David Johnson Bucked a Powerful Trend to Become a PPR Monster, and These 2 Rookie Running Backs Are Now Trying to Follow His Lead

Kevin Szafraniec
August 18, 2024

Safe. Consistent. Dependable. These are adjectives that are often linked to some of the best-case scenarios for aging running backs.

Inefficient. Declining. Boring. A few adjectives that may be used more frequently than we would like describing elite athletes in their mid-20s, but it does not make them any less true.

As many NFL running backs enter their age-24 season, they are nearing the end of their rookie contract and are often already falling out of favor with ageist fantasy managers and NFL general managers alike. With the current perception in the NFL pertaining to RBs resembling Leo DiCaprio’s stance on his supermodel girlfriends, drafting a RB over the age of 24 seems almost taboo in today’s NFL.

Yet here we are in 2024, and we find ourselves debating the upside of two rookie RBs who will turn 25 years old before the end of the NFL season. While there are surely enough players at similar ages who are fringe practice squad players, both of these RBs have already found themselves one injury away from potentially being the lead back for their teams. With two very different — but equally exciting — statistical and athletic profiles, should drafters be buying these two players as exceptions to the rule, or falling back on the historical data which paints them as obvious players to avoid?

For more intriguing rookie profiles and content, check out these other recent pieces from the RotoViz staff:

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Kevin Szafraniec

Lead Writer and Full-time Cat Dad. Sneakerhead, Record Collector, Beatmaker, Lord of the Rings Superfan, and Jeopardy Enthusiast in my free time. Follow me on X and Bluesky @thecatdadff

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