Every year in dynasty, there are a set of running backs who are average to below average in potential bell-cow roles. We will look at three players that are worth acquiring in a dynasty that could help provide RB2 numbers for you in fantasy in 2024.
Zamir White, LVR
Depth Chart
- Zamir White
- Alexander Mattison
- Ameer Abdullah
- Dylan Laube
I will start at the top with White, my most confident and cheaper back to obtain before the 2024 season. White is heading into year three with a new Raiders coaching staff. This Raiders coaching staff wants to be physical and lean on the run game. We caught glimpses of that last year with Whtie over the last four games of 2023. From week 15 to 18, White was RB8 during that time. He would average 21 carries and 99 rushing yards per game. White would also have some production in the passing game, with two receptions for 15 yards on average. He was able to thrive against a top-seven Chiefs run defense for 140 rushing yards.
The Raiders offense didn’t change much, either. They still have incumbent quarterbacks, even with the addition of Gardner Minshew. The new coaching regime didn’t bring in a lot of competition for White to not secure the RB1 role. Mattison is a running back who is inefficient on minimal touches and proved that over his years in Minnesota. Abdullah used to be a solid third-down specialist but can be great for the Raiders special teams. Laube is interesting, but he is a D2 player coming to the NFL level of play and will need time to adjust to the game. White has a clear path as a bellcow finish as a high-end RB2 in the dynasty.
A Few Recent Trades
- DeAndre Swift for White & (2) 2025 3rds
- 2024 3rd for White
Zeke Elliott, DAL
Depth Chart
- Zeke Elliott
- Rico Dowdle
- Deuce Vaughn
- Royce Freeman
Next up is Elliott, who is back with his original team, the Dallas Cowboys. The last time he was a Cowboy, he finished a season with 876 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He would lose his passing value to Tony Pollard, as he had career lows in targets in 2022.
Last season, Elliott played the backup role to Rhamondre Stevenson in New England. Elliott would have average production, but it wasn’t until Stevenson got hurt that Elliott proved he still had something left. He would be RB9 from week 13 to the end of the season. He would only average 3.0 yards per carry but average five receptions a game, which made him a solid flex play in fantasy.
Elliott returns to where it all began for him and hopefully can keep injury-free. He suffered an MCL sprain in 2022, his worst season as a Cowboy. Elliott’s biggest competition is Rico Dowdle, who is having a strong offseason. Dowdle has been with the Cowboys for the last three seasons. He got work last year as the backup to Pollard and managed 4.8 yards per touch and four total touchdowns. He ability fit best as a change of pace back to Elliott rather than a full-time starter. Vaughn was not used in 2023 but has been taking snaps in the slot role for the Cowboys this offseason. I don’t see him as a threat to Elliott. Freeman likely will either be a special teams guy or get cut by the start of the season.
Elliott may not be the player he once was, but he could still put up around 215 carries in a season and return to seeing more targets in the passing game. This offense will score points, and Elliott may have a shot to return to double-digit touchdowns in 2024. He is the bigger back between him and Dowdle, so expect Elliott to take most of the goal line touches. If all goes right with Elliott, he has a chance to be a solid RB2 in his bellcow role.
A Few Recent Trades
- 2024 2nd for Elliott
- Aidan O’Connell & Odell Beckham for Elliott & Jalin Hyatt
Zack Moss, CIN
Depth Chart
- Zack Moss
- Chase Brown
- Trayveon Williams
- Chris Evans
Last but not least, Moss is taking over the Joe Mixon role in the Bengals offense. Moss will have more competition than the previous two running backs but still has an excellent chance to be a bellcow. He failed in his time with Buffalo but showed that he has workhorse potential in a new offense with the Colts.
Last season, when Moss filled in for an injured Jonathan Taylor, he was nothing short of a surprise. From week two to seven (until JT took over the snaps), Moss was RB4 in fantasy. Moss would have over 80 rushing yards in four of six games. He looked good playing as the primary back for that stretch of games. Taylor would take his spot, and Moss would fade out but would randomly show some value in the passing game, leading to his career highs in targets and receptions.
Moss looks to take over a Joe Mixon role that has averaged 251 carries and 61 targets over the last three seasons. While Moss may not reach those numbers, he should have over 200 carries and 30 targets in the offense, which looks like high power. Chase Brown will look to compete with Moss, who flashed here and there late in the season. He has speed to his game, which would make him a better change of pace back to Moss. Brown should slide in as more of a third-down back due to his ability in the passing game.
The important role for Moss would be to take the early downs and have the goal line carries in the red zone. He was in the top 36th in evaded tackles and breakaway runs, but he only saw significant touches in the first half of the season. Moss has solid RB2 potential in this Bengals offense.
A Few Recent Trades
- 2025 3rd for Moss
- 2024 3rd for Moss
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