The running back landscape is consistently changing and dynasty managers have to roll with that fact to maximize production and value from the position. Incoming talents such as Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs have shown this year that high-end youth can become highly valued, both are currently top five running backs on most dynasty rankings and Dynasty Startup ADP.
We also see this youth movement with players such as Breece Hall, Travis Etienne, and Kenneth Walker, each of which is currently valued as the RB2, RB7, and RB8 on KTC, respectively. That’s five runners with a combined 39 NFL games on their resumes. That fact isn’t to speak of it as a negative, this is to show the leap dynasty managers are taking with this incoming youth at the NFL level and the clear changing of the guard at the top. Let’s look at 10 players who could become top assets in the near future for the running back position.
1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons are looking at a harmonious connection after drafting the player with their eighth overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft. Robinson has found himself in a rushing-heavy offense that shall allow him a great deal of volume from his first snaps. Robinson should be the Falcon’s main threat when getting the ball in 2023, even while being the youngest piece within the offensive setup. In the last few years, they’ve made both Cordarrelle Patterson and Tyler Allgeier viable redraft and season-to-season assets for dynasty owners.
Robinson is a talent above both of those players, evidenced by his top-ten draft capital in this year’s draft. The Falcons for the third straight year went to the offensive side of the ball, and now this offense looks more dynamic and could be ready to provide fantasy value as well. Robinson should play a great deal in that, with an expectation that he’ll be getting 15-25 touches per game and he should be a safe option for Desmond Ridder in the passing game as well. This team wants to set the tone with the rush, and they now have their incredible band leader in Robinson.
2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
The Lions took nearly as big of a swing as the Atlanta Falcons in the first round this year by spending a top-15 pick on the running back position. Jahmyr Gibbs is a talent worthy of being taken near Robinson, he should be given an opportunity to be an offensive focal point instantly. With Jameson Williams missing the first six games, Amon-Ra St. Brown will need some help in the receiving game to start the year. Enter former Alabama and Georgia Tech product Gibbs, a player with explosiveness and smoothness in the passing game and open field.
The largest signal of a possible early role for Gibbs was the sudden departure of D’Andre Swift from the Lions organization, during the 2023 NFL Draft. Swift was a heavy investment for the position when taken 35th overall in 2020, and now the Lions took Gibbs nearly an entire round earlier.
Furthermore, the investment, speed, and big play ability are there for Gibbs. He can be used in the slot and run routes from the backfield. This is a player that will attack opponents in a multitude of ways and should eat up yards for fantasy teams.
3. Raheim Sanders, Arkansas
Eligible: 2024
Our first college running back and future NFL talent to talk about is Arkansas’ Raheim “Rocket” Sanders. Sanders is a leading name for the position in the 2024 draft class and shows a lot of the traits Jahmyr Gibbs displays, while also in a larger frame. Additionally, he is even more adept and capable of running routes, showing above-average receiving traits from the backfield and outside. Moving forward, Sanders should show an uptick in his production in the receiving production and the NFL should notice during the upcoming season.
Sanders had a solid Freshman campaign for the Razorbacks and this past season put up 1,443 rushing yards while also providing 10 touchdowns in the SEC. Theoretically, his body should hold up and after a couple of NFL offseasons. More importantly, Sanders could find himself as one of the more physically imposing running backs in the league. Finally, Sanders runs with power and finesse, making his skillset conducive to the production you hope to see from a future RB1 in fantasy football.
4. Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
Kendre Miller has many positives that lead me to favor him in the future of this Saints backfield. Miller has an incredible skill that dynasty managers always search for when approaching this position, youth. Miller is a 20-year-old rushing prospect that the Saints should be able to mold over the next two seasons. Miller’s talent wasn’t completely displayed in the pre-draft process. Even without participating in drills at the combine or at the TCU pro day while recuperating an injury, Miller was still able to find good day two draft capital with New Orleans.
For New Orleans, both Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams will be 28 years old compared to Miller’s 21 by next season’s start. This is a pick for the near future and dynasty managers realize how fast things can change at the running back position. Really, the Saints are rolling out two backs in their late 20s and one of those players or both may see a decline in 2023. Not to mention, Kamara still has a looming suspension that could take effect this upcoming season.
Overall, this backfield could be up in the air in 2024. With Miller’s size, power, and ability to reach all levels of the defense, he could very well be leading it rather than being a tertiary option.
5. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Eligible: 2024
TreVeyon Henderson battled in 2022 after suffering an early season injury against the Toledo Rockets while playing for Ohio State. Henderson had a terrific Freshman season that should not be overlooked when evaluating his future prospects. He came in as a highly touted prospect and became an instant contributor when he would score 15 touchdowns for the Buckeyes in 2021. Additionally, he would add four touchdowns and 312 yards on only 27 catches through the passing game.
Henderson has a solid size that shouldn’t concern future dynasty managers and has explosive speed that every offense needs from the backfield. Both Henderson and Sanders could be late day one or early Day 2 draft picks next year and that’s the reason for their presence above names such as Charbonnet and Achane from 2023. They have a bit more fire in their abilities and should have good fantasy prospects when they become NFL players.
