In today’s NFL of multiple running backs filling specific roles, fantasy football managers need to properly identify which player is projected to see the most goal-line carries in every backfield to maximize the scoring potential on a weekly basis.
Here’s a closer look at the projected goal-line back for every NFC team entering the 2024 NFL season.
Who Are the Goal-Line Backs for Each NFC Team in 2024?
Arizona Cardinals: James Conner
The Arizona Cardinals have leaned on James Conner to lead their backfield over the last three years, and the results have been very encouraging. His four touchdowns on nine carries from inside the 5-yard line last year prove he’s still an effective short-yardage producer.
Trey Benson will certainly be involved, but Conner projects to be the preferred option in the red area entering the 2024 NFL season.
Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson
Admittedly, this is a leap of faith.
Bijan Robinson saw just two carries from inside the 5-yard line last year under Arthur Smith. The former head coach of the Atlanta Falcons simply preferred to hand the ball to the bigger Tyler Allgeier in that area of the field.
I don’t see that being the case for 2024. Robinson is a dynamic talent who should have his role expand under new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson.
Carolina Panthers: Jonathon Brooks
If you’re asking me who I think will be the goal-line back for the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, then my answer would be Chuba Hubbard. Yet, if you’re asking me who I think will lead the team in goal-line carries this season, my answer is Jonathon Brooks.
Brooks has all the physical tools of a three-down back entering the league. His 207-pound frame and top-shelf contact balance make him the best candidate for goal-line work in Carolina’s backfield.
Chicago Bears: Roschon Johnson
D’Andre Swift has never been the preferred goal-line back of any backfield during his NFL career. Even playing behind a great Philadelphia Eagles offensive line in 2023, Swift converted just two of his 10 carries from inside the 5-yard line into scores.
Last year, Roschon Johnson scored the same amount of rushing touchdowns in the same area of the field on half the attempts and is ideally built for the role at 225 pounds.
Dallas Cowboys: Ezekiel Elliott
You wouldn’t know it from last year’s sample size, but Ezekiel Elliott can still be a productive short-yardage producer.
In 2022, Elliott scored nine touchdowns on 16 carries from inside the 5-yard line. The lack of talent in Dallas’ running back room, despite being one of the league’s premier offensive units, makes him a valuable fantasy commodity entering the 2024 season.
Detroit Lions: David Montgomery
Jahmyr Gibbs is undoubtedly a dynamic RB talent, but it was David Montgomery who led Detroit with 31 carries for 11 rushing touchdowns from inside the 10-yard line in 2023.
Montgomery is a proven and reliable ball carrier who excels as a physical, short-yardage back behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, which is what will anchor his fantasy outlook in 2024.
Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs
The Green Bay Packers may have re-signed AJ Dillon and drafted MarShawn Lloyd this offseason, but they paid Josh Jacobs market value to be the leading ball carrier.
Jacobs converted five of his 11 carries from inside the 5-yard line in 2022, which certainly suggests he can be a productive and efficient option near the goal line in Green Bay’s productive offense.
It also doesn’t hurt that Dillon converted just one of his seven carries into scores in the same area of the field last year. Don’t overthink this; the Packers paid Jacobs to be a bell-cow back.
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Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams
Kyren Williams was the bell cow, do-it-all option for the Los Angeles Rams backfield in 2023 and projects as the leading ball carrier again this year.
Blake Corum is certainly a potential threat in this area of the field with his physical running style and dense, compact build — which helps with his ability to play through contact at a high level. Yet, assuming Williams’ efficiency doesn’t plummet from last year, he should still see the most goal-line work of any back in Los Angeles in 2024.
Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones shareholders have had to stomach Dillon stealing away multiple goal-line carries for years now in Green Bay, but the veteran RB may not face the same situation in Minnesota this year.
Jones will have to contend with Ty Chandler for looks in this area of the field, which makes Jones the front-runner in this category. Chandler isn’t exactly renowned for his overwhelming physicality as a runner between the tackles.
New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara
We all know how frustrating Taysom Hill can be for Alvin Kamara shareholders, but the veteran RB still led New Orleans in carries from inside the 5-yard line in 2023 despite missing three games due to suspension.
Kendre Miller and Jamaal Williams may be competent alternatives in this department, but their lack of usage last year means I’m still projecting Kamara as the Saints’ top goal-line option in 2024.
New York Giants: Devin Singletary
Devin Singletary’s career goal-line usage has been a frustrating fantasy development. Josh Allen regularly stole work away from Singletary during his time in Buffalo, and he saw fewer carries from inside the 5-yard line last year than Dameon Pierce over his lone year in Houston.
Singletary projects as the New York Giants’ leading ball carrier in 2024, but one should keep an eye out for Tyrone Tracy Jr.’s gifted athletic profile. Tracy could potentially steal some work away from the veteran as the season progresses.
Philadelphia Eagles: Saquon Barkley
If there is one potential hiccup in Saquon Barkley’s fantasy projection profile, it would be contending with Tush Push aficionado Jalen Hurts for goal-line carries.
There is no doubt in my mind that Barkley will lose some rushing touchdown production to Hurts this year. However, a dynamic talent like Barkley will certainly see his fair share of work in this area of the field.
San Francisco 49ers: Christian McCaffrey
There’s no need to spend much time analyzing this. Christian McCaffrey scored 11 rushing touchdowns from inside the 10-yard line last year. He’s one of the best goal-line options in the NFL.
Seattle Seahawks: Kenneth Walker III
This may be tough to believe, but Seattle Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III saw the 10th-most rushing attempts from inside the 5-yard line last year.
Zach Charbonnet is a competent ball carrier, but Walker should continue to be the preferred goal-line option.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Rachaad White
Rachaad White has gotten off to a rough start in regard to his efficiency as a ball carrier through his first two years in the NFL. Fortunately, there isn’t a running back on the roster who projects to steal any work away from him in this area of the field in 2024.
Bucky Irving is both smaller and less explosive than White, which makes me feel very comfortable projecting the latter for the most work in goal situations for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season.
Washington Commanders: Brian Robinson Jr.
The Washington Commanders may have added Austin Ekeler to the backfield, but Brian Robinson Jr. still projects to be the leading ball carrier in goal situations with his 228-pound frame.
