RBs to Draft in Fantasy Football If You Go WR Early in 2024

There are many paths you can take in a fantasy football draft. I recently broke these down and you can check them out in the “Roadmap” fantasy football draft strategy article which is in the Game Plan Draft Guide. If you end up going running back heavy in the early rounds, you’ll need to have a plan of attack in place for wide receivers to start targeting in the sixth round and beyond. The good news is that I put together that list based on current ADP data from Sleeper.

Below you will find 25 running backs to target if you go WR-early in 2024 fantasy football drafts. While I included their current ADP, don’t take that information as a recommendation for where you should draft them. Be sure to use a set of fantasy football tiers, or better yet, my draft personal board in our fantasy football cheat sheets so that you can see their value during your actual drafts.

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Running Backs to Target If You Go Wide Receiver Early

David Montgomery, Detroit Lions

ADP 6.04

No, he doesn’t have the fantasy upside of teammate Jahmyr Gibbs, but you’re also drafting Montgomery 4-5 rounds later and you still get double-digit rushing touchdown potential in one of the league’s most exciting offenses.

D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears

ADP 6.06

Swift slides into the Bears’ depth chart as the de facto No. 1 running back. Yes, Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson are there, but it’s very telling that both of those guys played in the Hall of Fame game while Swift was held out with the rest of the top starters.

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots

ADP 6.08

ATLANTA, GA Ð NOVEMBER 18: New England running back Rhamondre Stevenson (38) runs past Atlanta cornerback A.J. Terrell (24) during the NFL game between the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons on November 18th, 2021 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire)

New England projects out as one of the worst teams in the league this season. That doesn’t mean that will be, but even if they are, Stevenson figures to see a ton of work. He’s the primary early-down back and will continue to see plenty of looks in the passing game even with Antonio Gibson in house.

Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers

ADP 7.02

He may draw the ire of many a fantasy manager, but Harris has rattled off three straight 1,000-yard seasons while not missing a single game. He will be in a timeshare with Jaylen Warren, but he’ll still see more than enough work to offer value in this range.

Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders

ADP 7.06

We really don’t know what White will look like this season for the Raiders. Yes, he flashed upside down the stretch last season, but things could be different over the course of a full season as the starter. The Raiders could also struggle given their shaky quarterback situation. But that’s why you can get White at a discounted price in the seventh round.

Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins

ADP 7.07

Why is a guy who scored 21 total touchdowns last season going this late? Well, fantasy drafters are likely scared off by his age (32) and the potential expansion of De’Von Achane’s role. Those are viable concerns, but Mostert still has some tread left on the tires. He offers a nice return on investment possibility in this range.

Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans

ADP 7.12

A disappointment last year, Pollard comes at a much cheaper price point in 2024. Before you start yelling at me, yes, Tyjae Spears is there. And yes, Pollard and Spears are listed as co-RB1s for the Titans. But Pollard is still worth a look in this range. He’s a slightly bigger back than Spears, which could bode well for a slightly larger touch share.

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Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers

ADP 8.03

We’re unlikely to see Brooks in the first few weeks of the season, but the rookie figures to quickly work his way up the pecking order once he’s back on the field for the Panthers. Carolina selected Brooks as the first running back off the board in April’s draft, so it’s a good bet Dave Canales has plans to use Brooks from the jump. He offers a three-down skillset and is a superior player to Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders. If you draft him, just be prepared to be patient.

Zack Moss, Cincinnati Bengals

ADP 8.07

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 15: Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (21) runs with the ball during the game between the against the Indianapolis Colts and theJacksonville Jaguars on October 15, 2023 at Ever bank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire) — JACKSONVILLE, FL – OCTOBER 15: Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (21) runs with the ball during the game between the against the Indianapolis Colts and theJacksonville Jaguars on October 15, 2023 at Ever bank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire)

Joe Mixon is out, so opportunity knocks for Moss in Cincinnati. He played well when called on in Indy last year. Of course, the potential emergence of Chase Brown does need to be considered here. But if you’re willing to roll the dice, Moss offers a reasonably high floor with touchdown upside for the Bengals.

Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos

ADP 8.09

The third-year back struggled in his return from a torn ACL last season, but reports out of Broncos training camp have been favorable. If Williams can regain his pre-injury form, he’ll give fantasy managers a ton of bang for their buck as a middle-round option.

Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers

ADP 8.11

Like Najee Harris, Warren is also an interesting target in this range. I’d only want to roster one of these guys, but either one is fine at their price tags. Warren showed last season that he can handle more in the run game and still offers plenty of juice as a pass catcher.

Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders

ADP 9.03

The veteran certainly looked like he lost a step last season, but we aren’t expecting peak Ekeler in 2024, are we? With Brian Robinson handling early-down work, Ekeler can do what he does best and catch passes for the Commanders. Yes, there’s more volatility in that role, but he still has enough meat on the bone to be in consideration in this range.

Devin Singletary, New York Giants

ADP 9.07

“Motor” emerged as the surprise lead back in Houston last season, leapfrogging Dameon Pierce in the process. Fast forward to this season and he’s set up as the clear No. 1 back for the Giants. No, he won’t replace Saquon Barkley, but he still figures to get more than enough work to justify this range of the draft. Better yet, he has very little competition for early-down touches.

Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders

ADP 9.10

He doesn’t offer a massive fantasy ceiling, but Robinson figures to be the primary early-down back for the Commanders and is coming off a 2023 season where he scored nine total touchdowns. His upside is limited in the passing game, but his chances for 225-250 touches make him a solid target as we spill into the late rounds.

Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans

ADP 9.12

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 08: Tennessee Titans Running Back Tyjae Spears (32) advances the ball as Indianapolis Colts Safety Julian Blackmon (32) and Indianapolis Colts Linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) defend during the NFL game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts on October 8, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire) — INDIANAPOLIS, IN – OCTOBER 08: Tennessee Titans Running Back Tyjae Spears (32) advances the ball as Indianapolis Colts Safety Julian Blackmon (32) and Indianapolis Colts Linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) defend during the NFL game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts on October 8, 2023, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire)

As I mentioned above, Spears checks in slightly smaller than Tony Pollard, but he does have a similar skill set. While I am putting Spears slightly behind Pollard, that isn’t a knock. Spears comes with a very high ceiling and is worth a look in this range. However, I’d only want him if I didn’t already draft Pollard.

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Additional Late-Round Options

Gus Edwards – ADP 10.01
Ezekiel Elliott– ADP 10.07
Blake Corum – ADP 10.08
Chase Brown – ADP 11.04
J.K. Dobbins – ADP 12.08
MarShawn Lloyd – ADP 12.08
Kimani Vidal – ADP 14.07
Ray Davis – ADP 15.02
Tyrone Tracy – ADP 15.07
Braelon Allen – ADP 16.02