Workhorse Running Back Draft Targets In 2024 Fantasy Football (2024)

Workhorse Running Back Draft Targets In 2024 Fantasy Football (1)

What Appears In This Article? hide

1.Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

2.Breece Hall, New York Jets

3.Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

4.Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

5.Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

6.Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

8.Joe Mixon, Houston Texans

10.Win More With RotoBaller

11.More Fantasy Football Analysis

There aren't many workhorse running backs in the NFL anymore. More and more teams are moving away from giving their RB1 that role. Last season, only six running backs (Christian McCaffrey, Rachaad White, Travis Etienne, Joe Mixon, Derrick Henry, and Tony Pollard) totaled over 300 touches.

As a result, running backs in fantasy football have lost a ton of value over the years. In 2023, only three running backs (McCaffrey, Breece Hall, and Etienne) finished inside the top 25 overall in points scored in PPR formats. All three of those backs also saw at least 222 carries.

So, let's take a look and see which running backs will have a workhorse role in 2024.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024 fantasy football drafts:

  • Fantasy football draft rankings (all positions)
  • Quarterback fantasy football rankings
  • Running back fantasy football rankings
  • Wide receiverfantasy football rankings
  • Tight endfantasy football rankings
  • Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
  • Fantasy football rookie rankings
  • Best ball fantasy football rankings
  • Superflex fantasy football rankings
  • Dynastyfantasy football rankings
  • IDP fantasy football rankings

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

There's a reason why McCaffrey has been the best fantasy running back over the past few years. It's because of his role in San Francisco's offense. His ability in the passing and running game makes him the most valuable fantasy player this upcoming season.

How can ANYONE act like Christian McCaffrey isn’t the CLEAR 1.01 in fantasy drafts this year?

Let’s take a look at why he’s STILL the best player you can draft in fantasy this SZN ⬇️‼️ pic.twitter.com/xAq9T3tDzS

— PPRFantasyTips (@PPRFantasyTips) July 24, 2024

In 2022, McCaffrey totaled 329 touches for 1,880 yards and 13 touchdowns. Then, last year, the 28-year-old saw 339 touches for 2,023 yards and 21 touchdowns. That high usage in both the running and passing game shouldn't stop in 2024, either. He is one of the few three-down backs currently in the NFL, totaling 668 touches since 2022. So, fantasy managers can take him with confidence at the 1.01 in drafts.

Breece Hall, New York Jets

Fantasy managers have yet to see Hall at full strength in a season over his career. In 2022, the 23-year-old tore his ACL in Week 7, and then in 2023, he was limited to start the year. However, managers saw last season what type of running back he is when fully healthy.

Over the final six weeks of the 2023 campaign, Hall averaged 22.8 touches per game. In four of those contests, the young running back also caught at least six passes, including a career-high 12 catches for 96 yards in Week 16 against the Washington Commanders. With the former Iowa State product likely in store for his first 300-plus touch season, he is a great pick early in 2024 fantasy drafts.

Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

Some fantasy managers might have been disappointed with Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson's involvement in his rookie year. Still, Robinson saw 272 touches and totaled 1,463 yards from scrimmage in 2023. In Year 2, though, expect the former Texas star to see much more opportunities.

All offseason, new Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has said the offense will run through Robinson in 2024, even saying that they will "get the ball to Bijan as much as possible." With the young running back entering his prime years in the NFL, look for him to see 250-plus carries and 60 catches in the passing game. As a result, he's a great pick in the first round of fantasy drafts.

Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

It has been a couple of rough years for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor has dealt with a bunch ofinjuries over the past two seasons, resulting in him missing a combined 13 games. But when healthy, he has been a workhorse back for the Colts.

After being limited in his first few games back last season, Taylor saw at least 15 touches in four of his final five games (Week 7 to Week 12). The Pro Bowler also saw at least 20 touches in three of those contests. With Indianapolis not adding a running back this offseason, the 25-year-old is expected to see most of the touches out of this backfield. The last time he played a full season was back in 2021 when he totaled 372 touches. He's definitely worth a pick in the second round of fantasy drafts.

Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

Many fantasy managers think Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams will see a lower workload in 2024 due to the arrival of rookie Blake Corum. While it would be shocking to see Williams maintain his 21.7 touches per game -- which led the NFL last year -- there's just no way the Rams will go away from him on offense.

Kyren Williams is coming stronger in 2024 💪 pic.twitter.com/grWKNNXhvd

— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) July 24, 2024

As a result, if the 23-year-old can stay healthy, a 300-plus touch season could be in store. He saw at least 20 touches in each of his final seven games while averaging 21.6 carries during that span. Corum will see some opportunities in his first year, but this is Williams' backfield in 2024. That's why he is a safe pick at his 16.9 ADP on Sleeper.

Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

Everything is pointing to Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley having a workhorse role this season. For starters, the Eagles didn't pay him $37.75 million over three years to sit on the bench. On top of that, Barkley was heavily involved in the passing game on his first day of training camp with the team.

Of course, it's just training camp, so fantasy managers should take that with a grain of salt. But look for the Eagles to really utilize him all over the field in 2024. Given his potential role in this offense behind an elite offensive line, Barkley has the potential to finish as a top-5 fantasy running back for the second time in three years.

Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens

At some point, age will catch up to Henry. With the veteran entering his age-30 season, some managers might be scared to draft him in 2024. However, it's hard not to love him in fantasy this year after he signed a multiyear deal with the Baltimore Ravens this offseason.

Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry connecting on a deep pass pic.twitter.com/llvGAYlg7K

— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) July 24, 2024

Henry goes to a Ravens offense that ran the ball at the highest mark (49.92%) last season and scored 26 touchdowns on the ground. With Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins both leaving in free agency and Keaton Mitchell (knee) recovering from a torn ACL, the veteran will have this Baltimore backfield to himself in 2024. He will see plenty of carries in this offense while likely exceeding 13 touchdowns this season. His age might be scary, but his workload will give him a safe floor in fantasy.

Joe Mixon, Houston Texans

The last running back who is in line for a workhorse role in 2024 is Mixon. Despite leaving the Bengals this offseason, the veteran's new situation with the Houston Texans is just as solid.

Mixon has topped the 300-touch mark in three of the past five seasons, and there's a good chance he'll reach that again in 2024. He'll lead the Texans backfield this upcoming season while being a weapon in both the running and passing game. With Dameon Pierce and Cam Akers as the only two running backs to compete with him for touches, the 28-year-old is a great value pick in the fourth or fifth round of drafts.

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Workhorse Running Back Draft Targets In 2024 Fantasy Football (2024)

FAQs

Who to draft first in fantasy football in 2024? ›

In 10-Team PPR, the best draft position is pick No. 1 or 2
RoundPlayer3d value
1CeeDee Lamb100.0
2Travis Etienne49.2
3Jalen Hurts45.9
4Jaylen Waddle40.5
3 more rows
2 days ago

Who is the best running back to pick for fantasy football? ›

Jahmyr Gibbs is a popular upside target. In 2023, he ranked second among RBs in Breakaway Run Rate (8.2 percent). Kyren Williams should still be the clear lead RB for the Rams. Rookie Blake Corum is a good change-of-pace option to ensure the No. 1 guy does not get overworked.

Is it better to draft a QB or RB first in fantasy football? ›

For example, QB is the highest-scoring position in most leagues. But elite RBs and WRs typically get drafted first because you need more starters at those positions and their scoring drops off more sharply. That's why the best way to draft is generally to prioritize RBs and WRs while waiting on QBs and TEs.

Who to target in fantasy football draft? ›

Top Target: Kyren Williams

Williams scored the second-most fantasy points per game by a running back with a clear three-point lead over everyone else who wasn't Christian McCaffrey. Part of that was due to a 90.5 run grade that ranked third-most among those with 50 or more carries.

