When we are exploring the world of fantasy football, we often find ourselves drafting teams where we value both the running game as well as the passing game, a simple balance in many cases. What if, instead, this year, you found yourself lacking running back depth, or even worse, you did some insane “win easily” scheme you saw online where it said no running backs? Let us here at Blitz Sports Media assist you with 3 possible RB names along with our views as to why they might breakout at some point this season!
Rico Dowdle – Carolina Panthers (ranked RB44 on Blitz Sports Media Dynasty Rankings)
Carolina is obviously onto something with Rico Dowdle being in town for the year, even after handing fellow RB Chuba Hubbard a contract extension. Rico comes into an offense which didn’t have a reliable safety valve RB for QB Bryce Young to target, immediately giving Dowdle the chance to sneak into a starting role depending on how the season plays out. Rico had a 1,079 rushing yards with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, only to not be extended and signed in Carolina to assist Chuba, but the similarities end there. Rico is a valuable receiving threat giving him the chance to grab more points via PPR leagues as well.
Dave Canales even spoke recently on Rico Dowdle saying,
“I think Rico has a lot of things he can do really well. He gives us some variety of play types that we can do. But I think just in general, as a starting point, he’s exactly what we’re looking for in our running backs. They run the runs they way they’re supposed to be run—with discipline, they press the feet at the linemen and once they get past that first level, they run with violence. He does those things.”
With that, Dowdle continues to be a running back you get VERY late in many fantasy drafts and the upside potential of being RB2 right now, as well as the PPR opportunity is one that cannot be ignored, if only for a single season.
Jaydon Blue – Dallas Cowboys (ranked RB61 on Blitz Sports Media Dynasty Rankings)
The Dallas Cowboys have a ton of problems, but running back doesn’t seem to be a concern to them at least? Javonte Williams was brought in from Denver but after tearing up his knee, he hasn’t averaged 4+ yards per carry in either of the past few seasons, lending credence to the idea that maybe Williams should be in a backup role.
In comes newly drafted RB Jaydon Blue, a player which is admittedly undersized but has shown a poise in the backfield that many lack. Blue comes into a scheme run by newly minted HC Brian Schottenheimer along with the newly acquired WR George Pickens, one which is most likely going to follow the Bengals line of thinking – winning games 37-36.
I mean, this is what the coach is saying about the rookie running back for god sakes:
If Darrren Sproles is now in a Dallas Cowboys uniform, I think the upside at the RB 61 spot is one which absolutely cannot be ignored in fantasy, no matter if it’s redraft or dynasty. If you’re getting him in a redraft, you’re hoping for a second-half of the season breakout, and dynasty is a no-brainer.
Jarquez Hunter – Los Angeles Rams (ranked RB75 Blitz Sports Media Dynasty Rankings)
Jarquez Hunter is a running back that only your friend with 100 fantasy teams is going to care about right now, but I think he might be onto something. The former Auburn running back comes into a system already led by RB Kyren Williams, one which last year was fantasy gold for many people, yet now in 2024 Hunter is a sleeper to become RB1. From getting first team reps, to receiving high praise from McVay, you can see the progression already for the young back.
“I want them (defenses) to say ‘dang, this boy, he’s hard to tackle, he don’t want to go down’,”
stated Hunter when asked what allows him to run as hard as he does. “It’s just a mentality, I want you to quit by the 4th quarter.” That’s the mindset of a running back that’s going to continue to grind himself into a top-flight back, especially given the person teaching him – the savant McVay.
If you’re investing in Hunter, you’re hoping for a super late season blossom into the starting back barring injuries to Williams. Hunter is a major pickup for many in dynasty given the Rams willingness to move on from RB of the past so if you can get him now, he might be worth the 3rd round pick!
With that information now, you’ll be better equipped to handle your draft, make your next trade, or plan your rebuild in dynasty. If you have any further questions, concerns or ideas, feel free to reach out to us directly on Twitter!
