The goal line vulture is a bigger-bodied breed of running back that nests in the red zone. As his team gets closer to pay dirt, the vulture swoops in for the lead running back to exclusively handle the valuable goal-to-go touches.

Goal line vultures aren’t going extinct anytime soon. That means it’s our job to identify who they are heading into our fantasy drafts. So let’s do some bird watching and discuss the biggest goal line vultures to keep an eye on heading into the season.

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Running Backs

A.J. Dillon (RB – GB)
Dillon is the prototypical goalline vulture. He’s almost 250 pounds and has a similar running style to LeGarrette Blount, one of the greatest vultures of all time. Dillon surprisingly only scored one touchdown on just two carries inside the 10-yard line last year. But I expect Dillon to assume a larger role alongside Aaron Jones. Jamaal Williams, who is now in Detroit, had 23 carries inside the 20 last season.

Dillon could have standalone value on your team if he sees a big leap in red zone touches, but he’s best suited to be paired with Jones on your roster.

Gus Edwards (RB – BAL)
Edwards is 6-foot-1 and nearly 240 pounds. All six of his touchdown runs last season came on carries inside the 20, and he may see even more action near the goal line now that Mark Ingram is gone. Edwards recorded nearly 43% of Baltimore’s carries within the 5-yard line. He doesn’t get enough action outside of the red zone to warrant anything more than a flyer, but I highly recommend targeting him later in drafts if you take J.K. Dobbins.

James Robinson (RB – JAC)
I view Robinson as more than a goal line vulture. At the very least, he should offer a solid floor as the early-down and short-distance back in Jacksonville, unless the Jaguars foolishly utilize Carlos Hyde over him. Robinson was outstanding in goal-to-go situations last season. He converted all five of his carries inside the 5-yard line and racked up 121 yards and seven scores on 30 carries inside the 20. Robinson could begin the year as Jacksonville’s starter, and there’s a world where he finishes as a top 24 RB.

Zack Moss (RB – BUF)
Zack Moss was a fantasy darling for many people entering his rookie season. He disappointed, posting only 481 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games. But at 5-foot-9, 223 pounds, Moss should serve as the goal line thumper for this Bills offense. Each of Moss’ four touchdowns came on carries within the 10-yard line, and he took over 35% of his team’s carries inside the red zone. Moss is coming off ankle surgery, which is concerning. But if he stays healthy, he’ll have a vulture role with the upside to emerge as Buffalo’s full-time starter.

James Conner (RB – ARI)
Conner’s probably best suited to be a goal line vulture, as he’s struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. It appears that’s exactly what he’ll be in Arizona, where he’ll pair up with the smaller, shiftier Chase Edmonds. The former Steelers tailback scored all six of his touchdowns on carries inside the 20, five of which came inside the 5-yard line. Meanwhile, Edmonds failed to score a touchdown inside the 20 last season. Conner could deliver decent value as a touchdown vulture on what could be an explosive Arizona offense.

Latavius Murray (RB – NO)
Murray isn’t an enormous threat to Alvin Kamara, who led the league with 15 touchdowns inside the 20 last season. But he could steal a few more touchdowns this season. He had 25 carries inside the 20 last year, scoring three touchdowns. Murray’s more valuable as a handcuff to Kamara and is only worth a flyer super late in drafts.

Wayne Gallman (RB – SF)
Gallman was called into action after Saquon Barkley suffered a torn ACL early in the season. Despite only being 210 pounds, he actually scored all six of his touchdowns on carries inside the 5. He now arrives in San Francisco, where his role in the offense is really uncertain. The 49ers also drafted Trey Sermon in the 3rd round of the draft, but Sermon might not be suited as a power back at the next level.

Gallman could serve as the team’s hammer beside the speedy Raheem Mostert, who had only 11 carries inside the 20 last season. However, he may not be worth drafting given that he’s in a crowded committee.

Jeff Wilson would’ve made this list too if he wasn’t on the PUP list. Wilson, who will be out until at least Week 8 with a torn meniscus, scored all seven of his touchdowns on carries inside the 20.

Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE)
A fourth-round pick out of Oklahoma, Stevenson could immediately earn a role as New England’s goal line back. Stevenson weighs in at just over 230 pounds and is an absolute wrecking ball. Damien Harris, who will likely start the year as New England’s lead back, only had 19 carries inside the 20 yard line last year. The opportunity is there for Stevenson. However, he probably isn’t worth much more than a late-round flyer in drafts.

Quarterbacks

Lamar Jackson (QB – BAL)
Yes, quarterbacks can be vultures too! And Jackson was the biggest vulture among QBs. He actually led his team in carries and yards inside the 20, posting 115 yards and four scores.

Taysom Hill (QB – NO)
Taysom Hill might be my least favorite vulture on this list. He’s the pigeon on the street who doesn’t care that you’re walking right into him. He’s the Canadian goose who hisses at you when you come within 15 feet. He’s a bad quarterback who Sean Payton loves and utilizes way too much at the goal line.

Last year, Hill had 28 carries for 110 yards and eight touchdowns on carries inside the 20. Imagine how many touchdowns Alvin Kamara could’ve had if not for Hill’s presence. Whether he starts for New Orleans or not, he’ll be a threat.

Josh Allen (QB – BUF)
Fun fact, Allen actually led the Bills with seven touchdown runs inside the 20. He wasn’t far off in yardage either. The Bills might be wise to run Allen a little less in the red zone, but he’s a good enough runner to steal a few touchdowns.

Cam Newton (QB – NE)
Newton doesn’t offer much value as a starting fantasy QB anymore. But one thing he still provides is rushing prowess near the goal line. Newton carried the ball 42 times inside the 20 and scored 12 touchdowns. There’s no guarantee Newton starts the entire season, but when he’s in there he’ll be a threat when the team gets near the goal line.