Eight RB2s To Avoid In 2024 - Fantasy Football Handcuff Busts

August 9, 2024

Aidin Ebrahimi looks at eight backup running backs in backfields where the starter has a significant edge in expected usage. These players are potentially overvalued in fantasy football.

2023 saw some RB2s rise from the ashes and have great fantasy seasons. Players like Zack Moss came out of nowhere and became key assets for fantasy managers. But like always, many RB2s barely got any touches and had little to no fantasy value.

This year, a bunch of star running backs changed their teams and are looking for a fresh start. This obviously means that the situation for many RB2s has changed. Some will benefit and be used in a "running back by committee" system, while others will get very few touches and become fantasy afterthoughts.

Without further ado, let's look at eight backup running backs who you might want to avoid in 2024 because of their lack of projected touches and opportunities. It's worth noting any of these players could be handcuff stashes in deep leagues, but they're unlikely to make an impact if the back in front of them stays healthy.

Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens

Keaton Mitchell had a promising rookie season last year and might be a big part of the Ravens' plans once Derrick Henry slows down. He averaged 72.4 yards per game in the five games where he had at least eight carries. However, Henry's arrival prevented him from taking the mantle as the RB1 this season.

Apart from last year when Henry had one foot out of the door, Henry's teams usually never allow many touches to their RB2s. Also, Mitchell was recently put on the PUP list and will likely miss the first few weeks of the 2024 NFL season.

We have placed RB Keaton Mitchell on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) July 15, 2024

This will allow Henry to establish himself in the Ravens' system and when Mitchell comes back, he will have to share his 60 or 70 touches with Justice Hill and Rasheen Ali. He's still a solid pick for dynasty leagues, but we shouldn't expect much out of him this year coming off a torn ACL.

Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars

Tank Bigsby's rookie season was a nightmare. He was drafted by the Jaguars to be the RB2 behind Travis Etienne, and his only competition for that role was D'Ernest Johnson. Johnson averaged just 2.6 yards per attempt in 2023, so beating him would be easy, right?

This was a golden chance for Bigsby to prove himself, but he ruined it. He averaged 2.6 yards per attempt, just like Johnson, so neither stood out and had no reason to steal touches from Etienne. Doug Peterson doesn't want a repeat of what happened in Philadelphia, so he'll likely avoid taking many risks and stick to what works.

Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Eric Gray, New York Giants

The Giants have not one, but two 25-year-old fifth-round backup running backs. Eric Gray barely played for the Giants in 2023 as he sat behind Saquon Barkley and Matt Breida for most of the year.

When he did play, he was unimpressive. He averaged just 2.8 yards per carry and 3.6 yards per reception. Tracy Jr. is an exciting running back who might become the team's future starter a few years from now, but the Giants' three-year, $16.5 million signing of Devin Singletary likely means that these two will receive limited opportunities.

Elijah Mitchell, San Fransicso 49ers

Elijah Mitchell came out of nowhere in 2021 and finished as the 49ers' RB1. He averaged the 13th-most standard fantasy points among running backs that year (12.2), but it was clear that Kyle Shanahan wanted a better receiver at the running back position.

Breaking News: I’m told the #49ers “have placed several of their young players on the trade block & willing to listen to offers.”

Some of the names mentioned to me WR Danny Gray, RB Elijah Mitchell and CB Ambry Thomas. pic.twitter.com/SxS1Kryner

— 49ers & NFL News 24/7 (@49ersSportsTalk) March 15, 2024

That's why they traded for Christian McCaffrey when Mitchell sprained his MCL in Week 1 of 2022. Things were never the same again for Mitchell since then, as he struggled to steal any touches from (arguably) the best football player in the world. The injury-prone Mitchell will also struggle to knock off the explosive Jordan Mason if CMC goes down with an injury. The team also added Isaac Guerendo in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Braelon Allen, New York Jets

Just like some of the other RBs listed, Allen might have a bright future so he is worth looking at in dynasty leagues. However, Breece Hall's emergence will make it very difficult for Allen to get many opportunities in 2024.

Last year, Dalvin Cook got just 67 carries as the RB2, and he made the Pro Bowl the year before. This shows just how much Robert Saleh trusts Hall, and although Allen has impressed during the offseason, he likely won't get more than 70 or 80 carries in 2024.

Trey Sermon, Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Taylor will surely stay healthy this year, right? After an amazing rookie season and an even better sophomore campaign, Taylor has struggled with injuries in the last two seasons.

No shocker here Trey Sermon is taking the 2nd team snaps at RB

— Destin Adams (@TheDestinAdams) July 27, 2024

However, he managed to avoid injuring his left ankle (which has bothered him for years) and only tore a ligament in his thumb last year, so we could expect him to stay healthy this year.

This is not good news for Trey Sermon, the Colts' RB2. Sermon has never had more than 41 carries in a season and isn't an expert pass catcher either. Even if Taylor does go down, expecting Sermon to perform like 2023 Zack Moss will be slightly unrealistic.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs

After Damien Williams opted out of the 2020 season to take care of his mother, the rookie Clyde Edwards-Helaire took his job and established himself as the Chiefs' RB1.

The first running back to get reps after Isiah Pacheco during the first-team run period with the Chiefs today was Deneric Prince, per @pgsween

Prince, a former UDFA, ran ahead of former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire pic.twitter.com/Zuj0P3MYhi

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) July 23, 2024

However, injuries caused him to lose his starting job as quickly as he earned it, and he has been playing behind Isiah Pacheco for two years now. With Jerick McKinnon's departure, Pacheco will get even more touches and opportunities. CEH's only hope is if Pacheco gets hurt, but even then, it's likely that the Chiefs sign a free agent or even re-sign McKinnon.

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