Power Ranking Running Back Signings for Fantasy Football - 2024 Free-Agent Analysis

Andrew Ball power ranks the major running back signings in the NFL and what it means for fantasy football in 2024.

The 2024 running back free-agent class was lauded as one of the best of all time and it did not disappoint.

Teams across the league wasted zero time during the NFL's legal tampering period. The headliners agreed to contracts with new teams, creating a domino effect that resulted in more stars without a home.

Below, the most notable running backs are ranked based on their fantasy football future in the new season.

1. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens

The King and the MVP, together in one backfield.

The ‘Derrick Henry to Baltimore' prophecy has been fulfilled, months after the Ravens attempted to acquire him at the trade deadline. It’s a match made in heaven. Defenders need the strength and durability to tackle Henry, then turn around and possess the agility and football IQ to read and take down a scrambling Lamar Jackson. Don’t forget about the speedy Keaton Mitchell once he returns from his torn ACL.

For fantasy football, Henry still has the opportunity to feast. The Baltimore offense was revamped last season with Todd Monken in charge. The Ravens led the league in rushing yards per game (156.5) and finished fourth in points per game (28.4). Gus Edwards, now a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, tallied 13 scores on the ground as the power back of the committee. Although wide receiver Zay Flowers blossomed as a rookie and tight end Mark Andrews missed a large chunk of the season due to injury, the ground game will still be relied upon to convert red zone opportunities.

Henry recently celebrated his dreaded 30th birthday, typically a bona fide sign of decline for the position. It comes on the heels of two straight seasons leading the league in rushing attempts. It’s worrisome, for sure, and Henry averaged his fewest rushing yards per game since his sophomore season. The advanced metrics show he’s still got some juice, ranking ninth in evaded tackles and breaking off 16 attempts for 15 yards or more. He will score and will have a lot less attention on him from opposing defenses.

2. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

For a brief moment on Monday, Green Bay’s acquisition of Josh Jacobs didn’t seem all too appealing. Incumbent Aaron Jones dominated at the tail end of 2023 (five straight games with over 100 rushing yards) and had been a staple of the Packers offense since his second season in the NFL. The two could and would coexist but to the vexation of fantasy managers.

The uneasiness was subdued quickly when Green Bay released the third-best rusher in franchise history. Out with the old and in with the new, as they say.

JOSH JACOBS BREAKAWAY TD!!!!

📺: #KCvsLV on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/1dOevJjoZZ pic.twitter.com/6iTBeJjCLW

— NFL (@NFL) November 26, 2023

Jacobs joins the Packers two years removed from capturing the rushing title crown and an All-Pro bid. His rushing production in 2023 was slashed in half and he missed the final four games of the regular season. Combined the missed games with a slow start to the season (holding out of training camp with a contract dispute played a part), and Jacobs failed to live up to the lofty expectations.

He’s not entirely to blame. With Aidan O'Connell under center, defenses stacked the box against Jacobs. The Raiders provided the former Alabama runner with just two fewer attempts per game, not enough to bring down his per-game average as much as it did. The running room was simply not available.

With a new contract and new offense, that will change. Jordan Love is leading a young, ascending group of talented offensive weapons. Jacobs immediately becomes the best of the bunch and currently has zero competition for backfield touches with A.J. Dillon also departing Wisconsin.

3. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

Saquon Barkley turned into a jilted lover who took the money and ran off with your worst enemy.

For years, the two-time Pro Bowler pleaded with the Giants to reward him with a long-term contract extension that he believed he deserved. When New York didn’t deliver, he turned to NFC East rival Philadelphia and signed on the dotted line.

The Giants, one of the worst offenses in football in 2023, didn’t deliver many red zone opportunities for Barkley. Similar but different, Barkley’s touches inside the five will be hampered by his quarterback. The Tush Push may not be as unstoppable this time around without center Jason Kelce, but you can guarantee Jalen Hurts will plunge into the end zone on more than one occasion.

It’s the same problem D'Andre Swift had for fantasy football last season. Barkley is a better running back but the two are similar on paper. Swift finished as the RB20, losing touches and touchdowns to Kenneth Gainwell and Hurts. Barkley will be called upon more than his predecessor and should finish comfortably in the RB1 range as long as he stays healthy. The Philadelphia offense is still elite.

4. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans (trade)

When Cincinnati signed Zack Moss to a two-year contract, the writing was on the wall for Joe Mixon. He was set to be released before the Texans swooped in and sent a seventh-round pick to the Bengals for the running back’s services.

