Fantasy Football RB 2024: NFL Running Back Room Team-By-Team Breakdowns

Believe it or not, NFL teams don’t care about fantasy points. They care about three things: first downs, touchdowns and wins. That’s pretty much it. Sure, there are lots of nuances to the game. But offense is about first downs and touchdowns. Defense is about preventing those (or at least forcing you to kick a field goal). That’s how you win the game – not by racking up PPR points in fantasy football.
And that’s why we approach our process the way we do. When it comes to winning games, there are different roles a running back plays. And there are different moments in which they play them.
Fantasy Football RB 2024 Bell Cows & RBBC
For fantasy football purposes, not every moment is created equally either. Obviously, a goal-line carry is a much more high-leverage situation than a first down run to eat up clock in the fourth quarter. So, we do our best to identify those different roles and situations, to help figure out who will get those high-leverage touches for fantasy football.
Which is why we created this Running Back Questionnaire. We look at the five different roles a back might have in an NFL game. That helps us figure out who is dependable or not from week-to-week in fantasy. It also helps us know who the backup is – which is crucial information for the most injury-prone position in football. Here are the different roles.
2024 Fantasy RB Roles: First Down
This is your “starting running back”. That doesn’t mean they are the running back that gets all the high-leverage touches. But they are at the top of the depth chart and the most likely candidates to be sent out to start the drive on first and 10.
It’s an important distinction for this fact alone: the running back who “started” the most games led their team in carries for 30 of the 32 games. The two exceptions were Aaron Jones and Rhamondre Stevenson, both of whom got hurt. There are a limited number of plays in any given game, so getting first crack is always going to give you an advantage in that department.
2024 Fantasy RB Roles: Pass Down
The typical “pass down” is third down, but you’ve also got second and long or fourth down situations as well. This back usually specializes in pass blocking, route running or both. A guy like Christian McCaffrey is the best player in all phases, especially pass downs, so that’s an easy one to sort. With other teams, like the Lions, they bring in a specialist in Jahmyr Gibbs for those downs (including playoffs, Gibbs played 434 pass plays to 283 for David Montgomery).
We’ve known for years thanks to work done by analyst Scott Barrett that a target is more valuable than a carry in fantasy football. Not a reception – a target. And that goes for standard leagues as well. But obviously, it carries the most weight in full PPR. The hope is that these backs can take over the full role at some point like Austin Ekeler and Alvin Kamara did. But you can utilize these guys in PPR in a pinch.
2024 Fantasy RB Roles: Short Yardage/Goal Line
This is where the big money can be made. We’ve seen guys like Raheem Mostert, LeGarrette Blount and Jamaal Williams score 17+ touchdowns even in a limited role – in the right offenses. You have to ask yourself this question: if there is a pass interference in the end zone and the offense can send any player down to punch it in, who is that going to be?
In the era of the mobile quarterback and the “Tush Push”, that question isn’t as simple as it once was. Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts both scored 15 rushing touchdowns last season. The starting running back for the Bills, James Cook, scored 2. So, you have to be wary about who is going to get those looks down in the red area.
2024 Fantasy RB Roles: Two Minute Drill
We separate this from “pass downs” because it’s a different beast entirely. In the two-minute drill, there is no time for substitutions. You need to know all the audibles. And you especially need to know all the pass-blocking schemes as a sack, in many cases, ends the game. Having this role can mean free receptions at the end of the first half or the end of the game.
Due to the nature of the job, it’s often given to a veteran player (or simply the best back on the team). But some crafty rookies have been able to prove their worth and weasel their way into this role. If you expect a team to be playing from behind often, this can be a valuable spot.
2024 Fantasy RB Roles: Late Lead
Eating clock and running the ball when everyone knows you are going to run it is crucial to winning games (ask the 2022 Chargers when they gave up a 16-point lead to the Jaguars in the playoffs). And at times, it really depends how close of a game it is as to whether a team uses their starting back or a backup. But some teams don’t differentiate.
For instance, the Cleveland Browns last year used Jerome Ford as their starting running back. Oddly, they had a tendency to switch over to “fresh legs” and use Kareem Hunt to close out games. This type of decision can mean the difference in upside for a guy like Ford (or relevancy for a guy like Hunt). It’s also interesting to keep in mind for NFL DFS – if you think the game will be a blowout, a backup running back could be well worth the price.
Fantasy Football RB 2024 Role Chart
Without further ado, here is the chart. We’ll do our best to update this with training camp news and additional notes as the summer rolls on. But alas, here’s the first look at our Running Back Questionnaire!
