With the 2024 NFL season coming to a conclusion, it’s time to check out who the top fantasy running backs were, and for me, it’s time to compare the leaders, to who I predicted to come out on top, prior to the season.
Last year, my predictions were made prior to some player movement, and wasn’t updated. This year I will make updates all the way up to the start of the season, for optimal accuracy. Rankings can change quite a bit when players move to different teams.
(Note: Like the Wide Receivers, I use non-PPR (Points Per Reception) stats in all my articles. Rankings may change slightly if using PPR stats.)
Let’s check out who the top 15 fantasy running backs actually were in 2024.
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1. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles (322 Total FPts, 20.1 FPts/G) – Barkley was able to get away from a bad NY Giants team and made his way to a good Eagles team with a very good offensive line. My predictions were made prior to this move, so I had him ranked much lower. With that said, Barkley humbly ran for 2,005 yards and 13 TDs, and grabbed 33 receptions out of the backfield for 278 yards and 2 TDs. The NFL usually gives the MVP award to quarterbacks these days, but I believe Barkley deserves the honors in 2024.
2. Derick Henry, Baltimore Ravens (317 Total FPts, 18.7 FPts/G) – 2023 wasn’t a great season for Henry, and many, including myself thought he might be starting to slow down a little. All he really needed though, was a change in scenery. Like Barkley, he went from a bad Titans team to a good Ravens team, and reminded everyone what a wrecking force he can be. Henry ran for over 2,000 yards in 2020 and was on pace to do it again in 2024. No running back has ever eclipsed 2,000 yards rushing in two separate seasons. He came up just short though with 1,921 yards rushing and 16 TDs. He also added 193 yards receiving and 2 TDs.
3. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions (311 Total FPts, 18.3 FPts/G)- Gibbs is one of my favorite players in the NFL already in just his 2nd year. The Lions are an exciting offense to watch and Gibbs is a big reason why. He’s fast and elusive and has a bright future in the NFL. I really hope he avoids a major injury. Prior to the season, I had him ranked 4th, and I feel pretty good about that. Gibbs is the kind of back I prefer as he not only ran for 1,412 yards and 16 TDs, but also caught 52 passes for 517 yards and 4 TDs.
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4. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons (281 Total FPts, 16.5 FPts/G) – Boy did I really miss on Robinson being left off my pre-season top 15 list. I think I lacked confidence in the Falcon’s offense as a whole, prior to the Cousins signing. Robinson a similar kind of back to Gibbs but a bit more of a workhorse. They both came into the league together in 2023 and made big impacts in their rookie seasons. Robinson rushed for 1,456 yards and 14 TDs, and caught 61 receptions for 431 yards and 1 TD.
5. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers (257 Total FPts, 15.1 FPts/G) – As a Raiders fan, I was very sad and disappointed to see Jacobs move on to a different team. Like Barkley and Henry, Jacobs found great success in his new uniform. I thought he might, so I ranked him 8th prior to the season. He had kind of a slow fantasy start to the 2024 season, scoring only 1 TD in his first 7 games, but finished the season with a total of 15 TDs, to go along with his 1,329 yards rushing and 342 receiving yards and 1 TD.
6. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams (238 Total FPts, 14.9 FPts/G) – Although Williams’ rookie season was in 2022, he didn’t really get a chance to play until 2023, where he exploded for 1,144 yards and 12 TDs in only 12 games, averaging almost 19 fantasy points per game. I was probably a little overzealous ranking Williams #2 in my pre-season predictions, but his 1,299 rushing yards and 14 TDs, to go with 34 receptions for 182 yards and 2 TDs ranks him 6th overall respectively.
7. James Cook, Buffalo Bills (235 Total FPts, 14.7 FPts/G) – On the field, Cook was right about what I expected him to be. He rushed for 1,009 yards, he had 32 receptions for 258 yards and 2 TDs. Where Cook made a drastic upgrade in fantasy was, he rushed for 16 TDs! He had only rushed for 2 TDs in each of his previous 2 years. My fear of ranking him higher in my predictions was that QB Josh Allen would take a significant carries when they have 5 or less yards to go for a TD. I believe in an effort to preserve their QB, the Bills decided to design those runs for Cook instead, a trend that will probably carry over to next season.
8. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (229 Total FPts, 16.3 FPts/G)- In 2021, Taylor was possibly the best back in the NFL. He ran for 1,811 yards, a 5.5 yards per carry average, and 18 TDs! He added 40 receptions for 360 yards and 2 more TDs. He was far and away the best back in fantasy. Now, Taylor’s injury history the past 2 years kept me from getting him on my top 15 pre-season predictions list. He certainly is a very talented back, who missed yet another 3 games this year, but still had 1,431 rushing yards and 11 TDs. It’s worth noting that more than half of those rushing yards (723) and 6 TDs, came in the last 5 games of the season. Taylor is the ultimate boom or bust RB, so you need to keep that in mind in 2025 fantasy drafts.
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9. De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (222 Total FPts, 13.1 FPts/G) – Achane’s fellow RB Raheem Mostert was pushed out of the offense in 2024, giving Achane a bigger role in the offense. I had Achane ranked 14th pre-season in respect of his talent, but not higher because of Mostert’s past role in the offense. If Miami continues to use Achane as their main workhorse in the backfield, I can see him improving upon his 2024 stats of 907 yards rushing and 6 TDs and 592 yards receiving and 6 TDs
10. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals (207 Total FPts, 12.9 FPts/G) – Conner played in 15 full games in 2024, which is the most he has played in, in his 8 year career. He was injured early in the game in week 17 and then didn’t play in the Cardinal’s season finale, finishing the season with 1,094 yards rushing and 8 TDs, and 414 yards receiving and 1 TD. Conner’s tendency to miss a few games a season on average is what discouraged me from putting him on my pre-season top 15 list. When Conner plays though, he’s productive. He has always had a good FPts/G average in each season. I still wouldn’t rank him higher than 10 in my future prediction lists, but he’s a solid back to have on your fantasy team.
- Joe Mixon, Houston Texans (205 Total FPts, 14.6 FPts/G)
- Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals (201 Total FPts, 12.6 FPts/G)
- Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (199 Total FPts, 13.2 FPts/G)
- Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (197 Total FPts, 11.6 FPts/G)
- Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints (197 Total FPts, 14.1 FPts/G)
Wide Receivers I predicted to do well in 2024, but did NOT
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers – We were told that McCaffrey would be ready to go in week 1 of the regular season. Shortly prior to game time, he was ruled out and then missed the first 8 games. When he came back, he didn’t look fully healthy and 4 games later was out for the season. Going into his 9th season, I still think he has some tread on the tires, but I will keep him out of my top 5 in my predictions for 2025.
Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars – 2023 was Etienne’s 2nd season in the NFL and he looked like he was trending in the ascending direction. Fast and elusive, good receiver out of the backfield…but 2024 was not a good year for Etienne nor the Jags. He may need some major changes in Jacksonville, or a change in scenery to get his career back on track.
Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins – I figured Mostert wouldn’t score 21 TDs like he did in 2023, but I also didn’t think he would fall off to this degree. Mostert was just bad in 2024. I can’t see the Dolphins keeping him on the roster, and I can’t see a team being interested in picking him up, for the 2025 season.
That’s a wrap on the top fantasy Running Backs of the 2024 season. I appreciate you stopping by and taking a look! Let me know which Running Backs you like for the 2025 season in the comments below! I’ll be putting out my first top 15 prediction list some time soon after Super Bowl, so be sure to look for it!
Mike’s blog on the Top Fantasy Running Backs in 2024 is a solid breakdown of how key players performed and how team changes influenced their success. He’s honest about his hits and misses, which builds credibility, and his analysis goes beyond just stats—he explains how offensive schemes and team dynamics played a role.
