2024 Draft Guide: RB Tier

By Mike Johnson >>

Tier 1 RBs – “The Studs”

These running backs have elite, three-down skill sets and offenses that should be built around them. They are essentially “game-script- proof”.

• Christian McCaffrey, SF
  • Not a lot needs to be said, over his last five seasons only injury has kept him from finishing as a top-2 player at the position.
• Bijan Robinson, ATL
  • My personal pick to finish as the top RB this season. Bijan is an elite talent with an improved offense around him.
• Breece Hall, NYJ
  • Last season, Hall was returning from an ACL injury, and he began the year as RB32 through four weeks. He was the RB2 from Week 5 to the end of the season.

Tier 2 RBs – “Knocking At The Door”

This group features star RBs with elite volume OR efficiency. These guys don’t quite have the same package as the top-3 RBs, but they are close.

• Saquon Barkley, PHI
  • He has done it before and is playing on the best offense of his career. If anyone outside the top 3 can finish as RB1, it is Saquon. The biggest question will be how many TDs he can score playing next to Jalen Hurts.
• Jahmyr Gibbs, DET
  • Gibbs is a game breaking talent whose role with the Lions grew as the season went along. David Montgomery isn’t going anywhere, but this backfield has been among the top producing in the league the last two years and should be the same this year. As long as both RBs are healthy, Gibbs usage will be somewhat limited. If Montgomery ever misses time and Gibbs can stay on the field, he has “CMC-level” ceiling — which makes him the type of player who can win you your league in round 2 or 3.
• Jonathan Taylor, IND
  • Elite talent and has no contract or injury issues entering this season. Should have a huge workload. Similar to Barkley, there are questions about losing rushing TDs to Anthony Richardson.
• Isiah Pacheco, KC
  • The bell cow RB for a Patrick Mahomes offense is not a player you want to overlook.
• Travis Etienne, JAX
  • RB2 season in 2023. No new backfield competition was added, and the offense should be better. 
• De’Von Achane, MIA
  • Set efficiency records as a rookie and plays in one of the best offenses/rushing schemes in the league. Questions about his durability and offensive line.
• Kyren Williams, LAR
  • The RB2 in points per game in 2023, the outlook for Williams is clouded a bit by the presence of rookie Blake Corum. 

Tier 3 RBs – “Last of the Feature Backs”