*LAST UPDATED: 12/26/24
Key | 3 Down | Run Down Specialist | Pass Down Specialist | Uncertain |
Injury Benefit | ||||||||
1st Down | Pass Down | Short/Goal Line | 2 Minute Drill | Late Lead | Run Down | Pass Down | NOTES | |
Cardinals | James Conner | James Conner | James Conner | James Conner | Trey Benson | Michael Carter | Deejay Dallas | Watch the injury report leading up to Week 17 kickoff. Conner & Benson have been dealing with injuries. Michael Carter was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Week 16. |
Falcons | Bijan Robinson | Bijan Robinson | Bijan Robinson | Bijan Robinson | Tyler Allgeier | Tyler Allgeier | Jase McClellan | |
Ravens | Derrick Henry | Justice Hill | Derrick Henry | Derrick Henry | Justice Hill | Rasheen Ali/Keaton Mitchell | Justice Hill | Hill (concussion) was inactive in Week 17 - Keaton Mitchell played a season high 17 snaps in Week 17 with Hill inactive |
Bills | James Cook | Ty Johnson | James Cook | James Cook | Ray Davis | Ray Davis | Ty Johnson | |
Panthers | Chuba Hubbard | Chuba Hubbard | Chuba Hubbard | Chuba Hubbard | Raheem Blackshear | Mike Boone | Velus Jones | Blackshear is Hubbard's RB handcuff |
Bears | D'Andre Swift | Roschon Johnson | D'Andre Swift/Roschon Johnson/Travis Homer | Roschon Johnson/Travis Homer | Roschon Johnson/Travis Homer | Roschon Johnson | Travis Homer | Homer (hamstring) was inactive in Week 16 |
Bengals | Chase Brown | Chase Brown | Chase Brown | Chase Brown | Khalil Herbert | Kendall Milton | Trayveon Williams | Chase Brown is the Bengals' bell cow back and Herbert is his handcuff |
Browns | Jerome Ford/Pierre Strong Jr. | Jerome Ford | Jerome Ford/D'Onta Foreman/Pierre Strong Jr. | Jerome Ford | D'Onta Foreman | D'Onta Foreman | Pierre Strong Jr. | Ford should be the Browns' lead back moving forward playing most of the early and passing downs with Foreman and Strong Jr. sprinkled in as well. |
Cowboys | Rico Dowdle | Rico Dowdle | Rico Dowdle | Rico Dowdle | Ezekiel Elliott | Dalvin Cook | Hunter Luepke | Dowdle is the Cowboys' lead back. |
Broncos | Javonte Williams | Javonte Williams | Javonte Williams | Javonte Williams | Audric Estime/Jaleel McLaughlin | Jaleel McLaughlin | Audric Estime | Not fantasy friendly. Javonte Williams seems like the Broncos' lead back based on his snaps played, but Broncos tend to change up mid game and revert to a hot hand approach. |
Lions | Jahmyr Gibbs | Jamhyr Gibbs | Jahmyr Gibbs | Jahmyr Gibbs | Craig Reynolds | Jermar Jefferson | Sione Vaki | David Montgomery is dealing with what was originally expected to be a season ending MCL injury |
Packers | Josh Jacobs | Josh Jacobs | Josh Jacobs | Josh Jacobs | Emanuel Wilson/Chris Brooks | Chris Brooks/MarShawn Lloyd | Emanuel Wilson | |
Texans | Joe Mixon | Joe Mixon/Dare Ogunbawale | Joe Mixon | Joe Mixon | Dameon Pierce | Dameon Pierce | Dare Ogunbawale | |
Colts | Jonathan Taylor | Jonathan Taylor | Jonathan Taylor | Jonathan Taylor | Trey Sermon/Tyler Goodson | Trey Sermon | Tyler Goodson | |
Jaguars | Tank Bigsby/Travis Etienne Jr. | Travis Etienne Jr. | Tank Bigsby | Travis Etienne Jr. | Tank Bigsby | Tank Bigsby | D'Ernest Johnson | Bigsby and Etienne Jr. are splitting early down carries but Etienne Jr. is the Jags' passing down back. |
Chiefs | Isiah Pacheco | Kareem Hunt/Isiah Pacheco | Isiah Pacheco | Kareem Hunt/Isiah Pacheco | Samaje Perine | Carson Steele | Samaje Perine | Pacheco left his Week 17 contest due to a rib injury. Watch his progress for Week 18. |
