Fantasy Football Draft Advice: Zamir White, Chuba Hubbard, Chase Brown, James Conner

The 2024 version of NFL free agency has not disappointed. We’ve seen significant bag alert deals ranging from savvy under-the-radar signings to huge splashes by teams trying to get back into playoff contention. And RBs are back.

The player movement has created massive implications across the fantasy football landscape, with values rising and falling faster than ever throughout the 2024 fantasy football rankings.

Here we break down the biggest fantasy football winners and losers from 2024’s NFL free agency action. And below we dive into a few notable names.

2024 NFL Free Agency Winners & Losers

Zamir White — With Jacobs gone in free agency, White has made his case to be the Day 1 starter of the Black Hole in 2024. In White’s four starts, he averaged 14.1 points and just under 100 rushing yards per game while logging just under 70% of the offensive snaps and 23+ touches per game. Works in his favor that Antonio Pierce is returning as the head coach.

Chuba Hubbard — He is in the final season of his rookie deal and it would make sense for the team to continue to feature him on a cheap deal. After fully unseating Miles Sanders as the starter in Week 7, Hubbard finished the year onward as the fantasy RB23, averaging 10.9 points per game. He was fourth in total carries from Week 7 onward. Finished the season in the top 10 in total rushing attempts (11th in touches) and 20th in rushing yards while playing just under 60% of the offensive snaps (16th). And maybe this is a bit of a trip down narrative street but two of Hubbard’s best games came against the Buccaneers’ elite run defense. As the Bucs OC, new Panthers head coach Dave Canales saw in person what Hubbard could do against a strong defensive front. Think that bodes well for Hubbard to be the team’s RB1 to start in 2024.

Chase Brown — Zack Moss has a chance to start in Cincy but it’s no guarantee with Chase Brown bidding for touches, especially as a receiver. I think the market will favor Moss given the contract but this could truly be a 50/50 split and training camp battle. His contract is hardly an indicator of a future workload given it’s only $4 million per season and just $3 million guaranteed. And as it stands from a talent perspective, Brown proved his worth as a rookie to earn touches last season alongside a healthy Joe Mixon. And he was running routes, which we love for RBs in PPR formats. If Jonathan Taylor had not gotten hurt, Moss wouldn’t be on an NFL team. I’ll take my chance with Brown especially if he’s cheaper in drafts. It’s a classic plodder versus RB with juice debate. Give me the second-year RB with juice. NFL’s Next Gen Stats listed Brown with the second-fastest ball carrier time in the NFL last season on a 54-yard TD reception. It’s interesting to note Moss’ last start for Indy came versus the Bengals. He recorded an 84% snap share in that game. The result? Thirteen carries for 28 yards for 2.2 yards per carry. Woof. Brown is a winner in estimates given the vast array of RBs the Bengals could have signed instead of Moss. Low bar to pass.

James Conner — Conner is a clear winner because the team signed DeeJay Dallas as veteran depth. Dallas got a pretty decent chunk of change — three years, $8.25 million — which likely suggests the team won’t draft another RB of consequence. Conner RB1 SZN is a full go in the final year of his contract. Dallas is a bigger back with a three-down skillset so he’s interesting as a handcuff target given Conner’s injury track record.