X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Breakout Fantasy Football Running Backs From The 2024 Season - Part II

Chuba Hubbard - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

In part 2 of his series, Robert Lorge of RotoBaller takes a look back at some of the biggest and best breakout players at the running back position now that the 2024 fantasy football season is over.

Depending on how the fantasy football season ended for you -- and for most of us, it didn’t end the way we wanted it to -- looking back on the season, that might be something we’d rather not do. However, taking a review of the season is beneficial. Here, we’ll look back at three breakout running backs from the 2024 season.

First, we must define what a breakout is. For this series, there will be two criteria a player can meet to qualify for breakout status. The first is a player who solidly outplays their ADP and preseason expectations. This is that preseason running back who was ranked at RB46 but finished as RB15. The second is a player who significantly increases their stat line in a way they hadn't previously done. This is a player who averaged 1,000 yards rushing for two seasons and then breaks out for 1,600.

These two different definitions will enable us to identify various kinds of breakouts. Sign up for our premium membership to take your fantasy game to a new level. This subscription includes additional tools, articles, and engagement from our fantastic team. Please use "BOOM" at checkout to receive a 10 percent discount.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

You may not think that Robinson is a breakout player. After all, he came into the season as the RB3. Everyone’s expectations for him were already sky-high. Big things were expected! But that’s just it; they were expected. They hadn’t been done before.

Fantasy managers had sky-high expectations of Robinson in 2023, too. He was drafted as the RB3 during his rookie year as well but struggled mightily. He finished as the RB20 in half-PPR PPG, a far cry from where fantasy managers had taken him.

This year, however, Robinson fulfilled that promise. He was drafted as the RB3, and he finished as the RB4. We may not think of that as a breakout because we always expected it; maybe we even knew Robinson would do it, but going from RB20 to RB4 is a breakout. That doesn't even tell the whole story.

Statistic 2023 2024 Weeks 6-17, 2024
Attempts Per Game 12.6 17.9 19.8
Rushing Yards Per Game 57.4 85.6 97.6
Rushing TDs Per Game 0.2 0.8 1.1
Targets Per Game 5.1 4.2 4.4
Receptions Per Game 3.4 3.6 3.6
Receiving Yards Per Game 28.6 25.4 23.3
Receiving TDs Per Game 0.2 0.1 0.1
Scrimmage Yards Per Game 86 111 120.9
Half-PPR PPG 12.2 17.5 20.2

In the table above, you can compare his 2023 season to what he did this past season. However, you’ll also see what he did from Weeks 6-17, where he took another step forward. Saquon Barkley had seven games where he scored 20 half-PPR points. Robinson had seven just in Weeks 6-17. Last year, he had one.

From Weeks 6-17 (11 total games since Atlanta had a Week 12 bye), Robinson finished inside the top 15 in 10 out of 11 games (90.9 percent). He finished as “the” RB1 once (9.0 percent), a top-5 RB three times (27.2 percent), a top-12 RB five times (45.4 percent), and a top-15 RB once (9.0 percent).

Robinson's 2024, in totality, is what fantasy managers expected him to do. In reality, though, he did not only live up to those expectations but also surpassed them. In Weeks 6-17, Robinson’s 20.2 half-PPR PPG average was closer to Barkley’s 2024 PPG average than Derrick Henry, who finished as the RB2.

This was a true breakout for Robinson. He didn’t just finish as a top-5 running back; he cemented himself as, who I believe to be, the undisputed No. 1 overall running back for the 2025 season.

 

Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

When you do not get double-digit carries in back-to-back weeks until Week 11 and still finish with over 1,100 rushing yards as a fourth-round rookie, you broke out. Tampa Bay was committed to Rachaad White early in the season. He logged a 70 percent or higher snap share in the season's first three games.

It wasn’t until Week 12, when Irving played more than 50 percent of the snaps in a game, that White was active. He crossed that threshold in Week 6, but White didn’t suit up that week. The reality is that it took Tampa Bay a long time to fully unleash Irving, but the results were impressive once it did.

