Top 80 Dynasty Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings for Startup Drafts in 2024

SI Fantasy insider Michael Fabiano ranks the top 80 running backs to target in your dynasty fantasy football startup drafts in 2024.
Dec 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) carries the ball against Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) carries the ball against Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports / John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

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Running backs were at one point the most important position in fantasy football, whether its redraft or dynasty. And while runners still hold value, the position has taken a backseat to the wide receivers. You'll certainly see that in the first few rounds, as wideouts (especially those under 25) will have their names called at a frantic rate. However, managers don't want to avoid runners altogether, especially the more attractive, younger backs who could become dynasty backfield leaders

With that said, here's my look at the top 80 fantasy running backs for those entering the world of dynasty fantasy leagues. As you'll see, age is far more important than in redraft formats.

More dynasty fantasy football rankings: Top 200 | Quarterbacks | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends

2024 Dynasty Startup Rankings: Running Back

Rank

Player

Team

Age

1

Bijan Robinson

ATL

22

2

Breece Hall

NYJ

23

3

Jahmyr Gibbs

DET

22

4

Jonathan Taylor

IND

25

5

Christian McCaffrey

SF

28

6

Travis Etienne

JAC

25

7

Saquon Barkley

PHI

27

8

De'Vone Achane

MIA

22

9

Kyren Williams

LAR

24

10

Kenneth Walker

SEA

23

11

Isiah Pacheco

KC

25

12

Josh Jacobs

GB

26

13

Rachaad White

TB

25

14

James Cook

BUF

24

15

Jonathon Brooks

CAR

21

16

D'Andre Swift

CHI

25

17

Rhamondre Stevenson

NE

26

18

Joe Mixon

HOU

28

19

Derrick Henry

BAL

30

20

Alvin Kamara

NO

29

21

David Montgomery

DET

28

22

Trey Benson

ARI

22

23

Javonte Williams

DEN

24

24

Najee Harris

PIT

26

25

Zamir White

LV

25

26

Jaylen Warren

PIT

25

27

Aaron Jones

MIN

29

28

Zack Moss

CIN

26

29

Tony Pollard

TEN

27

30

Tyjae Spears

TEN

23

31

Brian Robinson Jr.

WAS

25

32

Zach Charbonnet

SEA

23

33

James Conner

ARI

29

34

Nick Chubb

CLE

28

35

Austin Ekeler

WAS

29

36

Devin Singletary

NYG

27

37

Jerome Ford

CLE

25

38

Kendre Miller

NO

22

39

Blake Corum

LAR

23

40

MarShawn Lloyd

GB

22

41

Kimani Vidal

LAC

23

42

Roschon Johnson

CHI

23

43

Tyler Allgeier

ATL

24

44

Chase Brown

CIN

24

45

Raheem Mostert

MIA

32

46

Jaleel McLaughlin

DEN

24

47

Jaylen Wright

MIA

21

48

J.K. Dobbins

LAC

26

49

Dameon Pierce

HOU

24

50

Ty Chandler

MIN

26

51

Chuba Hubbard

CAR

25

52

Khalil Herbert

CHI

26

53

Tank Bigsby

JAC

23

54

Keaton Mitchell

BAL

22

55

Antonio Gibson

NE

26

56

Gus Edwards

LAC

29

57

Rico Dowdle

DAL

26

58

Miles Sanders

CAR

27

59

Elijah Mitchell

SF

26

60

Bucky Irving

TB

22

61

Isaac Guerendo

SF

24

62

Tyrone Tracy

NYG

24

63

Audric Estime

DEN

21

64

Braelon Allen

NYJ

20

65

Will Shipley

PHI

21

66

Ezekiel Elliott

DAL

29

67

Alexander Mattison

LV

26

68

AJ Dillon

GB

26

69

Kenneth Gainwell

PHI

25

70

Ray Davis

BUF

24

71

Israel Abanikanda

NYJ

21

72

Samaje Perine

KC

25

73

Jordan Mason

SF

25

74

Chris Rodriguez

WAS

24

75

D'Onta Foreman

CLE

28

76

Jamaal Williams

NO

29

77

Samaje Perine

DEN

29

78

Deuce Vaughn

DAL

22

79

Evan Hull

IND

23

80

Justice Hill

BAL

26

Dynasty RB Values to Target

Trey Benson, Cardinals

Benson won't play a prominent role to start his career in Arizona, but I can see him being their lead back as soon as 2025 with James Conner at the end of his contract. A talented runner out of Florida State, he's drawn comparisons to Dalvin Cook and is a runner to target in dynasty drafts.

Kimani Vidal, Chargers

Vidal will be a popular deep sleeper in redraft leagues, but he will have even more appeal in dynasty. That's because the two veterans ahead of him in Los Angeles, Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins, are either older or injury prone, and both of them are on short-term contracts with the Bolts.

Audric Estime, Broncos

The Broncos backfield is deep right now, but the future remains up for grabs. If Javonte Williams can't make strides as the starter in 2024, Estime could push for a bigger role in his second NFL season. Estime was also drafted by the new Broncos regime, led of course by coach Sean Payton.

Dynasty RB Risks to Avoid

Derrick Henry, Ravens

Henry has long been a fantasy superstar, and he should do well in his first season with the Ravens. No runner in the league has more wear and tear than Henry, however, who is entering his age-30 season. If you're lucky, you'll get two more good years from him before the proverbial wheels fall off.

Joe Mixon, Texans

Mixon isn't as old as Henry, but he's no spring chicken heading into his age-28 season. He's also seen the fourth-most carries and the fourth-most touches among runners in the last three years, so Mixon has been quite the workhorse. Now in Houston, he'll have another good year or two left.

Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks

Charbonnet is a young running back, but he's stuck behind another young runner, Ken Walker, in Seattle. As a result, you're looking at a player who at best will be in a committee for the next few years. Unless injuries occur, Charbonnet won't have a lot of standalone fantasy value.


Published |Modified
Michael Fabiano
MICHAEL FABIANO

Michael Fabiano is a fantasy football analyst for Sports Illustrated. His weekly rankings and Start 'Em, Sit 'Em articles are must-reads for fantasy players. He is also the co-host of the Fantasy Dirt Podcast on SI. Before joining SI in August 2020, he worked for CBS Sports, NFL Network and SiriusXM. He also contributes to Westwood One Radio. Fabiano was the first fantasy analyst to appear on one of the four major TV networks and is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association Hall of Fame.