Rookie operating backs are frequent league winners in fantasy soccer of their first 12 months. The 2024 draft class had a deep group of rushers, however none had been chosen within the top-45 picks. Which high-profile rookie backs will return worth and are price drafting in redraft codecs of their debut seasons?
Purchase: Jonathon Brooks
By choosing Jonathon Brooks as the primary operating again off the board within the 2024 draft, the Panthers instilled a variety of confidence within the 21-year-old. Brooks might have been drafted even increased if he had not torn his ACL in November. Recovering from his knee harm might result in a gradual begin to his rookie marketing campaign, however Brooks is probably the most gifted participant in Carolina’s backfield. He averaged over six yards per carry in his school profession and effortlessly stepped into Bijan Robinson’s sneakers at Texas. Rachaad White was a fantasy league winner with Dave Canales in Tampa Bay final 12 months. When Brooks surpasses Chuba Hubbard because the lead again in Carolina, he might be a fantasy soccer pressure. That’s properly definitely worth the worth of his present RB25 ADP.
Promote: Trey Benson
Trey Benson profiles as a future three-down stud operating again, and landed in an ascending offense in Arizona. Why ought to he not be checked out as a fantasy goal in his rookie 12 months? The elephant within the room is James Conner, Arizona’s 29-year-old incumbent starter remains to be taking part in at a high-level with workhorse quantity. Conner completed final season on a tear with seven touchdowns in his final 5 video games, and completed with over 1000 yards regardless of taking part in in 13 video games. It’s attainable that Benson is just too gifted to maintain off the sector, however don’t count on Conner to surrender his taking part in time and not using a struggle. This isn’t a Breece Corridor and Dalvin Prepare dinner scenario. Benson might be a fantasy famous person on this offense, however Conner’s presence limits his upside. Within the case of harm to Conner, nevertheless, Benson turns into a must-start and potential league-winner. His RB36 draft worth shouldn’t be too excessive, however Benson is a high-end handcuff choice for now.
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Purchase: Blake Corum
One of many greatest surprises in fantasy soccer final 12 months was Kyren Williams ending because the RB2 in PPR fantasy factors per recreation final 12 months with the Los Angeles Rams. Williams performed an astonishing 83.9% of snaps final 12 months when wholesome, first amongst all operating backs. It’s exhausting to think about he matches that utilization this 12 months, particularly after the Rams invested the 83rd total decide in Blake Corum. Corum had a extremely embellished profession at Michigan, culminating in a nationwide championship, and has expertise in a operating again tandem. He scored 27 touchdowns final 12 months, main the nation by six scores. Whereas Corum and Williams each have smaller statures, Corum is the bigger again and will simply assume goalline duties within the offense. If Sean McVay decides to cut back Williams’ workload much more, Corum may lead the cost on early downs. The Rams haven’t had the identical participant lead the staff in speeding in consecutive seasons since Todd Gurley in 2018 and 2019. This isn’t meant to dismiss Williams as an early-round draft decide, however Corum can have a bigger position as a rookie than many understand. His endzone manufacturing will decide whether or not he’s a flex choice or attain upside much like David Montgomery in 2023.
Promote: Jaylen Wright
The previous Tennessee Volunteer couldn’t have landed in a greater schematic scenario than Miami with Mike McDaniel. Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane proved final 12 months that the Dolphins can assist a number of fantasy stars within the backfield, however there may be nonetheless not sufficient alternative for Wright to be an influence as a rookie. Mostert is 32-years-old, however has not proven indicators of a steep decline. The Dolphins prolonged him by means of 2025 earlier this offseason and he ought to have a big position on the bottom as soon as once more. Achane was one of the vital environment friendly backs in soccer as a rookie, and his lightning-fast velocity will hold him on the sector. Wright does deliver a distinct type of runner to Miami, as he’s the biggest participant within the room at 210 kilos and was praised for his third-down skill. If the Dolphins implement extra gap-scheme runs and don’t belief Mostert or Achane to carry up constantly on apparent passing downs, Wright will play a task in that rotation. Nevertheless, even in that situation, Wright is unlikely to supply fantasy soccer this 12 months and might be extra of successful to Mostert and Achane’s manufacturing.
Purchase: Kimani Vidal
Jim Harbaugh has made it clear that the Los Angeles Chargers can have a run-heavy id on offense. Greg Roman introduced over Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins, however each are ageing with critical harm histories. That leaves sixth-round rookie Kimani Vidal with a path to vital taking part in time in a possible high-volume offense. Vidal matches the Harbaugh construct as a compact 5’8, 213-pound again however has under-the-radar 4.46 velocity. He was extremely productive for Troy, speeding for over 4000 yards over his profession on over 5 yards per carry. He has sneaky upside as a third-down again, a skillset the Chargers are missing. Vidal was the second-highest rated go defending again in school soccer final 12 months per PFF and averaged over ten yards per reception. Look out for Vidal to take the reins in Los Angeles and produce a top-20 fantasy end.
Promote: Bucky Irving
The Buccaneers are missing depth within the backfield behind Rachaad White. Once they drafted Bucky Irving within the fourth-round of the 2024 draft, Irving was placed on fantasy soccer radars. Irving had an underwhelming mix efficiency, operating a 4.55 40-yard-dash with a sub-30-inch vertical bounce. He measured in at 5’9 and 192 kilos. White has third-down duties locked down, and Irving’s small stature leaves doubt that Tampa Bay will belief him to have a big position on early downs. Irving was an explosive play ready to occur at Oregon, however his testing velocity contradicts his tape. The Buccaneers might lean on a committee of depth behind White, together with Irving, Chase Edmonds and Sean Tucker fairly than making Irving a transparent 1B choice. The chance for snaps is attractive, however Irving’s profile is a poor slot in Tampa Bay.