The Chicago Bears will be one of the teams getting more attention this season than in 2023 because of their No. 1 overall draft pick and other key offseason additions to the roster.
So where does that leave veteran running back Khalil Herbert, and can he still provide some value for fantasy managers? Let’s examine Herbert’s fantasy outlook for this season.
Khalil Herbert’s Fantasy Profile for the 2024 NFL Season
Herbert is coming off a season in which he led the Bears in rush attempts. It’s still unclear if that speaks to Herbert’s production, the Bears’ ineptitude on offense, or both.
In any case, Herbert finished second behind the now-departed quarterback Justin Fields in rushing yards with 611. However, the bulk of his production came in a two-game stretch at the end of another mediocre season for the Bears.
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In Weeks 16 and 17, Herbert topped the 100-yard mark rushing in both games — against the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons — and had a touchdown run in each game, his only rushing touchdowns of the season. In all, Herbert rushed for 236 yards combined in those two games, accounting for nearly 40% (38.6%) of his season total in rush yards.
Clearly, the Bears were interested in seeing what the future looked like for Herbert, and Chicago was so impressed with Herbert’s production in those two somewhat meaningless games that it went out and signed free agent D’Andre Swift in the offseason to a three-year contract.
Although reduced to a backup role once again, Herbert does have fantasy value potential. He averaged 4.6 yards a carry last season, and for his career, he’s averaging nearly five yards per carry (4.9).
He also provides some value as a pass catcher. Herbert was targeted 31 times in 12 games last season (2.6 per game) and finished with 20 receptions and a touchdown catch.
Is Herbert a Good Fantasy Pick?
Herbert checks in as the No. 56 running back in Pro Football Network’s Consensus Fantasy Football Rankings as of Aug. 26, barely ahead of another Bears’ backup running back, Roschon Johnson (No. 57).
That could certainly indicate that many expect Herbert to split any remaining carries that don’t go to Swift with Johnson, which would obviously be a blow to whatever fantasy value Herbert possesses.
On paper, this certainly looks like a different Bears offense than fans are used to seeing. Along with the NFL’s No. 1 overall draft pick in quarterback Caleb Williams, the Bears added Swift at running back and Keenan Allen at wide receiver to go along with DJ Moore.
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The obvious question is, where does Herbert fit in the Bears’ plans for 2024? Playing backup to Swift doesn’t bode well, but with Swift having injury issues in the past, there may be an opportunity for Herbert to get on the field in extended duty at some point in the season.
But, with so many weapons on the field for the Bears, it’s tough to see a backup to a Pro Bowl running back getting enough touches to provide value for fantasy managers.
Be cautious about picking Herbert in fantasy drafts, even in later rounds.