Statistic Weeks 1-9 Weeks 10-18
Attempts Per Game 9.2 15.5
Rushing Yards Per Game 46.6 87.9
Rushing TDs Per Game 0.3 0.6
Targets Per Game 2.8 3.4
Receptions Per Game 2.6 3.0
Receiving Yards Per Game 19.3 27.3
Receiving TDs Per Game 0.0 0.0
Scrimmage Yards Per Game 65.9 115.2
Half-PPR PPG 9.6 16.7

If we extrapolate his per-game averages from Weeks 10-18 over a 17-game season, he’d have 263 carries, 1,494 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns, 58 targets, 51 receptions, and 464 receiving yards. Fantasy managers shouldn’t expect that kind of stat line in 2025, but it speaks to how incredible he was in the second half of the season.

His 16.7 half-PPR PPG would have ranked RB6 for the season, right between Joe Mixon and Alvin KamaraIt was higher than Josh JacobsJonathan Taylor, and James Cook’s PPG averages. It wasn’t just the overall production, though. He was incredibly efficient. Check out where he ranked in some advanced metrics among 54 running backs with 100 carries:

  • 16th-Most Rushing Yards Per Game (66.0)
  • Fifth-Highest Yard Per Carry Average (5.42)
  • Seventh-Highest Explosive Run Rate (6.8 percent)
  • Ninth-Lowest Stuff Rate (40.8 percent)
  • Third-Highest Missed Tackles Forced Per Attempt (26.0 percent)
  • Fourth-Highest Yards After Contact Per Attempt Average (3.02)

Irving was drafted as the RB53, and he finished as the RB20, but over the second half of the season, he was a must-start RB1. He’ll still be in a committee with White next year, but he’ll be the lead back. He should be valued as a top-15 running back for 2025.

 

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

It was quite the season for Hubbard. The Panthers drafted Jonathon Brooks in the second of the 2024 NFL Draft. Most fantasy managers thought it was only a matter of time before he returned from his knee injury and made this backfield a full-blown committee, eventually taking it over.

Brooks was drafted as the RB34, while Hubbard came off the board at RB42. Brooks didn’t return until Week 12, and it was very short-lived, suffering another torn ACL. Midway through Hubbard’s breakout season, Carolina rewarded him with a contract extension, which after Brooks’ injury is excellent for all parties -- Carolina, Hubbard, and fantasy managers.

Hubbard was solid in 2023. He averaged 9.5 half-PPR PPG and finished as the RB35. That year, he finished with 1,135 scrimmage yards, blowing past his previous career-high of 786 yards. In 2024, however, he took his game to a new level.

Hubbard finished the 2024 season as the RB12, averaging 14.67 half-PPR PPG. In 16 games this season, Hubbard had five 20+ half-PPR point performances. It resulted in three top-5 finishes, five top-12 finishes, and two other weeks inside the top 24.

Hubbard finished seventh in rushing yards and 11th in scrimmage yards per game among running backs. He also took his efficiency to a higher level as well. He averaged just 3.8 yards per carry in 2023, but look at where he ranked in several advanced metrics this past season among 54 running backs with at least 100 carries:

  • Seventh-Highest Rushing Yards Per Game (79.7)
  • 10th-Highest Yard Per Carry Average (4.78)
  • 11th-Highest Explosive Run Rate (6.0 percent)
  • Eighth-Lowest Stuff Rate (40.0 percent)
  • 21st-Highest Missed Tackle Forced Per Attempt (17.0 percent)
  • Seventh-Highest Yards After Contact Per Attempt (2.70)

Hubbard was fantastic this year. Bryce Young took a step forward late in the season. The team’s offensive line paid dividends. With Brooks likely out for most of the 2025 season, Hubbard will reprise his role as Carolina’s No. 1 running back. He should be viewed as a strong mid-RB2 for next season.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Pete Crow-Armstrong

Homers Twice, Drives in Three
Brice Matthews

Joining Astros
MLB

White Sox-Guardians Postponed on Thursday
Brandon Aiyuk

Likely to Begin Season on PUP List, but Not Ruled Out for Week 1
Jameson Williams

Not in the Team's Long-Term Plans?
Tallison Teixeira

Set For His First UFC Main Event
Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Jalen Thompson

Heading into Last Year With Cardinals?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Najee Harris

Suffers Eye Injury in Fireworks Mishap
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF