Fantasy Football 2024: 6 undrafted RBs with league-winning upside

Whether you’re going for Zero RB in your fantasy football drafts or looking for some late-round flyers, analyst Dalton Del Don offers six running backs with league-winning upside who went undrafted in most Yahoo leagues.

Herbert averaged 95.5 rushing yards (5.1 YPC) and 0.6 rushing touchdowns during 11 career games with 12+ runs. He was a top 10 fantasy RB during all three games in which he received 20 touches last year. Herberto was also one of only eight defenders who forced more than 25 missed tackles on less than 175 rushing attempts, as he finished second only to De’Von Achane in run yards above expectation.

D’Andre Swift’s contract makes him the overwhelming favorite to become Chicago’s starter, but he has missed more than three games in every season he has been in the league before last year. For what it’s worth, Herbert mastered the work with the attack of Chicago’s first team during the Bears’ second preseason game. Fast was It wasn’t very good last year. despite having a favorable environmentso a change in the expected depth chart is also not out of the question.

Meanwhile, Roschon Johnson was nowhere to be found during the Bears’ first preseason game, so he’s either injured or Velus Jones Jr. Justin Fields vacated more than 150 rush attempts when he left, and Caleb Williams could lead an offense highly productive in Chicago with DJ Moore, Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze joining an improved o-line.

Herbert has legitimate top-12 RB upside if he takes over the Bears, and he’s undrafted in 95% of Yahoo leagues.

Wright had the second-highest YPC (7.6) among all college RBs last season. He is super athletic back who ran a 4.38 40 joining a Miami backfield that just scored more than 50 fantasy points than any RB group since 2020. Raheem Mostert is 32 years old with an extensive injury history, while De’Von Achane is 5-9, 188 pounds and also has many concerns about durability.

The Dolphins traded up to sign Wright, whose ADP is sure to rise after making noise during Miami’s first preseason game. In Mike McDaniel’s system and with two injury-prone quarterbacks ahead of him, Wright could be “a fantasy football league winner” as a rookie.

Pierce was a bust last season after impressing as a rookie, but all summer reports were positive. Pierce was the only running back to play with CJ Stroud during Houston’s second preseason gamewhile rookie Jawhar Jordan played in the second half on the fourth string. Pierce has deficiencies, but he was legitimately good as a rookie, and the Texans are a threat to lead the league in scoring; Stroud is already a star and Stefon Diggs joins Nico Collins and Tank Dell behind an improved offensive line.

Joe Mixon is Houston’s new starter, but he had missed all of camp before returning to training on Monday after dealing with hamstring/quad injuries. Running backs have historically seen a 27% drop in production when switching teams during his eighth year in the league, although it would likely take an injury for Mixon to lose his job.

Still, Pierce is one play away from possibly being a top-15 fantasy defender.

Mason was flying completely under the fantasy radar despite consistent reports about him earning the role of San Francisco’s backup RB throughout the summer. He quietly averaged 5.6 YPC in his first two years in the league, and Mason worked hard upon receiving and passage protection skills during the off-season. Kyle Shanahan Are you a fan of Mason? and is not willing to continue relying on the constantly injured Elijah Mitchell as the SF’s RB2. Meanwhile, rookie Isaac Guerendo is a non-factor after suffering a severe hamstring strain.

Mason is no longer a secret after dominating the 49ers’ preseason opening series, which he finished with a touchdown run. Christian McCaffrey is expected to be ready for Week 1; he says he could play a game today if necessary. But CMC was shut down for the preseason due to a calf strain, battled injuries during 2020-2021 and saw over 400 touches last year, so he’s a risk taker.

Mason could quickly become a fantasy difference maker if he is the leader in the best offensive system in the NFL.

Allen scored 35 touchdowns in 35 games in college, where he put together a big queue as a 17-year-old freshman at Wisconsin. He had the second-highest career Dominator rating in this year’s running back class and has seemingly already earned the role of New York’s backup RB. Depth was thin behind Breece Hall, and Allen has the most explosive run rate in the league during the first weekend of preseason action.

The Jets massively revamped their offensive line during the offseason, and Aaron Rodgers is an even bigger upgrade at quarterback. According to Mike Clay ProjectionsNew York enters 2024 with the No. 1 roster in the NFL. In other words, Allen is one injury away from helping him win his fantasy league.

Prince isn’t even guaranteed to make Kansas City’s roster, but he deserves to be on the fantasy radar afterward getting RB2 snaps in Chiefs camp. Prince had the highest speed score and it was athlete number 3 among 45 RBs in the 2023 class, so It’s easy to get excited about him possibly seeing touches in Andy Reid’s defense; the Chiefs must score the third most points in the league this year.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire has only disappointed since being drafted (ahead of Jonathan Taylor!), and Jerick McKinnon hasn’t re-signed in Kansas City. Isiah Pacheco had never eclipsed 170 rushing attempts since college before setting a career-high with 205 rush attempts last season, so he’s hardly a sure bet to stay physical now that he’s up front.

Prince is a super sleeper, but don’t forget about CEH (also 0% drafted) if he finally gets the job if Pacheco goes down.