Journeymen running backs can be tempting to grab in desperate times of the draft. Filling in that RB2 spot can often be tough unless you use the RB-heavy strategy. Avoid these six running backs in your drafts this summer to avoid the trap.
Six Running Backs NOT to Draft in 2024 Fantasy Football
Ezekiel Elliott – Dallas Cowboys
Just because it’s a sweet homecoming for Ezekiel Elliott in Dallas doesn’t mean he’s the same player he was two years ago. While Elliott spent just one season in New England, his last one with the Cowboys wasn’t pretty either.
Both seasons saw Elliott finish with less than 1,000 yards rushing. 2023 was also the third straight year where Elliott saw his yards per carry decrease even when receiving a lighter workload.
Elliott benefits from PPR leagues as the veteran running back averaged 10.3 points per game in this format. In standard leagues, he averaged just 7.3 points per game. While it can be tempting to give Zeke one last chance, let someone be the one to give him that chance.
Tony Pollard/Tyjae Spears – Tennessee Titans
The Titans running backs get lumped into one here as both are not worth the hype heading into 2024. Tony Pollard struggled last season in Dallas as the feature back. As for Tyjae Spears, there’s a reason why the Titans felt it was necessary to bring in Pollard.
Don’t be this guy.
Pollard was just under four yards per carry last season and as a lead back in today’s NFL, you expect him to do more than just barely get over the hump of 1,000 yards. While Spears sat behind Derrick Henry, he didn’t even surpass 500 rushing yards.
Pollard finished with 10.5 points per game in PPR leagues with 9.9 points per game in standard leagues. Spears was an even nine points per game in PPR with six points per game in standard leagues. As the kids say these days, the Titans backfield is “very mid.”
Austin Ekeler/Brian Robinson – Washington Commanders
This is another tandem that will step on each other’s toes. Brian Robinson was the lead back in Washington last season where he averaged just over four yards per carry. Austin Ekeler finished 2023 with 3.5 yards per carry in 14 games for the Chargers. Both running backs though were well under 1,000 yards.
Ekeler was once a very good running back that fantasy owners fought over on draft day. Those days appear to be in the rearview mirror, and Robinson hasn’t shown much in his first two years in the league.
When you put these two in the same backfield, it’s a recipe for disaster. Much like the Titans one above, this very well may turn into a running back committee. Play it safe and avoid both of them.
Rhamondre Stevenson – New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson was the definition of “hit or miss” in 2023. As a third-year running back from Oklahoma, Stevenson saw his usage decline from 2022. Despite seeing a lesser role, he also failed to establish consistency.
Stevenson found the end zone just four times last season in a Patriots offense that struggled to say the least. In weeks 2-4, he finished with 75+ yards rushing but only gained 50 or more yards twice the rest of the way.
If Stevenson can find his form from weeks 2-4, it would put him a pace of about 16-17 points per game. That’s a big if, though. Until he finds some consistency, Stevenson is one to avoid in fantasy drafts.
Running backs can quickly become a thin position in drafts. While the RB-heavy strategy isn’t for everyone, save yourself the trouble by not even being tempted by these six running backs.
Main Photo Credit: Syndication: Detroit Free Press
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