6 Running Backs Your Fantasy League Drafts Shockingly Wrong

Aaron Jones is viewed as a 31-year-old veteran who showed signs of slowing down last season. The Vikings are expected to limit his touches, and he is at risk of losing early-down and goal-line work to Jordan Mason, who is considered more explosive between the tackles. Additionally, depth players like Xavier Scott may cut into his overall workload.

Blake Corum is mentioned as a handcuff target but is excluded from the source's top-tier list of targets.

The Commanders were the NFL's best team in outside zone efficiency last season at 6.1 yards per carry, and Robinson led the league in that specific scheme at 7.6 yards per carry. Despite frustration with his usage last year, the team plans to run outside zone more frequently this season, and Robinson's potential for growth in his second year is not being properly priced into his current market value.

Bucky Irving is now ranked ahead of Rachaad White because the team is actively experimenting with him as a receiver to address his previous lack of college usage. While he must improve his pass protection and ball security, the team appears to be leaning toward him as the starter until proven otherwise. He is also used as a benchmark for the draft tier that includes Jonathan Brooks and Quinshon Judkins.

The source compares a potential optimistic outcome for Jonathan Brooks to Cam Akers's rookie season, where Akers caught passes and served as a goal-line back despite team limitations.

The source cites Christian Watson as a positive comparison for Marshawn Lloyd, noting that once Watson addressed his own injury issues, he immediately emerged as an elite player for the Packers.

The source remains optimistic about Chuba Hubbard, ranking him 102nd overall and inside the top 40 running backs. Despite a current week-to-week hamstring issue and the arrival of Jonathan Brooks, Hubbard has not been ruled out for Week 1. The source believes he could serve as a flex option and potentially remain a 1A option alongside Brooks, with the team likely planning for Hubbard to handle ground work while Brooks contributes through the air.

The source references Damien Harris as a historical benchmark for the role Rhamondre Stevenson currently occupies, noting that Stevenson has been effective in the specific ways Harris was previously utilized in the system.

The source references David Montgomery as a benchmark for the 'running back 21-22 territory,' noting that Jonathan Brooks is not currently in that tier. Additionally, Montgomery is viewed as a comparable player to Zach Charbonnet in terms of role and projected points for the early part of the season.

Devon Achane is the league benchmark for explosiveness, ranking first in yards per carry when not hit behind the line of scrimmage since 2022 with a 9-yard average.

George Holani is mentioned as part of the current Seahawks backfield depth chart, contributing to the overall uncertainty surrounding the team's running back rotation alongside Zach Charbonnet.

J.D. McKissic is a recommended draft target alongside Rashad White, as the Commanders' backfield tandem is currently undervalued in fantasy drafts.

Jadarian Price is mentioned as a player in the same draft range as Jonathan Brooks (end of the fifth round). The source expresses a cautious stance on Price, noting uncertainty in his role due to Zach Charbonnet's recovery, his light weight (203 lbs), and a lack of proven receiving ability, leading the source to draft him less often than the consensus.

The source is increasingly bullish on Jahmyr Gibbs, drafting him more aggressively than composite rankings suggest. Gibbs is highlighted as the second-most explosive runner in the league based on yards per carry when not hit behind the line of scrimmage.

Jayden Daniels provides upside to the Commanders' offense and is expected to improve the efficiency of the team's running backs by opening up lanes.

The source uses Jaylen Warren as a benchmark for Jonathan Brooks's ADP, noting that Brooks is already being drafted ahead of Warren in some formats.

The source distinguishes Jonathan Brooks from Jeremiah Love, noting that Brooks was a 'rock solid, no doubt about it starter prospect' coming out of college, whereas Love is viewed differently.

The Commanders are experimenting with Jerrick McKinnon as a pass catcher, which could provide him with upside as a second and third-down contributor.

The source ranks Jonathan Brooks between RB28 and RB30, noting his potential to become a bellcow despite the team's likely caution following his ACL recovery. While the source is committed to drafting him, they warn that his rising ADP toward the sixth round is becoming risky, especially given the uncertainty of his immediate role and the quality of the Panthers' offense. The source advises against drafting him earlier than the range of Quinshon Judkins and Bucky Irving.

Jordan Mason is a high-upside sleeper (composite ADP RB39, ranked RB36) who is significantly undervalued in half-PPR formats. He is a superior between-the-tackles runner compared to Aaron Jones and is a strong candidate for goal-line work. Mason projects for 13-14 carries per game in a new outside zone scheme. Efficiency metrics support his upside: he ranked 12th in yards per rush (4.8) and 10th in yards after contact per rush (3.41) last season, and he is among the league's most explosive runners in yards per carry when not hit behind the line of scrimmage.

