Everybody knew we have been headed for a frenetic league-wide recreation of working again musical chairs in free company, given the truth that so many high gamers have been out there concurrently, and … properly, wow.
As soon as once more, the NFL didn’t disappoint. It hardly ever does. Monday’s frenzy was notably wild — and the aftershocks have been fairly enjoyable, too.
*followers self*
Now that the majority (however not all) of the posh RBs have landed in new spots (aside from Dallas), we will start to think about the place, precisely, these guys will slot within the 2024 fantasy hierarchy. At this time, our mission is to do some back-of-the-envelope rating of the veteran backs who lately relocated.
Please be aware: March fantasy ranks do not characterize a binding dedication. I reserve the appropriate to repudiate all or any of those rankings for any purpose, at any time. We nonetheless have varied different signings and the complete NFL draft forward of us. This train is solely for leisure functions; nobody’s residence league is drafting any time quickly.
Let’s start with a rank I feel a lot of you’ll really hate …
For the oldsters who fail to understand Jacobs as one of many NFL’s most dynamic and productive runners, we’ll remind you that he completed top-five in missed tackles pressured on rush makes an attempt in every of his first 4 seasons, twice main the league (2019 and 2022). No disrespect meant to Aaron Jones, a unbelievable participant (extra on him under), however Jacobs is youthful and extra elusive. He may be essentially the most chronically underrated nice again within the recreation, regardless of having a dashing title on his resume. Jacobs is a gifted receiving risk as properly, with a pair of 50-catch seasons to his credit score.
For those who’re anxious about final season’s dip in efficiency (which is affordable), you may take consolation in the truth that Jacobs returned to excellence as quickly as Josh McDaniels was not his crew’s head coach. Over Jacobs’ final 4 full video games earlier than struggling the quad harm towards Minnesota, he averaged 100.3 scrimmage yards per week and 4.2 YPC whereas scoring three touchdowns. He’s merely a terrific participant who now finds himself because the unchallenged featured again in an ascending, explosive offense.
By the point draft season formally rolls round, I’ll speak myself into a fair bolder and extra bullish rank.
Just about each fantasy league consists of at the least one meathead Eagles fan and/or NFC East fetishist, so Barkley might be by no means gonna fall outdoors the top-10 general picks. Like Jacobs, he’s coming off an inefficient season in a dreadful surroundings, not reflecting his true expertise stage. Additionally like Jacobs, Barkley discovered his solution to an offense that’s orders of magnitude higher than the one he left. He’s one of many clear winners of free company, little doubt.
We shouldn’t simply brush apart the truth that Jalen Hurts dominated goal-to-go carries in Philadelphia final season, delivering 15 dashing scores, 11 of which have been one-yard TDs. It’s additionally essential to notice that Hurts will not be a man who’s usually trying to toss checkdown passes to his backs, which is typical of QBs who’re additionally gifted runners. D’Andre Swift caught solely 39 passes final 12 months, a profession low. In fact, the distribution of touches can definitely change with Jason Kelce retired and Kellen Moore because the crew’s new OC, however let’s not fake there aren’t any open questions.
It’s kinda loopy Henry didn’t land in Baltimore on the commerce deadline final season, however at the least it lastly occurred. An elite working again becoming a member of an elite dashing offense will not be a scenario we should always overthink. 5 totally different Ravens backs mixed for 18 dashing scores final season, with Gus Edwards crossing the purpose line 13 instances. Even when the 30-year-old model of Henry isn’t fairly the most effective model, he’s nonetheless clearly able to main the NFL in touchdowns in a wholesome season. Baltimore hardly ever targets working backs within the passing recreation, however we’ve by no means anticipated — nor have we ever seen — important receiving utilization from Henry. He deserves to be drafted a couple of spots forward of final 12 months’s mid-to-late second-round ADP.
Of all of the groups that have been clearly going so as to add a working again by way of free company, Houston most likely ought to have had the longest line of keen candidates for the gig. That is the spot. The Texans have a rocket-emoji offense with an excellent younger quarterback, big-play receivers and expertise on the offensive line. If Mixon needed to depart Cincinnati, Houston was the very best place for him to land. He’s the unmatched lead again for a crew with juggernaut potential. Mixon didn’t miss a recreation final season and he delivered 1,410 scrimmage yards with a dozen touchdowns, so there’s no “he is mud” argument right here. It is a good participant in an awesome scenario.
Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings: RB18, finish of the fourth or first choose within the fifth
As if we wanted additional proof that professional soccer is usually a merciless and ruthless enterprise, take into account Jones’ offseason. After accepting a considerable pay lower to stay with the Packers in 2023, he was requested to take one more in 2024. Powerful scene for a man who was an absolute wrecking crew in an important weeks for Inexperienced Bay, delivering 5 straight 100-yard performances on the finish of the season, together with playoff binges at Dallas and San Francisco.
It ought to go with out saying that Jones can nonetheless play at a particularly excessive stage, as a result of, once more, he was spectacular simply two months in the past when going through elite defenses. Well being and availability are clear issues given his age (29) and mileage, however he’s nonetheless a dynamic multi-purpose again. We are able to assume Jones would be the head of a two-back committee in Minnesota, with Ty Chandler retaining a rotational position.
Ideally, this crew would have a gap week beginning quarterback who will not be Sam Darnold.
D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears: RB22, again to the RB useless zone
The yards-before-contact king is a enjoyable addition for OC Shane Waldron, and he’s fairly clearly essentially the most versatile again on the crew’s roster.
Nonetheless, Swift is not the one again in Chicago deserving of touches. Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson are nonetheless within the crew picture. It’s actually simply wishcasting to imagine a workhorse position for Swift. We should always count on a committee association, with Swift as essentially the most worthwhile member.
You may definitely make a case in every of those conditions that my preliminary rank is much too pessimistic, however all three gamers relocated to groups that already had high quality backs on the rosters. Additionally, Tennessee’s offense is getting into a transitional section by which everyone seems to be new and Washington’s quarterback scenario is presently unsettled, which is not any small element. Moss is a pleasant sufficient participant tied to a presumably nice offense, however I’ll remind you that Chase Brown is type of a badass.
In all chance, somebody from this group of three goes to ship a windfall revenue at their ADP, one man goes to land squarely at RB27 and the opposite can be a common drop earlier than November. So it goes with backs on this terrifying vary.
Devin Singletary (RB32) and Gus Edwards (RB39): Most well-liked targets for the ZeroRB-ists
Singletary, coming off a formidable season, is presently the lead again in a barren wasteland of an offense. New York is clearly going so as to add our bodies to the backfield, so this rank has no probability to carry.
Edwards is gonna be an awesome backup and certain mentor to soon-to-be-Charger Blake Corum, however let’s not assume he’ll have severe fantasy attraction by late summer time.