Understanding how running back rooms in the NFL work is easier said than done, and not always completely black and white. Some teams will operate with a “workhorse” running back, or a running back who receives most of the opportunities for their position on the team. Think Christian McCaffrey in San Francisco last season. Some teams operate as a “running back by committee” (RBBC), meaning there is more than one running back who plays a distinct role and touches the ball weekly. Think Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren last season in Pittsburgh. Some teams fall somewhere in between or fluctuate regarding the workhorse vs committee approach. Understanding how teams operate when it comes to their backfield, is important at the end of the day for Fantasy Football.
This article will explain how I view each NFL team’s backfield. I will identify who the RB1, RB2, and RB3 are before giving a quick outlook for 2024. The RB1, RB2, and RB3 will be in terms of the pecking order I believe the players will touch the ball and score for Fantasy Football. 32 teams, 32 breakdowns, let’s get it!
Running Back Room Breakdowns for Fantasy Football
Arizona Cardinals
- RB1: James Conner
- RB2: Trey Benson
- RB3: Michael Carter
2024 outlook: When on the field, James Conner is extremely productive as the workhorse for the Cardinals. Across Conner’s final five games last season he averaged 102.8 rushing yards, a rushing touchdown, and 23.86 Fantasy Points. Trey Benson was selected in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft, and profiles as a future workhorse. Benson is a great handcuff to Conner, and would have major upside for Fantasy Football if he took on the lead role. Conner has top-12 upside for Fantasy Football as a guy who can finish within the top 15 for Fantasy scoring this year.
Atlanta Falcons
- RB1: Bijan Robinson
- RB2: Tyler Allgeier
- RB3: Jase McClellan
2024 outlook: Breakout season for Bijan Robinson, who could truly be utilized like Christian McCaffrey in Atlanta with their new coaching staff and improved passing attack. Bijan will look to build on his 976 rushing yards, 58 receptions, and 487 receiving yards last season. I do think Tyler Allgeier can still have somewhat of a role in Atlanta to spell Bijan, but ultimately Allgeier is a solid handcuff due to his impact on Fantasy Football when given opportunities. Bijan has top-three upside for Fantasy Football.
Baltimore Ravens
- RB1: Derrick Henry
- RB2: Justice Hill
- RB3: Keaton Mitchell
The king of rushing yards and rushing touchdowns enters last year’s most run-heavy offense in the NFL with Derrick Henry in Baltimore. Henry rushed for over 1,167 yards and scored 12 touchdowns last season, and while he continues to age and lose some efficiency this Ravens offense should lift Henry up. The touchdown ceiling for Henry in 2024 is scary. Keaton Mitchell may be sprinkled in as a pass-catching option from time to time. Henry has a major ceiling for Fantasy Football in 2024, likely as a top 5-10 back.
Buffalo Bills
- RB1: James Cook
- RB2: Ray Davis
- RB3: Ty Johnson
James Cook had a very polarizing Fantasy Football season last year because although he finished high for the position with a ton of spike weeks he also had a lot of extremely poor Fantasy Football weeks. Regardless, Cook totaled 1,122 rushing yards and 445 receiving yards on the year. 5’8, 211 lb bowling ball Ray Davis was selected in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, and profiles as the Bills’ next Latavius Murray aka short-yardage and red zone back. I do think Davis will take away a lot from Cook in the red zone, which could cap Cook’s ceiling. I feel Cook will get plenty of work but is closer to RB20 than RB12 for Fantasy Football in 2024.
Carolina Panthers
- RB1: Chuba Hubbard
- RB2: Jonathon Brooks
- RB3: Miles Sanders
News broke on August 27th that Jonathon Brooks, the Panthers’ second-round rookie, would remain on the PUP/non-football injury list which means he will automatically miss the first four weeks of the season. Brooks is recovering from an ACL tear back in November, and being he is a future star at just 21 years old this is no shock to me. I honestly doubt Brooks sees significant work as a rookie, and if so it would be at the end of the season. Why would Carolina, a team that may continue to struggle this year, rush back their future star? Chuba Hubbard rushed 238 times for 902 yards and caught 39 balls for 233 receiving yards last season. While Hubbard’s Fantasy Football ceiling is not super high (averaged 10.7 PPG in 2023), he likely is going to be lined up for plenty of work yet again in 2024. We should target running backs who are drafted low in Fantasy Football and have paths to touches.
