7 Overvalued Running Backs to Avoid (2024 Fantasy Football)

With the draft season upon us, we humans constantly search for the positive qualities in our players. However, we must know who to avoid to ensure an optimal draft, allowing us to create the strongest team possible to compete.

Today, we will share five running backs you should actively avoid in your drafts if you want to win your fantasy football championship this season. We start with a second-year running back who everyone seems to love this season.

Overvalued Running Backs to Avoid

Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – DET)

I can hear you yelling at me through your screen, but hear me out on my case to avoid Jahmyr Gibbs in 2024. My case is built on the straightforward platform that David Montgomery is still in that backfield. Montgomery will still limit Gibbs regarding high-quality touches and will continue to hamper him within his fantasy production.

Now, please don’t hear what we didn’t say. Gibbs will continue to have a good season, but we should be cautious at his average draft position (ADP) of 12th overall.

How often do we have a 12th overall selection with a wide receiver on the same team drafted in the first seven picks, and both players dominate the way their ADP suggests? To double down on said case, when have we had a tight end drafted in the second round, with a top-10 overall drafted wide receiver, and we still expect our 12th overall running back to dominate while still dealing with a shared backfield?

It’s not an easy path for Gibbs. The path is shaky, at best, for such a high-drafted player. We suggest you fade him for someone in a better situation to become the workhorse in the backfield. Remember, you can’t win your league at the draft, but you can surely lose it.

Aaron Jones (RB – MIN)

An aging running back is always a concern when considering utilizing a draft selection on them. It’s especially concerning when the player deals with injuries yearly. Aaron Jones is very skillful, but he is getting older and deals with many injuries. We also have Ty Chandler in the backfield, who held his own and will not be forgotten by the Vikings organization in 2024.

Whenever running backs change teams we tend to see a regression in their production. Jones will enter the season with Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy under center, which can severely handcuff the overall offense. There are other players at his ADP of 54 overall that we would rather roster. You can draft David Montgomery, James Conner or even Rhamondre Stevenson with later picks within this draft range and receive the same quality of fantasy production in 2024.

D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI)

This is another year when people convince themselves to draft D’Andre Swift due to his skill set. We agree he can be remarkable. However, he has shown us time and time again we won’t receive 17 games of that unique skill set. Take an underwhelming player and place him on an offense loaded with pass-catchers. You have to ask yourself how high Swift’s ceiling is. He may be able to be an RB2, but every year, he pinballs all over the fantasy points per game (PPG) scale.

You would be better off finding someone with fewer weapons around him who can steal from his shine and will allow your mid-round running back to propel your team up the league’s standing.

Zamir White (RB – LV)

Did we not learn from Mike Davis a few years back? If we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. Although Zamir White looks the part, we must understand this team will be forced out of its run-heavy first offense due to trailing in most games. This issue will hamper White’s workload.

Although he had a rough season last year, Alexander Mattison is there this season to steal carries away from White. Dylan Laube received high praise in camp and could be utilized in specific packages.

White is the definition of a Dead Zone running back. We would be wise not to repeat the cycle in 2024.

Nick Chubb (RB – CLE)

This one hurts because Nick Chubb is a beloved football player. Unfortunately, the time has come to move on and avoid Chubb in this year’s draft. We have an aging running back coming off a significant lower-body injury. That combination spells doom for your fantasy team. His ADP is way too high at 85. There is no way Chubb will pay that price while coming back from this injury.

Also, let’s not forget they paid Deshaun Watson, who became pass-happy last year after his injury. They are a team with talent in the passing game and should use it.

Ezekiel Elliott (RB – DAL)

The theme here is to avoid aging running backs. Yes, the Cowboys’ offense is potent and will have opportunities. However, we believe those chances belong to the younger, more athletic Rico Dowdle, whom you can draft almost 40 spots later.

Ezekiel Elliott’s draft position is 107 overall. If you draft him you miss out on upside swings such as Keon Coleman, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Chase Brown or even Blake Corum.

Austin Ekeler (RB – WAS)

Austin Ekeler’s ADP is 90, two spots ahead of his younger cohort, Brian Robinson. The question here is why? Once again we watched this aging back lose a spring in his step last season. In this air raid offense from new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, he won’t be able to keep up.

Remember to read all the fantastic work here at FantasyPros. We aim to help you build your knowledge and dominate your leagues. If you ever need more advice, do not hesitate to reach out and contact me @jpep20. Good luck this season with your drafts. Remember to avoid these pitfalls to elevate your chances of winning your fantasy football league.

Busts Fantasy Draft Advice NFL Jahmyr Gibbs David Montgomery Aaron Jones Ty Chandler Sam Darnold J.J. McCarthy James Conner Rhamondre Stevenson D’Andre Swift Zamir White Alexander Mattison Dylan Laube Nick Chubb Deshaun Watson Ezekiel Elliott Rico Dowdle Keon Coleman Jaxon Smith-Njigba Chase Brown Blake Corum Austin Ekeler Brian Robinson