Fantasy Football Today: Player outlooks for 10 late-round running backs available at the end of your drafts

2024 fantasy football the season is coming and the fantasy football Today’s team drafted its initial player outlooks for the entire player pool prior to training camp. Things will change when it comes to injuries, free agency, and possibly the trade market, but the fantasy football The team led by Dave Richard, Jamey Eisenberg, Heath Cummings and Dan Schneier created player outlooks based on 2024 projection, June ADP (average draft position) and where these players fell off the board in our mock (and real) drafts until May and June. We’ll use FFT’s consensus PPR rankings (Jamey, Dave, and Heath rankings) to take a player-by-player look at the late-round running backs you’ll select in the 14th round (or later).

*These consensus rankings will be updated by June 10.*

Late round RBs

“Edwards-Helaire remained with the Chiefs this offseason and aims to be a complement behind Isiah Pacheco on the depth chart. Perhaps he will take over the role vacated by Jerick McKinnon, but he will have to compete for it this preseason. at best, Edwards-Helaire is a modest handcuff for Pacheco, and not a necessary one. Expect Edwards-Helaire to go down for a late-round pick, if that’s the case. -Dave Richard

“It didn’t take long for Broncos coach Sean Payton to pique Estime’s interest this offseason, describing him as a starting defenseman with good strength, vision and contact balance. Dame, where Estime led in rushing yards (at least 900 per season) and touchdowns (at least 11 per season). If Estime can have a good pre-season then there’s a chance he could get some valuable touches during the year as part). from a committee in Denver. Count him among your late-round picks in revamped leagues, but also as a second-round pick in rookie-only drafts.” – Dave Ricardo

“The Bears backfield was crowded this offseason with the addition of D’Andre Swift, and we’ll see what that means for Johnson, the second-year running back. At the time of publication, Khalil Herbert was also on Chicago’s roster, but there is a possibility that Herbert could be traded, which would be great for Johnson. Johnson will likely have a role in the passing game for the Bears, but we’d love to see him cemented as the No. 2 running back behind Swift. This would likely allow Johnson the chance for guaranteed touches, as well as being a lottery ticket if Swift gets hurt. However, if Herbert remains in Chicago, then it may be difficult to trust Johnson until we see his plan to take over the role. a flyer on Johnson with a final all-league pick, and his value would increase if Herbert were traded. As a 2023 rookie, Johnson was underwhelming with 6.8 PPR points per game, but we expect him to perform at a higher level. this season, especially if he was second on the depth chart behind Swift.” – Jamey Eisenberg

“Pierce was one of the biggest busts in fantasy football at the RB position in 2023. He fell out of favor and lost the leadoff spot to Devin Singletary in Week 9. There is some hope for Pierce heading into 2024, as the Texans have suggested multiple times that they would create a 1-2 punch for him and Joe Mixon, but there are also question marks about how his running style fits into Bobby Slowik’s blocking scheme. Still, Pierce is part of what should be one of the most explosive crimes in the world. NFL and it’s worth throwing a dart as a final pick, especially for teams that didn’t invest initial assets in RB.” – Dan Schneier

“Dillon is back with the Packers this season, but he has new running backs to contend with this year. Dillon is only worth drafting with a late-round pick in deeper Fantasy leagues. Aaron Jones left Green Bay, but the Packers added Josh Jacobs and rookie MarShawn Lloyd this offseason will be the new starters, and Lloyd could also be ahead of Dillon on the depth chart Dillon averaged just 7.8 PPR points per game in 2023 despite Jones missing out. six games and parts of others. It may be difficult for Dillon to do much better than that this year if Jacobs and Lloyd stay healthy, but this is a running back corps to monitor in training camp. At best, Dillon could be. No. 2 on the depth chart behind Jacobs, but. It will likely take an injury for Dillon to be fantasy relevant in most leagues. If this scenario plays out, just get Dillon off waivers. – Jamey Eisenberg

“Williams was unable to repeat his touchdown-heavy production from 2022 in his first season with the Saints and he fell off the fantasy radar. With second-year RB Kendre Miller expected to be healthier in 2024, Williams is unlikely to be roster-worthy in Fantasy leagues unless Alvin Kamara suffers a long-term injury or the offense takes an unexpected leap.” -Dan Schneier

Khalil Herbert, Bears

“If Herbert stays with the Bears this season, he will be the No. 2 running back behind D’Andre Swift to open the year. But there is the potential for Herbert to be traded, as Chicago has a loaded backfield that also features Roschon Johnson. The Bears will likely lean on Swift as long as he’s healthy, and Johnson could play a role in the passing game. This could leave Herbert without the potential for many touches, and he is only worth a late-round pick. is traded, which could make Herbert an attractive Fantasy option depending on his fate. In 2023, Herbert has scored at least 11.4 PPR points in four of the 12 games he has played, but he has also only had six games with double digits in touches. Herbert will be hard to trust in most fantasy leagues if he stays with the Bears and Swift is healthy, so I hope he’s traded to a new team where he can showcase his skills. Remember, in 2022, Herbert led the NFL with 5.7 yards per carry. – Jamey Eisenberg

“We expect Gainwell to begin the season as Philadelphia’s No. 2 running back, but he will have competition for that role from rookie Will Shipley. Gainwell only had double-digit touches in two games last season and scored just 17.2 PPR Fantasy Points in both games combined You can leave him exempt in all leagues as long as Barkley is healthy and we wouldn’t break the bank for him if he had the chance to start in that case and I believe there is more upside with Shipley.” – Heath Cummings

“Mattison signed with the Raiders this offseason and is expected to be the second running back to open the season behind Zamir White. Mattison is only worth drafting with a late-round pick in most leagues. as the Vikings’ leading running back and averaged just 8.3 PPR points per game. Despite 180 carries, Mattison was unable to score a rushing touchdown (he caught three scores), but was expected to play a prominent role with the Raiders behind an inexperienced starter. Rookie Dylan Laube will also have a role, probably in the passing game, but Mattison is the expected handcuff in case something happens to White Mattison is a good running back to hide on your bench just to see how White does in his first full. season as a starter in Las Vegas.” -Jamey Eisenberg

“Every year the 49ers add a rookie running back and every year Fantasy managers swoon over the pick. This year it’s Guerendo, a part-time defensive back from Louisville with good cutting skills and solid size and strength to match. He ran a 4.33 in his 40-yard dash, but he’s also starting his NFL career at age 24, which makes him an older rookie who might not have a long shelf life if he impresses this preseason. , could end up catapulting to the second line in San Francisco’s offense, which would make him a valuable pick in the later rounds, he wouldn’t be worth drafting in seasonal leagues, but he is considered an intriguing second or third round pick in drafts only. for rookies, as he could be McCaffrey’s backup as early as 2025.” -Dave Richard