While the 2023 NFL season is over, fantasy football is a year-long thing. Therefore, it’s never too early to look ahead to next year. Here’s a look at a few running backs.
Fantasy Football Draft Outlook
The 2023 running back position was a wild one for fantasy players. Christian McCaffrey was the RB1 in ADP and finished the year as the top-scoring running back in half-point PPR scoring. However, only three other running backs drafted in the top 10 finished the season as an RB1 – Bijan Robinson (RB3 ADP vs. RB9 finish), Derrick Henry (RB7 vs. RB8), and Travis Etienne Jr. (RB9 vs. RB3). The other six top-10 finishers had only one player (Joe Mixon) with a previous RB1 finish.
2023 Top ADP Values
David Montgomery (DET)
Many thought Montgomery would struggle in Detroit after the team drafted Jahmyr Gibbs. Instead, the former Iowa State star became one of the best draft values at the running back position. He was the RB29 in ADP but finished the year as the RB13 despite missing three games. Montgomery averaged 14.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, only 0.2 fewer fantasy points than the rookie. While Gibbs should take on more of a role in 2024, the veteran running back is still worthy of an RB2 selection.
Breece Hall (NYJ)
The concern with Hall entering the 2023 season was his health. Despite not starting the year on the PUP list, the Jets eased their star running back into the offense. Thankfully, he got taken off the pitch count in Week 5, totaling 177 rushing yards and 26.9 half-point PPR fantasy points. Hall ended the year on fire, averaging 22.6 fantasy points per game over the final five weeks, totaling 22 or more in all but one contest. He should be the second running back drafted next year behind Christian McCaffrey.
2023 Top Breakouts
Kyren Williams (LAR)
While Cam Akers was the presumed RB1 in Los Angeles, Williams came out of nowhere and had a massive season. The second-year running back missed four games with an ankle injury and sat out the meaningless Week 18 contest. Yet, Williams was still the RB6, averaging 19.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The only running back to average more fantasy points per game than him was Christian McCaffrey. Unless the Rams add someone of consequence in the offseason, Williams should get drafted as a top-six running back.
Rachaad White (TB)
White was a polarizing fantasy draft pick. Many argued that he would succeed because of the featured role. Others said the second-year running back was too inefficient. White started the year slow, scoring fewer than 9.4 half-point PPR fantasy points in four of the first five contests. However, he scored 11.3 or more fantasy points in all but one of the final 12 contests, playing a significant role in the passing game. After ending the season as the RB7, fantasy players should have high hopes for him in 2024.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
