2024 Fantasy Football Running Back Tiers: Christian McCaffrey Leads the Way

Michael Fabiano | Aug 28, 2024

Jan 28, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Detroit Lions during the first half of the NFC Championship football game at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports / Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

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Fantasy Tiers: Quarterbacks | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends

The 2024 NFL season is fast approaching, so it’s time to look at fantasy positional “tiers.” Unlike my PPR player rankings, tiers group players of similar value. So, if you miss out on a particular player on a tier in your draft, you can see other players on that same tier who are good alternatives.

I’ve covered the quarterback teirs, so now let’s look at the running backs. With the number of true featured runners dwindling, backs have lost some of their past luster in drafts. This should change strategies, as managers can wait and still land productive runners in rounds 4-5 and beyond.

Tier 1 – The Elite

Christian McCaffrey, 49ers

McCaffrey has a chance to finish his career as one of the best fantasy running backs ever, even on the same level as greats like LaDainian Tomlinson and Marshall Faulk. For that reason, I have him on his own tier. He’ll be the consensus top overall pick in the majority of drafts too, making McCaffrey the most valued asset in fantasy football once again.

Tier 2 – High RB1s

Bijan Robinson, Falcons
Breece Hall, Jets
Saquon Barkley, Eagles
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions

Robinson had a good but not great rookie season, finishing ninth in PPR points. Still, I can see him pushing into the top three in Year 2, as he’ll no longer be “handcuffed” under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Hall finished second in points among runners last season, and that was after coming off a serious knee injury. Barkley, who finished as the RB12 in 2023, should push into the top five or 10 behind a solid Eagles offensive line. Gibbs will continue to split work in Detroit with David Montgomery, but he has top-five upside.

Tier 3 – Mid RB1s

Jonathan Taylor, Colts
Travis Etienne, Jaguars
Kyren Williams, Rams
Derrick Henry, Ravens

Taylor had his ups and downs last season, but he finished strong with 17-plus points in three of his last four games. He also won’t lose work to Zack Moss, who is now with the Bengals. Etienne, last season’s No. 3 runner, will be picked in Round 2 or 3. Williams was a superstar last year, scoring 15 touchdowns in 12 games. He does lack durability, however, and the Rams drafted Blake Corum. That makes Williams a bit of a risk, but he's still a top-25 pick. Henry is entering his age-30 season, but he still finished as the RB8 last year and has little competition for touches in Baltimore.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (10) beats a tackle. / Jamie Germano/Rochester Democrat and

Tier 4 – Low RB1s

De’Vone Achane, Dolphins
Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs
Josh Jacobs, Packers
Rachaad White, Buccaneers

Jacobs is coming off a bad season, especially compared to what he accomplished in 2022, but signing with the Packers is a positive for his fantasy appeal. Achane was a fantasy superstar at times as a rookie, but his ceiling could still be limited with Raheem Mostert in the Miami backfield. Still, he has RB1 potential. White might struggle to duplicate the RB4 finish he had last year, but he’ll remain a top-50 overall fantasy selection. White is also a strong pass catcher, which benefits his value. Pacheco is the featured back in Kansas City and could push into the top 10.

Tier 5 – High RB2s

James Cook, Bills
Alvin Kamara, Saints
Kenneth Walker, Seahawks
Joe Mixon, Texans

Cook was solid once Joe Brady took over the Bills offense last season, averaging more than 16 points. He should remain the team’s lead back, even with the addition of rookie Ray Davis. Kamara averaged almost 20 touches per game last season and should still be in the RB1/RB2 mix. Walker hasn’t truly busted out in the stat sheets, but he’s been a steady No. 2 option. Mixon’s move to Houston could affect his touches to a degree, but he’s still a solid No. 2 option. Remember, he finished as the RB6 last season.

