Dynasty Fantasy Football Outlooks for Rookie Running Backs (Part 2): Braelon Allen, Audric Estime, Tyrone Tracy Jr. and More

Discussing the landing spots for rookie running backs and how their dynasty league values look now.

It’s time to continue my series on landing spots for NFL rookies and how their dynasty values were impacted as a result.

We covered quarterbacks in the first story, and will now turn our attention to the running back position. With so many backs being drafted, I decided to split the position into two stories. Here’s part two.

Sione Vaki Fantasy Outlook

Vaki landed on a Detroit team with two talented backs - David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.

Vaki played some safety in college, but was announced as a running back, so the Lions must have plans for him at that position. It’ll likely be at least one year until Vaki has a role as a RB, as Montgomery and Gibbs should soak up almost all the touches.

Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis Fantasy Outlook

The Jets got a pair of backs in the draft, getting Allen with the 34th pick in round 4 and then landing Davis with the 38th pick in round 5. Breece Hall and Israel Abanikanda were the only two notable backs on the roster, so it’s easy to see what the Jets were thinking.

Allen is a big, powerful back, who is just begging to be used in short-yardage situations, at least to start his career. Davis was a star at South Dakota State, so New York should have a couple decent options to turn to if Hall ever misses any time.

Allen could carve out a short-yardage role in year one, or possibly overtake Abanikanda for the backup role. Davis looks more like a practice squad option at this point, but could make the active roster with a big preseason.

Audric Estime Fantasy Outlook

Estime was the first back taken in round 5, landing with Denver.

The Broncos already have Javonte Williams, Samaje Perine and Jaleel McLaughlin, so I’m guessing Perine or McLaughlin could be moved before the season kicks off. Regardless of which three backs the team carries into the season, it’s hard to imagine Estime getting a lot of touches. 

Denver’s offense already isn’t that great, which helps Estime a bit, but the Broncos might also be trailing a bunch, so getting enough work to be a viable fantasy back seems unlikely in year one. Estime could be a decent option in the offense in a couple seasons.

Rasheen Ali Fantasy Outlook

This is a tough landing spot for Ali, as Baltimore has a stable of backs already.

Derrick Henry was brought in to be RB1, and Keaton Mitchell is a strong No. 2 option. Justice Hill also has done some nice things for the Ravens.

Ali looks to have an uphill climb to simply make the active roster, but maybe he could with an injury ahead of him, or maybe Ali plays well enough to push Hill off the roster.

Tyrone Tracy Jr. Fantasy Outlook

For as much as I don’t like the landing spot for Ali, I like the landing spot for Tracy with the Giants.

Devin Singletary is now the lead back there, and Tracy should battle Eric Gray for the backup role. The Giants aren’t expected to be very good in 2024, and if they aren’t, Tracy could get some decent playing time toward the end of the season as the team peeks toward the future. 

I think there’s a decent chance that Tracy could be the lead back for New York in 2025.

Keilan Robinson Fantasy Outlook

Robinson went to Jacksonville with one of the last picks in round 5.

Travis Etienne is the lead back there. D'Ernest Johnson and Tank Bigsby are the backups that Robinson will have to beat out for playing time. I don’t think it’d shock too many people if Robinson was eventually able to beat those two out.

Robinson could make the team as a return specialist early on and possibly earn himself some RB snaps with some big plays.

Kimani Vidal Fantasy Outlook

Vidal landed with the Chargers as the fifth pick in round 6.

He was a solid rusher in college, but at a small college (Troy). LA has J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards that should soak up most of the RB touches in 2024. Isaiah Spiller is another player Vidal would have to beat out for any offensive snaps.

Jase McClellan Fantasy Outlook

For as much as I hated the first Atlanta pick (Michael Penix Jr.), the pick of McClellan in round 6 was a solid one in my eyes. There’s just something about those Alabama backs.

Bijan Robinson is the top dog in Atlanta, and Tyler Allgeier is a quality backup. McClellan will battle Avery Williams for the No. 3 RB role early on and likely would only have a big offensive role if Robinson were injured this season.

McClellan could be the back Atlanta keeps behind Robinson as time passes though, as he’d be cheaper to retain than Allgeier. Like a lot of these late-round backs, these are players that are likely only being drafted in deeper fantasy leagues.

Jawhar Jordan Fantasy Outlook

Jordan had one really strong college season, and it helped him be drafted by Houston in the sixth round. 

I like this landing spot a lot for a rookie back. Joe Mixon is the new No. 1 for the Texans - one team already bailed on him, so if a younger and cheaper back is playing well enough, Houston could bail on Mixon as well. The Texans already seem to have moved past Dameon Pierce, and Dare Ogunbowale is a depth piece mostly there for special teams.

I’m not saying Jordan will have a huge role in year one, but if Mixon struggles to get going in Houston, Jordan could be the breakout rookie back in 2024.

Dylan Laube Fantasy Outlook

Laube was the last RB taken in the 2024 NFL Draft, falling to the Raiders late in round 6.

I also liked this team for a rookie RB. Zamir White appears to be the team’s new No. 1 RB, with Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah as other options.

Laube could carve out a role as a pass-catching back from the outset of the regular season, and he’s an option to return kicks as well. Like Jordan, Laube is a name to keep an eye on during the preseason, and then as the regular season rolls along.

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