6. Nick Singleton, Penn State
Eligible: 2025
The Penn State Nittany Lions have a solid returning backfield supported by Kaytron Allen and led by Nick Singleton, each coming off productive Freshman seasons. Nick Singleton was a Freshman who displayed strength, speed, and also a versatile skillset that should excite dynasty managers. In total, he would get 1,061 yards while sharing carries with Allen and was able to produce 12 touchdowns as well.
Overall, Singleton came in as a well-regarded running back prospect. When a player shows their skill right away, the evaluation becomes more about where their value could go than where they began. Even though he has a strong skill set and production early, Singleton needs to show more in the Nittany Lion passing game in 2023. Additionally, it should be a natural step with his physical ability and he can become an even more secure prospect when he adds that to his game.
All in all, Singleton has shown a high-end ability already. Additionally, he should be able to stay more healthy than others while sharing a backfield for the next two seasons.
7. Devon Achane, Miami Dolphins
All sorts of rumors may persist in this backfield until Dalvin Cook moves to a separate team or stays in Minnesota. Honestly, he could go to Miami and that wouldn’t affect my personal outlook on Devon Achane’s future for the Dolphins. Achane will use his track speed in this offense and should have plenty of track to run through behind the offensive line. Mike McDaniel and this offense should have a good idea of how to use speed. Raheem Mostert uses similar talents and he has offered production for fantasy in the past.
Achane is young and although his offensive role may never be extensive, he should always be a threat scoring and gaining chunks of yards when he plays. His success should come down to his near-perfect fit in the Dolphin’s zone rushing scheme, and by 2024 Achane could very well be the running back to own in this backfield. His talents fit the current NFL, his skills match his offense, and the team has put a fair amount of capital into this player by taking him on the second day.
8. Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss
Eligible: 2025
Quinshon Judkins was one of the greatest producers in the college game in 2022, and whoever takes him in 2025 is drafting a very exciting player. Judkins has incredible strength and a similar imposing size to Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen. These are physically imposing backs that should find themselves being the goal-line options and volume-getters in their offensive backfields. Judkins would gain 1,567 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns while leading the Rebels backfield in 2022.
Judkins is a huge talent and it isn’t clear just how highly he could be touted or valued come the 2025 NFL Draft. He could leapfrog Penn State’s Nick Singleton by following up on his strong Freshman season with an encore performance.
Furthermore, Judkins is a player who could physically play in the NFL right now. Additionally, when he molds his talents with his strong physique, he could find himself more toward the top of a list like this when looking back.
9. Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
The 2023 Draft may not have gone perfectly for dynasty managers who were looking for Zach Charbonnet shares, but this is still a very capable rusher. Charbonnet should fit well into the Seahawk’s scheme, as he should be able to not only rush but also be a main pass catcher from the backfield. Plus, the Seahawks will likely shuffle through multiple backs, as all teams will, so it’s best to go for the most talented ones. Enter Charbonnet.
Charbonnet received premium draft capital for the rushing position and that’s exactly why dynasty managers should still be intrigued. We have no idea how this offense shall shake out, but the talent everywhere should lead to a select few producing elite numbers. He didn’t lose all his talent by being drafted by the Seahawks. Personally, I fully believe Charbonnet and Walker could redefine production from the backfield over the next few years. If it works well with these two, more teams may shift to a similar approach with their backfields. In the end, simply get the best talents you can on your roster.
10. Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
Eligible: 2024
Braelon Allen was able to produce and dominate in the Big Ten while he was only 17 years old. Braelon Allen is the golden child of breakout age, he’s been doing it since the beginning and his time is almost here. The inclusion of this player comes down to two main factors. One is his formidable size, as I’ve said Allen is a physically imposing player that could already compete at the next level. Allen can hone his skills and his already very solid size for the next level.
Allen would rush for 1,268 yards in his first year and 1,242 yards for a disappointing Badgers team in 2022. Additionally, he would also gain 12 and 11 touchdowns in each of those seasons, respectively. This player is young with the necessary production, and he’s doing it while playing against solid talents who were more experienced. Now, Allen is the one with experience and he stayed with Wisconsin to lead the Luke Fickell-coached team. Allen should be able to dominate competition once again in 2023 and continue to rise more and more throughout next year’s draft process. Don’t forget, this player will remain 20 years old throughout his entire first NFL season. Believe in this player now and wait until a team drafts him to lead their backfield.
That’s 10 running backs who all have high-end ability to become producers at the next level for our fantasy football teams. These running backs have built their profile through a couple of seasons of production in college or have ideal-looking landing spots. The talents on this list can certainly find themselves joining the top-valued running back ranks along with players like Hall and Taylor. Furthermore, the incoming players over the next few years should infuse the much-needed youth and ability combination that every dynasty fantasy football manager craves. My advice? Invest now or begin preparing for them to change the rushing landscape.
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