 1,600-1,700 all-purpose type of fantasy performance.
9. Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams) -
The 2023 Conor Stalions "Epic Thievery" Award Winner. Hard to even explain how ridiculously good he was last year as a waiver savior for most (if not all) fantasy teams. He gave owners high level output, even missing a few games in the middle of the season. 15 touchdowns in 12 games. If Sean McVay has bought in, that means you should too.
10. Travis Etienne Jr. (Jacksonville Jaguars) -
Etienne has quietly produced back-to-back 1400+ yard seasons while the rest of his offense has incessantly shit their pants. He's been a consistent presence while Doug Pederson and the Jags continue to try and figure out if Trevor Lawrence is actually their franchise QB or not.
11. Isaiah Pacheco (Kansas City Chiefs) -
Angry Runner Extraordinaire. It's Pacheco's show until we're made to understand otherwise. He ought to top 1,000 on the ground this year and comfortably see 60+ targets over the course of 17 games. I expect anywhere between 220 and 250 fantasy points.
12. De'Von Achane (Miami Dolphins) -
He has to be the clear RB1 in Miami at this point, and if he can stay healthy/maintain some of last year's efficiency, there shouldn't be any problems getting to 1,300+ total yards. It's somewhat of a timeshare with Mostert still pumping, but the breakaway speed and explosive runs are exciting. If he can get to the 200 carry mark, he's a safe investment and a good bet to be sniffing the top-10.
13. James Conner (Arizona Cardinals) -
ECR has him as RB21, and I'm here to tell you that this is hogwash. In 13 games last season, he averaged 5 ypc on 208 carries and scored 9 total TDs. His metrics are elite and Kyler being back close to 100% + Marvin Harrison's arrival will only free him up that much more. He's perennially slept on but I won't make the same mistake again.
14. James Cook (Buffalo Bills) -
RB11 last year and he left a lot on the table. What I'm doing here is seeing the glass half full: He WILL capitalize on more red zone looks and he WILL NOT drop any more easy touchdown passes. He had just 2 rushing TDs last season with roughly 20 chances inside the 10 yard line, there's no way he'll have such garbage luck two seasons in a row so count on that number being higher. The Bills did draft Ray Davis so there's a tad more competition, but top-15 is a lock.
James Cook sheesh x4 pic.twitter.com/av6AnM6CjV
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) May 10, 2024
15. Kenneth Walker III (Seattle Seahawks) -
The scenario for KWIII is quite nice heading into this fantasy season. Zach Charbonnet is still there, but no one else - it's the same backfield as last year. They also added offensive line reinforcements in the draft, so they should be beefier up front. Walker has scored 9 TDs each of the last two seasons, methinks this is the year he gets to double digits and beyond.
16. Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) -
After the RB3 eruption in 2022, he was an ADP nightmare in 2023, finishing as RB27. His production was 50% of what it was the season before, he averaged 1.41 fewer ypc, and he generally soured on the Raiders' direction altogether. He's found a new home in Green Bay and Matt LaFleur likes to get his running backs involved in the passing game, so this adds an intriguing element to a proven performer on the ground.
17. Aaron Jones (Minnesota Vikings) -
Another change of scenery beneficiary starting over in Minneapolis, he'll look to revert to his previous form and get back to 200 carries/50 receptions after injuries kept him out of 6 games last year.
18. Joe Mixon (Houston Texans) -
New team, same old Joe. In seasons that he's been healthy, he's been no worse than RB12 and the Texans wouldn't have brought him in if they were satisfied with where Dameon Pierce was. Cam Akers isn't a true threat to Mixon's touches and it'll be more of what we're used to (consistent ground game and receiving out of the backfield).
19. Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints) -
Alvin's productivity has waned in recent years, but that's also been the ebb and flow effect of some injuries thrown in there. Overall, his touches have stayed relatively stable and if he can hover around the 250 mark and stay healthy for 17 games, then that should give fantasy owners 1,100-1,300ish yards in total. It may not be 2018-2020 caliber (45 total TDs in that span), but he still brings enough to the table to crack the top-20, even if he's scaled it back a tad.
