Welcome to the 2024 fantasy football season. We are in the early July doldrums of the off-season, but training camp is just around the corner. There we’ll get a better look at where players stand in the depth chart, but, if you are playing best ball or looking to add some depth to your dynasty teams, now is a good time to pay attention to possible running back sleepers.
There are plenty of rookie running backs who could have value this year if things break their way, but it is impossible to truly predict who will get an opportunity this season, as they do need to make the team and be in the top three of the team’s RB depth chart.
We want players who will end up getting touches, but we’d prefer those touches come on a good team for their skills or in a spot they won’t share touches with two other backs, even if injuries take out those backs at the top of the depth chart.
We also need to play the numbers here, which means stock up on these later-round backs instead of wide receivers or tight ends while securing target hog receivers early in the draft. We will miss on some of these running backs, but as long as you have the numbers, you’ll have a good shot at putting together a strong team over 16 games.
I’ve set an arbitrary ADP of RB50 for this group. These aren’t the only “Zero RB” backs you can draft, as there are plenty in round 7 and up to work with. At least some of these players are hopefully available to you for cheap depending on your league.
Jaleel McLaughlin (RB 53) — McLaughlin was the best running back in Denver last season by many accounts and has looked good this summer. According to The Athletic’s Nick Kosmider, “McLaughlin’s offseason program turned heads among coaches, teammates, and onlookers at practice. It would not be a stretch to say he was the Broncos’ most dynamic offensive player during OTAs and minicamp.”.
The trouble is the Denver backfield has a lot of running backs vying for touches. Head coach Sean Payton has said it is an open competition heading into training camp. Payton’s usage for backs is just so good that finding value here is something I very much want to try. That means I’m also okay with grabbing other Broncos backs, but McLaughlin has the most upside at his ADP in my mind.
Tyrone Tracy, NYG (RB55) — Tracy is a versatile back, who will have a real chance to win return duties. Tracy started his football career as a receiver, but moved to running back and showed tackle breaking ability in an awful Purdue offense.
The Giants let Saquon Barkley walk in free agency and brought in Devin Singletary to be the lead back. Singletary hasn’t proven himself enough to be considered a locked in No. 1 back, which should give Eric Gray and Tracy a real shot at winning time this season and I like Tracy’s versatility.
Isaac Guerendo, SF (RB65) —Kyle Shanahan loves himself a fast running back, and we’ve seen that even more with his pupil Mike McDaniel in Miami. Speed and yards after the catch are key ingredients for this offense to function at such a high level and Guerendo fits right into that mold after running a 4.3 40 at the combine. And unlike Miami’s Jaylen Wright, Guerendo can be had much later in drafts while still being attached to an elite offense.
Bucky Irving, TB (RB60) — Many analysts don’t love what they’ve seen from Buccaneers incumbent RB Rachaad White, but White put up good overall numbers last season. Volume pushed White over the edge into elite fantasy value, but he will need to keep up that volume to have a shot at repeating his strong numbers this season.
Irving fell to the fourth round after poor combine numbers, but his tape shows game speed and a strong ability to hit holes and break tackles. White has had trouble with decisiveness and Irving could prove to be better at making quick and correct decisions with the ball.
Will Shipley, PHI (RB66) — The best news for any Eagles running back is that new OC Kellen Moore likes giving a single back the bulk of the work during a game. We know Saquon Barkley is going to be that bell cow back to start, but an injury will open up a lot of work for whoever is appointed the starter in his place. There’s a real chance that is Shipley, especially if it’s later in the season. Kenneth Gainwell is the incumbent, but they have a new OC and that No. 2 spot is likely up for grabs going into training camp.
Dylan Laube, LV (RB71) — Zamir White is set to be the lead back in Las Vegas, but his ability is fairly narrow as a downhill runner that can do little more than get what is blocked for him. The same can be said about his backup Alexander Mattison. But where Laube has an immediate shot to compete is as a third-down back. He’s a strong route-runner and receiver and could have value in deep PPR leagues early on.
Evan Hull, IND (RB75) — The Colts have Jonathan Taylor as their bell-cow back to start this season, but he has had injury trouble and his backup last season, Zack Moss, is now the starter in Cincinnati. We saw Moss put up good numbers in relief of Taylor to start last season and it is worth trying to suss out his backup for this season.
Last year fifth-round rookie back Evan Hull was set to see time with Taylor out, but suffered a season-ending injury just two touches into Week 1. Trey Sermon is his main competition at the moment, and Sermon has had trouble sticking with NFL teams in his young career. Hull should have the inside lane as long as they don’t add a veteran at some point to backup Taylor.