We’re into the second half of the season, and there’s not a lot of clarity with the rookie running backs. As far as I can see, there’s one (maybe two) who can be safely penciled in as an opening day starter next year. And then there’s a jumble of another nine who seem to have potential.
Tyrone Tracy has been the most impressive. He’s started only six games, and he’s gone over 100 yards in half of them. I’m not sure who’ll be coaching the Giants next year, but Tracy will be starting at tailback on opening day.
Bucky Irving is my maybe guy. He’s been sharing time with Rachaad White in Tampa Bay, and Irving looks good. The overall production hasn’t been great, but there have been some wow runs in there. I think Irving will be the most productive back for the Bucs next year.
Then (I think) we’re getting into guys who are kind of waiting their run. Jonathon Brooks is supposed to be the best of the rookie running backs, but he hasn’t gotten on the field yet. While he’s rehabbed his surgically repaired knee, he’s watching Chuba Hubbard establish himself as a legit back, earning a contract extension.
Ray Davis has made some impressive plays for the Bills. He stepped in against the Jets and put up about 150 combined yards, and he’s also got a long touchdown on a reception. I’m confident there will be some productive starts in his future.
Isaac Guerendo and Braelon Allen are both big, physical freaks that look like they’ll be putting together some needle-moving games at some point. When that occurs, I have no idea.
Audric Estime, Jaylen Wright, Blake Corum and Trey Benson are the other rookies who seem to me to be on the road to eventually getting some play as starters.
Trying to order the running back position for a dynasty format is notoriously difficult. Specifically, guys like James Conner, Aaron Jones and Alvin Kamara are all productive right now and probably have a good season left. Do they go before or after a bunch of these youngsters (who might not give you much of anything before 2026? It’s tough.
The following rankings assume PPR scoring. I’m thinking about 12 teams, with each squad drafting maybe a half dozen running backs and controlling the rights to those players indefinitely. Rookies tagged with black dots.
Each Saturday, I turn my attention to dynasty leagues, rotating between the four notable positions. To see the most recent rankings at other positions, use the “past issues” navigation tools.
Last week: https://fantasyindex.com/2024/11/09/dynasty-leagues/long-term-qbs
Next week: Tight ends
DYNASTY RUNNING BACKS | |||
---|---|---|---|
Rk | Tm | Player | Age |
1. | ATL | Bijan Robinson | 22.8 |
2. | NYJ | Breece Hall | 23.5 |
3. | DET | Jahmyr Gibbs | 22.7 |
4. | IND | Jonathan Taylor | 25.8 |
5. | PHI | Saquon Barkley | 27.8 |
6. | LAR | Kyren Williams | 24.2 |
7. | SEA | Kenneth Walker | 24.1 |
8. | SF | Christian McCaffrey | 28.4 |
9. | DET | David Montgomery | 27.4 |
10. | MIA | DeVon Achane | 23.1 |
11. | BUF | James Cook | 25.1 |
12. | GB | Josh Jacobs | 26.8 |
13. | HOU | Joe Mixon | 28.3 |
14. | BAL | Derrick Henry | 30.9 |
15. | KC | Isiah Pacheco | 25.7 |
16. | WAS | Brian Robinson | 25.7 |
17. | NYG | • Tyrone Tracy | 25.0 |
18. | TEN | Tony Pollard | 27.5 |
19. | TB | • Bucky Irving | 22.3 |
20. | LAC | J.K. Dobbins | 25.9 |
21. | NE | Rhamondre Stevenson | 26.7 |
22. | CIN | Chase Brown | 24.7 |
23. | PIT | Najee Harris | 26.7 |
24. | CAR | • Jonathon Brooks | 21.3 |
25. | ARI | James Conner | 29.5 |
26. | BUF | • Ray Davis | 25.0 |
27. | CAR | Chuba Hubbard | 25.4 |
28. | MIN | Aaron Jones | 30.0 |
29. | NO | Alvin Kamara | 29.3 |
30. | CHI | D'Andre Swift | 25.8 |
31. | JAC | Tank Bigsby | 23.2 |
32. | ATL | Tyler Allgeier | 24.6 |
33. | CLE | Nick Chubb | 28.9 |
34. | NYJ | • Braelon Allen | 20.8 |
35. | DEN | • Audric Estime | 21.2 |
36. | MIA | • Jaylen Wright | 21.6 |
37. | LAR | • Blake Corum | 24.0 |
38. | ARI | • Trey Benson | 22.3 |
39. | TB | Rachaad White | 25.8 |
40. | SF | • Isaac Guerendo | 24.4 |
41. | DEN | Javonte Williams | 24.6 |
42. | JAC | Travis Etienne | 25.8 |
43. | CHI | Roschon Johnson | 23.8 |
44. | DAL | Rico Dowdle | 26.4 |
45. | SEA | Zach Charbonnet | 23.9 |
46. | SF | Jordan Mason | 25.5 |
47. | PIT | Jaylen Warren | 26.0 |
48. | WAS | Austin Ekeler | 29.5 |
49. | TEN | Tyjae Spears | 23.4 |
50. | DEN | Jaleel McLaughlin | 24.2 |
51. | LV | Zamir White | 25.2 |
52. | MIN | Cam Akers | 25.4 |
53. | GB | • MarShawn Lloyd | 23.9 |
54. | HOU | Dameon Pierce | 24.7 |
55. | PHI | Kenneth Gainwell | 25.7 |
56. | CLE | Jerome Ford | 25.2 |
57. | GB | Emanuel Wilson | 25.5 |
58. | KC | Kareem Hunt | 29.3 |
59. | NE | Antonio Gibson | 26.4 |
60. | CIN | Khalil Herbert | 26.6 |
61. | NO | Kendre Miller | 22.4 |
62. | NYG | Devin Singletary | 27.2 |
63. | BAL | Justice Hill | 27.0 |
64. | MIA | Raheem Mostert | 32.6 |
65. | TB | Sean Tucker | 23.1 |
66. | LV | Alexander Mattison | 26.4 |
67. | CIN | Zack Moss | 26.9 |
68. | PHI | • Will Shipley | 22.2 |
69. | CAR | Miles Sanders | 27.5 |
70. | IND | Trey Sermon | 25.8 |
71. | WAS | Jeremy McNichols | 28.9 |
72. | CLE | Pierre Strong | 25.9 |
73. | LAC | • Kimani Vidal | 23.2 |
74. | MIN | Ty Chandler | 26.5 |
75. | IND | Tyler Goodson | 24.0 |
76. | BUF | Ty Johnson | 27.2 |
77. | JAC | • Keilan Robinson | 24.7 |
78. | BAL | Keaton Mitchell | 22.8 |
79. | WAS | Chris Rodriguez | 24.1 |
80. | LAC | Gus Edwards | 29.6 |
—Ian Allan