Chicago Bears
- RB1: D’Andre Swift
- RB2: Khalil Herbert
- RB3: Roschon Johnson
D’Andre Swift landed in Chicago this off-season as one of the first running backs picked up in Free Agency. Swift rushed for a career-high 1,049 yards last season in Philadelphia, averaged 5.5 yards per carry in 2022, and caught 62 passes for 452 receiving yards back in 2021. We have seen a mixture of different green flags for Swift, so hopefully he will put them all together in Chicago. I could see either of Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, who will fight for the RB2 role, taking away some short-yardage and red zone work. I would not completely label this as a committee, but I do feel Swift will not be on an island with the rushing duties. Swift has top 12-15 Fantasy Football upside in 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals
- RB1: Chase Brown
- RB2: Zack Moss
- RB3: Trayveon Williams
The Bengals’ backfield looks to be a true committee in 2024, with either of Chase Brown or Zack Moss to operate as the RB1A. Moss flashed last year for the Colts in place of Jonathan Taylor, with a string of very Fantasy impactful weeks. Brown flashed efficiency in his limited work on the Bengals last season. I do believe both of these guys touch the ball fairly equally, and both stay involved each week. I would project Moss to earn more of the rushing and red zone work while Brown separates himself as the pass-catching back. In this scenario, I would rather target Brown at cost in Fantasy drafts for PPR leagues, with the upside always tied to pass-catching backs. Both of these guys are solid targets at cost in drafts, with one of them likely to finish 2024 as a top 24 option.
Cleveland Browns
- RB1: Jerome Ford
- RB2: Nick Chubb
- RB3: Pierre Strong Jr
News broke on August 26 that Nick Chubb would start the season on the reserve/PUP list, which means he will miss at least the opening four weeks. Chubb had a pair of knee surgeries back in September and November following a horrific knee injury last season. Jerome Ford again steps into a major opportunity behind a solid Cleveland offensive line after totaling 204 carries for 813 rushing yards and 44 catches for 319 receiving yards last season. At cost in Fantasy drafts, Ford becomes a great target. I am weary of Chubb’s outlook in 2024, as it is tough to picture him as someone who will be super Fantasy impactful the year after his knee did what it did in 2023. Knowing Chubb should miss a minimum of four weeks with the potential for more makes Ford a great zero RB or depth piece target for the position.
Dallas Cowboys
- RB1: Ezekiel Elliott
- RB2: Rico Dowdle
- RB3: Royce Freeman
- Keep an eye out for Dalvin Cook, who is set to visit Dallas according to reports
Ezekiel Elliott returns home to Dallas, after a year in New England. Rico Dowdle is thought of as a running back sleeper who can create a committee with Zeke, but I simply do not see it happening consistently. I do not think Dowdle is anything above an extremely average talent, who has not had significant work in the NFL, which makes Dalvin Cook visiting Dallas make sense. I do not think Zeke will have tons of rushing upside, but I do think he can catch a decent amount of balls and have some potential touchdown upside. The Cowboys could be in the red zone often, and this is where Zeke can find his Fantasy Football relevance.
Denver Broncos
- RB1: Javonte Williams
- RB2: Jaleel McLaughlin
- RB3: Audric Estime
I have always had a firm stance on Denver’s backfield, and that it would be Javonte Williams who will operate as the team’s RB1. We once thought of Williams as one of the league’s next stud running backs for Fantasy Football following his rookie season, and then too many wrote him off because he did not have a stellar 2023 after a 2022 ACL tear. Williams should operate as the RB1 with plenty of volume, Jaleel McLaughlin will be sprinkled in for some pass-catching duties, and rookie Audric Estime is the Williams handcuff. I believe by the end of 2024, Williams will be looked at as one of the best cost vs. production values for the position in Fantasy Football.
