The 2024 NFL offseason may eventually be remembered as the spring of the running back carousel.

While the position may be devalued in the modern game, teams proved that they still find it to be important in free agency and the draft. Several notable backs changed teams in March, and many more were added on Days 2 and 3 of the draft.

Many, if not most, backfields look quite a bit different than they did a couple of months ago, which makes it difficult to discern how backs will be utilized in 2024.

By examining factors like past production, projected role, player upside and skill sets, though, we can make some early guesses about how each backfield and running back rotation will look in the fall.

We'll do precisely that here, digging through teams in alphabetical order.

Arizona Cardinals

After amassing 1,205 scrimmage yards and nine combined touchdowns in only 13 games last season, James Conner is likely to remain the Arizona Cardinals' starter in 2024.

However, the Cardinals may not lean on Conner quite as heavily with quarterback Kyler Murray again healthy.

Arizona may also look to phase out the Pittsburgh product to a degree over the course of the season. He's been quite reliable since arriving in 2021, but he'll turn 29 next offseason and is entering the final year of his contract.

Change-of-pace back Emari Demercado should continue to see an evolving role, while rookie third-round pick Trey Benson should be poised to eventually take over the starting role.

The Florida State product was the second-ranked back on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board, and he has the tools to become a future starter.

"Benson isn't a perfect back, but he's a tough, explosive runner who continues to improve his vision and has useful pass-catching traits," Derrik Klassen of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "That's a recipe for success at the NFL level."

All three of Arizona's top backs are capable pass-catchers, so offensive coordinator Drew Petzing may use more of a true rotation behind Conner instead of defined roles.

DeeJay Dallas was added in the offseason and will likely stick as RB4 because of his special teams value. Michael Carter and Tony Jones could have a harder time making the roster.

Atlanta Falcons

Yes, the Atlanta Falcons surprisingly used the eighth overall pick on Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr. However, Kirk Cousins is the QB of the present, and the team is set to provide him with a strong rushing attack.

The top end of Atlanta's backfield rotation should be largely unchanged. Bijan Robinson, who racked up 1,463 scrimmage yards as a rookie in 2023, will be the team's primary do-it-all option. Tyler Allgeier, who had 876 scrimmage yards last season, will provide a terrific second option.

Runner and receiver Cordarrelle Patterson departed in free agency, though, so Atlanta will likely be searching for a reliable third back. Avery Williams, who last saw action in 2022, is one internal candidate. Rookie sixth-round pick Jase McClellan is another.

New offensive coordinator Zac Robinson probably won't go deep into his backfield rotation often, as Bijan and Allgeier are such a formidable duo. But it wouldn't be a shock to see the Falcons add to the position between now and Week 1 as they search for Patterson's replacement.

The Falcons currently have two fullbacks on their roster—Robert Burns and FB/TE Tucker Fisk—and it will be interesting to see if and how fullbacks are deployed in Atlanta's new-look offense.

Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens' addition of Derrick Henry was one of the most highly publicized moves of free agency. The bruising back with a breakaway burst will add an entirely new dynamic next to reigning MVP Lamar Jackson.

"It's going to open up a lot for everyone. It's going to be scary," Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith told reporters.

During his time with the Tennessee Titans, Henry frequently carried the load on a near-every-down basis. Baltimore probably won't deviate from that too much—Henry continues to show that he can handle a hefty workload—though it will likely reduce his workload slightly.

The Ravens have long leaned into a committee approach. It's been necessary in the past and can now serve as a way to keep Henry fresh.

Speedy change-of-back back Keaton Mitchell will likely see a prominent role once he's fully recovered from last year's ACL injury. Justice Hill is back for another go in Baltimore, and the Ravens used a fifth-round pick on Marshall product Rasheen Ali.

Ali is another quick-twitch back who can help fill that speed role during Mitchell's recovery and in tandem with the second-year back once he returns. Fullback Patrick Ricard should round out Baltimore's backfield for the eighth straight season.

Buffalo Bills

James Cook took off as a dual threat and an offensive centerpiece last season, especially after Joe Brady took over as offensive coordinator.

Cook, who earned his first Pro Bowl nod after tallying 1,567 scrimmage yards, should remain a big piece of the offensive game plan. Latavius Murray remains unsigned, so rookie fourth-rounder Ray Davis will have a chance to settle in as the No. 2 back.

Of course, in Buffalo, the ground game is regularly supplemented by quarterback Josh Allen.

