Fantasy Football Predictions For 2024-Running Backs

As sure as the sun will rise in the east tomorrow, there will be a rookie running back, or even a second year guy who got very little play time his rookie season, that will arise out of seemingly no where, and end up in the top 10 for fantasy points. It happens every year, and 2024 will almost assuredly not be the exception, so this list may look very different in August. One interesting stat to be considered, though, is that since 2020, the league leading rusher has also lead the league in fantasy points among RBs. With that in mind, here is my top 10 fantasy RBs for 2024.

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Christian McCaffrey-San Francisco 49ers

Christian McCaffrey may or may not lead the league in rushing for the 2024 NFL season, but will undoubtedly go #1 in most fantasy leagues across America, for the 2024 fantasy season. In 2023, McCaffrey had just over 2,000 yards from scrimmage, 14 rushing TDs, and 7 receiving TDs. He’s the perfect prototype of the duel threat RB, racking up fantasy points both rushing and receiving the football. He’s also one of the few backs in the league that takes the bulk of the running back snaps for his team. I actually don’t believe he will be #1 in rushing yards again, so that streak may snap, but I do think, due to his heavy usage in the 49ers offense, and his knack for the end zone, he will be at the top again in fantasy points.

Kyren Williams-Los Angeles Rams

I’ve got to go with Kyren Williams at #2. Williams is the perfect example of a guy not playing his rookie year, and exploding onto the scene out of seemingly nowhere his 2nd year. Had Williams not missed 4 games in the middle of the season, he may have topped McCaffrey in fantasy points in 2023. In only 12 games, Williams still rushed for 1,144 yards and 12 TDs, and added 206 receiving yards with 3 TDs to that. His 18.6 fantasy points per game was second only to McCaffrey’s 20.3. If Williams can get a full season in, Williams will have even better numbers in 2024.

Travis Etienne-Jacksonville Jaguars

I think Travis Etienne gets overlooked a bit when people are talking about elusive, double threat running backs. He is absolutely an up and coming superstar running back in the making, which is why I have him ranked at #3 for 2024. His 1,008 rushing yards may seem a little underwhelming, but when you add his 11 rushing TDs, and 476 yards receiving and 1 TD, he becomes a strong fantasy back. The Jaguars underachieved a bit in 2023, some of that due to QB Trevor Lawrence dealing with some injury, but I think head coach Doug Peterson will get the offense back on track for 2024, which will include heavy doses of Etienne. Look for Etienne to improve in both rushing yards and receiving yards, and be a top fantasy player.

Jahmyr Gibbs-Detroit Lions

I’m putting Jahmyr Gibbs at #4. Gibbs had an impressive rookie season in 2023. It often takes some time for rookies to really get going, as was the case for Gibbs, but once he did, he was off to the races. He finally found the end zone for the 1st time in week 7, where he compiled 68 rushing yards and 1 TD, and 58 receiving yards, topping 100 yards from scrimmage for the first time in his career, against a solid Baltimore defense. The following week he rushed for 152 yards and 1 TD, adding 37 receiving yards. From that point on, he established himself as a staple part of the high octane Detroit offense rushing for a total of 945 yards and 10 TDs for the season. Like Etienne, Gibbs proved to be a big part of the passing game as well, with his 316 receiving yards and 1 TD. I expect Gibbs to pick up where he left off in 2023, right out the gate of the 2024 season, competing in a full season of games in which he scores a good amount of fantasy points.

Breece Hall-NY Jets

Breece Hall at #5 is completely dependent on QB Aaron Rodgers playing a full season in 2024. Despite the Jets’ incompetent quarterback play in 2023, Hall still managed to lead all RBs in receiving yards with 591, and was able to find the end zone 4 times, as well as 4 times rushing the ball. In sharing time with now departed Dalvin Cook, Hall rushed for a modest 994 yards. Defenses knew that the Jets’ passing game was below par, and they honed in on stopping the run. So Hall’s 994 rushing yards is still pretty respectable. Having Rodgers back would force defenses to focus more on stopping the passing game, and open up the run game. Hall still was able to finish the 2023 season 2nd in yards from scrimmage, and 7th in overall fantasy points, among RBs. I believe the Jets will have Hall handle the bulk of the snaps in 2024, which will lead to bigger fantasy point totals.

#6. Rachaad White-Tampa Bay Bucaneers

Rachaad White finished the 2023 season with the 4th most yards from scrimmage, among RBs, with 1,539. White also had 9 total TDs, and finished 8th in total fantasy points among RBs. Like McCaffrey, Etienne, Gibbs and Hall, White is a big part of the passing game. Surely the Buc’s will continue to get White his touches in 2024, which is potentially big fantasy points.

#7. Raheem Mostert-Miami Dolphins

Raheem Mostert had a career season in just about every fantasy point category in 2023, the most obvious one being his league leading rushing TDs, with 18, which is more than the rest of his career combined. His 21 total TDs was tied for 1st among RBs. He finished the season 2nd in total fantasy points with 242. I don’t think Mostert will match these incredible fantasy numbers in 2024, mainly because of the emergence of his teammate, rookie RB De’Von Achane. This RB duo should be really good for the Dolphin’s offense, but the two together decreases fantasy value slightly.

#8. Josh Jacobs-Las Vegas Raiders

Ok, ok, so this may be a little homer, being a Raider fan and all, but I honestly believe Josh Jacobs will have a bounce back year in 2024, resembling more of his league rush leading 2022. Jacobs barely surpassed 1000 yards from scrimmage in 2023’s lack luster Raider’s offense. Las Vegas finished the season much more respectable than they started, under intern head coach Antonio Pierce, who vowed to build the offense around Jacobs. With contract disputes out of the way, and possible continuity in the off season, I see Jacobs resurging as a top fantasy option at running back.

#9. James Cook-Buffalo Bills

James Cook finished the 2023 season with the 3rd most rushing yards (1,086) and 2nd most yards from scrimmage (1.515), among RBs. Cook is the dual threat RB I keep raving about, but I’m afraid the fact that his quarterback steals a number of TDs from him in the redzone vastly reduces his fantasy value. Cook only had 2 rushing TDs all season, which is why I have him ranked at #9, instead of #3 or #4, for the 2024 season.

#10. Nick Chubb-Cleveland Browns

If I knew Nick Chubb would be ready for week 1 of the 2024 NFL season, I would have him ranked in the top 5, bar none. Chubb had a stellar year in 2022, rushing for 1,525 yards and 12 TDs, landing him 5th in total fantasy points among RBs. Unfortunately, Chubb severely injured his knee in week 2 of the 2023 season, which sidelined him for the season. If he’s able to go in 2024, I see him possibly being the comeback player of the year, and a great fantasy RB.

Just missed the cut:

#11. D’Andre Swift-Philadelphia Eagles-Like Cook, loses TDs to quarterback.

#12. Saquan Barkley-NY Giants-Great athelete, questionable offense.

#13. Alvin Kamara-New Orleans Saints-Continues to be a big part of the offense in the Big Easy.

#14. De’Von Achane-Miami Dolphins-Showed big time potential in rookie season; will be sharing time with Raheem Mostert.

#15. Joe Mixon-Cincinnati Bengals-solid 12 fantasy points per game average throughout career.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this article. I’d love to hear your feedback as to why you agree or disagree with my list. Please feel free to leave a note below. Don’t for get to check out NFL shop to get the all the latest gear for your favorite NFL team and players. Thanks!