The 2024 NFL Draft is in the books, and the biggest wave of free agency is over. That makes it a perfect time to take stock of NFL rosters as we head toward the 2024 season. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking at the quarterbacks, running backs, and pass catchers for all 32 NFL Teams. I’ll be ranking each unit 1-16 in their conference.
When it comes to taking stock of the whole unit, it’s not just about star power but depth. After starting with quarterbacks, it’s time to talk backfields. We’ve seen a rise in the committee approach to running back in recent years to the point that 144 running backs recorded fantasy points in 2023. Today, I continue with the top of the NFC.
No. 8: Chicago Bears
On the Roster: D’Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, Khalil Herbert, Travis Homer, and Ian Wheeler
About: As we start the top half of the NFC, I look at Chicago. The Bears had a committee last year and will likely have a group working the backfield this year. But instead of journeyman D’Onta Foreman, the Bears’ backfield is led by Swift. He signed a free-agent deal this off-season after a great year with the Eagles in 2023. He rushed for 1,049 yards and five touchdowns, catching 39 passes last season.
Behind him, the Bears still have Herbert, who has been a solid contributor the past three seasons, and second-year back Johnson. I like the mix of options—which also includes Homer, a role player and Special Teams contributor. It’s a solid group with some pop throughout, making them a top-half backfield in the NFC.
No. 7: New Orleans Saints
On the Roster: Alvin Kamara, Jamaal Williams, Kendre Miller, Jordan Mims, and James Robinson
About: The Saints come next, offering a deep backfield with another strong trio. That starts with Kamara, who has rushed for 5,829 yards with 54 touchdowns and 505 receptions in his seven seasons with the Saints. He’s at the top of the depth chart and a great producer.
Behind him, the team has a veteran in Williams and a second-year player in Miller. Neither was a big factor in 2023, but Williams is only a year removed from leading the league in rushing touchdowns, while Miller remains an intriguing prospect. The team is also deep. At the back of the depth chart is Robinson, a former 1,000-yard rusher. This gives Klint Kubiak plenty of weapons to work with when it comes to this backfield.
No. 6: Los Angeles Rams
On the Roster: Kyren Williams, Blake Corum, Ronnie Rivers, Zach Evans, and Boston Scott
About: This is an interesting backfield with a lot of potential, a veteran, and a player who caught fire in 2023. Williams, a Fifth-Round pick in the 2022 draft, exploded last season. He finished as RB7, rushing for 1,144 yards and 12 touchdowns, adding 32 receptions and three more touchdowns. He’s a weapon and a good one.
Behind him, the Rams have a trio of young players, starting with former Michigan back Corum, who was taken in this year’s draft. Rivers and Evans have time in the system and could have a bigger role in 2024. Lastly, the team signed a solid veteran in Scott, who was with the Eagles the past few seasons. The Rams are a young team, and this room reflects that. But it’s a good room with plenty of upside.
No. 5: Green Bay Packers
On the Roster: Josh Jacobs, MarShawn Lloyd, A.J. Dillon, and Emmanuel Wilson
About: The Packers made an investment in the backfield this off-season. The team re-signed Dillon, who has experience, then grabbed a strong back in the draft in Lloyd. That alone would be solid.
But the biggest addition was signing Jacobs—a former First-Round pick for the Las Vegas Raiders—to a four-year free agent deal. Jacobs struggled with some injuries in 2023, but in 2022, he was among the best backs in the league, finishing as RB3, rushing for more than 1,600 yards. It’s a good backfield on a good, young offense.
No. 4: Philadelphia Eagles
On the Roster: Saquon Barkley, Kenneth Gainwell, Will Shipley, Nicholas Lew, and Tyrion Davis-Price
About: The Eagles have had a strong backfield for the past few seasons. Yet, the team’s leading rusher has left each of the past two off-seasons. Miles Sanders is in Carolina, and Swift is now in Chicago.
But that’s no problem this year, as the Eagles re-loaded by signing Barkley to a multi-year deal. Barkley has run for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns in six seasons for the Giants. He gives them a strong alpha leading the backfield. Behind him, the team has veteran Gainwell, who has been in the mix for a while, and an intriguing rookie in Shipley. It’s a good backfield for a contending NFC squad.
No. 3: San Francisco 49ers
On the Roster: Christian McCaffrey, Elijah Mitchell, Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor, and Jordan Mason
About: When it comes to the top three backfields, it’s probably a matter of personal preference. McCaffrey is the best back in the game and has been an incredible weapon for the 49ers. Behind him, Mitchell is a great young talent who has been explosive when called upon.
So, what gives? Well, the 49ers have a great backfield, but the NFC is loaded at the top. You could make a case for them being the best backfield in the conference, and I wouldn’t argue too much, but I like the two ahead of them a bit more.
No. 2: Atlanta Falcons
On the Roster: Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Avery Williams, and Jase McClellan
About: The Falcons come in at second because I like Allgeier as an RB2 a touch more than Mitchell. Again, it’s close. If you argued for the 49ers and liked their depth more, I would understand.
But Robinson was viewed as a generational talent coming out, and I think he’ll be even better in a new system—and with Kirk Cousins—in 2024. Meanwhile, Allgeier was a 1,000-yard back as a rookie and remains a solid contributor. It’s a great one-two punch and was enough for me to vault the Falcons to No. 2.
No. 1: Detroit Lions
On the Roster: Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Sione Vaki, Craig Robinson, Jermar Jefferson, and Zonovan Knight
About: The Lions are atop my list because of their power at the top and the depth of the rest of the room. It starts, though, with their starters. The don’t have a No. 1 and No. 2 back, they have a 1A and 1B. Both Gibbs (RB10) and Montgomery (RB17) finished Top 20 last season. Both have their strengths, and both are weapons in this offense.
Beyond that, both complement what a good Lions team is trying to do on offense. Beyond that, the team has some interesting depth options—including the pick of Vaki from this year’s draft. Given those things combined, the Lions are atop my list.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
