Before the 2024 NFL Draft kicked off in the Motor City, I released an article titled How to Value Rookies Pre-Draft (2024 Fantasy Football) to provide some insight into the approach for rookies in dynasty and pre-draft best ball fantasy football formats.
The first-year talent that has entered the league the past few seasons warrants excitement because guys are hitting the ground running for fantasy football. The list is impressive: C.J. Stroud, Zay Flowers, Sam LaPorta, Puka Nacua, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Breece Hall, Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave, Drake London, Christian Watson, Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Jonathan Taylor, Kyle Pitts, Jaylen Waddle, Najee Harris, Javonte Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Let’s look at fantasy football rookie running back values ahead of your fantasy football drafts.
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers
- Dynasty Startup Draft Primers
- Dynasty Draft Kit
- Dynasty Mock Draft Simulator
How to Value Fantasy Football Rookie Running Backs
Ray Davis (BUF)
Meanwhile, Davis met with the Bills RB coach Kelly Skipper throughout the pre-draft process and likely influenced how the Bills approached their RB room in the draft.
An injury could vault Davis/Irving into a larger role where they would likely be productive. But it seems both will act more as hindrances to the RB1s on their respective depth charts. All things considered, I believe Irving has a better chance to make an instant impact, given his receiving repertoire.
We also saw the new Bills OC lean on James Cook heavily down the stretch at the end of last season. Coen handpicked Irving for a reason and is stepping in with his offense, which may differ from what the Buccaneer deployed last season.
Isaac Guerendo (SF)
San Francisco running back Isaac Guerendo is in a similar situation to Wright, where we could easily see him smash if presented with an opportunity for touches in the SF 49ers offense. Obviously, he’s a long way behind Christian McCaffrey and Elijah Mitchell, so he’s a total zero unless an injury happens. But the 49ers were one of the healthiest offenses in the NFL last season. They might not be so fortunate for two years running.
And I do find it interesting that these two Shanahan offenses (Miami/SF) both invested in size/speed RBs, whereas in the past it’s usually just speed that was required as a pre-requisite. These coaching staff are embracing the “bigger” backs with players at 210-plus pounds.
Tyrone Tracy Jr (NYG)
Introducing Tyrone Tracy Jr. as my rookie RB5. A quintessential example of a high-upside/no-floor Round 5 running back.
Among the 2024 rookie class, not many of the Day 3 selections landed in situations with clear paths to touches. RBs like Ray Davis, Bucky Irving, Isaac Guerendo, Audric Estime and Will Shipley don’t look like anything more than glorified handcuffs.
But the lone exception, in my estimation, is the former Purdue Boilermaker, who was selected by the Giants.
Devin Singletary is by far the weakest veteran RB any of these Day 3 RBs are faced against when it comes to his “mid” skill set. Singletary does everything right but doesn’t “wow” coaches on the field. Tracy could be an upside play in the Giants’ backfield should Singletary flounder with the starting gig.
Keep in mind that in Tracy’s first year playing RB after switching from WR, he led his draft class in yards after contact per attempt. He could be the Giants RB1, or he could be completely nothing given his inexperience at the position.
Giants HC Brian Daboll on Tracy…
“He’s an athlete who has played receiver and then played running back and has some good production,” said Daboll. “We’ll throw him in the mix. Whether that’s in the kickoff return game or whether that’s at running back or the receiving part of it, we’ve got to do a good job of getting him in here and seeing where he’s at and then trying to fit him into the things that he can do well.” – Per Giants Wire.
But again, it’s still a massive dart throw.
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