Detroit Lions
- RB1: Jahmyr Gibbs
- RB2: David Montgomery
- RB3: Craig Reynolds
Jahmyr Gibbs has been dealing with a hamstring injury, but it was reported on August 26th that he returned to practice. There is a ton of upside with Gibbs, as an explosive playmaker both on the ground and with the ball in his hands through the air, which was evident last season. Gibbs certainly has top-five upside for Fantasy Football, but I do not believe David Montgomery disappears. Monty rushed for over 1,000 yards last season and scored 13 touchdowns as an important piece of this Lions offense. I do believe in Gibbs’ second season he will earn more work and be the true 1A to Monty’s 1B, but both backs will stay involved.
Green Bay Packers
- RB1: Josh Jacobs
- RB2: MarShawn Lloyd
- RB3: Emmanuel Wilson
Josh Jacobs had a very down 2023 season, after leading the league in rushing yards (1,6553) back in 2022. Jacobs has three seasons over 1,000 rushing yards, and two seasons above 50 receptions through five years of NFL football and now enters the best situation he’s ever been in with the Packers. I do believe when the entire backfield is healthy that MarShawn Lloyd was set to beat out AJ Dillon for the RB2 role, which could mean getting periodic usage to spell Jacobs. Lloyd is currently banged up and AJ Dillon just was placed on season-ending IR. Many people will point to the Packers typically utilizing two running backs often but I feel like the potential for a committee is exaggerated here, and that Jacobs will earn the bulk of the work. Jacobs has the history, tools, and volume opportunity to be a top 5-10 running back in 2024 for Fantasy Football.
Houston Texans
- RB1: Joe Mixon
- RB2: Dameon Pierce
- RB3: Cam Akers
After seven seasons as a Bengal, Joe Mixon becomes a Texan in 2024, moving from one good offense to another good offense. Mixon is coming off of a season where he rushed for 1,034 yards and caught 52 balls for 376 receiving yards with 12 total touchdowns. Mixon has averaged over 15 Fantasy PPG the last four seasons in a row, and should continue to have top 12 upside. Dameon Pierce flashed as a rookie but ultimately lost his role last season to Devin Singletary (now a Giant), who is a lesser back from a resume perspective than Mixon. Look for Mixon to operate as a workhorse with both rushing and receiving work in Houston.
Indianapolis Colts
- RB1: Jonathan Taylor
- RB2: Trey Sermon
- RB3: Evan Hull
Jonathan Taylor is a true workhorse and is one of the best candidates to bounce back for Fantasy Football. Taylor has played 10 and 11 games the last season, which makes Trey Sermon a good handcuff to stash pending your league’s roster spot settings. Back in 2021 Taylor rushed for 1,811 yards and produced 20 total touchdowns, which is a ceiling he still will have in 2024 as one of the league’s best rushers. Taylor has top-five upside for Fantasy Football in 2024 and is a sneaky candidate to be the RB1 overall this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars
- RB1: Travis Etienne Jr
- RB2: Tank Bigsby
- RB3: D’Ernest Johnson
Travis Etienne Jr. had a massive Fantasy Football season in 2023, rushing for 1,008 yards, catching 58 passes for 476 yards, and scoring 12 total touchdowns. In 2022, as a rookie, Etienne rushed for 1,125 yards. The rushing upside as a rookie and the receiving upside as a sophomore should make you excited about the possibility of Etienne putting both together in 2024. Etienne has top-five Fantasy Football upside because of this possibility. Tank Bigsby could not fight off D’Ernest Johnson last season for the RB2 role, and while I think he does this time in 2024 I do not think it means much for Fantasy Football.
Kansas City Chiefs
- RB1: Isiah Pacheco
- RB2: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
- RB3: Carson Steele
Isiah Pacheco took several steps forward as a sophomore in 2023, rushing for 935 yards, catching 44 balls for 244 yards, and scoring six touchdowns. Pacheco continued to be a huge part of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl run in the NFL Playoffs, rushing for 313 yards and scoring three touchdowns in four games. Pacheco continues to earn his role in one of the league’s best offenses and has top-12 Fantasy Football upside in 2024 as a guy who can continue to trend up.
