Fantasy Football 2024: Top 5 Rookie Running Backs

Jonathon Brooks of the Carolina Panthers is the best rookie running back in fantasy football for 2024. Brooks was the first running back selected in the 2024 NFL Draft, and will likely be the first rookie running back selected in fantasy football leagues this year. Brooks is an RB2 or flex in fantasy football.

Jonathon Brooks is a big back with a great combination of vision and footwork. The Panthers’ back also has good hands and can contribute to the passing game. The concern for Brooks is that he is coming off of an ACL injury he suffered last November. Brooks is reportedly tracking well and should be ready to go for training camp.

Given the injury concern and his split with Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders, expect Brooks to be ranked around RB28 to RB34.

Rookie Running Back 2: Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals

The number 2 rookie running back is Arizona Cardinals third-round pick Trey Benson. The Florida State product has a huge upside in fantasy football and could be a great value pick for fantasy owners this year. Trey Benson is a flex with RB2 upside fantasy football this season.

Trey Benson is a home run hitter out of the backfield with an explosive burst.  One of the best athletes in the class at his size, he fits the Jonathon Gannon era Cardinals with the push for big athletes. Though he will be behind with James Conner and splitting time with Michael Carter, Trey Benson should still find enough time to make plays this season.

Trey Benson’s overall running back rank will be around RB33 to RB38.

Rookie Running Back 3: Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams

The third-best running back in the 2024 rookie class is Blake Corum of the Los Angeles Rams. Corum found himself in one of the best landing spots out of all the rookie backs, finding himself in Sean McVay’s offense. Corum is a near-flex play in fantasy this season.

Corum is an explosive back who uses his low center of gravity to his advantage to find lanes to run through. Sean McVay’s offense is very running back-friendly and he has used a committee approach in the past.

Although Kyren Williams is coming off of a huge season, Corum should be ranked RB36 to RB44.

Rookie Running Back 4: MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers

New Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd is in the top five rookie running backs for fantasy football this season. Lloyd can be viewed as a depth running back with an opportunity to break the starting lineup given injuries occur.

Lloyd is in an offense that should produce a lot of points this season but finds himself behind Josh Jacobs. The Packers will still likely give Lloyd some time this season, but he will be fighting his way onto the field, especially in the early weeks. One of Lloyd’s strengths is his little wasted movement and a great change of direction.

Lloyd’s overall ranking will be between RB48 to RB52.

Rookie Running Back 5: Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving rounds out the top 5 for rookie running backs. Irving should be seen as a depth back with some upside, who could benefit from injuries.

One of Irving’s best qualities is his hands, making him a security blanket out of the backfield. Irving doesn’t have breakaway speed but he has a great burst and wiggle that makes him hard to tackle.

Not a starter on the depth chart it’ll be tough for Irving to be fantasy relevant, but his receiving upside makes him worth a roster spot in PPR formats, he should be ranked around RB55 to RB60.