Don’t Eat The Cheese: 2024 Fantasy Football Running Back Busts

Don’t Eat The Cheese: 2024 Fantasy Football Running Back Busts

I would argue this is the singular most important piece of advice you need heading into any fantasy draft. If you pick the wrong running back at the top of your draft, you’re probably screwed. The Cheese list is here to help you. Again, the evidence speaks for itself. Last year we got four out of six correct. We also completely humiliated Matthew Berry and continued to prove I’m way more talented than him. Enjoy the Don’t Eat the Cheese list for the 2024 Fantasy Football running back busts!

Jonathon Brooks (Panthers)

I talked about this in a recent post I did that I expanded upon more there. It just makes zero sense why anyone is ranking Brooks in the RB28-32 range. The guy is likely starting the year on the NFLI list and is out until Week 5. Dave Canales is also coming from the Bucs where he ranked 32nd in rushing in back-to-back years as the OC in Tampa. Not to mention my golden rule being the secret to all fantasy success. WTF are we doing here with this nonsense?

Raheem Mostert (Dolphins)

This feels like an easy stock market play. We’re talking about a guy that’s never healthy who is coming off a healthy season. Not to mention the fact that Devone Achane should take a step forward in year two. Plus, Miami drafted Jaylen Wright to further add to the running back room. To take Mostert in the RB20-25 range just banking on him repeating last year feels really foolish. Mostert should be productive but they clearly drafted his replacement and isn’t even first in the pecking order. Let’s be smarter than this. Then is then. Now is now.

Alvin Kamara (Saints)

When someone tells you who they are, believe them. The Saints are the credit card team of the NFL. They borrow tomorrow’s money for today. It’s who they are. They have redone pretty much every single player’s contract in the organization… except for Kamara. If the Saints aren’t willing to redo Kamara’s deal, maybe they know something we don’t. It wasn’t too long ago the Vikings held firm on Dalvin Cook before he face-planted. I wrote more about that here.

I get the argument for Kamara. The receiving work should be there and if you’re a noob that plays PPR , maybe there is more of an argument to ignore this one. I’m just not sure it offsets the fact that this Saints offense could be brutal. The offensive line still stinks and Dennis Allen is a total idiot .

For as successful as Kamara was last year in fantasy, he averaged 3.9 yards per carry and all of his advanced numbers have dipped from his peak. Kendre Miller should figure it out eventually to contribute in some way too. Oh, and Kamara missing the first three games last year and being fresh during the middle of the season was probably a blessing in disguise. He’s currently dealing with a bad back and now will be asked to do that again over a full season.

I’m way out here.

Rachaad White (Buccaneers)

Are we sure Rachaad White is even good? Nothing about his efficiency numbers indicates he’s a good player. White averaged a miserable 3.6 yards per carry. Plus the Bucs are totally drooling over Bucky Irving. Are we sure Irving isn’t just the better player here? Either way, Irving is going to be involved, which is something White didn’t have to deal with last year. That’s keeping in mind that Irving is a terrific pass catcher and White’s entire fantasy success last year came in that department. White is basically being listed as a top 15 back any way you slice it in the rankings. I just can’t buy it with the new circumstances. Sean Tucker might be pretty good too.

Still, there isn’t a single metric that you can pull that suggests White is actually good. So why are we treating him that way? He was a lot more intriguing last year when nobody wanted him. Play the stock market…

Joe Mixon (Texans)

This one is maybe more of an eye test thing for me but I think the Bengals really liked Joe Mixon. The fact that they were done with him probably says a lot. Just like how they were done with Tyler Boyd. I just don’t think Mixon has anything left and all of the guys from his draft class are fading fast.

It’s going to be more 3 yards and a cloud of dust for Mixon this year. The Texans ranked 30th in the NFL in rushing last year and I just don’t know how a declined version of Mixon helps them. It would be one thing if you could get Mixon for a few bucks in your auction draft. He’s being ranked consistently inside the top 15 backs. Based on what? Is this situation even significantly better than what Mixon had in Cincinnati?

Mixon will need massive volume to even have a prayer to get to his ranking spot. Dameon Pierce still exists and the team also brought in Cam Akers cause they felt like they needed more help. Do they even want to run Mixon into the ground so that he’s not burnt by playoff time? Food for thought.

Travis Etienne (Jaguars)

I’ll bet against Travis Etienne every single year. He’s not good but people continue to pretend otherwise. They want to reduce his workload. They now should be able to do just that with Tank Bigsby no longer being lost heading into year two. It’s a Doug Pederson team that doesn’t like to run the ball anyway. Etienne averaged 3.8 yards per carry last year and has been hurt multiple times in the past. At this premium price, I’m out.

Kyren Williams (Rams)

I just don’t know how people can ignore Blake Corum here. It wasn’t like Kyren Williams lighting the world on fire. He was effective but pure volume had a lot to do with that. He’s also missed at least five games in back-to-back years. Will 260 touches be there again with Corum now on the roster? Will they even be in the same position to pound the rock with Aaron Donald no longer on defense? Spending this kind of draft capital on a former 5th round pick with one good fantasy finish seems so foolish to me.

Bijan Robinson (Falcons)

I’m not saying don’t draft Bijan Robinson but once again I’m going to be on the side of he’s going way too high. Last year I was right and this year I’m not sure losing Arthur Smith is a good thing. The new Steelers and former Falcons head coach knows how to craft a run game. Derrick Henry’s best season fantasy wise came when Smith was his OC in Tennessee. It’s going to be more pass-heavy with new OC and former quarterback Zac Robinson taking over.

More than anything, I just think we need to stop pretending this guy is LaDanian Tomlinson. That’s never been the case. Like the player but holy hell, the expectations here are insane. Under no circumstance will that happen. If you’re telling me he’s a top-three running back in fantasy, I think you’re a crackhead.

Subscribe to Vendetta’s Twitch

Subscribe to Vendetta’s YouTube

Check out the Vendetta Shop

Click here for more Fantasy Football content

The post Don’t Eat The Cheese: 2024 Fantasy Football Running Back Busts appeared first on Vendetta Sports Media .