How do you decide who goes first in fantasy football? ›

10 Ways to Decide Your Fantasy Football Draft Order
  1. May the best gambler win.
  2. Have a celebrity on cameo randomly assign your draft order.
  3. Everyone takes the NFL Wonderlic test (h/t Shawn Foss)
  4. WWE-themed event.
  5. Super Smash Bros.
  6. Dave and Busters Decathlon (h/t Chuck Bass)
  7. Beer pong tournament.
  8. Let golf decide.

Should you have more RB or WR in fantasy? ›

Conclusion: I will reference the inciting question, "Do Wide Receivers score more points than Running Backs in Fantasy Football", and conlcude that the answer is yes, Wide Receivers definitively score more points than Running Backs. There is more than sufficient evidence that backs the validity of my conclusion.

Who to pick as fantasy qb? ›

Most fantasy football quarterback rankings will start with Josh Allen at No. 1, then Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson round out a "Big Four" at the position. The Bills' standout has finished as a top QB2 in each of the past four seasons and rushed for a career-best 15 TDs in 2023.

Who has the best fantasy WR season? ›

#1.

Any way you want to look at it, Rice had the best fantasy football season of all time. You can consider 1987 the best season since it is the number one season by VBD. Rice put up 1,078 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns in just 12 games because of the NFL players' strike in the middle of the season.

Should I draft a RB or WR first round? ›

Wait a long time at QB and you can still end up being stronger than average there. You have about a 12% chance of hitting big with each RB25 to RB35 you pick. So, a good plan for your first seven rounds is (1) Kelce, three WRs, three RBs. Or (2) four WRs then three RBs.

Why do running backs go first in fantasy? ›

That said, if it's potentially position-leading upside you desire at running back, spending one of your first two picks on RBs was much more likely to result in success: 31% of running backs selected in the top two rounds finished top five at the position in scoring.

Is it smart to draft 2 QBs in fantasy football? ›

There's always a trade-off, though… taking a QB in Round 1 means no Christian McCaffrey, no Justin Jefferson, etc. If you play in a lot of leagues and have missed out on these other positional studs, a 2QB format gives you a much better shot at drafting one of them deep in the first round.

Who should I have for defense in fantasy football? ›

Fantasy Football Defense Rankings 2024 (DEF)
RankingADPDefensive Projections
Positional RankADPSacks
1Dallas CowboysDAL14.1141.5
2Philadelphia EaglesPHI18.0443.9
3Indianapolis ColtsIND19.1144.6
29 more rows

Does draft position matter in fantasy football? ›

Your draft position plays a big role in the fantasy football team you're able to put together. You can certainly assemble a championship-winning team from any spot. But the numbers are clear: Some draft positions are more advantageous than others.

Should you take a QB in the first round of fantasy? ›

Elite QB Strategy

Taking a high-end QB early in drafts has benefits. Having an elite weekly starter means you don't need to draft a backup. That saves a roster spot to be spent on a sleeper RB or WR late in the draft. High-end QBs also bring potential for QB1 overall weeks.

Why don't people pick QBs first in fantasy? ›

One of those things is cost. Because the demand for quarterbacks is so small, it allows usable players at the position to drop in fantasy drafts. In fact, since 2006, the 12th quarterback, on average, has left the board in the middle of the eighth round. In a 12-team league, that's the last hypothetical team starter.

When should you pick up a QB in fantasy football? ›

The optimal strategy is to hold off until at least the fifth and sixth rounds to ensure you'll get a competent, mid-tier QB who delivers (hopefully with some rushing upside). Still, worse case, you end up with a pocket passer tied to an explosive offense.

Should you draft a QB first in Dynasty fantasy football? ›

The position you draft first in dynasty fantasy football depends a lot on your scoring rules and league setup. If you're in a superflex dynasty league, it would make sense to go after a young QB. If you're in a PPR league, grabbing a stud rookie WR might make the most sense.

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