In every fantasy football format, running backs who catch passes are desirable assets. While it’s more pronounced in PPR, a target is worth more than a carry even in non-PPR. We’ve gone through every AFC East team to pinpoint the best pass-catching RB on each of them.
Which Running Backs Are the Best Pass-Catching Options on Each AFC East Team in 2024
Buffalo Bills: James Cook
If there is a flaw in James Cook’s fantasy profile, it’s not his receiving. The Bills use their main back as their receiving back. It’s the short-yardage and goal-line carries that Cook is unlikely to get.
Cook earned a 9.9% target share last season, which was easily tops in the Bills’ backfield. That may not seem like much, but it’s not like Josh Allen throws to running backs all that often. Per TruMedia, the Bills ranked 26th in the league in running back target share at just 15%.
Miami Dolphins: De’Von Achane
Despite the notion that the Dolphins like to push the ball downfield (which they do), this is a team that actually threw to its running backs a lot last year. The Dolphins’ 22% target share to RBs ranked sixth in the league.
When Tua Tagovailoa does opt to throw to a back, it’s usually to De’Von Achane. As a rookie, Achane only commanded an 11.3% target share, but that was largely due to him opening the season as a backup and being injured. Achane is the clear receiving back, as Raheem Mostert’s 6.8% target share indicates he is not.
New England Patriots: Antonio Gibson
I’m going out on a limb with this one, but maybe not as far as you think. Back in 2022, Rhamondre Stevenson’s overall RB10 finish was due in large part to his heavy receiving workload. He caught a very nice 69 passes that season. His 17.3% target share was fourth in the league.
Last year, Stevenson was still effective as a receiver, but his target share dipped to 12.8%. Meanwhile, Ezekiel Elliott was able to earn a 12% target share.
The Patriots have a new coaching staff, so it’s a little dangerous projecting based on what happened last year. However, we’ve seen many NFL teams make their third-down back someone other than their early-down guy.
I think Stevenson will be the primary runner and Gibson, who has a history of pass-catching as a former wide receiver, will sub in on third-down and obvious passing situations.
New York Jets: Breece Hall
The Jets are one of only a handful of teams I expect to use the same back on all three downs. Breece Hall is one of the most talented backs in the league. In his first year back after tearing his ACL, Hall earned a 17% target share despite being limited for a quarter of the season.
Hall’s target share will likely come down this season, as Aaron Rodgers is far more adept at getting the ball to wide receivers than Zach Wilson. However, there is not a single back on this team worthy of spelling Hall on passing downs. Hall will only come out of the game when he is tired or is getting a series off.
