Fantasy Football Draft Picks to Avoid: Tyjae Spears, Austin Ekeler, Ty Chandler, Khalil Herbert

2024 NFL Free Agency came in with a bang on Monday, especially when it came to the running back position. This was arguably the best class of free agent NFL running backs EVER. And the class did not disappoint as backs changed teams left and right. Now that the dust has mostly settled and we’ve had a chance to examine the fantasy football impact, here are some early 2024 NFL Free Agency losers at the running back position.

NFL Free Agency Losers

Tyjae Spears (TEN)

RIP Tyjae Spears RB1 szn. It was fun while it lasted, but Tony Pollard‘s arrival has kiboshed that. That doesn’t mean Tyjae Spears can’t be 2021 Tony Pollard to Tony Pollard in Tennessee. Spears operated as discount De’Von Achane last season, ranking fifth in explosive run rate and 14th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). He proved that he can be a three-down explosive play monster as well, ranking seventh in target share, 10th in TPRR, and 17th in YPRR. If the Titans trot out an offense with an above-average neutral rushing rate and Spears can continue his insane efficiency, he will remain a strong RB3 who could finish as a low-end RB2 if this offense surprises people.

Austin Ekeler (WAS)

Austin Ekeler‘s 2023 season was a letdown, no matter how you look at it. Ekeler suffered an ankle sprain in Week 1, which led to three games being missed and possibly muted production for the rest of the season. Once he returned from injury, he averaged 16.1 touches and 69.2 total yards as the RB28 in fantasy points per game. It was a dramatic fall from grace for a back that had not finished outside the top-nine running backs in fantasy since 2018 (RB28). Ekeler retained some of his pass game prowess as he ranked eighth in target share and 19th in yards per route run (among 60 qualifying backs per Fantasy Points Data), but his rushing skills fell apart. Among 49 qualifying backs, Ekeler ranked 38th in yards after contact per attempt and 46th in missed tackles forced per attempt. Landing in Washington with Anthony Lynn was one of the better-case scenarios this offseason. He likely forms a frustrating committee with Brian Robinson in an Antonio Gibson-plus role for Washington.

Khalil Herbert (CHI)

Last season, the Bears could not decide who they wanted to be their lead back as it rotated weekly from Khalil Herbert to Roschon Johnson to D’Onta Foreman. With D’Andre Swift in Chicago now, Herbert returns to a backup role, which is saddening. Last year, Herbert proved once again that when given the opportunity, he is one of the better rushing talents in the NFL. Last season, he ranked 12th in explosive run rate and ninth in missed tackles forced per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). In the eight games he played at least 43% of the snaps last season, he averaged 14 touches and 77.8 total yards. Herbert is a high-end handcuff currently with only fringe flex value for 2024.

Ty Chandler (MIN)

With Aaron Jones now in Minnesota, Ty Chandler will be a backup for the Vikings in 2024. In Weeks 15-18, he played at least 53% of the snaps in every game, averaging 15.3 touches and 81.8 total yards. Chandler topped 90 total yards once in that four-game span, and his per-touch efficiency was in the toilet overall. Among 49 qualifying backs, Chandler ranked 47th last season in missed tackles forced per attempt and yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Chandler had hope entering this offseason that he had hopefully done enough in 2023 to have a shot at the starter’s role, but sadly, that isn’t in the cards for next season.

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NFL Tyjae Spears Tony Pollard De’Von Achane Austin Ekeler Brian Robinson Antonio Gibson Khalil Herbert Roschon Johnson D’Onta Foreman D’Andre Swift Ty Chandler Aaron Jones