The Texans were rumored to be big-game hunting for a new back this offseason. Barkley signed with Philadelphia instead of Houston, Tony Pollard went home to Tennessee, and Devin Singletary agreed to a deal with the Giants. Suddenly, the Texans were leaving for the dance without a date.

Acquiring Mixon is a lateral move. Singletary was an effective runner down the stretch when Dameon Pierce was removed from the picture. Mixon has never been the most efficient running back and will be 28 years old when the season begins. For a running back with his play style, the decline could be swift.

Similarly to some of the other running backs on this list, Mixon has little competition for touches. Pierce was phased out of the offense in DeMeco Ryans’ first season leading the Texans. Considering his draft capital and Ryans not being around when he was selected, Pierce does not factor much into the equation moving forward.

For this coming season at least, Mixon will contribute to what is probably the league’s best young offense. His biggest strength has been finishing runs for six points and will have ample opportunities to do so in Texas.

2nd effort from @Joe_MainMixon ties it up!

📺: #MINvsCIN on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/vtmfEKvOLy pic.twitter.com/XEJGd3mtmg

— NFL (@NFL) December 16, 2023

5. Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers

Harbaugh to Harbaugh, the Gus Bus is joining the other brother in Los Angeles.

As the depth chart currently stands, Edwards has little competition for touches. Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley are off of the roster and Isaiah Spiller isn’t bound to be a regular contributor in the NFL. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman and Edwards worked together in Baltimore. He and Harbaugh lean on a run-heavy approach to win football games. With the release of Mike Williams and the trade of Keenan Allen, the roster is further set up to depend on running backs.

It would surprise exactly zero people if the Chargers spend a draft pick on Michigan running back Blake Corum. There’s obvious familiarity with Harbaugh and there’s a need to fill out the depth chart. That would knock Edwards down a few spots in the rankings, but he’d presumably still be the alpha in Los Angeles.

As mentioned above, Edwards has a nose for the end zone, scoring 13 times in 2023. Without the proper red zone threats on the roster, he could replicate those numbers again. Edwards doesn’t have the name recognition as the backs before or after him on this list, meaning he’ll probably be one of the more valuable runners in the RB dead zone come August.

6. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears

The Bears are doing away with a three-headed monster and giving the keys to D'Andre Swift. The Lions gave up on the former second-round pick after three seasons in Detroit (although he was effective when he touched the ball). Following the trade to Philadelphia, he registered career-high marks in attempts (229) and rushing yards (1,049).

The Bears offense is on the rise, but adding a rookie quarterback throws a spanner in the works. It’s the biggest variable. Some first-year quarterbacks lean on their outlets and checkdowns, a.k.a. Swift. Others are more aggressive and willing to learn from their mistakes.

Over three seasons in college, Caleb Williams threw 12.1% of his targets to running backs. That low number is by design, however, in an Air Raid offense. New offensive coordinator Shane Waldron runs an offense similar to Kyle Shanahan, relying on a strong run game.

First one as an EAGLE 🤫@DAndreSwift | #MINvsPHI | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/3yNWq1fal5

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 15, 2023

Second-year back Roschon Johnson is likely to be the backup option when training camp opens. Khalil Herbert is seemingly the odd man out. Chicago wouldn’t have paid Swift all of that money to deploy a three-pronged attack.

If the Bears select a wide receiver with their own first-round pick to pair with Williams, this Chicago offense is suddenly chocked full of explosive weapons. D.J. Moore, Cole Kmet, and Swift will lead the way.

7. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings

Running back roulette continues in the NFC North. Jones, Swift, and David Montgomery are all on their second team within the division. Now, all we need is for the Packers to sign Alexander Mattison to back up Jacobs. But I digress.

The acquisition of Jones makes too much sense for Kevin O’Connell and Co. Mattison was released before the new league year began, leaving Ty Chandler as the leader of the pack. The 25-year-old is 5-foot-11 and 204 pounds, and is a former fifth-round pick with 108 carries over two seasons. He is not considered a bell cow.

Jones himself is 29 and there’s been a long history of running backs his age switching teams and failing to live up to prior production. He was electric in the postseason and may still have some juice. But he’s also oft-injured and entering an offense with more questions than answers.

Kirk Cousins is gone and Sam Darnold currently sits atop the depth chart. Nick Mullens effectively supported Justin Jefferson and the rest of the Minnesota weapons. Darnold should be able to do the same. Still, this is an offense on a downward trajectory and Chandler will have a role.

8. Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders

Was Austin Ekeler’s down year the result of age catching up to him or the high ankle sprain he suffered in Week 1? The Commanders are gambling on the latter, hoping he can return to form.