Josh Jacobs faces significant uncertainty, including a 20% risk of suspension and concerns regarding his durability and declining explosiveness. While his fantasy value has historically been tied to an 85% workload share, that share can drop to 75% even when active, and the team performs differently when he is not the sole focus. He is considered a high-risk player for missing time due to his heavy usage history.

The source ranks Kenneth Walker III as their RB6, significantly higher than his composite redraft ADP of RB11, citing his fit in a high-success-rate rushing offense, an improved offensive line, and his 'Shady McCoy' style of play. The Seahawks are expected to continue their intentional backfield split strategy to keep Walker healthy for the playoffs, a philosophy that proved successful last season. Additionally, Walker is highlighted as a top performer in explosiveness metrics, particularly in yards per carry when not hit behind the line of scrimmage.

MarShawn Lloyd is a high-upside priority RB2 candidate (ranked RB47 vs. RB62 ADP). He is praised for his explosiveness, size, and pass-catching ability. Lloyd has worked with a specialist this offseason to address body compensation issues from a 2020 ACL tear that previously caused quad imbalances and soft-tissue injuries. Packers beat reporters are reaching a consensus that he is a significant player for the team, with the potential to emerge as an elite asset if he has successfully fixed his body, similar to Christian Watson's trajectory.

The source uses Quinshon Judkins as a benchmark for the RB21-22 draft range, advising that Jonathan Brooks should not be drafted ahead of the tier containing Judkins and Bucky Irving. Additionally, the source notes they would rank Zach Charbonnet ahead of Judkins for the first month of the season, provided Charbonnet is active.

White remains a viable fantasy asset due to his established ability to catch passes, pass protect, and handle goal-line work. While he faces competition from Bucky Irving, White is expected to pay off if Irving struggles with mistakes or fumbles early in the season.

The source views Rhamondre Stevenson as a highly effective, efficient, and established starter who is superior to the current market perception. Stevenson led the league in Next Gen Stats rush yards over expected per carry last season and was highly effective in short-yardage situations, handling 12 of 16 carries inside the 5-yard line. He demonstrated superior short-yardage efficiency with +31% rush yards over expected compared to TreVeyon Henderson's -1%. While the source expects a backfield split, Stevenson remains the preferred fantasy asset and the first RB2 off the board in drafts, with superior pass protection skills compared to Henderson.

Tank Bigsby is highlighted as one of the top handcuff targets to draft, alongside MarShawn Lloyd.

The source ranks Tony Pollard ahead of Jonathan Brooks, expressing more comfort with Pollard's established role in his respective offense.

Trevion Henderson is mentioned as a player in the same draft range as Jonathan Brooks, specifically around the end of the fifth round in Yahoo drafts.

The source is lower on TreVeyon Henderson than his composite ADP of RB25, ranking him as their RB28. Despite his top-end speed and strong late-season performance last year, the source is fading him due to concerns over pass protection, vision, patience, and the likelihood that he will not be the starter for the first series or carry. The source argues he is being drafted too close to his ceiling.

The source questions why Treyveon Henderson is being drafted ahead of Zach Charbonnet, noting that Henderson's perceived advantage in straight-line speed does not justify his higher draft position. The source is lower on Treyveon Henderson than his current composite ADP of RB25, ranking him as their RB28. While acknowledging his rare top-end speed and RB10 points-per-game performance during the latter half of last season, the source argues he is being drafted too close to his ceiling. The primary concern is that he will not be the starter for the first series or carry, and the source believes drafters are overvaluing the backup running back on the Patriots.

Zach Charbonnet is an undervalued asset with a real chance to pay off, despite uncertainty regarding his return from February surgery. Reports indicate he is ahead of schedule in his recovery, and he is ranked ahead of Quinshon Judkins for the first month of the season. The source questions why Treyveon Henderson is drafted ahead of him, noting Henderson's speed advantage is overstated.

Zack Moss is noted as a factor in his team's backfield competition, with the source specifically highlighting that he is currently coming off of an injury.

The source argues that Zamir White is undervalued relative to TreVeyon Henderson, stating they cannot justify why White is being drafted after Henderson given their comparable status as young prospects on good teams.

Xavier Scott is identified as a potential depth player in the Vikings' backfield who could carve out a role and take touches away from Aaron Jones, building on his performance as a former wide receiver who impressed during last year's preseason.