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Which fantasy football running backs will have workhorse roles in 2024? Joey Pollizze looks at eight running backs who will be heavily involved on offense this season.
There aren't many workhorse running backs in the NFL anymore. More and more teams are moving away from giving their RB1 that role. Last season, only six running backs (Christian McCaffrey, Rachaad White, Travis Etienne, Joe Mixon, Derrick Henry, and Tony Pollard) totaled over 300 touches.
As a result, running backs in fantasy football have lost a ton of value over the years. In 2023, only three running backs (McCaffrey, Breece Hall, and Etienne) finished inside the top 25 overall in points scored in PPR formats. All three of those backs also saw at least 222 carries.
So, let's take a look and see which running backs will have a workhorse role in 2024.
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Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
There's a reason why McCaffrey has been the best fantasy running back over the past few years. It's because of his role in San Francisco's offense. His ability in the passing and running game makes him the most valuable fantasy player this upcoming season.
How can ANYONE act like Christian McCaffrey isn’t the CLEAR 1.01 in fantasy drafts this year?
Let’s take a look at why he’s STILL the best player you can draft in fantasy this SZN ⬇️‼️ pic.twitter.com/xAq9T3tDzS
— PPRFantasyTips (@PPRFantasyTips) July 24, 2024
In 2022, McCaffrey totaled 329 touches for 1,880 yards and 13 touchdowns. Then, last year, the 28-year-old saw 339 touches for 2,023 yards and 21 touchdowns. That high usage in both the running and passing game shouldn't stop in 2024, either. He is one of the few three-down backs currently in the NFL, totaling 668 touches since 2022. So, fantasy managers can take him with confidence at the 1.01 in drafts.
Breece Hall, New York Jets
Fantasy managers have yet to see Hall at full strength in a season over his career. In 2022, the 23-year-old tore his ACL in Week 7, and then in 2023, he was limited to start the year. However, managers saw last season what type of running back he is when fully healthy.
Over the final six weeks of the 2023 campaign, Hall averaged 22.8 touches per game. In four of those contests, the young running back also caught at least six passes, including a career-high 12 catches for 96 yards in Week 16 against the Washington Commanders. With the former Iowa State product likely in store for his first 300-plus touch season, he is a great pick early in 2024 fantasy drafts.
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Some fantasy managers might have been disappointed with Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson's involvement in his rookie year. Still, Robinson saw 272 touches and totaled 1,463 yards from scrimmage in 2023. In Year 2, though, expect the former Texas star to see much more opportunities.
All offseason, new Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has said the offense will run through Robinson in 2024, even saying that they will "get the ball to Bijan as much as possible." With the young running back entering his prime years in the NFL, look for him to see 250-plus carries and 60 catches in the passing game. As a result, he's a great pick in the first round of fantasy drafts.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
It has been a couple of rough years for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor. Taylor has dealt with a bunch of injuries over the past two seasons, resulting in him missing a combined 13 games. But when healthy, he has been a workhorse back for the Colts.
After being limited in his first few games back last season, Taylor saw at least 15 touches in four of his final five games (Week 7 to Week 12). The Pro Bowler also saw at least 20 touches in three of those contests. With Indianapolis not adding a running back this offseason, the 25-year-old is expected to see most of the touches out of this backfield. The last time he played a full season was back in 2021 when he totaled 372 touches. He's definitely worth a pick in the second round of fantasy drafts.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Many fantasy managers think Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams will see a lower workload in 2024 due to the arrival of rookie Blake Corum. While it would be shocking to see Williams maintain his 21.7 touches per game -- which led the NFL last year -- there's just no way the Rams will go away from him on offense.
Kyren Williams is coming stronger in 2024 💪 pic.twitter.com/grWKNNXhvd
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) July 24, 2024
As a result, if the 23-year-old can stay healthy, a 300-plus touch season could be in store. He saw at least 20 touches in each of his final seven games while averaging 21.6 carries during that span. Corum will see some opportunities in his first year, but this is Williams' backfield in 2024. That's why he is a safe pick at his 16.9 ADP on Sleeper.
Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Everything is pointing to Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley having a workhorse role this season. For starters, the Eagles didn't pay him $37.75 million over three years to sit on the bench. On top of that, Barkley was heavily involved in the passing game on his first day of training camp with the team.
Of course, it's just training camp, so fantasy managers should take that with a grain of salt. But look for the Eagles to really utilize him all over the field in 2024. Given his potential role in this offense behind an elite offensive line, Barkley has the potential to finish as a top-5 fantasy running back for the second time in three years.
Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
At some point, age will catch up to Henry. With the veteran entering his age-30 season, some managers might be scared to draft him in 2024. However, it's hard not to love him in fantasy this year after he signed a multiyear deal with the Baltimore Ravens this offseason.
Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry connecting on a deep pass pic.twitter.com/llvGAYlg7K
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) July 24, 2024
Henry goes to a Ravens offense that ran the ball at the highest mark (49.92%) last season and scored 26 touchdowns on the ground. With Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins both leaving in free agency and Keaton Mitchell (knee) recovering from a torn ACL, the veteran will have this Baltimore backfield to himself in 2024. He will see plenty of carries in this offense while likely exceeding 13 touchdowns this season. His age might be scary, but his workload will give him a safe floor in fantasy.
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
The last running back who is in line for a workhorse role in 2024 is Mixon. Despite leaving the Bengals this offseason, the veteran's new situation with the Houston Texans is just as solid.
Mixon has topped the 300-touch mark in three of the past five seasons, and there's a good chance he'll reach that again in 2024. He'll lead the Texans backfield this upcoming season while being a weapon in both the running and passing game. With Dameon Pierce and Cam Akers as the only two running backs to compete with him for touches, the 28-year-old is a great value pick in the fourth or fifth round of drafts.
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