I saw a lot of people discuss Austin Ekeler's athletic ability coming off of last year. Here are some of Ekeler's reps against Miami before his injury. I'm not too concerned personally, but if he is or can get close to 100% again, very good news. pic.twitter.com/M9iDDlpBhH

— Jamual (@LetMualTellit) March 12, 2024

It’s not a pricey wager. Two years and $11.43 million isn’t a big commitment. Washington is adding reliable veterans, Ekeler and tight end Zach Ertz, to provide safety blankets for whichever rookie quarterback they select in April’s NFL Draft. Pass-catching will still be the allure for Ekeler in PPR formats.

Touchdowns, however, may not be. Ekeler racked up 69 scores during his time in Los Angeles. Washington’s offense will not be as explosive, especially with a rookie under center. Brian Robinson Jr. is also an established piece of the backfield.

Granted, a new coaching staff is in command, so they may not like Robinson as much as the prior regime, but it’s hard to imagine them phasing out a third-year back coming off of consecutive 700-yard rushing seasons.

9. Devin Singletary, New York Giants

One of two things will happen for the Giants this spring: they’ll manage to draft another quarterback in the first round (either by trade or J.J. McCarthy at the sixth pick) or run it back with Daniel Jones. Neither is ideal for Devin Singletary.

Saquon Barkley managed to finish as the RB13 in 2023, a rare feat for a running back on a putrid offense. The Giants scored the third-fewest points (15.6) and totaled the fourth-fewest yards (280) per game. For the majority of the fantasy football season, Barkley was the only player worth rostering. Singletary will be worth a roster spot but he can’t carry an offense like Barkley. When he was healthy, the Giants were not shy with the amount of touches Barkley was given. Remember the first Tommy Devito game? Barkley had 39 touches on 41 opportunities!

Singletary is reuniting with his former offensive coordinator in Buffalo, Brian Daboll, in East Rutherford. Daboll never trusted Singletary to carry the lion’s share of the carries in Buffalo. While he was given that chance at the tail end of the 2023 season in Houston, he doesn’t have the size to sustain that kind of workload, and Daboll knows that. Second-year runner Eric Gray or another offseason addition will form a platoon with Singletary.

10. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

A return to his home state and 24 million dollars? Tony Pollard probably couldn't have signed fast enough.

Titans expected to sign RB Tony Pollard. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/jMPc7TgSI4

— NFL (@NFL) March 11, 2024

What is best for the player and what is best for fantasy football could not be further apart here. Pollard will be 27 years old and likely receiving the last major contract of his career. He'll get to be the lead running back for his hometown team.

With the addition of him and Calvin Ridley, this could be an improved offense. That rests on the shoulders of second-year quarterback Will Levis.

All of that and we haven't discussed Tyjae Spears yet. Although a new coaching staff is in town, the former third-round pick figures to play an important role in the Tennessee offense. The pair are similar players, most effective in space, agile, and a weapon through the air. Pollard and Spears will cannibalize each other, and that's if the offense is above average, which could be a big ask.

11. Zack Moss, Cincinnati Bengals

For the first time since 2018, Joe Mixon won’t be the lead running back in Cincinnati. In fact, there may not be a lead running back at all.

Moss was brought over from Indianapolis where he filled in admirably for Jonathan Taylor while the starter dealt with a myriad of injuries. Through eight weeks in 2023, Moss was the RB4 in PPR formats, and he didn’t suit up in Week 1.

It was enough to earn him a contract in free agency. Without that spurt, Moss may have been looking for a job outside of football. He’ll enter a mostly barren running back room. Veteran Trayveon Williams mostly plays special teams and Chris Evans is no Captain America. Second-year professional Chase Brown is the platoon mate for Moss.

I view this as a 1A/1B situation and I’m not sure which of the two backs will be the A. Moss brings a bruising running style to the table, like the man he replaced. Brown is all about speed. He clocked in over 22 miles per hour in Week 14, a speed only bested by D.K. Metcalf. Yes, he registered a top speed faster than Tyreek Hill.

The Chase Brown/Zack Moss combo is an exciting upgrade over Joe Mixon. Brown and Moss compliment each other well. Year 2 Brown 🚀pic.twitter.com/WfPE19Mshx

— Ben Cummins (@BenCumminsFF) March 12, 2024

Signing Moss was a necessity for Cincinnati. They needed a proven commodity that ran with power. That doesn’t mean he was signed to carry all the opportunities vacated by Mixon.

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