Tyrone Tracy Jr., Kimani Vidal, Audric Estime - 2024 Fantasy Football Running Back Outlooks

July 15, 2024

Fantasy football outlooks for rookie running backs Tyrone Tracy Jr., Kimani Vidal, and Audric Estime in 2024. Which running back should fantasy managers target in 2024 fantasy drafts?

Most Day 3 running backs selected in the NFL Draft usually have to wait a couple of years to get their opportunity. That was certainly the case for running backs like Chase Brown, Evan Hull, and Israel Abanikanda in the 2023 NFL Draft. 

However, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Kimani Vidal, and Audric Estime could all see some touches right away in Year 1 -- despite going on Day 3 in the 2024 NFL Draft. Tracy, Vidal, and Estime all landed in great spots as rookies and could be involved immediately in their respective offenses. 

So, let's look at those three rookie running backs and their fantasy value in 2024. 

Tyrone Tracy Jr. 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

The New York Giants selected Tracy in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft after he put up 716 rush yards in his final college season at Purdue. The 25-year-old is on the older side entering his rookie season, but he could see opportunities right away in 2024. 

Tyrone Tracy Jr.’s ability to extend plays isn’t talked about enough, huge W for the Giants

How he 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 in the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘀:

➖𝟭𝘀𝘁 in 𝗬𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 (𝟰.𝟰𝟰)
➖𝟯𝗿𝗱 in 𝗕𝗿𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗧𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗣𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 (𝟬.𝟭𝟴)
➖𝟲𝘁𝗵 in… pic.twitter.com/Pbj1wuMVTR

— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) July 7, 2024

As it stands now, Tracy is listed as the RB3 on the Giants depth chart entering training camp. But don't be surpassed if the rookie eventually passes Eric Gray -- who only rushed for 48 yards last year -- for the RB2 spot before the season begins. While Devin Singletary will likely see most of the carries, the former Purdue product could be an injury away from seeing a significant role in Year 1. However, in that New York offense with a bottom-five offensive line, he should likely only be drafted in deeper formats this summer. 

Kimani Vidal 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

A lot of fantasy managers are in on selecting Vidal in the later round of drafts. He's on a Chargers team that wants to run the ball a lot, and the two running backs in front of him on the depth chart (Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins) have dealt with their fair share of injuries over the years. The 22-year-old also just ran for 1,661 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final college season at Troy. 

#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

So, that makes Vidal an interesting choice in the last round of fantasy drafts. Despite likely starting the year as Los Angeles' RB3, he could see more opportunities on offense if Dobbins -- who has missed 42 games since 2020 -- or Edwards gets injured. 

Audric Estime 2024 Fantasy Football Outlook

The Denver Broncos are one backfield fantasy managers should avoid in 2024, so picking Estime in the later round might not be the best choice. However, he did just rush for 1,341 yards and 18 touchdowns in his final college season at Notre Dame in 2023. And Sean Payton expects him to be a "full go" for training camp following an offseason knee scope.

As a result, there could be some appeal for fantasy managers to select him in the last round of fantasy drafts. Still, keep in mind that Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine, and Jaleel McLaughlin are also a part of that backfield. Even if one of them gets cut this offseason, that likely will leave Estime as the RB3. He could see some opportunities in his first year on what should be a last-place Broncos team, but given the crowded backfield, it might be tough to select him in fantasy in Year 1. 

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