In the ever-evolving world of dynasty fantasy football, the running back position is both a source of excitement and trepidation. The volatility of this position—characterized by frequent injuries, shifting workloads, and the emergence of new talents—makes it crucial to keep an eye on potential future stars. Stashing young running backs who may not be immediate contributors but show promise for the future can provide a significant advantage. As we look ahead to 2024, identifying and securing these players now can set your dynasty team up for long-term success. We’ll highlight five running backs to stash for 2024, offering insights into their current roles, performance, and future potential. This list is not necessarily in order of importance, but all 5 could be taking on a much larger role in their respective offenses this season. All of these RBs are currently backups to their team’s respective starters. In the NFL situations (especially at the RB position) change very quickly, and today’s 2nd stringer could easily become tomorrow’s starter.
Additionally, if you're interested in discovering some QB's that could breakout in 2024, check out my previous article on those "Young Guns" here:
Young Guns Of 2024 - Dynasty QBs To Acquire
RB 1: Tank Bigsby (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Current Team and Role
Last year the Jags front office personnel drafted Bigsby, a monster of man, to back up starter Travis Etienne. The player known as “Tank” is projected to continue to be the number two option in the offense behind Etienne, and so far in the preseason and training camps there is no indication that will change in the foreseeable future. While he does figure to face some competition in camp with D’Ernest Johnson and fifth-round pick Keilan Robinson, the expectation is that Bigsby secures the backup role and runs with it.
Performance So Far and Potential
Tank was ... .not good in 2024. He scored two goal-line TDs within the first three weeks of the season, but couldn’t get much else yardage-wise. He also had a pair of lost fumbles to start the year, and ended up with just three games of more than three carries. Additionally, Bigsby averaged an abysmal 2.6 YPC average, and the struggles of the Jacksonville offensive line only made things worse. That said, the options Jacksonville has behind him are pretty thin, and he is expected to run away with the backup job. An improvement on the offensive line and an additional year in the NFL year should only help.
Why He Is a Good Stash for 2024
Despite Tank’s propensity to “tank” last year, the odds are high that he rebounds and becomes at least somewhat serviceable in 2024. Not only do the Jaguars intend to get him much more involved in the running game in order to give Etienne a break, but Bigsby’s talent level is quite good. Additionally, should Etienne get injured, Bigsby becomes the de facto number one RB on a team that likes to run the football. Many 2nd year RB’s enjoy more playing time and a bit of a breakout season, and it is not unrealistic to assume something similar happens with Tank.
Future Projections and Expectations
Much of this of course depends on the injury status of Etienne, but expect Bigsby to provide solid backup RB production while occasionally spelling Etienne in some games. With that in mind, Bigsby can reasonably be expected to provide RB3 level fantasy production with the potential for RB2 stats depending on how often Jacksonville decides to use him.
RB 2: Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals)
Current Team and Role
The Bengals appear to favor Zack Moss being their starter after signing him to a two-year $8 million free agent contract. However, the Bengals might need more of a rotation between the two, as Moss has struggled to stay healthy dating back to his college days. This suggests that at some point Brown will be starting, and there’s a chance the former Illinois standout takes over the starting role permanently in Cincinnati. Brown checks off many boxes for the Bengals, including being solid in both the running and receiving game, as well as being younger, bigger, and faster than his counterpart Moss. This, combined with his solid stats from last year, make me a major believer in Brown and his role in the Cincinnati offense for 2024.
Performance So Far and Potential
Brown played in 12 games in 2023, with most of his paying time occurring near the end of the season. During those games, he averaged over 4 YPC, and was also targeted 15 times in the passing game. While that may not sound like much, 75% of that production came within the last three games of the year, and with Mixon now off the team and only Zack Moss standing in his way, Brown showed flashes of his big game capability.
Why He Is a Good Stash for 2024
In addition to his solid production for the last few games of the 2023 season, Brown doesn’t really have much competition. One could argue Zack Moss is the new starter, but as mentioned above Moss has never been able to consistently stay healthy. Moss is also 26, and beginning to reach the age where most NFL RB’s begin to fall off the proverbial cliff. While Moss doesn’t necessarily need to worry about that, the contract he signed with the Bengals is relatively low risk from the team’s perspective.With that in mind, Brown is in a good position to step up and become the RB of the future for Cincinnati.
Future Projections and Expectations
Expect Brown to take over as the starting RB at some point as the season moves along, and when he does, it’s not unreasonable to assume he’ll put up RB1 numbers. Starting in an offense with Joe Burrow, J’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins should provide Brown with excellent opportunities to provide massive stats, and all that stands in his way is an aging RB who can’t stay on the field. Brown projects as one of my favorite sleepers for this year.
RB 3: Kendre Miller (New Orleans Saints)
Current Team and Role
Miller’s rookie season was brief and inconclusive, but did provide some glimpses of his potential. Currently Miller projects as the 2nd RB on the roster behind incumbent Alvin Kamara. He is fighting it out with Jamaal Williams for the RB2 role, but most analysts project him to overtake Williams due to his superior pass-catching abilities.
