The NFL Draft lacked many Day 2 running backs, but a significant number of Day 3 options are viable challengers for RB2 roles. Here are the most significant stories at the position coming out of the 2024 NFL Draft:
10. Evan Hull: Favorite for Colts RB2 Job
The Colts lost Zack Moss this offseason, leaving 2023 Day 3 selection Evan Hull and Trey Sermon as notable incumbents for the RB2/3 roles. Hull is a quality profile of size, movement, and two-way collegiate production and his rookie season was lost before it started due to injury. The Colts have shown confidence in Hull as they faded the position throughout the draft. Consider Hull the RB2 favorite after the NFL Draft.
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9. Ray Davis Finds a Thin Buffalo Depth Chart
Davis will be nearly 25 years old to start his rookie season, but the Day 3 selection found an open RB2 depth chart in Buffalo. Darrynton Evans was a placeholder before the draft. Buffalo also added Frank Gore Jr. as a UDFA. Davis is one of the Day 3 rookies to be a favorite for his team's RB2 role as early as Week 1.
8. Jaylen Wright, Yet Another Miami Speedster
The speed-collecting Miami Dolphins added another high-flying athlete, Jaylen Wright, in Round 4. Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane also offer big-time speed at the position. Expect Wright to start in the RB3/4 role, but Mostert and, especially Achane, are hardly confident bets to be workhorse roles or strong durability bets. Wright is affordable for his athleticism in the late second or early third of Superflex rookie drafts and is a late-dart-throw bet in best ball and redraft leagues.
7. Kimani Vidal, the Lone Chargers' Addition
The Chargers not only passed on running backs in the early rounds but also drafted one of the lesser-known running backs of the class, at least in terms of being from a major program or a household name. Vidal has a well-balanced profile and joins an uncertain depth chart with proclamations to be a balanced or more run-heavy attack. Gus Edwards is on the old side (and a two-down option), Isaiah Spiller has done little over two seasons, and J.K. Dobbins is a complete question mark coming off a significant injury (again) in his checkered career. In short, Vidal has impact potential.
6. Tyrone Tracy Jr., The Super Sleeper
Tracy is the latest positional convert of interest. Antonio Gibson was a glaring historical example of a strong athlete transitioning from wide receiver to running back. As he was entering the NFL, Gibson was not even a lock to be with the running back positional group during the Senior Bowl week of the pre-draft process. After being primarily a wide receiver at Memphis, Gibson went on to have multiple RB2 seasons for fantasy (and counting?). Tracy has a similar story. Tracy was dynamic with the ball in his hands for Purdue and has strong size and athleticism. Landing with the Giants, Tracy is competing with Eric Gray for an accessible RB2 role behind Devin Singletary, who is one of the more shaky RB1 projections in the NFL.
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