The NFL has reached the first bye week of the 2024 NFL season, and the running back position will see some notable names sidelined. The Week 5 byes include the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, and Los Angeles Chargers. That means fantasy football managers will be without Saquon Barkley, JK Dobbins, Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and Tony Pollard.
The running back position has been light on depth this season outside of the lightest of leagues. If you’re in a 12- or 14-team league, the waiver wire has been slim pickings. Nonetheless, if you don’t have helpful options on your bench, there are a handful of names to consider in the meantime.
Justice Hill, Ravens (14% rostered)
Derrick Henry is the lead back by a long shot, but Hill has shown strong fantasy value as a complementary option. He’s getting extensive work in the passing game and found the end zone for the first time this season in Week 4. The Ravens face a bad Bengals squad that could provide some opportunities for extra work for Baltimore’s backfield.
Rico Dowdle, Cowboys (48% rostered)
The Cowboys’ backfield isn’t pretty, but that opens the door for a variety of options. Ezekiel Elliott is rostered in 52% of Yahoo! leagues while Dowdle is rostered in 48% while slightly outperforming Zeke. Dowdle gets a strong Steelers run defense, which ranks second against opposing running backs in fantasy football.
Alexander Mattison, Raiders (33% rostered)
Zamir White is the lead back, but Mattison gets more work in the passing game, and has been good for some goal line work. He’s rostered in only a third of leagues, and has nearly tripled White in production. He gets a middle-of-the-road Broncos squad in Denver.
Braelon Allen, Jets (53% rostered)
This breaks out 50% rule, but Allen is still available in a sizable chunk of leagues. Breece Hall is the clear No. 1, but Allen is getting enough work to be dangerous. He’s got a fairly low floor, but there’s some interesting upside. The Jets travel to face the Vikings in Week 5.