20. David Montgomery (Detroit Lions) - As much as I love Gibbs, Montgomery is very much still there and the Lions proved last year that there's enough room for both. Montgomery missed 3 games last year and still managed to post RB13 numbers in half-PPR leagues, so a top-20 finish seems feasible again. At an ADP of 72.7 he's a steal and there's a lot to be excited about with Montgomery in an offense that ran the ball 500 times last year. If you're into nerdy stats, check the graph below:
21. Jaylen Warren (Pittsburgh Steelers) -looking at rushing yards over expected from 2023:
— Tej Seth (@tejfbanalytics) July 7, 2024
•james conner being the RB24 feels low (even with trey benson there)
•not sure there should be such a wide gap between gibbs and montgomery's ADPs
•breece hall and saquon barkley with better offensive lines could be awesome pic.twitter.com/lapV8BqgWR
22. Zack Moss (Cincinnati Bengals) -
He proved he could shoulder the load last year in Indianapolis, now he's set to be the centerpiece of this backfield with Chase Brown sprinkled in at a decent clip. Friendly reminder: He averaged 16.7 fantasy points per game in weeks 2-7 before Jonathan Taylor returned.
23. Rhamondre Stevenson (New England Patriots) -
It was a high ankle sprain that more or less derailed Stevenson in 2023 as he was either inactive or didn't play in the last 5 games of the season. It was largely forgettable leading up to that, as was the Patriots season as a whole. Mac Jones is out, Bill Belichick is out, and Stevenson looking to recreate the breakout from 2022 when he gave fantasy owners 1,461 total yards.
24. Tony Pollard (Tennessee Titans) -
It's unclear as to who is the actual lead dog in Nashville, but Tony Pollard was paid handsomely and figures to be heavily involved in the offense regardless of who "wins" this job. The Titans snatched up some offensive line help in the first round of this past year's draft and they're in the midst of a rebuild, but I think there'll be 450ish carries to divvy up. Last year was a slog for Pollard as he did less with more and I'm starting to think that Tony Pollard's best work is simply done as part of a committee.
25. Javonte Williams (Denver Broncos) -
There's roughly a dozen running backs in Denver but Javonte Williams is the surest thing they've got. Let us not forget that Williams is 24 years old and one two years removed from a very bad knee injury RB17 rookie season where he had 903 yards on 203 carries. Even last year he got to 217 carries and RB30 in what was a forgettable season for the Broncos offense, things should be better looking ahead but I'm tempering expectations.
26. Zamir White (Las Vegas Raiders) -
Will it be some sort of magical top-10 season? No, but it'll be perfectly fine. I realize how small of a sample size this is, but in 4 games as a starter last year, he averaged 99.25 yards per game and I, for one, believe he found his footing heading into 2024.
27. D'Andre Swift (Chicago Bears) -
I love Swift and he's got top-20 potential, but three's a crowd. This isn't a bad thing for the Bears, but for fantasy purposes Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson will be production-vultures.
28. Brian Robinson Jr. (Washington Commanders) -
Brian Robinson was fantastic last year tallying just over 1,100 scrimmage yards and 9 total TDs. I feel like we're just scratching the surface of what he can do, but Austin Ekeler will come in and cap his workload, so we may not see that full potential on display.
29. Raheem Mostert (Miami Dolphins) -
Let's get one thing straight: He's not scoring 18 TDs this year. Last year was lightning in a bottle, and that's fine, because top-25 or somewhere therein is still good enough considering the Dolphins added depth at the RB position.
30. Devin Singletary (New York Giants) -
He's always been a top 25-30 guy, even though he's technically the RB1 in New York. It's hard to really project with him since he's never been a featured back and none of his metrics really jump off the page. I view him as a "2023 Tony Pollard" who has always been solid as a backup but may struggle as the true lead back behind a shoddy OL. He'll have his moments and put together a decent campaign when it's all said and done.
31. Najee Harris (Pittsburgh Steelers) -
Certified plodder. I think we can confidently move on and accept that Jaylen Warren brings more to the table, even if Najee shows flashes from time to time. Whether or not Mike Tomlin skews the touches in Warren's favor remains to be seen, leaving both of the Steelers RBs in a sort of purgatory where neither will be strong fantasy options.
32. Tyjae Spears (Tennessee Titans) -
He finds himself on the less savory end of the backfield split after Derrick Henry's departure, but he's got plenty of gas.
33. Nick Chubb (Cleveland Browns) -
It feels weird to have Chubb outside the top 10, but it's up in the air whether or not he'll be anywhere near full strength by Week 1. Partial season coming back from the knee injury will have him in unfamiliar fantasy ranking territory.
34. Gus Edwards (Los Angeles Chargers) -
The Gus Bus didn't have a single game with 20 carries last year, but he sure scored a lot of touchdowns. He's anything but a volume play but the touchdown potential is undeniable (13 rushing TDs last year).
