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

Key3 DownRun Down SpecialistPass Down SpecialistUncertain
      Injury Benefit 
 1st DownPass DownShort/Goal Line2 Minute DrillLate LeadRun DownPass DownNOTES
CardinalsJames ConnerJames ConnerJames ConnerJames ConnerTrey BensonMichael CarterDeejay DallasWatch 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.
FalconsBijan RobinsonBijan RobinsonBijan RobinsonBijan RobinsonTyler AllgeierTyler AllgeierJase McClellan 
RavensDerrick HenryJustice HillDerrick HenryDerrick HenryJustice HillRasheen Ali/Keaton MitchellJustice HillHill (concussion) was inactive in Week 17 - Keaton Mitchell played a season high 17 snaps in Week 17 with Hill inactive
BillsJames CookTy JohnsonJames CookJames CookRay DavisRay DavisTy Johnson 
PanthersChuba HubbardChuba HubbardChuba HubbardChuba HubbardRaheem BlackshearMike BooneVelus JonesBlackshear is Hubbard's RB handcuff
BearsD'Andre SwiftRoschon JohnsonD'Andre Swift/Roschon Johnson/Travis HomerRoschon Johnson/Travis HomerRoschon Johnson/Travis HomerRoschon JohnsonTravis HomerHomer (hamstring) was inactive in Week 16
BengalsChase BrownChase BrownChase BrownChase BrownKhalil HerbertKendall MiltonTrayveon WilliamsChase Brown is the Bengals' bell cow back and Herbert is his handcuff
BrownsJerome Ford/Pierre Strong Jr.Jerome FordJerome Ford/D'Onta Foreman/Pierre Strong Jr.Jerome FordD'Onta ForemanD'Onta ForemanPierre 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.
CowboysRico DowdleRico DowdleRico DowdleRico DowdleEzekiel ElliottDalvin CookHunter LuepkeDowdle is the Cowboys' lead back.
BroncosJavonte WilliamsJavonte WilliamsJavonte WilliamsJavonte WilliamsAudric Estime/Jaleel McLaughlinJaleel McLaughlinAudric EstimeNot 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.
LionsJahmyr GibbsJamhyr GibbsJahmyr GibbsJahmyr GibbsCraig ReynoldsJermar JeffersonSione VakiDavid Montgomery is dealing with what was originally expected to be a season ending MCL injury
PackersJosh JacobsJosh JacobsJosh JacobsJosh JacobsEmanuel Wilson/Chris BrooksChris Brooks/MarShawn LloydEmanuel Wilson 
TexansJoe MixonJoe Mixon/Dare OgunbawaleJoe MixonJoe MixonDameon PierceDameon PierceDare Ogunbawale 
ColtsJonathan TaylorJonathan TaylorJonathan TaylorJonathan TaylorTrey Sermon/Tyler GoodsonTrey SermonTyler Goodson 
JaguarsTank Bigsby/Travis Etienne Jr.Travis Etienne Jr.Tank BigsbyTravis Etienne Jr.Tank BigsbyTank BigsbyD'Ernest JohnsonBigsby and Etienne Jr. are splitting early down carries but Etienne Jr. is the Jags' passing down back.
ChiefsIsiah PachecoKareem Hunt/Isiah PachecoIsiah PachecoKareem Hunt/Isiah PachecoSamaje PerineCarson SteeleSamaje PerinePacheco left his Week 17 contest due to a rib injury. Watch his progress for Week 18.
ChargersGus EdwardsKimani VidalGus EdwardsKimani VidalGus EdwardsKimani VidalHassan HaskinsGus 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.
RamsKyren WilliamsKyren WilliamsKyren WilliamsKyren WilliamsBlake CorumBlake CorumRonnie Rivers 
RaidersAlexander Mattison/Ameer AbdullahAmeer AbdullahAlexander MattisonAmeer AbdullahAmeer AbdullahDylan LaubeAmeer AbdullahMattison is the Raiders' early down back with Abdullah also getting some early down carries but he is also the team's passing down back.
DolphinsDe'Von AchaneRaheem Mostert/De'Von AchaneDe'Von AchaneDe'Von AchaneRaheem MostertJaylen WrightJeff Wilson Jr.Mostert is Achane's RB handcuff.
VikingsAaron JonesAaron JonesAaron JonesAaron JonesCam AkersCam AkersTy ChandlerAkers is Jones' handcuff.
PatriotsRhamondre Stevenson/Antonio GibsonRhamondre Stevenson/Antonio GibsonRhamondre StevensonAntonio GibsonAntonio GibsonJamycal HastyAntonio GibsonGibson 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.
SaintsAlvin KamaraAlvin KamaraAlvin KamaraAlvin KamaraKendre MillerJamaal WilliamsJordan MimsKamara (groin) was inactive in Week 16. If he is inactive in Week 17 Miller would be the Saints' lead back.
GiantsTyrone Tracy Jr./Devin SingletaryTyrone Tracy Jr.Tyrone Tracy Jr./Devin SingletaryTyrone Tracy Jr.Eric GrayEric GrayDevin Singletary 
JetsBreece HallBreece HallBreece HallBreece HallBraelon AllenBraelon AllenIsaiah Davis 
EaglesSaquon BarkleySaquon BarkleySaquon BarkleySaquon BarkleyKenneth GainwellWill ShipleyKenneth GainwellThe NY Giants sure do miss Saquon Barkley
SteelersNajee Harris/Jaylen WarrenJaylen WarrenNajee HarrisJaylen WarrenCordarrelle PattersonJonathan WardCordarrelle Patterson 
49ersIsaac GuerendoIsaac Guerendo/Kyle JuszczykIsaac GuerendoIsaac GuerendoPatrick Taylor Jr.Israel AbanikandaPatrick 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.
SeahawksZach CharbonnetZach CharbonnetZach CharbonnetZach CharbonnetKenny McIntoshZach CharbonnettKenny McIntoshWalker III's (ankle) was placed on IR prior to Week 17. Charbonnet will be the Seahawks' lead back with McIntosh as his RB handcuff.
BuccaneersBucky IrvingBucky Irving/Rachaad WhiteBucky IrvingRachaad WhiteSean TuckerRachaad WhiteSean Tucker 
TitansTony Pollard/Tyjae SpearsTyjae SpearsTony PollardTyjae SpearsTyjae SpearsJulius ChestnutTyjae SpearsMonitor Pollard's health (ankle) as Week 17 approaches.
CommandersBrian Robinson Jr.Brian Robinson Jr.Brian Robinson Jr.Brian Robinson Jr.Jeremy McNicholsJeremy McNicholsChris RodriguezAustin 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: