Multiple teams will be interested in selecting a running back in the 2024 NFL Draft, but not all RB needs are created equally.
Let’s run through 10 clubs with a more-than-passing interest in drafting a running back in 2024 and rank them based on their level of need at the position. We’ll factor in each franchise’s existing RB depth chart, future draft capital, salary cap situation, and competitive window as we assess how badly they’ll need to consider a running back in this year’s draft.
Which Teams Need RBs in the 2024 NFL Draft?
10) Kansas City Chiefs
RB Need: Complementary back
The Chiefs re-signed former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire to back up Isiah Pacheco in 2024, but they could think about adding another piece to their backfield in the draft. While Pacheco is clearly the club’s RB1, Kansas City might want to draft a pass-catching back unless it plans to re-sign free agent Jerick McKinnon.
With plenty of other needs — including WR and OT — on their roster, the Chiefs probably won’t use an early-round pick on a running back. However, finding a receiving specialist like New Hampshire’s Dylan Laube on Day 3 could be the way to go.
9) New Orleans Saints
RB Need: Hedge bets
At first glance, the Saints don’t need a running back. Alvin Kamara is still around, Jamaal Williams is entering Year 2 of a three-year contract, and New Orleans used a third-round pick on RB Kendre Miller in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Still, Kamara will be a release candidate after this season, while Williams was incredibly inefficient, posting the NFL‘s worst rushing yards over expectation per attempt mark last year. Miller spent most of his rookie campaign dealing with injuries and played just 112 offensive snaps. New Orleans has room for another RB.
8) New York Jets
RB Need: Injury insurance
After tearing his ACL during his rookie 2022 season, Breece Hall stayed healthy for 17 games last year, posting 1,585 yards from scrimmage and nine total touchdowns.
He’s an electric option who should be even more productive with Aaron Rodgers under center for the Jets in 2024. However, New York’s RB depth chart is relatively barren behind Hall.
Last year’s fifth-rounder, Israel Abanikanda, was a draftnik favorite but handled just 29 touches in his debut campaign. Street free agents Xazavian Valladay and Jacques Patrick probably won’t be much help, either, so the Jets should think about adding another RB in the later rounds of next week’s draft.
7) Los Angeles Rams
RB Need: Pass-catching specialist
Kyren Williams earned second-team All-Pro honors after leading the league in rushing yards per game (95.3) and scoring 15 total touchdowns last season. Sean McVay’s offense certainly helped guide Williams’ ground production, but the former fifth-rounder is a powerful back who ranked seventh in rushing attempts per broken tackle in 2023.
While Williams brought in 32 receptions last year, his work as a receiver leaves a little to be desired. Among backs with at least 30 targets in 2023, Williams ranked 22nd in receiving success rate and 25th in yards per reception.
The Rams could consider a running back as early as Round 3 unless they have faith in incumbent backups Ronnie Rivers and Zach Evans.
6) Buffalo Bills
RB Need: Power back
The Bills are set at RB1 after James Cook broke out for 1,567 yards total yards while earning Pro Bowl honors in 2023. Still, Buffalo could still use a bruiser to complement the 5’11”, 190-pound Cook.
Latavius Murray largely handled that role for the Bills last season, but he’s still a free agent and turned 34 years old in January. If Buffalo wants to replace him via the draft, it might look at Louisville’s Isaac Guerendo, who ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at 6’0″, 220 pounds.
5) New York Giants
RB Need: RB of the future
New York is starting over at running back after allowing former No. 2 overall Saquon Barkley to sign with the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. While the Giants inked Devin Singletary to a three-year, $16.5 million contract in March, he doesn’t necessarily profile as a long-term option.
With uninspiring options like Gary Brightwell, Eric Gray, and Jashaun Corbin behind Singletary on its depth chart, New York could try to identify a Day 3 RB pick with upside. While adding another backfield option would be nice, the Giants probably have too many other needs to use a Day 1 or 2 selection on a running back.
4) Denver Broncos
RB Need: Options
Speaking of teams with other needs beyond running back, the Broncos may have different priorities in the draft. Sean Payton might want to find his franchise quarterback, while Denver’s defense could use plenty of reinforcements.
But RB is a potential area of concern, too. Former second-round pick Javonte Williams tore his ACL in 2022, didn’t look the same in 2023, and is entering a contract year (as is RB2 Samaje Perine).
The Broncos liked what they saw from rookie undrafted free agent Jaleel McLaughlin last season, but finding another dynamic backfield presence could be on Denver’s draft agenda.
3) Arizona Cardinals
RB Need: RB of the future
James Conner set new career highs in rushing yards (1,040) and yards per attempt (5.0) in 2023, but the Cardinals have to face reality. Conner turns 29 in a couple of weeks and has more than 1,300 career touches to his name. He’ll also become a free agent in 2025.
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Arizona saw flashes from 2023 UDFA Emari Demercado and acquired Michael Carter off waivers from the Jets last season. But even in a best-case scenario, Demercado and Carter are high-end third-down backs. The Cardinals need a foundational RB of the future, but they also have a ton of roster holes to fill in the draft.
2) Las Vegas Raiders
RB Need: Starting RB
Could the Raiders get through the 2024 season with Zamir White, Alexander Mattison, and Ameer Abdullah as their top three running backs? Probably, but they’d have one of the league’s worst RB corps.
If head coach Luke Getsy and OC Luke Getsy want to deploy a ground-and-pound attack, Las Vegas needs to draft another back.
While the Raiders might earmark their first two picks for a quarterback and an offensive lineman, they could use their third-rounder (No. 77) on a starting-caliber RB like Florida State’s Trey Benson, Texas’ Jonathon Brooks, or Michigan’s Blake Corum.
1) Dallas Cowboys
RB Need: Starting RB
The Cowboys failed to re-sign RB Tony Pollard this offseason, leaving Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and recent free agent addition Royce Freeman as the club’s top three backs entering the draft.
Dallas needs reinforcements at WR, along the offensive line, and on defense, but Jerry Jones might need to use a Day 2 pick on a running back.
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Betting markets clearly expect the Cowboys to target an RB at some point in the draft. Brooks’ draft slot over/under was set at 56.5 (Dallas’ second-round pick is No. 56), while Wisconsin’s Braelon Allen‘s is 87.5 (the Cowboys’ third-round pick is No. 87).
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