Los Angeles Chargers
- RB1: Gus Edwards
- RB2: JK Dobbins
- RB3: Kimani Vidal
The Chargers’ backfield is one of the toughest to truly understand for Fantasy Football. Gus Edwards is coming off of a monster 13 touchdown season in Baltimore, but the question of if that was simply a product of the Ravens’ system and if he is meant to be a team’s RB1 is there. JK Dobbins was once one of the league’s most promising running backs, also a former Raven, but has dealt with some major injuries that draw questions on what he is even capable of anymore. Kimani Vidal is a rookie with a highly productive rushing resume as a prospect but was overlooked by the NFL as a sixth-round selection. My guess here is that we will see all three of these guys at some sort of capacity. Gus Bus is the safest of the three, and if I am tossing a dart at upside it might be in stashing Vidal for the second half of the season as a young guy with some juice.
Los Angeles Rams
- RB1: Kyren Williams
- RB2: Blake Corum
- RB3: Ronnie Rivers
On a per-game basis, Kyren Williams was outstanding in 2023, producing 1,144 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns in just 12 games played. Williams finished 2023 #2 in Fantasy PPG with 21.3, which makes his Fantasy impact extremely clear when he was on the field. Blake Corum was selected by the Rams in the third round this year and has an extremely productive resume from National Champion Michigan with 4,148 total scrimmage yards, and 61 total touchdowns in four seasons. With Williams playing in 12 and nine games the last two seasons, drafting Corum was a smart move by the Rams. I am not convinced though that Corum is just a handcuff though, as he was a far too productive prospect to just sit on the bench. I am projecting Kyren to have the keys but both bacjks to be involved plenty in 2024. In a world where Kyren has the full workload, he has top-five upside for Fantasy Football, but I do not think that is the case here. Corum is a great handcuff to stash and see if he earns weekly work.
Las Vegas Raiders
- RB1: Zamir White
- RB2: Alexander Mattison
- RB3: Dylan Laube
Zamir White took over as the lead back in Vegas last season for an injured Josh Jacobs and produced 457 scrimmage yards during that span. That was apparently enough for the Raiders, as they moved on from Jacobs and gave the keys to White to be their 2024 starter. Alexander Mattison joined the Raiders this off-season, and it is spicy but I believe White is more likely to be a 2023 Mattison than a 2024 breakout. Volume is king in Fantasy Football, and White should see it, but I feel when looking at White’s profile as a whole his draft capital for Fantasy Football is far too high. Keep an eye on rookie Dylan Laube to earn some sort of pass-catching role at some capacity in 2024.
Miami Dolphins
- RB1: De’Von Achane
- RB2: Raheem Mostert
- RB3: Jaylen Wright
De’Von Achane had some truly explosive games in 2023, with efficiency metrics off the charts as a third-round rookie. Achane averaged the fifth most Fantasy PPG last season (17.3) through 11 appearances, and averaged a ridiculous 7.8 yards per carry. Miami extended Raheem Mostert after his 1,012 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns 2023 season. He should continue to be a huge piece of this offense. Regardless of you Achane truthers like that – Mostert earned it last year. Jaylen Wright was a productive prospect out of Tennessee and was selected by Miami in the fourth round this year to be a future part of this Dolphins committee. I believe that the Dolphins will roll with Achane as the 1A and Mostert as the 1B in 2024, with both backs staying highly involved. This may mean banking on spike weeks from both of these running backs for Fantasy Football relevance, but the price gap between Achane (expensive) and Mostert (cheap) from an ADP lens is large.
Minnesota Vikings
- RB1: Aaron Jones
- RB2: Ty Chandler
- RB3: Myles Gaskin
Aaron Jones rushed for over 100 yards in each of his final five games as a Packer. Aka he still has juice when he is on the field. Jones landed within the division this off-season, with an opportunity to continue operating as a RB1. Back in 2022, Jones rushed for 1,121 yards and caught 59 balls which were both career-highs, and was not that long ago. Jones has top 12-15 upside in 2024, and with Jordan Addison potentially being suspended on top of TJ Hockenson recovering still from an ACL tear he can have high pass-catching upside. Ty Chandler proved last season to be a solid handcuff to roster, as he had clear Fantasy Football impacts when filling in as the starter last season.