The Bills do have depth pieces on which they can rely. Ty Johnson is back for another go, and Darrynton Evans latched on in free agency. Buffalo also took a flier on Southern Mississippi product Frank Gore Jr. as an undrafted free agent.

Gore, the son of longtime NFL starter Frank Gore Sr., has a legitimate chance to carve out a long-term role with the Bills. He's a physical runner who tallied 1,131 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns last season.

While Gore was overlooked during the draft, he and Davis could join Cook as fixtures in Buffalo's backfield beyond this season.

Fullback Reggie Gilliam is returning, but he's traditionally had a more significant role on special teams than in the offensive game plan.

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers failed to surround 2023 No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young with a strong ground game last season. That was, in part, because their free-agent play for Miles Sanders did not pay dividends.

Carolina signed Sanders to a four-year, $25.4 million contract. He contributed just 586 scrimmage yards and was out of the starting lineup by Week 6. He could fall even further down the pecking order as the Panthers await the opportunity to release him—his dead-cap hit will fall from $10.4 million this offseason to $3 million in 2025.

Chuba Hubbard replaced Sanders as the starter, and he'll likely see a substantial role again in 2024. However, the Panthers used a second-round pick on Texas product Jonathon Brooks, who should be the team's starting RB of the future.

New head coach Dave Canales will be wise to still use Brooks as part of a committee for now, though.

"Brooks isn't built like a true lead back, though, and he does not yet have the strength or decisiveness as a runner for that role," Klassen wrote.

Beyond Hubbard and Brooks, Carolina has several backs who will compete for depth roles during training camp and the preseason. The list includes Sanders, Mike Boone, Tarik Cohen and Spencer Brown.

Chicago Bears

Last year, quarterback Justin Fields led the Chicago Bears in rushing. He's now a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Chicago should take a far different approach with rookie No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams at quarterback.

Khalil Herbert led all Bears backs with 611 rushing yards in 2023. D'Onta Foreman was second at the position with 425 yards. While Foreman departed in free agency, Herbert and second-year man Roschon Johnson will return.

Herbert and Johnson will likely provide depth behind free-agent addition D'Andre Swift, who recorded 1,263 scrimmage yards with the Philadelphia Eagles last season before appearing in his first Pro Bowl.

Ideally, Swift will replicate his 2023 success in Chicago. After watching Sanders flop in Carolina, though, it's worth wondering how risky it is to sign former Eagles starters. The Bears do have strong depth, though, and a better offensive line than the Panthers had in 2023.

Travis Homer should stick because of his special teams value, though undrafted rookie and Howard product Ian Wheeler may have a chance to replace him. Fullback Khari Blasingame is another special teams contributor, though he did play 186 offensive snaps last season.

In terms of rushing and receiving, though, Chicago probably won't go far beyond Sanders, Herbert and Johnson.

Cincinnati Bengals

After seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Mixon is out. The Bengals traded him to the Houston Texans and added Zack Moss as his replacement.

Moss showed plenty of sizzle as a spot starter and depth piece for the Indianapolis Colts last season. He compiled 986 scrimmage yards and averaged 4.3 yards per carry in 2023 while spelling, and at times, filling in for Jonathan Taylor.

However, new Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher is likely to use a full-on committee approach this season. While Mixon was inconsistent as a runner in recent years, he has always been a reliable receiver out of the backfield. Moss is more of a run-first option, so we could see a heavily expanded role for second-year man Chase Brown.

Brown showed flashes of being a dangerous breakaway back as a rookie, finishing with 35 scrimmage yards on just 58 touches.

"He's a fast guy. Real fast," head coach Zac Taylor said, per Laurel Pfahler of the Dayton Daily News.

Trayveon Williams and Chris Evans both return to provide depth, and with Mixon out, one of them could step into a bigger role. Cincinnati also signed Elijah Collins out of Michigan State as an undrafted free agent.

In all, the Bengals have options for replacing Mixon, though they may not actually improve a ground game that ranked 30th in yards per carry last season.

Cleveland Browns

The big questions for the Cleveland Browns are if and when Nick Chubb will return to the field and whether he can regain his pre-injury form.

The 28-year-old suffered multiple torn ligaments in his knee during a Week 2 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers last season and isn't expected to be ready for Week 1, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.

It's hard to bet against Chubb, though. He suffered a similar knee injury in college and returned to become, arguably, the best pure runner in the NFL. Just don't expect him to be an every-down back if and when he does return.

