In the current NFL, the running back position is the least stable of all. According to Sports researcher Christina Gough running backs often have the shortest careers. There is a lot of churn and fresh talent entering the game. In the NFL the days of lead running backs playing three downs for the same team every week. For years on end are long gone. Platoons, timeshares, and rotations that saw rookies quickly take over for more seasoned players have largely supplanted that approach. Every year, proven backs are traded in for cheap free agents. Also, the best rookies at the position are no longer guaranteed a spot in the first round of the draft.
NFL running backs nevertheless manage to set themselves out as superstars who win games for their teams despite this. In light of this, let’s showcase a few young running backs ready to make a splash in the NFL during 2024.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
Rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. might be a sleeper standout for the New York Giants. Having a clear road to major playing time. Fifth-round draft pick Tracy Jr. appears to be the second-best option in Big Blue’s backfield already.
With Saquon Barkley leaving in free agency. The New York offense will undoubtedly look different. However, it would be shocking if the team’s strong emphasis on the ground game changes in 2024. In both of Brian Daboll’s seasons as head coach. The Giants finished in the top half of the league in run play percentage. As quarterback Daniel Jones is returning from injury. Head coach Daboll should continue to rely on the backfield to support him.
The Giants agreed to add veteran Devin Singletary to help cover a significant amount of Barkley’s heavy workload. However, Tracy is expected to be considered as a change-of-pace option. Tracy began the offseason trailing Eric Gray in the depth chart. However, at minicamp. He overtook the underutilized 2023 fifth-round pick. For first-team reps. There’s a good chance Tracy will surpass Gray for the No. 2 spot come training camp. Tracy’s pass-catching skills rank as the finest of any back. On the Giants current squad, which is one of his key benefits.
Notably, Tracy played four seasons at Iowa as a wide receiver. He finished with 66 receptions for 871 yards and five touchdowns. Afterward, Tracy transferred to Purdue and became a running back. An intriguing first-year prospect. Who will rapidly carve out a larger role for a Giants offense that severely lacked playmakers outside of Barkley in previous seasons.
Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders have faith in Zamir White. White had an uninteresting rookie season and saw only intermittent action for a large portion of his sophomore campaign. However, he showed enough in his four games as a starter. That enabled the team to plan for him as their starting running back in 2024.
White will likely take over as Vegas’ top backfield option since incumbent starter Josh Jacobs left in free agency. As well as no noteworthy replacements were selected through the draft or open market. While; that choice carries some risk. It will be the right one. If White maintains the level of play he displayed in the last month of the 2023 campaign.
White ran 84 times for 397 yards and a touchdown in Weeks 15-18. It’s important to realize that if White played a full 17-game season. He would have finished first in the league with 1,687 yards on 357 receptions. Although the 24-year-old is unlikely to have that kind of volume in 2024. White should receive a lot of playing time in an offense. That will probably be led by veteran signal-caller Gardner Minshew II.
Anticipate to see a lot of White in 2024.
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
Near the top of Round 3. The Arizona Cardinals selected Trey Benson. One of the most explosive skill-position players in the 2024 NFL Draft. Although he wasn’t the first running back off the board. Benson should have every opportunity to become a valuable asset for the team.
Benson isn’t expected to start the 2024 season. However, Benson possesses the size, skill, and athleticism to be one of the few three-down backs in the league. It’s more likely Benson will begin his career behind James Conner. The seven-year NFL veteran just finished his first 1,000-yard rushing campaign.
Even though Conner is expected to start and will probably continue to produce in high volume. Benson ought to have several chances to shine. Arizona has distributed 131 carries among an unimpressive group of backups. Due to a lack of a strong change-of-pace option. As the team’s main pass-catcher, out of the backfield Benson has the potential to make a significant impact. Despite having the most targets of any running back in 2018. Conner only caught 27 passes for a pitiful 165 yards and two touchdowns.
In the worst-case scenario. Benson should be among the top backups in the league. As well as be able to produce impressive results. While handling receiving duties and spelling Conner. Given that Conner has missed four games in each of the last two seasons. It is entirely possible that the starter could suffer an injury or see his skill decline. In that case, Benson may emerge as a genuine superstar.
Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers
Running back Kimani Vidal appears to be one of the best steals in the 2024 NFL draft. Although, Vidal was not selected until the sixth round. Vidal will start the season as Los Angeles’ third-string back. There will be plenty of opportunities for him to move up the depth chart quickly. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, two former Baltimore Ravens players. Were signed by the Chargers to handle the majority of the backfield workload. However, both are flawed and could be replaced by the team’s third-round selection.
Throughout his NFL career, Dobbins has not been able to maintain his health. As a result, he only played nine games since the 2021 season began. Dobbins was sidelined for all but the 2023 season opener. Edwards recorded a career-high 13 rushing touchdowns last year. He is coming off his least productive season and turned 29 in April.
Vidal should be prepared to step in. If one of the backs ahead of him gets hurt or declines because of limitations and advanced age. Vidal demonstrated a great deal of promise in college. He has the tools necessary to succeed at the next level. At 5’8″ and 213 pounds, Vidal isn’t the biggest of running backs in this NFL draft class. He proved he could withstand a massive workload by rushing 781 times during his four years in college. More than any other back in the 2024 class.
In the same time frame, he recorded 700 yards on 92 receptions. Vidal demonstrated skills as a pass-catcher. There should be enough touches for Vidal to make an impact. Even if Vidal ends up being the Chargers’ top back or their second-best back. He has a huge chance to become a superstar.
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