New England Patriots
- RB1: Rhamondre Stevenson
- RB2: Antonio Gibson
- RB3: JaMycal Hasty
With a new Head Coach in Jerod Mayo, an iffy wide receiver room, and a rookie quarterback I would not be shocked if the Patriots really lean heavily on both recently extended Rhamondre Stevenson and newcomer Antonio Gibson. Stevenson played in just 12 games last season but finished 2022 with 1,040 rushing yards, 69 receptions, 421 receiving yards, and averaged 14.7 (#10) Fantasy PPG. Gibson has caught over 40 passes for three straight seasons back in Washington and has been a top 17 running back in Fantasy PPG twice through four seasons. The bulk of the workload should go to Stevenson but I believe Gibson could have a very Jaylen Warren-like role in 2024.
New Orleans Saints
- RB1: Alvin Kamara
- RB2: Jamaal Williams
- RB3: Kendre Miller
Jamaal Williams earned just over 100 (106) rushing attempts last year and averaged 2.9 yards per carry. Kendre Miller continues to deal with injuries and gets torn apart by his coaching staff. This simply adds up to continued heavy usage for Alvin Kamara. Kamara played in just 13 games last season but averaged the third most Fantasy PPG with 17.9. 75 receptions for 466 receiving yards were scary marks for a guy who missed four full games. The receiving upside has always been there for Kamara and will continue to be there in 2024 which gives the veteran continued top-12 upside for Fantasy Football.
New York Giants
- RB1: Devin Singletary
- RB2: Tyrone Tracy Jr.
- RB3: Eric Gray
Saquon Barkley is now an Eagle and Devin Singletary is now a Giant following this off-season. Singletary has always found a way to earn work on good offenses looking back to Houston last season and Buffalo historically. The Giants system is definitely a downgrade as an offense for what Singletary had last season with the Texans, where he posted 898 rushing yards and 30 catches for 193 receiving yards. Singletary should be locked in for weekly volume, which makes him a true sleeper even if his ceiling is low. Keep an eye on fifth-round rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr., who could earn a pass-catching role as an RB/WR hybrid prospect.
New York Jets
- RB1: Breece Hall
- RB2: Braelon Allen
- RB3: Isaiah Davis
Following an ACL tear as a rookie in 2022, Breece Hall still managed to explode for Fantasy Football in 2023 averaging 17.1 PPG (#6). Hall had a major season through the air with 76 receptions for 591 receiving yards and fell six yards short of 1,000 rushing yards. With Aaron Rodgers returning to action, this offense should get lifted in 2024. Hall may catch fewer balls, but expect the rushing numbers to go up. Hall is a true candidate to finish as the RB1 this season for Fantasy Football. I also believe rookie Braelon Allen is worth stashing, who is a very young but very productive prospect who is built like a linebacker and could have Fantasy Football impacts if Hall were to miss any time. Allen has had a solid camp.
Philadelphia Eagles
- RB1: Saquon Barkley
- RB2: Kenneth Gainwell
- RB3: Will Shipley
Saquon Barkley lands in Philly this off-season, which is by far the best situation he has ever been in. D’Andre Swift and Miles Sanders both individually rushed for career-highs in yardage in 2023 and 2022 which proves being the lead back for the Eagles has a ton of upside. I do believe the Eagles are trying to mirror what San Francisco did by acquiring Christian McCaffrey and utilizing him as a weapon that propelled them to a Super Bowl, with Barkley. Barkley rushed for 1,312 yards and caught 57 passes back in 2022, and has had back-to-back seasons with 10 total touchdowns. RB1 overall candidate in 2024.
Pittsburgh Steelers
- RB1: Najee Harris
- RB2: Jaylen Warren
- RB3: Corrdarrelle Patterson
Jaylen Warren had a breakout season last year, rushing for 784 yards and catching 61 passes for 370 yards. Warren created a committee with Najee Harris, who had a slow start to last year but ended up truly producing at a high level in the second half of the season following the offensive coordinator change. I would expect both guys to be involved in 2024 in a Steelers offense that has upgraded both their quarterback room with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields and also drafted three offensive-linemen. I prefer targeting Najee Harris, who I believe will be the clear RB1 in the committee and has rushed for over 1,000 yards for three straight seasons. Warren will continue to have pass-catching upside, but on a contract year I think it could be a big one for Najee.