The Browns have done a good job of not overworking Chubb throughout his career—he's topped 300 carries only once. They have also found ways to patch together the league's 11th-ranked rushing attack in 2023 without him.

Jerome Ford, a speedy if inconsistent back, will likely return to the starter's role early in the season. No. 2 back Kareem Hunt remains unsigned, but Cleveland added D'Onta Foreman to replace him while signing Nyheim Hines as a change-of-pace back and special teams option.

Pierre Strong Jr. is back to provide insurance, and Cleveland added BYU product Aidan Robbins as an undrafted free agent. Ford and Foreman should lead a committee approach early, and if all goes perfectly, Chubb will become a focal point of the ground game down the stretch.

Dallas Cowboys

We can try to make sense of the Dallas Cowboys' backfield, but it's hard to make sense of their offseason approach to it.

Tony Pollard departed in free agency, and Dallas did virtually nothing through free agency and the draft to replace the 2023 starter.

The Cowboys did add Royce Freeman, who logged a mere 77 carries with the Los Angeles Rams last season. After the draft, they brought back Ezekiel Elliott—who spent last season with the New England Patriots—and signed Missouri's Nathaniel Peat as an undrafted free agent.

Presumably, the Cowboys believe Elliott can again be a reliable starter. He'll probably carry the title, but after watching him average just 3.5 yards per carry in New England, it's difficult to view him as dependable.

He won't turn 29 until July, but he's an aging runner who has lost the burst he had early in his career. If he proves ineffective, it could open the door for Rico Dowdle and/or 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn to take over the starting job.

To be clear, none of Dallas' backs were particularly good last season, and Dowdle led the position with a mere 4.1 yards-per-carry average. Elliott is not an upgrade over Pollard, the new-look Cowboys committee is likely to be as bad as last year's, and the team should look to add more pieces between now and the trade deadline.

Denver Broncos

We could see some significant changes to the Denver Broncos' backfield in 2024.

Javonte Williams was the starter last season, but he wasn't the same player following the previous year's torn ACL.

The 24-year-old averaged just 3.6 yards per carry in 2023, and there's a good chance that his starting status is in jeopardy.

Jaleel McLaughlin emerged as a far more explosive option (5.4 yards per carry), and it should surprise no one if he emerges from camp as the new lead back.

Rookie fifth-round pick Audric Estimé will also be in the mix. He was the top-ranked RB on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's big board and carries a pro-ready skill set.

"It's easy to see the appeal with Estimé," Klassen wrote. "He's a very young, well-built runner with threatening long speed and a good baseline for how to be a smart NFL runner."

Samaje Perine returns as Denver's change-of-pace and receiving option, and Memphis product Blake Watson was signed as an undrafted free agent.

Williams saw the bulk of the backfield work in 2023—Russell Wilson actually ranked second in rushing yards—but head coach Sean Payton should be inclined to use more of a committee this season.

And if Williams, who is entering the final year of his rookie contract, doesn't return to pre-injury form quickly, he could fall out of the rotation almost entirely.

Detroit Lions

it's fairly easy to make sense of the Detroit Lions' backfield, as it remains largely unchanged. David Montgomery is a high-volume runner who should return to the starting role, and Jahmyr Gibbs is the do-it-all change-of-pace who will have a chance to build upon his 2023 Pro Bowl rookie season.

It's a two-back system that proved very effective last year. Montgomery rushed for 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns, while Gibbs produced 1,261 scrimmage yards and 11 combined scores.

No. 3 back Craig Reynolds (226 yards, 1 TD) provided insurance, and he's back to do it again. Donovan Knight, Jermar Jefferson and Jake Funk are on the roster to provide further depth, but it should be Montgomery and Gibbs' show again in 2024.

The big question is whether Gibbs takes hold of an even bigger role in Year 2. Montgomery is under contract through 2025 but could be a cap casualty next offseason should the soon-to-be 27-year-old decline.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes did say he expects to see more from Gibbs in the future.

"I do think he's got a lot of meat on the bone, as well. I think I've said it ad nauseam," he told reporters at the scouting combine. "He's a multi-faceted, explosive weapon that can do a lot of different things."

Don't expect to see Montgomery fall out of the game plan, but Gibbs may fully replace him as the starter this season.

Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers parted with longtime starter Aaron Jones after signing Josh Jacobs in free agency.

