The fantasy football season is coming to a close, as most leagues and managers have completed their championship matchups. The 2024 season was full of surprises, with the domination of fantasy football running backs being one of the biggest storylines.
Excluding quarterbacks, 14 of the top 20 players in fantasy points scored through 16 weeks are running backs. On a per-game basis, 12 running backs are averaging over 15 fantasy points scored per game this season. This is a stark contrast from recent years, which had seen the emergence of elite wide receiver production in fantasy. There have been numerous running backs this season who have turned into certified league-winners for fantasy managers. Let’s take a look at three running backs who undoubtedly led teams to success this season.
Year of the Running Back: 2024 Fantasy Football League Winners
Chase Brown – Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown has been nearly unstoppable over the second half of the fantasy season. The Bengals running-back is the RB5 overall since Week 9, achieving a top-10 weekly finish in 6/8 games. Brown has seen a ton of volume since the injury to Zack Moss, fully taking over as the workhorse back for the Bengals. The Canadian native has totaled 11 touchdowns on the year so far, including four receiving touchdowns. Brown has also been effective through the air and has the fourth-most receptions (54) amongst running backs this season. Having been drafted outside the top-30 running backs, it’s safe to say that Brown has provided incredible value for managers who took a chance on him in fantasy this season.
Chase Brown Weeks 1-8:
🔸 RB28Chase Brown Weeks 9-14:
🔸 RB3 pic.twitter.com/LcFBOXO4go— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) December 11, 2024
Chuba Hubbard – Carolina Panthers*
Chuba Hubbard has been proving the doubters wrong this season. The 25-year-old is currently the RB11 overall, rushing for 1,195 yards and ten touchdowns at the time of this article. Only four running backs have more rushing yards than Hubbard, as he has been the clear workhorse for the Panthers this year. Hubbard surely helped fantasy teams win their semi-final matchups in Week 16, running for 152 yards and two touchdowns and finishing as the RB2. Many thought that Hubbard’s role would fade due to the presence of rookie Jonathon Brooks, but that turned into a false narrative. Brooks only played in three games and unfortunately re-tore his ACL in Week 14. The Panthers’ rebuild is moving along nicely, as Hubbard looks to have solidified a prominent role on this offense for the foreseeable future.
*Chuba Hubbard sustained a calf injury and was placed on season-ending IR prior to Week 17.
Bucky Irving – Tampa Buccaneers
Bucky Irving has been one of the most explosive players to watch this year. The rookie out of Oregon has emerged down the stretch for fantasy managers, overtaking Rachaad White as the Buccaneers’ lead back. Irving is averaging an impressive 5.5 yards per carry, with only Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley averaging higher among running backs with over 100 rush attempts. Irving has also accumulated over 1,400 scrimmage yards in his rookie campaign – a stunning feat for a fourth-round draft pick. Having finished as a top-six running back in 4/6 games (when healthy), it’s safe to say Irving has been one of the most reliable fantasy options over the second half of the season. With an ADP of 172, expect Irving to be an early-round pick in fantasy next year.
#Buccaneers RB Bucky Irving has had a very underrated rookie season:
▪️188 carries
▪️45 receptions
▪️1,033 rushing yards
▪️397 receiving yards
▪️7 TDsA 4th round gem. He’s been outstanding. pic.twitter.com/4y7l8byLs8
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 30, 2024
Honorable Mentions: J.K Dobbins, Kareem Hunt, Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Main Image: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
