-2024 NFL Schedule -Strength of Schedule
MOCK DRAFT
Ask the Commish.Com 2024 Draft Kit
Austin Ekeler's 2023 season was a letdown, no matter how you look at it. Ekeler suffered an ankle sprain in Week 1, which led to three games being missed and possibly muted production for the rest of the season. Once he returned from injury, he averaged 16.1 touches and 69.2 total yards as the RB28 in fantasy points per game. It was a dramatic fall from grace for a back that had not finished outside the top-nine running backs in fantasy since 2018 (RB28). Ekeler retained some of his pass game prowess as he ranked eighth in target share and 19th in yards per route run (among 60 qualifying backs per Fantasy Points Data), but his rushing skills fell apart. Among 49 qualifying backs, Ekeler ranked 38th in yards after contact per attempt and 46th in missed tackles forced per attempt. Landing in Washington with Anthony Lynn was one of the better-case scenarios this offseason. He likely forms a frustrating committee with Brian Robinson in an Antonio Gibson-plus role for Washington.
Gus Edwards arrives in Los Angeles with a two-year deal that is essentially a one-year contract, with the money falling off after 2024. Last season, Edwards was the RB32 in fantasy, with the strength of 13 total touchdowns (fourth-most). Edwards is an early down grinder who only managed a 2.8% target share last season, so all of his value will have to come via rushing. Edwards looks like a player on the decline in the rushing department after finishing 51st in juke rate, 39th in evaded tackles, and 45th in yards created per touch last season. With J.K. Dobbins and Kimani Vidal brought in as competition, Edwards could be on the outside looking with volume this season.
Well, if you had worries about Josh Jacobs following up his nearly 400-touch season in 2022 with a dud last year, your fears were validated. Jacobs was limited to 13 games played (quad strain in Week 13) and looked like someone sucked out his tackle-breaking ability with a straw when he was active. Jacobs wasn't the same guy who, in 2022, ranked 18th in yards per touch, 13th in yards created per touch, and second in evaded tackles. Last season, Jacobs had the 12th-highest stuff rate while also crawling in at 37th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 44th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Jacobs could be this season's Rachaad White. A back who has an elite role while producing mediocre tackle-breaking stats en route to an RB1 season, but don't rule out MarShawn Lloyd playing a much bigger role this season than many anticipate. Jacobs is a shaky RB2.
James Conner is like a finely aged bourbon. He keeps getting better as the years are piling up. Since he arrived in Arizona, he has finished as the RB7, RB9, and RB13 in fantasy points per game. On a per-touch basis, last season might have been his best year to date. Despite ranking 21st in rushing attempts, he was sixth in rushing yards in the NFL. Conner showed no signs that Father Time was starting to creep in as he ranked seventh in explosive run rate, eighth in missed tackles forced per attempt, and fifth in yards after contact per attempt. Conner will likely lead this backfield in snaps in 2024, but, with the addition of Trey Benson to the fold, don't be shocked if the team splits the work more evenly this season. Conner is an RB2/3.
Achane flashed with a multitude of explosive plays throughout his rookie season, one he finished with 800 rushing yards, 197 receiving yards and 11 total touchdowns (eight rushing, three receiving) across 11 games. The 2023 third-round pick put together four 100-yard efforts as well and averaged a whopping 7.8 yards per carry. With veteran Raheem Mostert remaining atop the depth chart, Jeff Wilson expected to return, and the drafting of talented (and likewise explosive) RB Jaylen Wright, workshare will continue to be an issue. Another issue is stamina, as even with the relatively light workload last season, Achane was on the injury report multiple times.