The two-time Pro Bowler should step right into the starting role, even though he's coming off a disappointing and injury-hampered 2023 campaign.

Jacobs led the league in rushing in 2022 but averaged just 3.5 yards per carry last season. The 26-year-old does have a history of alternating good and bad years, though, so Green Bay may be getting the "good" version in 2024.

For insurance, the Packers retained veteran backup AJ Dillon. They also used a third-round pick on explosive USC running back MarShawn Lloyd.

Dillon has the edge in experience, but Lloyd may replace him as the No. 2 back due to his breakaway and receiving ability. Regardless, the Packers probably won't lean on Jacobs as heavily as the Raiders did.

Green Bay won't want to overwork Jacobs after signing him to a four-year, $48 million deal. Head coach Matt LaFleur has leaned into a two-back system and probably won't abandon that philosophy just because Jones is out.

Backs like Emanuel Wilson, Ellis Merriweather and undrafted Alcorn State product Jarveon Howard will provide depth, but Jacobs, Lloyd and Dillon will lead the committee.

Fullback Henry Pearson is on the roster but played just 11 offensive snaps in 2023.

Houston Texans

Dameon Pierce, who was more impressive as a 2022 rookie than in 2023, should again play a prominent role in Houston's backfield. But trade acquisition Joe Mixon is set to be the Week 1 starter.

While Mixon isn't really an upgrade over Devin Singletary as a runner, he's an experienced and capable dual threat who has shown the ability to handle a large workload. Expect him to be a veteran leader in the locker room, even if he doesn't substantially boost a ground game that ranked 29th in yards per carry last season.

Dare Ogunbowale will return as a speedy change-of-pace back, and Houston added Louisville running back Jawhar Jordan in Round 6 of the draft. North Carolina running back British Brooks was signed as an undrafted free agent.

Though Mixon hasn't averaged more than four yards per carry since 2021, he should see the bulk of the backfield work. He's dependable as a receiver and in pass protection, and Houston doesn't view him as a stopgap option.

"We think he can help our team," general manager Nick Caserio said via a team transcript (h/t NFL.com's Christian Gonzales). "We're glad he's here hopefully for a few more years."

Mixon topped 300 touches in two of the past three seasons, and he's likely to do it again in Houston with Pierce and Ogunbowale serving as primary backups.

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts signed standout running back Jonathan Taylor to a three-year, $42 million extension last year. If he isn't the team's every-down back in 2024, something has gone awry.

The 25-year-old missed time with ankle and thumb injuries last season but still finished with 894 scrimmage yards and eight combined touchdowns in 10 games. In 2021, he led the NFL with 1,811 rushing yards and 2,171 scrimmage yards.

Zack Moss led the Colts in rushing last season but is now in Cincinnati, but Indy retained Tyler Goodson, Trey Sermon and 2023 fifth-round pick Evan Hull. Zavier Scott, who spent last season on the practice squad, is back as well.

Taylor is one of the few true every-down backs in the NFL, and he's the clear-cut No. 1 option in Indianapolis. However, the Colts have less proven depth than they did a year ago and must count on the Wisconsin product staying healthy and on the field.

Sermon and Goodson showed flashes in spot duty late last season, but it shouldn't come as a surprise to see the Colts add more depth in the coming months.

Indy will want to ensure it supports second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson with a strong rushing attack, though the dual threat will have his own role in the ground game.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars backfield should look a lot like it did in 2023, as the team's top three producers—Travis Etienne Jr., Tank Bigsby and D'Ernest Johnson—are back.

Etienne, who tallied 1,484 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023, is the clear lead back in Jacksonville. He's one of the better dual threats in the league and should continue to thrive alongside former Clemson teammate and quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Lawrence, it should be noted, ranked second on the team behind Etienne in rushing yards last season.

Bigsby and Johnson were largely reserve options in 2023, and it's clear that Jacksonville would prefer to find more—or, perhaps, simply better—depth. The offense ranked just 30th in yards per carry last season.

The Jags added Texas product Keilan Robinson in the fifth round before signing Akron's Lorenzo Lingard and Villanova's Jalen Jackson as undrafted free agents.

Robinson, Lingard and Jackson will all have chances to unseat Johnson, who is back on a modest one-year, $1.3 million deal that only includes $225,000 guaranteed. Bigbsy, a 2023 third-round pick, should have a secure roster spot and could see an expanded role in Year 2.

However, Etienne should again be the focal point of Jacksonville's backfield a year after playing 73 percent of the offensive snaps.