35. Ezekiel Elliott (Dallas Cowboys) -
Back in Dallas as part of a committee, a heavily touchdown-dependent option at this point in his career.
36. Austin Ekeler (Washington Commanders) -
Unfortunately, I think Ekeler's best days are behind him. Last season was the first indicator of this, and 2024 will be a similar drag. Sharing the backfield with a younger version of himself, to some degree, will relegate him.
37. Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals) -
Again, Zack Moss was brought in to be the anchor, but Chase Brown is undoubtedly the more dynamic, scatty option of the two. I fear he'll remain a change-of-pace guy more than anything else, despite the hype coming out of camp.
Chase Brown showing off his explosiveness on day one of #Bengals training camp pic.twitter.com/6ICJfqiDLz
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) July 24, 2024
38. Jonathan Brooks (Carolina Panthers) -
The Panthers made Jonathan Brooks the first RB off the board in this year's draft for a reason, and that's to usurp Chuba Hubbard as the starter in Carolina. When that happens is anyone's guess. He's rehabbing an ACL, and Chuba Hubbard was respectable last year (RB26 in half-PPR leagues), so we'll see how this position battle plays out. The Carolina offense isn't particularly exhilarating either way, and this all screams timeshare/hot hand to me.
39. Jerome Ford (Cleveland Browns) -
Jerome Ford was a big waiver wire contributor last year for folks that scooped him up after Nick Chubb's knee exploded. He's Cleveland's RB1 and a bargain pick in the event that Chubb isn't ready to start the season.
40. Tyler Allgeier (Atlanta Falcons) -
This guy is non-negotiable for anyone that's taking the Bijan Leap. He was sturdy in 2022 as a rookie, rushing 210 times for 1,035 yards. Everything was trending up until the Falcons drafted Bijan, which made for a supremely frustrating 2023 - for the entire Falcons offense - and Allgeier plummeted all the way to 3.7 ypc. I expect Bijan to be formally unleashed this season, but Allgeier has shown that he's no slouch. Consider Tyler Allgeier the ultimate handcuff pick for 2024.
41. Antonio Gibson (New England Patriots) -
Never forget: RB12 as a rookie in 2020, RB11 in 2021. Will anyone #FreeAntonio and find a way to use his tools?
42. Jaylen Wright (Miami Dolphins) -
Speed kills, and Wright's got wheels. He might just be this year's version of his Dolphins counterpart, De'Von Achane. Again, it's a packed house in that RB room so opportunities will be somewhat limited.
43. Kendre Miller (New Orleans Saints) -
Things didn't sound stellar out of Saints camp this past week with regards to Miller's hamstring. He's at the mercy of Alvin Kamara's availability as well as his own, in that order.
44. Zach Charbonnet (Seattle Seahawks) -#Saints HC Dennis Allen on Kendre Miller:
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) July 25, 2024
“Kendre’s got a hamstring. So, look, that’s a player that’s gonna have to figure out how to stay healthy, ‘cuz it’s hard to make the team when you’re in the training room all the time.” pic.twitter.com/JR5kXeo5T0
Back end of the committee in Seattle. If he gets to 150 carries I'll eat my shorts. Very solid insurance option, but stuck in the backseat with Kenneth Walker riding shotgun.
45. Blake Corum (Los Angeles Rams) -
I'll preface this by saying I don't think it happens, but IF Kyren Williams was actually a flash in the pan and flops this year, then Blake Corum is next in line. He's willing and able to withstand a steady workload, as we saw at Michigan.
46. Trey Benson (Arizona Cardinals) -
I've harped on how much I love James Conner, but best believe Trey Benson will be nipping at heels.
47. Chuba Hubbard (Carolina Panthers) -
See: #38
48. Jaleel McLaughlin (Denver Broncos) -
It's projecting to be a Javonte Williams/Jaleel McLaughlin/Audric Estime backfield in Denver. While Javonte will likely benefit from half or more of the touches, McLaughlin did enough last year for Sean Payton to comfortably deploy him in a secondary role and keep defenses on their toes.
49. Rico Dowdle (Dallas Cowboys) -
True timeshare guy, again. The Dallas backfield makes me want to puke.
50. Ty Chandler (Minnesota Vikings) -
Tough luck as he had a solid end to last season and wound up as RB45. Aaron Jones being added to the mix dooms Chandler and halts any ascension that might've been, so he'll be between RB40-RB50 again.
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