Crowded Fantasy Football Backfields To Avoid In 2024

July 6, 2024

Joey Pollizze identifies four crowded backfields to avoid in 2024 fantasy football. You should consider avoiding players from these backfields in 2024.

Most NFL teams are moving away from giving their RB1 a workhorse role. Only a few running backs will enter the 2024 campaign with that type of role. Running backs like Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, and Breece Hall are the sole backs who should see the majority of their team's backfield touches.

With more injuries to the position and more 50/50 split backfields, it has become harder to rely on running backs in fantasy. Several teams even have three running backs who see touches every game. Those backfields should surely be avoided in fantasy in 2024.

So, which backfields should we avoid in fantasy football in 2024? Let's dive in and find out. 

Los Angeles Chargers

All offseason, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has said he wants to prioritize running the football at a high level. That is usually great news for any fantasy manager who owns a running back on that team. However, that is not necessarily the case with the Chargers. 

They'll likely have three different running backs rotating at the position in 2024. They signed Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins in free agency, and sixth-round rookie Kimani Vidal already turned heads at OTAs earlier this offseason. With how frequently Harbaugh wants to run the ball this season, it wouldn't be surprising if Edwards, Dobbins, and Vidal all saw plenty of touches in the running game. 

#Chargers GM Joe Hortiz on RB Kimani Vidal:

“Runs through arm tackles, can make guys miss, take a hit, stay on his feet, great balance, strong… Also offers something in the passing game, as well. And when you watch him block, it’s impressive. He’ll throw it up in there against… pic.twitter.com/LdKPepcghZ

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) April 28, 2024

That's why this crowded backfield is an avoid in fantasy football. Edwards figures to be the Chargers' goal-line back, but what other role will he have? Will Dobbins bounce back from his second major injury after tearing his Achilles last season? How much will Vidal be involved with two veterans also on the roster? There are too many question marks in Los Angeles' backfield to feel confident drafting any of them in fantasy in 2024. So, avoiding this backfield altogether makes the most sense. 

Denver Broncos

No one knows what the Denver Broncos plan to do with their backfield this upcoming season. Javonte Williams started the 2023 campaign as the RB1, but he didn't really show a lot of great things coming off a torn ACL. Jaleel McLaughlin was Denver's most surprising back after rushing for 410 yards and one touchdown as a rookie. Samaje Perine is also still with the team, and the Broncos selected Audric Estime in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft. 

One of these running backs will likely get cut before the season begins. Perine is the oldest of the bunch and could be the odd man out after training camp. Still, Denver could rotate between the three remaining running backs all season long. That makes this backfield one to avoid in fantasy this year.

#Broncos HC Sean Payton on Javonte Williams yesterday: “He’s been looking good. I think historically speaking, when you talk to the experts, they say that the complete heal finishes at two years. Obviously you begin playing before then, but he’s been doing well. He’s in shape. I… pic.twitter.com/L0HfmzQXwr

— Cody Roark (@CodyRoarkNFL) May 31, 2024

Williams was not great on the ground last year and averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. But, now two years removed from an ACL injury, he should be more efficient on the ground. He still, though, won't have a workhorse role. The Broncos also love McLaughlin, but how much of a role will he have with Estime likely seeing some opportunities in the running game as well? On an offense that is expected to rank in the bottom three, save yourself the headache and avoid this group in fantasy.

Cleveland Browns 

The Cleveland Browns backfield is an interesting case in fantasy this year. After tearing his ACL, MCL, and meniscus in Week 2 of last season, Nick Chubb should be back in 2024 to lead Cleveland's ground game. However, there are question marks on when that will be. As of July 2, there is no timetable set for his return to the practice field.

The Browns, though, should be fine if Chubb can't go right away because they have Jerome Ford -- who showed some nice things in 2023 -- and they signed D'Onta Foreman in free agency. Ford finished as the RB16 last year while totaling 813 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. As for Foreman, he saw limited opportunities with the Bears last season, but just two years ago, he totaled 914 yards and five touchdowns with the Carolina Panthers. 

So, that means when Chubb does eventually return, all three running backs could see touches out of the backfield. With how severe his ACL injury was in 2023, it would be a surprise to see the Browns give him anywhere close to a full workload. As a result, it might be tough to roster any of these running backs in this Cleveland backfield in 2024. All of them could see some touches every week. 

Carolina Panthers

The last backfield fantasy managers should avoid in 2024 is the Carolina Panthers. While there is a good chance the Panthers run the ball a lot in 2024 -- with a new head coach in Dave Canales -- it's hard to envision which running back will lead the pack in this offense. 

Carolina selected Jonathon Brooks in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but don't forget that he's coming off a torn ACL himself. With him being eased into training camp this July/August, chances are the team will be extremely careful with its franchise running back. Still, he should definitely be involved in his first year. 

#Panthers HC Dave Canales on Jonathon Brooks (ACL):

“Jonathon Brooks has a little bit of ways to go, so we’ll kind of progress them into camp.” pic.twitter.com/WYocbVqqNd

— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) June 12, 2024

Miles Sanders and Chuba Hubbard also figure to see a role out of the backfield this season. Despite being a major disappointment in 2023, Sanders is still on the roster and could bounce back with an improved offensive line. As for Hubbard, he showed his potential last year after rushing for 902 yards and five touchdowns. He should start the season as Carolina's RB1 while having a large role in 2024. 

With the way Canales is talking about this Carolina offense, fantasy managers could expect the team to run a lot in 2024. However, there's a good chance that Brooks, Sanders, and Hubbard will all see touches every week throughout the season. The rookie is the most talented of the group, but coming off an ACL tear, he could take more of a backseat in the first half. That's why this backfield is one to avoid.

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