Top 10 Running Backs
10. Zamir White (LV)
Zamir White cracks my top ten, not that it’s going to be a popular opinion, but where would you have drafted Josh Jacobs last year in your draft? Thats where I would draft White this season. Zamir White proved capable of carrying the load last year and should be the Raiders’ workhorse in 2024. In Weeks 15-18, he averaged 23.3 touches and 114.3 total yards as the RB12 in fantasy points per game. If he can find the end zone a little more often he could be in line to finish in the top 10.
See more Top 10 players and sleepers with our 2024 Draft Kit. On sale now for only 7.99
9. Travis Etienne Jr. (JAC)
Etienne’s 2023 season as a whole was a huge success as he was the RB7 in fantasy points per game, logging 325 touches with 1,484 total yards and 12 total touchdowns. Etienne was lacking as the later part of the season came. Tank Bigsby took some touches away along with D’Ernest Johnson. I think the Jaguars will try to be more of committee with Etienne leading the charge. Etienne should be able to break the top 10 again this year.
8. Jahmyr Gibbs (DET)
Jahmyr Gibbs finished the season as the RB8 in fantasy points per game and fantasy points per opportunity. Gibbs broke out when Montgomery went down last year for a few weeks. Montgomery is still a factor in the backfield but the Lions commitment to using both backs heavily still leads to Gibbs being in the top 10 conversation. Gibbs averaged 14.1 touches and 73.1 total yards per game after Montgomery came back from injury. Entering year 2 Gibbs could be in line to take more of the snaps this season as he is the future of this backfield.
7. Saquon Barkley (PHI)
Barkley has been waiting to be on a relevant team since Eli retired. Barkley on 27 years of age should be rejuvenated in Philly and come out of the gates hot with an improved offensive line, more weapons around him in AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, should open up some holes especially in the RPO game for Barkley to break off some big chunk runs. Some may think Barkley will lose TD’s to the all but famous “tush push” but with the retirement of Kelce and the ability of Saquon in short yardage he should still eat at the goal line.
See more Top 10 players and sleepers with our 2024 Draft Kit. On sale now for only 7.99
6. Isiah Pacheco (KC)
Shout it from the rooftops. I Love, I LOVE … Isiah Pacheco. McKinnon is a free agent and in the four games he played without McKinnon active, Pacheco averaged 20.2 touches and 100.7 total yards. He was KC’s workhorse, as he played at least 70% of the snaps in three of those four games. The second-year back rewarded their faith in him as he was 12th in explosive run rate and 26th in yards after contact per attempt. Pacheco could end up a top 5 RB this year and I want to try and leave every draft wit him. Being on an explosive offense that tends to play ahead on the scoreboard along with a hopefully improved O-line I love Pacheco to be a stud!
5. Derrick Henry (BAL)
Henry is that dude! In 2023 he ranked first in rushing attempts and second in rushing yards while still showing efficiency. Even though he is now 30 years old, I can’t see a drop-off and see that he will continue to be a RB1. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said he expects Derrick Henry to maintain a big workload and I expect the same. He came to Baltimore to run himself into the ground for a championship. Henry will be a bell-cow and in a Ravens rushing attack may put up his best fantasy season in recent years. Ride this train for one more year!
4. Bijan Robinson (ATL)
Last year I wrote about Bijan Robinson being the 2023 Fantasy Bust of the year at RB and he was. This year I have a whole new perspective on Robinson and what he can do as a fantasy top 5 running back. Robinson averaged 12.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game as a rookie. However, he could have been significantly better if not for Arthur Smith. The former head coach gave the superstar only 28 more rushing attempts than Tyler Allgeier got all season. I expect the new coaching staff to use Robinson in his full capacity and wouldn’t doubt if he’s the leagues leader in touches this season. If the offensive line can come together Robinson will be well worth an early 1st round pick this year.
3. Breece Hall
Hall finished the season as the RB6 in fantasy points per game with 299 touches and 1,585 total yards. Hall was 12th in opportunity share and second in weighted opportunities. Hall was big factor in the passing game and should remain a focal point for the passing attack in 2024. As a receiver last season, he ranked third in yards per route run and fourth in expected fantasy points per route run. With Rodgers at the helm and an improved offensive line Hall could end the season as the RB1.
2. Christian McCaffrey (SF)
It’s hard not to put CMC as the number 1 one guy on my list, but the 49ers have seen CMC deal with injuries at the end of both of his seasons with them, that affected his play down the stretch. I expect Shanahan to still let CMC be the beast he is but also try to make sure he makes it to the finish line at the Super Bowl. Elijah Michell proved to be a successful backup and can take some carries away from McCaffrey this year to help that cause. The addition of Ricky Pearsall will also could also take some catches away in the passing game. CMC is still in his prime and shouldn’t fall off statistically, you can easily take him as the 1st player off the board if you want and I wouldn’t argue with you one bit.
See more Top 10 players and sleepers with our 2024 Draft Kit. On sale now for only 7.99
1. Jonathan Taylor (IND)
I almost want to erase 2023 from Taylors career.. from contract disputes to injuries, we rarely got to see Taylor as a full go in 2023. Entering 2024 at only age 25, Taylor remains firmly in the prime of his career. In Weeks 7-18, he handled 21 touches per game with 99.4 total yards per game. With Anthony Richardson back at QB and an improved offensive line I think Taylor returns close to his 2021 season stat line of 2,000+ all purpose yards and 25+ TD’s which would make him the top RB in the draft. Taylor is currently going after CMC and sometimes Hall in drafts, and thats fine. If I can get any of these top 3 from this list early in the 1st round, I’ll be happy.
