2024 NFL free agency looked good on Monday, especially at the running back position. Let's take a closer look at fantasy football running backs who are up and down following NFL free agency.
NFL Free Agency Winners and Losers
loser
Tije Spears (TEN)
Rest in peace, Teje Spears RB1 szn. It was fun while it lasted, but the arrival of Tony Pollard ruined it. That doesn't mean Tejay Spears will be Tennessee's Tony Pollard in 2021. Spears operated as a discount Devon Ashen last season, ranking fifth in explosive run rate and 14th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points data). He ranked 7th in target share, 10th in TPRR, and 17th in YPRR, proving he can also be an explosive 3-down play monster. If the Titans run an offense with an above-average neutral rush rate and Spears can maintain his incredible efficiency, he could remain a strong RB3 and end up as a low-end RB2 if this offense surprises people. There is.
Austin Ekeler (WAS)
Austin Ekeler's 2023 season was disappointing no matter how you look at it. Ekeler suffered a sprained ankle in Week 1 that caused him to miss three games and potentially halt his production for the rest of the season. After returning from injury, he averaged 16.1 touches per game, 69.2 total yards, and fantasy points as the RB28. It was a dramatic fall from grace for a back who hadn't finished outside the top nine of fantasy running backs (RB28) since 2018. Ekeler retained some of his passing game talent, ranking 8th in target share and 19th in yards per route run (out of 60 qualifying backs per Fantasy Points data), but his rushing skills fell apart. did. Of the 49 backs who qualified, Ekeler ranked 38th in yards after contact per attempt and 46th in missed tackles per attempt. Landing in Washington with Anthony Lynn was one of the best-case scenarios this offseason. He'll likely form a frustrating committee with Brian Robinson, who will play a bigger role than Antonio Gibson in Washington.
Khalil Herbert (CHI)
Last season, the Bears couldn't decide who would be the main focus as they rotated from week to week with Khalil Herbert, Roshon Johnson and Donta Foreman. Now that D'Andre Swift is in Chicago, Herbert will be back in the backup role, which is sad. Last year, Herbert proved once again that he is one of the better rushing talents in the NFL when given the opportunity. Last season, he ranked 12th in explosive run rate and 9th in missed tackles forced per attempt (per fantasy points data). Last season, he averaged 14 touches and 77.8 total yards in eight games in which he played at least 43% of the snaps. Herbert is currently a high end handcuff with only his 2024 fringe flex value.
Ty Chandler (min)
With Aaron Jones currently in Minnesota, Ty Chandler will be a backup for the Vikings in 2024. From Weeks 15 to 18, he played at least 53% of the snaps in every game, averaging 15.3 touches and 81.8 total yards. Chandler totaled over 90 yards once in those four games, but his efficiency per touch was in the toilet overall. Of the 49 backs who qualified, Chandler ranked 47th in missed tackles per attempt and yards after contact per attempt last season (per Fantasy Points data). Chandler entered this offseason with hopes of being good enough to take on a starter role in 2023, but unfortunately that's not in the cards for next season.
winner
Derrick Henry (BAL)
Some players are simply built differently. Henry is, and always will be, one of them. Last year, the 29-year-old showed little decline in efficiency metrics, ranking first in rushing attempts and second in rushing yards. Of the 68 backs who qualified last season, Henry ranked 9th in explosive run rate and 11th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points data). As he crosses the dreaded 30-year-old threshold this year, it's hard to predict why Henry will be dropped or why he won't continue to thrive as RB1. Especially considering what Henry has proven over the past two seasons. His utility in the passing game should only increase as he gets older. Over the past two years, Henry has ranked 11th and 14th among the Bucks in TPRR and 7th and 1st in YPRR. The big guys aren't slowing down. Let's continue to believe in King as the mainstay of the Ravens in 2024.
Zamir White (LV)
Zamir White proved last year that he can carry the mail. He could easily enter 2024 as a mainstay for the Raiders. From Weeks 15 to 18, he averaged 23.3 touches and 114.3 total fantasy points per game as RB12. While he took coffee as the team's starter, he ranked 13th in explosive run rate, 6th in yards after contact per attempt, and 17th in completion percentage out of 41 backs who qualified. was ranked. With Josh Jacobs heading to Cheesehead Town, White will become a production RB2, and expectations will be even higher in 2024.
Antonio Gibson (Nebraska)
Gibson landed in New England on a three-year deal, which was essentially an exaggeration of a one-year deal. New England could terminate Gibson's contract after one season if he doesn't perform well as running mate to Rhamondre Stephenson next season. Last season, in a breather role, Gibson ranked first in missed tackles per attempt and eighth in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points data). Gibson is an explosive playmaker when utilized properly, and also demonstrated his ability as a volume rusher when called upon. Gibson should work in tandem with Stephenson as the pass-catching force in this backfield, but I wouldn't be surprised if Stephenson takes over the lead role if Stephenson is slow out of the gate. Gibson is an interesting RB3 with high expectations for 2024.
D'Andre Swift (CHI)
D'Andre Swift landed in Chicago with a contract big enough to be considered the Bears' clear starter. Khalil Herbert and Roshon Johnson also had their moments last season, but Chicago's aggressiveness and amount of contact speaks volumes about how they feel about those two rushers. The Bears clearly felt an upgrade was warranted. Swift ranked 17th in explosive run rate last season, but was disappointing as a fantasy RB24 in other tackle break metrics. Of the 49 backs who qualified last season, Swift ranked 40th in yards after contact per attempt and 30th in missed tackles per attempt. Swift should be a solid RB2 in 2024.
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