You might think it’s too early to be thinking about who you should draft in September. And you’d correct. But that doesn’t mean it’s too early for running back rankings.
Way Too Early 2024 Redraft Fantasy Running Back Rankings – Part 3
25. Ezekiel Elliott
He demonstrated his pass-catching ability in New England last season. Even on an offense that never found its feet, Elliott showed his class. And he is a free agent in March so he could be playing on a contender next season. He would be a very handy pass catcher out of the backfield.
26. Brian Robinson Jr.
He’s been very consistent for the last 2 seasons on a team that hasn’t been an offensive powerhouse. He has averaged 4 yards per carry for the Commanders in his first 2 seasons. And he’s averaging 10.2 yards per reception. That’s going to catch Kliff Kingsbury’s eye. The Commanders only ran the ball 34% of the time in 2024 and 47% in 2023. If they have a rookie quarterback in 2024, they could incorporate more RPO plays and should (although this is Kliff Kingsbury, remember) run more to make the quarterback’s transition easier. Even if they don’t run the ball more a running back who can catch passes will be vital.
27. Devin Singletary
Singletary had a quiet start in Houston. He carried just 27 times in the first 5 games of the season. But by Week 9 he was carrying the ball 30 times in a game. That was the most carries he had in a single game, but he carried the ball more than 12 times in 5 of the Texans’ last 8 regular season games.
Singletary averaged 4.4 yards per touch, but he only scored 4 touchdowns. The Texans’ offense went through many changes last season as Dalton Schultz was injured and then Tank Dell was placed on IR. If they can have a more stable lineup in 2024 Singletary should be CJ Stroud’s best checkdown option. He should have even more than the 246 touches he had in 2023. And that was his career high for the 26-year-old running back.
28. Chuba Hubbard
It’s difficult to project the Panthers’ future, but Hubbard went from 109 touches in 2022 to 277 in 2023 so he’s an integral part of the Carolina offense. Even he the Panthers do something chaotic in free agency and the draft Hubbard still averaged 4.1 yards per touch. So, he’ll be productive in any role for the Panthers. Or for a different team if he’s lucky enough to be traded.
29. Javonte Williams
He scored 5 touchdowns for a team that only scored 8 rushing touchdowns! Only 36% of the Bronco’s yards on offense came via the run game though. There are big spring-cleaning vibes in Denver and Sean Payton should have his offense in place by next season. Williams just needs to avoid injury.
30. Tyler Allgeier
There’s a new regime in Atlanta and as great as Bijan is Allgeier has to feature more under Zac Robinson. Or they have to trade him because he’s too good to only get 204 touches again. Robinson is a former passing game coordinator, so he’ll be interested in Allgeier’s 10.7 yards per reception. Even though he was underused last season his 5 touchdowns were still second to only Bijan (and he only had 8) on the Falcons offense.
31. Zack Moss
Only injuries stop Moss. Unfortunately, they stop him quite often. He averaged 4.1 yards per touch throughout the season, but he averaged 4.5 yards or more in 8 games. He hits free agency in March so how he performs next season will depend on where he signs. But he is effective as a lead back or in a second-string role. The 26-year-old running back will fit in anywhere.
32. Tyjae Spears
Derrick Henry seemed to indicate he won’t be in Tennessee next season, so Spears should be the lead back. Nobody knows if Henry intends to sign elsewhere or to retire. But Spears looked dynamic this season, so he should be a fine replacement for the veteran running back.
Main Photo Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Spears averaged 5.5 yards per touch in 2023. And he scored 2 of his 3 touchdowns on the ground. In the Titans’ last game of the season Spears averaged 11 yards per touch!
