Heading into 2024, there are plenty of backfields up for grabs, knowing the ones to target can be a huge step to fantasy success. What that means is that there is a role that is up for grabs. It could be the backup role, with some upside, or it could be the overall starter. There is value to be had!
Chicago Bears
The Bears are clearly wanting to make a change, investing in their newly drafted Caleb Williams with receiving weapons throughout. D’Andre Swift was handed a decent-sized contract too, which is a little surprising considering the performances of Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson.
Swift was a decent runner for the Eagles last season, it just didn’t feel like he was great for fantasy because he was falling just short of the endzone, and the team opted for Jalen Hurts and the tush-push. If Swift is able to get the first go in the offense, and Williams is able to keep the team moving forwards, then he should be able to return some fantasy value- especially at his current ADP.
But, both Johnson and Herbert need to be considered too. They’ve both shown their ability to be productive in an offense that didn’t give them too much volume. (With the huge volume that Justin Fields had previously in the offense). Infact, Herbert was able to really show his ability to work as a receiving back, with a higher yards per reception than Swift.
Summary: The Bears backfield is going to be handed to Swift first. His past performances and contract should give him that opportunity. But, Johnson and Herbert are both effective options. New OC Shane Waldron was happy to rotate through runners with Seattle (with a slight favorite week-to-week). Get exposure to part of this backfield. I’d prefer Herbert to Johnson, with his receiving ability.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns backfield, and getting it right for fantasy, might be the key to winning a league championship this season. The team have (when healthy) three runners that can handle a workload. Jerome Ford (who was called upon last season) is back for the next season, the team brought in D’Onta Foreman (who ran well last year), and the largest question mark (in fantasy?) Nick Chubb and the question marks around his injury.
Ford was given the keys to the backfield in 2023, leading the team with 204 carries (of the team total 518), for 4.0 YPC. He was also able to show his ability as a pass-catcher too, catching 44 passes for 319 yards and scoring five TDs. Foreman feels like an odd back. Finds himself on his fourth team in four years, despite showing his ability to run the ball effectively on the ground. His signing feels like the team aren’t that sure that Nick Chubb is going to be available to start the season.
And that leads us to the biggest question at the moment- what to do with Nick Chubb? Chubb has been one of the better backs in the league since he entered it. He has been the volume back for the Browns, dealing with the majority of carries and some involvement in the passing game too. His injury last season was awful, and is going to bleed into this season too. When will he be able to get onto the field? Current reports are that he is recovering fantastically, and has been doing single-legged lateral jumps. I’ve even read that he could make it for Week 1 (although I doubt that is actually going to happen).
Summary: This backfield is going to be great for fantasy. Finding the right combination for the season is going to be the tricky bit. In leagues where you have an IR spot- you have to consider Chubb in the mid-rounds of drafts. Clearly the team/ front office want him to succeed. Otherwise, I would get Ford over Foreman. That passing role is likely to exist in some form even when Chubb is back.
New Orleans Saints
One player has ruled the Saints backfield in recent years- Alvin Kamara. But, for whatever reason, the Saints coaching staff love rolling Taysom Hill out near the goal-line. Last year, Kamara wasn’t even able to play to start the season, as he was suspended. It looked like it might be the opportunity for newly drafted Kendre Miller to step up. But, he struggled with injury to open the season. And the less said about the struggles of Jamaal Williams last season the better (only managed his single TD on the ground in the last game- and only because Jameis Winston ignored the playcall).
This season, we have the same situation entering this season. Kamara looks like he is going to be the starter, and Miller should see some action ahead of Williams. The opportunity here is that Kamara has been slowing down, with his goal-line involvement impacted by Hill and some big body TEs.
Summary: This backfield has some opportunity for change. Kamara has been slowing down production over the past few seasons, and Miller could be the next man up. The ceiling is still capped, but if he manages to get some more volume, he should be a nice pickup in the later rounds.
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