Fantasy Football: The Top 5 Rookie Running Backs for 2024

Behind fresh legs and a team badly requiring their service, we've seen rookie running backs leap into the early rounds of fantasy drafts based on projections of their debut season.

Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs did last year and did not disappoint, finishing as the RB9 and RB10, respectively, in half-PPR fantasy points, per FantasyPros' historical data. However, they were no exception. Kenneth Walker III was the RB16 in 2022, Najee Harris was the RB4 in 2021, and -- even going back a bit further -- Ezekiel Elliott was a first-round pick that finished as the overall RB2 in 2016.

This position can impact the fantasy landscape significantly more than rookie wide receivers or tight ends, but in 2024, we just didn't really get "the guy". There is no rookie with a totally clear path to a workload, which is why the first one is going off the board with an average draft position (ADP) of 187.1 as the RB33 in FanDuel's best-ball drafts.

Nonetheless, De'Von Achane made his presence felt last year from an RB44 ADP, finishing as the RB4 on a points-per-game basis. A low draft slot doesn't mean we won't have a contributor among this group.

With upside and talent in mind, here are my top-five rookie running backs in fantasy football this season.

Top 5 Fantasy Football Rookie Running Backs for 2024

Jonathan Brooks, Carolina Panthers

FanDuel ADP: 187.1 (RB33)

Perhaps nothing is more fitting for this rookie class of running backs than the consensus, no-doubt top option that checks every box is also coming off an ACL injury, which has a direct link to worse performance in fantasy football.

Jonathan Brooks was the highest-selected RB in the 2024 NFL Draft, going 46th overall to a Carolina Panthers team that desperately needs production in the running game. They were numberFire's fourth-worst schedule-adjusted rushing offense a year ago.

Per NFL's NextGenStats, Miles Sanders posted -0.42 rushing yards over expectation per carry (RYOE/c), which allowed Chuba Hubbard (0.19) to take over the Panthers' backfield. However, Hubbard's established ceiling -- yet to eclipse 5.0 yards per carry (YPC) in the NFL -- pales in comparison to Brooks'. The former Texas Longhorns stud posted 6.1 YPC, 11.1 yards per reception (YPR), and 11 total touchdowns during his final season in Austin.

Once healthy, it's a presumption that Brooks could (and should?) assume a three-down role for a Panthers offense expected to be significantly improved after adding head coach Dave Canales and wide receiver Diontae Johnson to 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young.

This ADP could be a steal if Brooks bucks the trend and returns from his ACL injury as well as Breece Hall did a year ago.

Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams

FanDuel ADP: 195.0 (RB37)

The top running back in a Sean McVay offense has always been a prized role. It vaulted Todd Gurley to the RB1 overall in 2018, Cam Akers won leagues in the 2020 fantasy football playoffs getting a lion's share of the work, and Kyren Williams exploded to finish as the RB2 on a points-per-game basis last season.

Blake Corum is likely an injury to Williams from assuming that role in his rookie season, and it's unfortunately a bit more likely as Kyren -- unheralded out of college due to a 5'9" frame -- has yet to play more than 12 games in an NFL season so far.

Corum was a true featured back in Jim Harbaugh's offense with the Michigan Wolverines, handling 505 carries in his last two seasons but still managing over 1,200 yards in both of them. That volume is why Corum slipped to the 3rd round at 83rd overall.

I'm old enough to remember Montee Ball handling a similar workload and entering the NFL without much tread left on the tires, so I was lower on Corum in dynasty formats. In normal season-long settings, though, he's got a chance to be ranked as an RB1 for several weeks should Williams continue to miss Los Angeles Rams games sporadically.

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals

FanDuel ADP: 202.2 (RB39)

If there's a running back that has the opposite issue as Corum, it's Trey Benson.

Benson didn't handle more than 160 carries or 15 catches in either of his final two college seasons as part of a deeper committee with the Florida State Seminoles. Yet, the 22-year-old got scouts' attention by posting over 900 yards in both campaigns. For all of what we didn't see in college also remains plenty of room to grow at the NFL level.

The Arizona Cardinals made Benson the second running back off the board at 66th overall (in the 3rd round), which wasn't a huge surprise as they build out a young corps of offensive weapons. They also added Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2024 to Trey McBride and Michael Wilson, investing Day 1 or Day 2 draft capital into all four players.

Here is a great example of a running back that might be a better fit in dynasty leagues. Arizona might part with James Conner in the offseason, but Conner played a decent amount of snaps (61.5%) with modest efficiency (0.02 RYOE/c) last season. Benson doesn't have much upside to play on third down behind him, either, catching just 25 balls in his final two college seasons.

The veteran did miss four games last season, and Benson likely steps into the early-down and goal-line role when he's gone. It's always possible the rookie's talent wins the job for good when he's gone, too.

Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers

FanDuel ADP: 219.6 (RB51)

If there's a late-round dart that screams a potential "league-winner" to me, it's Kimani Vidal of the Los Angeles Chargers.

I mentioned Jim Harbaugh's run-first tendencies at Michigan, and he's now the head coach in L.A. at the pro level. As a result, Vidal was added as a 6th-round pick (181st overall) to a new-look Bolts running back room. Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins also followed new offensive coordinator Greg Roman over from the Baltimore Ravens.

There's a significant chance this backfield becomes a full-blown committee in a slow, ugly offense, but there are significant flaws in those two above Vidal on the depth chart that could see him in the backfield regularly as a rookie. Edwards has no passing-down upside with just 30 total receptions in five NFL seasons, and Dobbins is coming off a serious Achilles injury and has played just nine total games since the start of the 2021 season.

Vidal handled 67.7% of the Troy Trojans' carries last year, amounting to 21.4 per game. He posted 5.6 YPC with 14 touchdowns, as well. That came at a significantly inferior level of competition to the other four running backs on this list, though.

Of the three backs mentioned since Brooks, Vidal likely has the best path to immediate playing time in an offense that will want to lean on his position. He's a "last pick of your draft" guy in most formats, too.

Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants

FanDuel ADP: 225.2 (RB57)

Rounding out the top five could be a number of backs. Jaylen Wright is likely the most talented player left, but he's buried on the Miami Dolphins established depth chart. Ray Davis and Bucky Irving will likely need injuries to handle any meaningful snaps behind their feature backs. If there's a tailback left that could grab the reigns of the job and control his own destiny, it might be Tyrone Tracy Jr. of the New York Giants.

New York has the unsatisfying task of replacing Saquon Barkley this season, and I'm not thrilled with their other answers. Devin Singletary was the "big name addition", but he posted -0.09 rushing expected points added per carry (EPA/c) last season. The Houston Texans let him walk.

Eric Gray was also limited to 2.8 YPC and had trouble staying on the field due to pass protection. Gray turned heads as the Oklahoma Sooners lead man, where he posted 6.4 YPC in 2022, but that didn't translate at all to the next level.

It's possible Tracy Jr. can wrestle work in this offense away from both. He came from nowhere to take the Purdue Boilermakers RB1 spot last season, toting the rock 113 times for 716 yards and 8 scores after five previous college seasons where he failed to reach 20 carries.

If Wright, Davis, or Irving had been drafted onto this Giants roster, we'd surely be taking them right after -- if not before -- Jonathan Brooks with an obvious path to work. Tracy Jr. isn't quite the marquee name as a prospect as any of those three, but New York's fifth-round pick could be a late bloomer.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.