Performance So Far and Potential
So far, Miller hasn’t done much at the NFL level. The 2023 third round pick would have faced a crowded depth chart either way, but Miller never even competed for reps due to both a knee injury and an ankle sprain that sidelined him for most of the season. When he was on the field, Miller showed glimpses of promise, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take over the bell cow role for the Saints should Kamara miss any time.
Why He Is a Good Stash for 2024
Kamara is now 29 years old, an age when most RB’s begin to significantly decline. While that hasn’t yet happened, it could occur any day, and MIller is in the best position to take advantage when it does. Additionally, as previously mentioned Miller has superior pass catching ability to any other RB on the roster, and the Saints will most likely do whatever they can to get him highly involved in that aspect of the passing game.
Future Projections and Expectations
Given the right circumstances, Miller could easily become the RB1 in New Orleans, possibly as soon as the middle of this year. Either way, assuming he stays healthy Miller should put up RB2 numbers and will have the upside of RB1 potential. Given his draft capital, pass-catching chops, age, and situation on the depth chart he is a solid stash for any dynasty team.
RB 4: Jerome Ford (Cleveland Browns)
Current Team and Role
Ford was a pleasant surprise last year after Nick Chubb’s devastating knee injury, and was so good that he made a case to be a consistent NFL starter. With the team resigning Chubb and bringing both Nyheem Hines and D’Onta Foreman to serve as depth, there is a slight chance that Ford regresses when it comes to playing time. However, Ford is by far the youngest of all the team’s RB’s, and therefore should remain in his role as the backup to Chubb, while simultaneously being given the chance to start should Chubb not be available.
Performance So Far and Potential
While he did concede some rushing TD’s in 2023 to Kareem Hunt, Ford proved himself more than capable as an NFL starting RB as he accumulated four rushing TDs and five receiving scores. He also accumulated over 800 yards rushing, with a 4.0 YPC. This is solid production from someone who was projected to be a backup and proof that things change quickly in the NFL. Heading into 2024 Ford has the chance to once again make a case for being the starter by season’s end.
Why He Is a Good Stash for 2024
As mentioned above, incumbent Nick Chubb is recovering from a brutal injury and is also getting up there in age. Ford showed himself well in 2023 and should be the starting RB for the Browns, possibly as early as the beginning of the year depending on Chubb’s injury status. Even if he is healthy, the argument could be made that Ford has become the overall better player, and he is definitely the younger of the two while possessing the higher upside.
Future Projections and Expectations
With his talent and Chubb’s injury status, expect Ford to be the starting RB quickly in Cleveland. The stats Ford put up last year are nothing to scoff at, and he has positioned himself well moving forward. Expect RB2 production until he becomes the starter, then expect RB1 stats that you can plug into a starting lineup on a consistent basis.
RB 5: Ty Chandler (Minnesota Vikings)
Current Team and Role
Ty Chandler, with the Minnesota Vikings, is a young running back with a lot of potential. Chandler's role is currently as the RB2 behind new starter Aaron Jones. Chandler is currently slated as the number 2 RB on this team’s depth chart, and has done nothing to forfeit that role. Chandler also has little to no competition behind him, and as such should begin the year behind Jones as the RB2 on the team.
Performance So Far and Potential
Chandler has demonstrated his ability to make plays and contribute effectively when given the chance. He had a big game against Cincinnati in Week 15 last year, thereby buying himself a ticket to be the main backup to Jones. While Chandler is a tad on the older side for a backup RB (26), Jones is even older and hasn’t proven to be able to stay healthy on a consistent basis. This should give Chandler ample opportunities to eventually take over the starting role in Minnesota.
Why He Is a Good Stash for 2024
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Chandler take on a significant role in the running game this year, not only due to his performance from last season but also due to Jones’ injury history. Should that occur, expect Chandler to be the starting RB for the Vikings sooner rather that later, and he projects to be one of the better backup RB’s in the league.
Future Projections and Expectations
Chandler has the potential to grow into a valuable fantasy asset as he earns more playing time. If he can secure a larger role in the Vikings' offense, he could emerge as a key contributor with RB2 potential or higher. As previously mentioned, add to it the fact that the Vikings don’t really have many options behind him on the RB depth chart, and the sky's the limit for him to make an impact from Week 1 on.
Stashing young running backs can be a game-changing strategy in dynasty leagues, providing you with valuable assets for the future. The five running backs highlighted—Tank Bigsby, Chase Brown, Kendre Miller, Jerome Ford, and Ty Chandler—each offer unique potential and the ability to contribute significantly in 2024. By securing these players now, you position yourself for future success and create opportunities to capitalize on their development. As you make your dynasty league decisions, consider the long-term value of these young running backs and take action to enhance your roster for the upcoming season and beyond.