I especially liked the focus on Saquon Barkley’s breakout season with the Eagles and Derrick Henry’s revival with the Ravens. It’s a reminder that a change in scenery can do wonders, especially for veterans. The cautionary section on players like Christian McCaffrey and Raheem Mostert was also useful—fantasy players often forget how injuries can derail a season.
If Mike adds a side-by-side comparison of his preseason rankings versus actual results, it would make the content even more engaging. A few early predictions for 2025 could also give readers a sneak peek and keep them hooked. Overall, it’s a well-done article that fantasy football fans should check out—especially if they want tips for their next draft!
Hey Shawn!
Thank you for taking the time to leave some great comments! Loved the input!
Barkley and Henry certainly had exciting, outstanding seasons with their new teams!
I will be putting out 2025 prediction lists soon, which I will keep updated throughout the off season. Maybe after the 2025 season is complete I’ll do a side-by-side comparison of these predictions, and keep that up for the following seasons as well.
Fantasy football is always full of surprises, and the 2024 season was no exception. Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry proved that a change of scenery can completely revitalize a player’s fantasy stock. Barkley’s dominance in Philadelphia was particularly impressive, and while MVP awards typically go to quarterbacks, his 2,000-yard season definitely deserves recognition. Henry, meanwhile, reminded everyone that he’s still one of the best power backs in the game.
Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson continued to establish themselves as the future of the position. Gibbs’ dual-threat ability is exactly what fantasy managers look for, and Robinson’s production makes his pre-season omission from the top 15 all the more surprising. Josh Jacobs’ success with Green Bay was another storyline to watch, and though he started slow, he finished strong.
Looking ahead to 2025, Jonathan Taylor’s late-season surge is intriguing, and James Cook’s increased red-zone role could make him a touchdown machine. Meanwhile, Christian McCaffrey’s injury struggles cast doubt on his future fantasy value. It’ll be exciting to see how the rankings shake out next season—bring on the predictions!
Hey andrejs!
I appreciate you taking the time to leave such great comments! Fantasy football has definitely always been full of surprises, and 2024 certainly wasn’t any different.
It will be very interesting to see how all these running backs perform in 2025, taking all the different factors
into consideration. I’m excited to get started on my prediction list for 2025!
Hi, Mike,
Jahmyr Gibbs continues to be one of the most exciting young players in the league. His versatility as both a rusher and receiver makes him a fantasy dream. The same goes for Bijan Robinson—leaving him off a preseason top 15 list now seems crazy in hindsight. Atlanta’s offense took a step forward, and Robinson proved he belongs among the elite backs.
Josh Jacobs’ success with the Packers was bittersweet. As a Raiders fan, watching him thrive elsewhere stings, but it also proves he’s one of the most consistent backs in the game.
Overall, this season showed just how much team fit and coaching can impact a running back’s success. While talent is crucial, having the right scheme and supporting cast can take a player from good to elite. It’ll be interesting to see how these rankings shift next season, especially with potential offseason moves and injuries.
John
Hey John!
I appreciate you checking out this article and dropping a note!
A lot of people thought that RB David Montgomery would take too many TD opportunities away from Gibbs. That certainly wasn’t the case. He’s just that good. There are a number of your good backs in the league and a 2025 prediction list is going to be tough. As you stated, off season moves are going to be crucial to keep track of to make predictions for the 2025 fantasy season.
Great breakdown of the top fantasy RBs for 2024! It’s always interesting to see how player movement impacts rankings, and Barkley’s resurgence with the Eagles proves how much situation matters. Your preseason predictions were solid overall, and I appreciate the transparency in evaluating where you missed. Looking forward to your 2025 rankings—Gibbs and Robinson could be primed for even bigger years!
Hey Herman!
Thanks for checking out this article and taking the time to leave a note!
I agree, a player’s situation can make all the difference in his fantasy value, and sometimes a change in scenery really helps. I do think young RBs like Gibbs and Robinson are definitely the future in fantasy! 2025 prediction lists will be out shortly!