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 AFC East team entering the 2024 NFL season.
Who Are the Goal-Line Backs for Each AFC East Team in 2024?
Buffalo Bills: Ray Davis
Assuming we aren’t taking dual-threat quarterbacks into consideration for this exercise, the usage we saw from James Cook near the goal line in 2023 suggests Buffalo doesn’t prefer him as the goal line back. That is evident by the fact that Latavius Murray saw 11 carries to Cook’s four last year.
Enter rookie RB Ray Davis, who is a physical runner with a dense and compact build which is ideally suited for short-yardage work.
Miami Dolphins: Raheem Mostert
Miami Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert may not be considered the top fantasy option by many managers entering the 2024 season, but his 21 total touchdowns last year suggest he should be the preferred goal-line back entering his 10th NFL season.
De’Von Achane is smaller and weighs less than 190 pounds, making him a less-than-ideal option to thump the ball into the end zone in short-yardage situations. Mostert may be getting a bit long in the tooth, but he’s still Miami’s best short-yardage option in 2024.
New England Patriots: Rhamondre Stevenson
In another multiverse, Rhamondre Stevenson would be a great goal-line option for a highly productive offense. Unfortunately, he’s stuck in a New England Patriots offense projected to be among the lowest-scoring offenses in the league this year.
Seeing that Antonio Gibson is the only other viable option on New England’s roster, Stevenson should dominate the work in this area of the field.
New York Jets: Breece Hall
Breece Hall generated an RB2 overall finish in full-PPR formats in 2023 with just two carries inside the 5-yard line last year. That is madness.
The addition of Braelon Allen would normally scare me a bit because of the rookie’s massive physical frame, but Hall is such an elite option that I simply don’t see him coming off of the field in goal-line situations.