Chargers | Gus Edwards | Kimani Vidal | Gus Edwards | Kimani Vidal | Gus Edwards | Kimani Vidal | Hassan Haskins | Gus Edwards is out in Week 17 due to an ankle injury. Follow JK Dobbins' progress (knee). If he remains unavailable Vidal would play significant snaps. |
Rams | Kyren Williams | Kyren Williams | Kyren Williams | Kyren Williams | Blake Corum | Blake Corum | Ronnie Rivers | |
Raiders | Alexander Mattison/Ameer Abdullah | Ameer Abdullah | Alexander Mattison | Ameer Abdullah | Ameer Abdullah | Dylan Laube | Ameer Abdullah | Mattison is the Raiders' early down back with Abdullah also getting some early down carries but he is also the team's passing down back. |
Dolphins | De'Von Achane | Raheem Mostert/De'Von Achane | De'Von Achane | De'Von Achane | Raheem Mostert | Jaylen Wright | Jeff Wilson Jr. | Mostert is Achane's RB handcuff. |
Vikings | Aaron Jones | Aaron Jones | Aaron Jones | Aaron Jones | Cam Akers | Cam Akers | Ty Chandler | Akers is Jones' handcuff. |
Patriots | Rhamondre Stevenson/Antonio Gibson | Rhamondre Stevenson/Antonio Gibson | Rhamondre Stevenson | Antonio Gibson | Antonio Gibson | Jamycal Hasty | Antonio Gibson | Gibson led Patriots backs in snaps played in Week 16. Watch Stevenson's status as Week 17 kickoff approaches. He could be benched due to his fumbling issues. |
Saints | Alvin Kamara | Alvin Kamara | Alvin Kamara | Alvin Kamara | Kendre Miller | Jamaal Williams | Jordan Mims | Kamara (groin) was inactive in Week 16. If he is inactive in Week 17 Miller would be the Saints' lead back. |
Giants | Tyrone Tracy Jr./Devin Singletary | Tyrone Tracy Jr. | Tyrone Tracy Jr./Devin Singletary | Tyrone Tracy Jr. | Eric Gray | Eric Gray | Devin Singletary | |
Jets | Breece Hall | Breece Hall | Breece Hall | Breece Hall | Braelon Allen | Braelon Allen | Isaiah Davis | |
Eagles | Saquon Barkley | Saquon Barkley | Saquon Barkley | Saquon Barkley | Kenneth Gainwell | Will Shipley | Kenneth Gainwell | The NY Giants sure do miss Saquon Barkley |
Steelers | Najee Harris/Jaylen Warren | Jaylen Warren | Najee Harris | Jaylen Warren | Cordarrelle Patterson | Jonathan Ward | Cordarrelle Patterson | |
49ers | Isaac Guerendo | Isaac Guerendo/Kyle Juszczyk | Isaac Guerendo | Isaac Guerendo | Patrick Taylor Jr. | Israel Abanikanda | Patrick Taylor Jr. | Guerendo is dealing with a hamstring and foot injury. If he is inactive in Week 17 Patrick Taylor Jr. would be the 49ers' lead back. |
Seahawks | Zach Charbonnet | Zach Charbonnet | Zach Charbonnet | Zach Charbonnet | Kenny McIntosh | Zach Charbonnett | Kenny McIntosh | Walker III's (ankle) was placed on IR prior to Week 17. Charbonnet will be the Seahawks' lead back with McIntosh as his RB handcuff. |
Buccaneers | Bucky Irving | Bucky Irving/Rachaad White | Bucky Irving | Rachaad White | Sean Tucker | Rachaad White | Sean Tucker | |
Titans | Tony Pollard/Tyjae Spears | Tyjae Spears | Tony Pollard | Tyjae Spears | Tyjae Spears | Julius Chestnut | Tyjae Spears | Monitor Pollard's health (ankle) as Week 17 approaches. |
Commanders | Brian Robinson Jr. | Brian Robinson Jr. | Brian Robinson Jr. | Brian Robinson Jr. | Jeremy McNichols | Jeremy McNichols | Chris Rodriguez | Austin Ekeler (concussion) is on the IR. Jeremy McNichols is Robinson Jr.'s handcuff. |
2024 Fantasy Football: Related Draft Guide Articles
Dive deeper into your fantasy football journey with our other exclusive draft guide articles, packed with additional insights and guidance for the upcoming 2024 season:
- Fantasy Football RB Rankings
- NFL Offensive Line Rankings
- Dynasty Fantasy Football
- Fantasy Football Cheat Sheat