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Joey Pollizze looks at fantasy football running back sleepers, value picks and RB positions battles. Which fantasy football RBs are fighting for the starting job?
The running back position has changed a lot over the past few years. In 2017, eight running backs totaled at least 260 carries. That number, though, dropped down to just four after Travis Etienne (267), Rachaad White (272), Christian McCaffrey (272), and Derrick Henry (280) reached that mark in 2023.
With more and more teams going away from giving their RB1 a workhorse role, job battles continue to take place in the NFL offseason. That is certainly the case heading into the 2024 season.
So, let's take a look at six job battles at the running back position entering training camp. All six of these teams have question marks at that position right now.
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Zack Moss, Chase Brown - Cincinnati Bengals
After trading away Joe Mixon this offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals will roll with a new RB1 in 2024. The two choices will be either Zack Moss or Chase Brown. The Bengals signed Moss to a two-year deal this offseason, while Brown enters his second NFL season after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Right now, Moss figures to have the advantage for Cincinnati's RB1 job following his strong numbers in that role with the Indianapolis Colts in 2023. In four starts without Jonathan Taylor, the 26-year-old rushed 89 times for 445 yards and three touchdowns. However, he will certainly not have a workhorse role in this Bengals offense, given Brown's presence.
The second-year running back got more involved as the season went on in 2023 and totaled at least 50 yards from scrimmage in three of the final five games. The 24-year-old has a chance to earn that RB1 job with a strong showing in camp, but Moss should be the favorite to land that role to start the year.
Today's stat #2 @RotoWire In a small sample last year, Chase Brown was 95th% in breaking tackles and yds after contact (97th%). If Zack Moss is as unimpressive as he was from W5 on last year, Brown could split early-down work. He could also be the rec RB. He could crush his ADP. pic.twitter.com/mqkneSPoRO
— Jim Coventry (@JimCoventryNFL) July 11, 2024
Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, Kimani Vidal - Los Angeles Chargers
This Los Angeles Chargers backfield is a mess entering the season, and not many fantasy managers know who to target in drafts this summer. Gus Edwards, J.K. Dobbins, and Kimani Vidal all have an ADP ranging from 113 to 175 currently in drafts. Edwards has the best ADP at 113.6, while Vidal checks in at 175 on Sleeper.
That ADP suggests Edwards will be the team's RB1 to start the year, especially with Dobbins coming off a torn Achilles and Vidal entering his first year in the league. However, look for all three running backs to be somewhat involved in 2024.
While Edwards will likely be the goal-line and short-yardage back in Los Angeles' offense, Dobbins could eventually be the team's RB1. He is definitely the most talented of the group, but injuries have recently set him back. If he can stay healthy in 2024, he figures to see most of the touches out of this backfield. Vidal also has the potential to see more chances as the year goes on after rushing for 1,661 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final college season at Troy.
Training camp will be extremely telling in how the Chargers plan to attack this backfield in 2024. Vidal will likely take a backseat to start the year, paving the way for the more experienced backs in Edwards and Dobbins to lead this group. However, things change throughout the season, and the rookie showed some great things at OTAs in June.
Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime - Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos backfield is one that I am avoiding completely in 2024. There are too many question marks with this group heading into the year. Will Jaleel McLaughlin see a bigger role after showcasing his potential as a rookie in 2023? Will Audric Estime be involved at all this season? How much of a role will Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine have if they are still with the team?
At least one of these backs figures to be cut this offseason, and it likely won't be McLaughlin or Estime. Even if the Broncos go ahead and cut Perine, that still leaves them with three running backs on the roster -- all of whom could see a role in 2024.
#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
It'll be interesting to see how the Broncos go about their running game this season. Williams will be almost two years removed from his torn ACL when the season starts, so he should be in store for a better year. But McLaughlin might be the most explosive back in this offense and should see more opportunities in Year 2. As a result, there's a chance he could win the RB1 job out of camp.
This running back job battle between Williams, McLaughlin, Estime, and even Perine is an interesting one heading into the year. One will likely be cut, leaving the other three fighting for the RB1, RB2, and RB3 roles before Week 1.
Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle - Dallas Cowboys
All offseason, the Dallas Cowboys have said the team will go with a RB-by-committee approach in 2024. Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle are the main two options that Dallas has on its roster this year after Tony Pollard left in the offseason. But one of those backs will win the RB1 job out of training camp.
That figures to be Elliott, who the team signed in the offseason. The 28-year-old is back with the Cowboys following his one season with the New England Patriots in 2023. While the veteran might be past his prime, there's no reason he still can't put up solid numbers this season.
Given Elliott's size and proven track record in Dallas, he should lead the team in carries and touchdowns. In three of his last four seasons in Dallas, he totaled double-digit touchdowns. Even at his age, that shouldn't change in 2024, as the Cowboys ranked first in points scored last year.
Now, Elliott won't see all of the running back touches in 2024 -- like we're all used to seeing in Dallas. Dowdle will be somewhat involved on offense and could see above 40% of the team's offensive snaps every game. He showed a ton of nice things in 2023 and rushed for a career-high 361 yards and two touchdowns. The 26-year-old should also be more involved in the passing game after recording 144 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler - Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders upgraded their running back room this offseason by signing Austin Ekeler to a two-year deal. Ekeler now joins Brian Robinson Jr. in Washington's backfield to form a solid one-two punch. However, his arrival also creates a job battle this offseason between a young running back and a veteran.
What might wind up happening with this backfield in 2024 is that Robinson will be the primary early down back, and Ekeler will come in on passing downs. The former Chargers running back could also get some of the goal-line work after rushing for at least 12 touchdowns in two of the past three seasons.
Look at the league leaders in Yards Created per Touch!👀
Jaylen Warren, De'Von Achane, Tyjae Spears, Brian Robinson, & Austin Ekeler were the only ones to average 4+🤯#PlayerProfilerStats pic.twitter.com/rXbdBIQyec
— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) July 15, 2024
It's hard to really envision how the Commanders will roll with their running back group this season. However, it's safe to say that Robinson and Ekeler will get most of the work and should be heavily involved with a rookie quarterback in Jayden Daniels under center. Both should see their fair share of opportunities, especially the 29-year-old veteran in the receiving game.
Jonathon Brooks, Miles Sanders, Chuba Hubbard - Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers backfield is another messy situation heading into the season. Miles Sanders was the team's big free-agent signing last offseason after agreeing to a four-year deal. But Sanders struggled in his first year in Carolina, totaling just 432 yards and one touchdown across 16 games.
That led to Chuba Hubbard taking over the RB1 job midway through the season. Hubbard also surprisingly looked good in that role, rushing for a career-high 902 yards and five touchdowns. However, look for rookie Jonathon Brooks to take a large chunk of carries away from him in 2024.
Brooks was the clear RB1 in the 2024 draft class, and the Panthers used a second-round pick on him. Now, it remains to be seen how much the rookie will be involved to start the season. He is coming off a torn ACL, and Carolina will ease him into training camp.
So, we could see the Panthers roll with Hubbard as their RB1 to start the year, especially after his strong 2023 campaign. Nonetheless, Brooks figures to take over that job as the season progresses. He just ran for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns in his final college season at Texas and has the skill set to be a three-down back in the NFL. The only question is when the team will fully unleash him in 2024.
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