Three must-draft running backs in fantasy football

The 2024 NFL season is rapidly approaching, which means fantasy football drafts are right around the corner.

Running back is arguably the most important position in fantasy football, but due to injuries, timeshares and an overall lack of quality depth, it's also the hardest to draft. After all, some fantasy managers spent their first-round pick on Tony Pollard last season, only for him to finish as the RB14, while Kyren Williams finished as the RB7 despite going undrafted in most leagues.

With that in mind, here are three running backs selected outside of the first two rounds of 12-team PPR scoring format leagues on ESPN who you shouldn’t leave your draft without.

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

With so many talented wide receivers being available early in fantasy drafts, the Zero RB and Hero RB methods are becoming more popular among drafters annually. While you can still find a late-round gem who could emerge as an RB1, it's imperative to draft your first running back before the fifth round. As pointed out by Fantasy Life's Ian Hartitz , 51% of top-12 PPR weeks among running backs from 2021-23 were accounted for by players who were selected within the first four rounds of drafts.

If you decide to select wide receivers with your first two picks, consider drafting Kamara, who's being taken in the third round on ESPN, to serve as your Hero RB. Even though he's never had a 1,000-yard rushing season, Kamara's pass-catching ability has made him one of the most consistent fantasy superstars throughout his career.

The five-time Pro Bowler showed no signs of slowing down in 2023, racking up 1,160 yards from scrimmage and six total touchdowns to finish as the RB3 on a points-per-game basis in PPR scoring formats. Despite missing four games, three of which were due to suspension, Kamara ranked second among running backs in targets ( 86 ) and receptions ( 75 ). Considering he has little competition for touches and a quarterback who frequently checks down to his running back, Kamara is well-positioned to repeat as a top fantasy running back in 2024.

Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings

There's obvious risk involved in drafting a running back older than 27, especially one who dealt with hamstring and knee injuries like the 29-year-old Jones did last season. However, the former Packer is one of the most dynamic running backs when healthy, and his strong finish to 2023, coupled with his new situation, makes Jones an intriguing fifth-round target.

After rushing for 53 yards against Tampa Bay in Week 15 — his first game back from an MCL sprain — Jones rushed for 358 yards over his final three regular-season contests. During that span, he ranked as the RB8 overall in PPR scoring formats, averaging 15.9 fantasy points per game.

Although backup Ty Chandler should have a sizeable role, Jones will likely have an extensive workload on his new team, even more so early on as TE T.J. Hockenson recovers from last season's ACL tear. Jones will also benefit from playing at U.S. Bank Stadium, which is an enclosed venue, particularly come playoff time since the weather won't interfere with his performance.

Additionally, it's worth mentioning that Jones has an extremely favorable schedule for the fantasy football playoffs. In Weeks 15-17 , Jones and the Vikings will face the Bears, Seahawks and Packers, all of whom were among the 12 worst defenses against fantasy running backs in 2023 .

Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins

It should go without saying that Mostert, who scored an NFL-high 21 touchdowns last season en route to an RB5 overall finish, is a major regression candidate for 2024. Even so, it's hard to understand why Mostert is the No. 96 player in ESPN's mock draft rankings behind names like Tennessee's Tyjae Spears, Dallas' Ezekiel Elliott and Washington's Austin Ekeler.

There's no doubt that Miami will expand second-year tailback De'Von Achane's workload after he enjoyed a historically efficient rookie season, rushing for 800 yards while averaging 7.8 yards per carry. Still, the Dolphins will continue to rely on a running back-by-committee approach, and there's little reason to think Mostert won't be the team's lead back.

Even if Achane assumes a substantially larger role this season, he and Mostert proved in 2023 that they can coincide. In the nine contests the two played together last season, Mostert averaged 18.7 PPR points per game.

The biggest concern surrounding Mostert is his health, as he's only played an entire season once, which was in 2019 when he wasn't a full-time starter. Nonetheless, with a ninth-round price tag, Mostert's upside greatly outweighs any potential risks involved in selecting him. While he might not finish as a top-12 running back this season, Mostert should be one of the biggest bargains in fantasy drafts for the second consecutive year.