With running backs drawing more emphasis in fantasy football, fantasy owners tend to reach early in the draft. Here are four running back options that can be taken in rounds 4-8.
Four Running Back Options for After the First Three Rounds of your Fantasy Football Draft
James Cook
James Cook is a player that gets slept on when discussing the potential in the Bills offense. He took a massive step forward last year in the backfield, more than doubling his yardage from 2022. He’s a pass catcher out of the backfield, too, and he caught 23 more passes last season than the year before.
His touchdown numbers did not increase from year 1 to year 2, but that is primarily because Josh Allen gets most of the goal line carries. The Bills may or may not change that philosophy this year, so don’t expect Cook to rack up more touchdowns. If he does though, it makes his selection look that much better.
Cook currently has an ADP of 42 in standard leagues and 60 in PPR leagues. It’s surprising, given his pass-catching talent, but he’s a player you could grab in rounds 4-6.
Joe Mixon
Joe Mixon was written off by some fantasy football players after the trade to the Texans. It’s hard to understand why when the 27-year-old running back still produces at a high level. The Bengals gave up a running back who came off of his fourth 1000-yard season.
One thing that stands out about Mixon is his touchdown numbers. The Bengals used him a lot inside the five last season, and the expectation is the Texans will do the same. Mixon’s nine touchdowns in 2023 was the second-highest tally of his career.
Currently, Mixon has an ADP of 50 in standard leagues and 61 in PPR leagues. He’s a safety blanket if early draft picks are invested in wide receivers and a reason why he’s one of four running back options listed here.
Jonathon Brooks
Jonathon Brooks is a must-draft running back, in my opinion. Even if your team has a Christian McCaffrey or Breece Hall, save that RB2 spot for Brooks. He’s already ahead of Miles Sanders on the Panthers depth chart, and it’s only a matter of time before it happens to Chuba Hubbard.
Teams don’t draft a running back in the second round if they don’t expect him to be a workhouse. That’s exactly what the Panthers see in Brooks, and head coach Dave Canales loves to run the football. Expect a high volume of carries for Brooks.
He’s currently projecting to be taken in rounds 7-8 with a standard league ADP of 87 and PPR league ADP of 91. The writing is on the wall now, so drafting him in rounds 5-6 isn’t a reach.
Kenneth Walker III
Lastly, Kenneth Walker is another steady workhorse and is often overlooked in fantasy football. Walker has recorded 900+ rushing yards both years he’s been in the NFL and 8+ touchdowns in each of his first two seasons.
Perhaps one of the best stats for Walker is his ability to take care of the football: just one fumble in two seasons. Pairing that with his 4-4.5 yards per carry is a great combination for fantasy players.
Walker has a bigger variance in his ADP than the other three running backs do. He’s sitting at an ADP of 45 for standard leagues and 72 for PPR leagues. If your league uses the PPR format, take advantage of that by grabbing an extra receiver or two, depending upon team construction and draft position.
Workhorse running backs aren’t as plentiful as wide receivers, but that doesn’t mean you have to get a top 5 running back, or your team won’t be good. Go for these guys with their value and maximize your team’s talent!
Main Image: Sam Navarro – USA Today Sports