Tier 6 – Mid RB2s

D'Andre Swift, Bears
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots
Aaron Jones, Vikings
James Conner, Cardinals
David Montgomery, Lions

Swift was the RB20 with the Eagles in 2023, and he’ll push for that sort of finish now that he’s in Chicago. Stevenson didn’t put up great totals last season, but he also missed five games. In PPR formats, he should push back into the RB2 range even with Antonio Gibson in the mix. Mixon's replacement in Cincinnati, Jones missed six games a season ago, but he was a star down the stretch and figures to be the top back in Minnesota. Conner was a league winner for managers at the end of last season, but he missed four games and could lose some work to rookie Trey Benson. Montgomery was the RB17 in 2023, but he’s likely to play second fiddle to Gibbs.

Tier 7 – Low RB2s

Javonte Williams, Broncos
Najee Harris, Steelers
Zamir White, Raiders
Raheem Mostert, Dolphins
Tony Pollard, Titans

This tier includes White, who could see a featured role in Las Vegas. Mostert is coming off a career year that saw him score 21 touchdowns, so regression is imminent. Harris hasn’t been able to return to the elite fantasy status he enjoyed as a rookie, and the emergence of Jaylen Warren makes him hard to trust as more than a low RB2. Pollard, coming off a disappointing final season in Dallas, could find himself in a committee with Tyjae Spears.

Tier 8 – High RB3s/Flex

Austin Ekeler, Commanders
Devin Singletary, Giants
Zack Moss, Bengals
Brian Robinson Jr., Commanders
Jaylen Warren, Steelers
Tyjae Spears, Titans

Ekeler and Robinson Jr. will share the work in Washington, limiting both their ceilings. Singletary could be a nice bargain in fantasy drafts, as he knows Brian Daboll's offense well and has little competition for touches. Warren was more efficient than Harris last season, so he’s not too far behind his teammate in the rankings. The Titans will use both Pollard and Spears in their backfield, and I wouldn’t be shocked if the latter was more effective in the stat sheets.

Jan 8, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (24) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Pittsburgh won 28-14. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Tier 9 – Mid to Low RB3s/Flex

Jerome Ford, Browns
Jonathon Brooks, Panthers
Chase Brown, Bengals
Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys
Chuba Hubbard, Panthers
Gus Edwards, Chargers

Nick Chubb will begin the season on the PUP list, so Ford looks like the Browns back to draft. Brooks will start the season on the PUP list, forcing him to miss at least four games. As a result, Hubbard's stock rises, at least for the first month of the season. Brown has some sleeper appeal in what looks like a backfield committee in Cincinnati, and Edwards will be battling for touches in Los Angeles. Zeke is back in Dallas, but he’ll be part of a committee with Rico Dowdle and others.

Tier 10 – High RB4s/Handcuffs

Nick Chubb, Browns
Jaleel McLaughlin, Broncos
Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks
Trey Benson, Cardinals
Tyler Allgeier, Falcons
Blake Corum, Rams
J.K. Dobbins, Chargers

This tier includes handcuffs and backs who will compete for depth-chart positioning in camp.
First is Chubb, who will miss at least the first four games, and potentially more. Benson, Allgeier and Ford will all be valuable insurance, while Dobbins will compete with Edwards for the top spot in Los Angeles (though a committee is imminent). Charbonnet and Corum will also be seen as handcuffs, though both could push for standalone value.

Tier 11 – Mid to Low RB4s/Handcuffs

Rico Dowdle, Cowboys
Antonio Gibson, Patriots
Ty Chandler, Vikings
Khalil Herbert, Bears
Bucky Irving, Buccaneers

This tier is also full of committee backs and potential fantasy handcuffs, including guys like Dowdle, Gibson, Herbert and Irving. McLaughlin could also push for occasional, standalone flex value in Denver.

Tier 12 – RB5s

Ray Davis, Bills
Tyrone Tracy, Jr., Giants
Kimani Vidal, Chargers
Justice Hill, Ravens
Miles Sanders, Panthers
Jamaal Williams, Saints
Jordan Mason, 49ers
Audric Estime, Broncos
Alexander Mattison, Raiders

Welcome to the “dart throw” tier! This group includes potential handcuffs and several young running backs competing for touches with their respective teams. Rookies like Lloyd, Tracy Jr., Davis, and Estime are late fliers, but none of them will open the season higher than second on their teams' depth chart. Sanders will be the RB2 in Carolina until Brooks returns, and Mason will back up CMC with Elijah Mitchell out.