Fantasy Football Rookies: Projecting Running Back Workloads (2024)

With the 2024 NFL Draft long in the rearview mirror, we can examine the draft class of fantasy football rookies and its current situation.

Here, we’ll look at the fantasy football rookie running back group and talk about five backfields that stand out. Here are our predictions for the latest crop of fantasy football rookie running backs.

Projecting Backfield Workloads with Fantasy Football Rookies

Carolina Panthers

Depth Chart: Jonathon Brooks, Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders

Brooks was the first running back off the board in the second round, and he entered a situation where he could become the starter. He’s coming off an injury late in the college football season, but once he gets back to full strength, he’ll look to beat out Hubbard, who averaged less than four yards per carry, and Sanders, who signed a massive deal and had just 432 rushing yards.

Look for Brooks, a draft pick by this new regime, to become the starter during the season.

Arizona Cardinals

Depth Chart: Trey Benson, James Conner

Benson, the second back off the board, is in a situation where it could be a true timeshare with Conner.

Conner, who will be 29 this season, has had 200 carries in two of the past three seasons but hasn’t ever played a full season.

That’s where Benson comes in. Benson is younger and only had 316 carries in college, so he’ll be fresh and ready to go.

Expect this season to start with Conner getting most of the reps, with Benson overtaking the timeshare as the season gets deeper.

Miami Dolphins

Depth Chart: Jaylen Wright, De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert

Wright ran a 4.38 40-yard dash, and he’s a perfect fit for this Dolphins offense.

Achane showed last season he’s explosive but had injury concerns. Mostert had 21 total touchdowns, but he’ll be 32 years old.

This backfield will be run by Achane and Wright this season, with the back getting the majority of the carries being based on health. Mostert is third in the pecking order now.

Wright is a must-draft handcuff.

New York Giants

Depth Chart: Tyrone Tracy, Devin Singletary, Eric Gray

Tracy was drafted 166th overall in the fifth round, but this is a situation where we could see him emerge as the starter.

In college, Tracy started as a wide receiver with Iowa but switched to running back with Purdue. He only had 130 carries in college, rushing for 8.1 yards per carry in 2022 and 6.3 yards per carry in 2023.

Singletary has proven to stay healthy, but he’s not exactly an “exciting” option. He’s never run for more than 900 yards in a season and averaged 4.2 yards per carry last season.

Tracy will get opportunities to catch passes, and if Singletary gets hurt, he has the profile to be the workhorse.

We’re not worried about Gray after just 17 carries in 2023. Tracy is one of the top handcuffs.

Los Angeles Chargers

Depth Chart: Kimani Vidal, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards

Vidal was a workhorse at Troy, rushing 781 times over four years for 4,010 yards and 33 touchdowns.

At 5-foot-8 and 215 pounds, Vidal is built to be a workhorse running back, but in front of him are Dobbins and Edwards.

Vidal will be a bit buried on the depth chart, but Edwards and Dobbins both have extensive injury histories. If that bug bites again, Vidal will absolutely be the go-to running back in this offense. He’s worth a late-round pick.

Best Ball Draft Advice

NFL Rookies Jonathon Brooks Chuba Hubbard Miles Sanders Trey Benson James Conner Jaylen Wright De’Von Achane Raheem Mostert Tyrone Tracy Devin Singletary Eric Gray Kimani Vidal J.K. Dobbins Gus Edwards