Seattle Seahawks
- RB1: Kenneth Walker III
- RB2: Zach Charbonnet
- RB3: Kenny McIntosh
Kenneth Walker III has been one of the recent risers in my personal rankings this off-season, especially hearing some coach talk from Seattle that indicates it is more likely KWIII is a workhorse over a committee with Zach Charbonnet. Walker rushed for 905 / 1,051 yards the last two seasons with nine total touchdowns in each of them. With the coaching changes in Seattle, 2024 could finally be the breakout season for KWIII we have been waiting for just knowing his qualities as a runner of the football. Charbonnet is a decent handcuff to stash but I feel has been a bit overrated for expectation vs. what he has brought and could bring to Fantasy Football.
San Fransisco 49ers
- RB1: Christian McCaffrey
- RB2: Jordan Mason
- RB3: Isaac Guerendo
Christian McCaffrey was an MVP candidate in the NFL last season posting 1,459 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, 67 receptions, 564 receiving yards, and seven receiving touchdowns. CMC scored over 100 more Fantasy Points than any running back last season, which makes it difficult to not rank him as this year’s RB1. CMC has been dealing with a calf strain, but I feel the 49ers have just been cautious about that knowing already what he brings to the table. Jordan Mason has had a great camp, and reports along with production indicate he is the team’s RB2. Elijah Mitchell also hit the season-ending IR list. Whoever the handcuff is in San Fran needs to be rostered, knowing the combination of CMC’s injury history along with the 49ers being a great environment for running backs.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- RB1: Rachaad White
- RB2: Bucky Irving
- RB3: Sean Tucker
Breakout season in 2023 for Rachaad White, who totaled 272 rushing attempts for 990 rushing yards, 64 receptions for 549 receiving yards, nine total touchdowns, and 15.8 (#10) Fantasy PPG. Major volume with heavy production in the receiving department made White a major impact for Fantasy Football. Tampa Bay did select Bucky Irving in the fourth round of this year’s NFL Draft, who I believe will take away some of the rushing load from White but I still believe White will be extremely important to the Bucs. Irving is more of a handcuff than committee back to me, and a good one to stash if you are able. White is the young version of an Alvin Kamara or Austin Ekeler and will continue to have top-10 Fantasy Football upside for the position.
Tennessee Titans
- RB1: Tyjae Spears
- RB2: Tony Pollard
- RB3: Julius Chestnut
It was interesting to see the Titans bring in Tony Pollard this off-season who caught 55 balls for 311 receiving yards in 2023, to add to Tyjae Spears who caught 52 balls for 385 receiving yards in 2023. Two pass-catching backs on the same team draw plenty of questions about who will receive what type of work. I think this situation will very much be a committee with both of these guys getting work in all sorts of ways. I believe Pollard will earn more work as a rusher, and Spears more work as a receiver. For this reason, I will take the back who I feel has the better pass-catching upside potential in Spears. Spears finished with an over 52% snap share as a rookie last season, on a team that had a healthy Derrick Henry, which speaks numbers to me when weighing out Henry vs. Pollard. Spears and Pollard could potentially both be in Fantasy Football lineups if the Titans offense produces this year, or one of them could separate from the other making one very Fantasy relevant and the other not. A lot of possible outcomes here.
Washington Commanders
- RB1: Austin Ekeler
- RB2: Brian Robinson Jr
- RB3: Chris Rodriguez
I do believe that in 2024 we will see a lot of both Austin Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr, but I feel Ekeler will lead the team in touches and ultimately Fantasy Points. I would expect BRob to operate as the team’s primary rusher, with Ekeler working in, but Ekeler to consume a majority of the pass-catching opportunities for the position. Washington knows who they went out and grabbed in Austin Ekeler this off-season. Too many people are so quick to write off Ekeler as “washed” after an injured 2023, even with Ekeler just two seasons ago rushing for 915 yards and catching 107 balls for 722 receiving yards while scoring 18 total touchdowns. Ekeler will never be as Fantasy Football dominant as he once was, but his ADP right now is laughable. Solid committee in Washington here for 2024 with a rookie quarterback leading the way.