One of the toughest positions to get right in fantasy football is the Running Back position. There are many different types of formats and depending on which style you play will affect your rankings. My tiers for these running backs will be based on full PPR formats to get the best value out of the running back position.
Having an elite running back in fantasy football can be one of the toughest to have. Strategy and of course draft position will play a factor. Running backs deal with a lot of injuries and also are affected heavily by the schemes they are in and the offensive lineman ahead of them. Based on those factors, this is my tier list going into 2024.
| Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers |
|---|---|
| Bijan Robinson | Atlanta Falcons |
| Breece Hall | New York Jets |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | Detroit Lions |
Value: Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
One of my most anticipated running backs to see in 2024, Bijan will look to have an elite-level type of performance with the new coaching staff as well as a new quarterback that may help take pressure off of him. Last season with the chaos that was Arthur Smith, Bijan still finished as RB9 and showed plenty of flashes to be a top back in fantasy. Atlanta’s offensive line comes into the season being ranked by PFF as the sixth-best line, the coaching staff continues to reiterate that Bijan will be given plenty of touches which is why I have him as my sought-after running back.
Bust: Breece Hall, New York Jets
It’s hard to put bust potential for Breece Hall but in this tier, he unfortunately could be the one that has a disappointing season compared to where he is being drafted. My concern going into the 2024 season is that a healthy Aaron Rodgers may actually hurt Hall some. Now Hall is an elite talent that can make big plays on the ground and in the air so his value is strong but there were games midway through last season where he only averaged 10 points a game and he only received that high of a number due to his receiving ability. Just be cautious as to how high in the first round you draft him.
| Kyren Williams | Los Angeles Rams |
|---|---|
| Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis Colts |
| Saquon Barkley | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Derrick Henry | Baltimore Ravens |
| Isiah Pacheco | Kansas City Chiefs |
Value: Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams’s ADP has continued to rise when we get closer to the regular season. He is currently being ranked in most drafts around RB10 and falling into the early third round. Kyren had an amazing season for the Rams as a full starter. It was a big surprise for many, and he was the biggest steal in 2023. Yet he is being treated as if he should be considered a low RB1. Kyren does have newly added rookie Blake Corum entering the backfield but don’t let that scare you away from a running back that had 1,100 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns. That was in only 12 games, the biggest value coming into 2024.
Bust: Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
My concern for Barkley coming into 2024 is largely due to the talent the Eagles have. This roster has two elite receivers in AJ Brown and Devonta Smith, a dual-threat quarterback, and a very good tight end. Barkley is a very talented running back and was the offense for the New York Giants, where he had some of his best value in the receiving aspect. The truth is, the Eagles don’t throw to the running back. They average in the last three seasons 36 targets to their starting back. On top of that, Barkley will continue to compete with his quarterback in the red zone for touchdowns. Barkley is being drafted a bit too high for the chance of him not having the best season of his career many hope he has.
Sleeper: Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
One of the angriest runners in the game, Pacheco looks to have another successful season in 2024. Pacheco finished last season as RB15 averaging 15 points a game. He did miss some time which affected his ability to finish near the top ten but comes into the season as the RB1 for the Chiefs. He saw an increase in targets with 49 last season and had 9 total touchdowns and should see an uptick in targets with continued use in the red zone.
| Travis Etienne Jr | Jacksonville Jaguars |
|---|---|
| Josh Jacobs | Green Bay Packers |
| James Cook | Buffalo Bills |
| De'Von Achane | Miami Dolphins |
| Kenneth Walker | Seattle Seahawks |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | New England Patriots |
Value: James Cook, Buffalo Bills
James Cook is coming into 2024 as RB14 in most rankings I have seen. I have him a bit higher coming into 2024. A lot is due to the usage he should see in this offense, especially with the receiving corps completely being revamped. Cook last season finished as RB12 where he averaged just over 13pts a game. What held him back was unfortunately in scoring touchdowns. He finished with 6 total touchdowns and four of them were in the air. Josh Allen continues to be a threat near the redzone hindering Cooks ability, but I don’t expect that to continue this year. Given the number of touches Cooks received and will receive this year, he is a clear-cut RB1 this year.
Bust: De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
It’s tough to put Achane into the bust category this upcoming when he averaged over 17 points a game in 2023 when healthy. Yet, here I am, putting him as a potential bust this year. My concern I have for Achane will be health but also Raheem Mostert still being a threat to Achane’s touches. When Achane and Mostert were both healthy, it was clear Mostert was the running back one in the offense. Achane averaged only 12.6 points a game toward the end of the season. I do expect Achane to have a bigger piece of the snap count this upcoming season but where he is being drafted is a bit of a risk.
Sleeper: Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Where Rhamondre Stevenson is falling in mock drafts makes him one of my favorite sleepers coming into 2024. Stevenson signed a big extension this past off-season that shows the coaching staff and front office believe in him, as well as him heading into the season as the potential bell cow. Everyone forgets prior to last season, Stevenson was RB7 where he averaged just under five yards a carry and 69 receptions. Stevenson did have an injury to deal with last season so he quickly fell in many drafts but with a new coaching staff, and a potential rookie quarterback, Stevenson should see plenty of targets his way again.
| Alvin Kamara | New Orleans Saints |
|---|---|
| Joe Mixon | Houston Texans |
| Rachaad White | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| Aaron Jones | Minnesota Vikings |
| David Montgomery | Detroit Lions |
| James Conner | Arizona Cardinals |
| Najee Harris | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Raheem Mostert | Miami Dolphins |
| Tony Pollard | Tennessee Titans |
Value: Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
What a value for Alvin Kamara. Like last season, Kamara was being drafted late in many drafts due to his suspension. This year he is falling but without valid reason. Kamara last year when he did play averaged 17.9pts a game which was third in the NFL. Sure, there are concerns for the Saints offense and Kamar did average less than four yards a carry, but he did see 86 targets his way with 75 receptions, and he continues to be a dominate receiving back. With him falling to RB16 and being treated as an RB2 on fantasy rosters puts him as a potential league winner and steal of the draft.
Bust: Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Sure, Pollard was a full-time starter last season for the Dallas Cowboys and sure he signed a big contract to come to the Tennessee Titans, but unfortunately, he landed in a spot where he will see fewer opportunities. Pollard didn’t have the same explosion last season after suffering a broken leg in the playoffs the prior season, but he also didn’t have the same value in the receiving game. On top of that, the Titans used Tyjae Spears a lot last season to be the lightning to Derrick Henry and he should see opportunities on the field in 2024. Pollard has the chance this year to unfortunately finish as a low RB2 or even fall into the RB3/Flex range with a bad o-line in front of him and a team focusing on the pass.
Sleeper: Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
Mr. Consistent Najee Harris. He has accomplished over 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first three seasons even though his average per carry wasn’t amazing. He did improve that number in 2023 and I believe having Arthur Smith, offensive line improvement and new quarterback will actually help Najee. Yes, Jaylen Warren is still there and the uncertainty of Arthur Smith’s play calling worries some, I am all about the Najee Harris train this upcoming season. Harris continues to be a threat in the red zone and can be a very good receiving back which he proved during his rookie season. Also, in the last three games in 2023, Najee averaged 20.7 points a game and had five rushing touchdowns. The key to that success was touches. Najee is a back that needs the touches to get going.
Thanks for reading my article on Running Back Tiers for 2024 Redraft season! Follow me on Twitter at @AvgJoes_ff and the @IDP_Plus main account! For the best articles and fun IDP + offensive fantasy football banter, please consider becoming a subscriber!
