When you’re planning for your Fantasy Draft in the coming weeks, you might naturally focus on those players who are going to help you right out of the gate. But it’s also wise to consider some players who might be great stashes for later in the season, and rookie running backs can be ideal for that purpose.
Many NFL coaches want to see their rookie backs get the hang of NFL pass blocking and other schematic issues before they give them playing time. Sometimes it’s a case of a guy getting an opportunity late because the team, who might be out of a playoff race, wants to see what it has.
With that in mind, here are four rookie running backs that I believe can be a factor this season. Maybe not in Week 1, of course. But if your bench is big enough, and you can hold on to them, they can pay off big dividends down the 2024 road.
Rookie Running Backs Who Could Help in 2024
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Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills
I actually think that James Cook is primed for a big season in Buffalo, what with them planning to focus on the run more with a full season of offensive coordinator Joe Brady. But Sean McDermott seems to have a short fuse with him, especially when it comes to ball security issues. There are already rumblings out of camp that Cook is playing far too fast and loose with the football. Davis, a successful back at three different colleges, would stand to benefit in a big way if McDermott finally loses his patience with Cook for good.
Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
A couple of factors are fueling my belief that Vidal could be a rookie running back to hide away at the back end of your roster. For one thing, the two guys in front of him on the depth chart (Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins) have struggled to stay healthy. On top of that, you’ve got a situation where the Chargers are going to have a hard time keeping their head above water in the AFC West, Jim Harbaugh’s presence notwithstanding. If they fall out of contention, why wouldn’t they give Vidal a few starts to see what he has in him?
Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles
True Fantasy Football enthusiasts love to see guys like Saquon Barkley in perfect health, because we appreciate greatness. Barkley in the balanced Eagles’ offense, after a season last year with the Giants where defenses were laser-focused on every move he made, should be fun to watch. But the reality is that he has a lengthy history of injuries. There’s no doubt that Nick Sirianni believes in Kenneth Gainwell as a fill-in. But Shipley might be even more versatile with what he can do, and a Barkley injury at some point this year could put him in the RB1 role for an excellent offense.
Audric Estime, Denver Broncos
The main thing that Estime must overcome is the logjam at the running back position. Javonte Williams is coming off a disappointing 2023, although Broncos coach Sean Payton has talked him up this preseason. Jaleel McLaughlin surprised last year, but he really isn’t a guy who can carry the load. Samaje Perine is a receiving back. Unless Williams can find his pre-injury form, none of them are so imposing that the Notre Dame product can’t pass them on the depth chart. The second half of the season could be when that occurs for this particular rookie running back.
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