Kansas City Chiefs

Isiah Pacheco emerged as the Kansas City Chiefs' clear top backfield option in 2023, racking up 1,179 scrimmage yards in 14 appearances. And 2020 first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire moved into the backup role, one he'll again fill in 2024.

The depth behind Pacheco and Edwards-Helaire is a little less clear. Receiving back Jerick McKinnon remains unsigned, while La'Mical Perine was the only other running back to record a carry in 2023.

Patrick Mahomes ranked second on the team in rushing, and head coach Andy Reid often used players like Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore in the backfield. Deneric Prince, who was on the practice squad in 2023, and November addition Keaontay Ingram are back as well.

While Kansas City didn't add a running back in the draft, it did sign TCU product Emani Bailey and UCLA's Carson Steele as undrafted free agents. The former, in particular, has a good chance to stick as a depth player.

"Bailey is a good late-round option for a backup running back. He brings a stable, physical rushing style fit for a back who just needs to eat 5-8 carries per game and be efficient," Klassen wrote.

Expect Pacheco to again be the lead back with Edwards-Helaire spelling him, while the Chiefs augment the ground game with the occasional gadget play. We should see a legitimate camp battle for the No. 3 role.

Las Vegas Raiders

Following Josh Jacobs' departure in free agency, the Las Vegas Raiders are likely to utilize more of a committee approach at running back.

Zamir White showed plenty of flashes late last season—he rushed for 397 yards over the final four games—but he isn't a proven every-down back.

To spell White, the Raiders added former Minnesota Vikings back Alexander Mattison. While he stumbled in the featured back role last season, he was a capable dual-threat backup before that.

Expect White to start, with Mattison seeing plenty of third-down work. Returning backs Ameer Abdullah and Brittain Brown will provide depth.

The wild card here is rookie sixth-round pick Dylan Laube. The New Hampshire product isn't going to challenge White for the starting role, but he's talented enough to push Mattison for the receiving back role at some point in 2024.

"Most of Laube's value is in the receiving game. Thanks to his quick feet and short-area burst, Laube is a lethal receiver underneath," Klassen wrote.

Laube also has enough positional versatility to line up at receiver on occasion, which should get him on the field, even if Mattison retains a prominent role. The unknown is how quickly the rookie can turn the corner from gadget player to pure running back.

It should be a committee backfield in Vegas this season, at least until/unless White proves he can take over Jacobs' role full-time.

Los Angeles Chargers

We're going to see sweeping changes to the Los Angeles Chargers' ground game in 2024, and not just because new head coach Jim Harbaugh is taking over.

The Chargers have parted company with longtime starter Keenan Allen and added former Ravens running backs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards.

L.A.'s backfield rotation will likely look a lot like Baltimore's in recent years—in part because the Chargers hired former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman for the same job.

He will most likely use a full-on committee approach with Dobbins or Edwards leading the way—the former has a substantial injury history, so his availability will determine a lot.

Isaiah Spiller and Elijah Dotson are holdovers, though neither figures to be a big part of the game plan.

Rookie sixth-round pick Kimani Vidal probably has a better shot at becoming a significant 2024 contributor because A) he's the first running back drafted by the Harbaugh regime and B) he has an explosive running style that will make for a great pace change.

Fullback Ben Mason, who spent two seasons in Baltimore, and undrafted Georgia Tech H-back Luke Benson are on the roster as well. We may see the Chargers employ a lot more traditional 21 personnel looks than they have in recent years.

Los Angeles Rams

Although he was perhaps overshadowed by star rookie receiver Puka Nakua, running back Kyren Williams was one of the Los Angeles Rams' breakout stars in 2023. After playing sparingly as a rookie in 2022, Williams took hold of the starting job and ran with it.

Despite appearing in only 12 games because of an ankle injury, Williams still racked up 1,350 scrimmage yards and 15 combined touchdowns. He'll be the starter once again, though L.A. added some valuable insurance in the draft by spending a third-round pick on Michigan running back Blake Corum.

"Corum can be useful right away. He is a smart, efficient runner who can handle any type of run scheme," Klassen wrote.

Corum should be the primary backup immediately and cut into Williams' workload a handful of times per game. Don't expect Rams head coach Sean McVay to employ a true two-back system, but Corum will see enough work to ensure Williams is healthy late in the season.

Ronnie Rivers and Zach Evans are back to provide depth, though it's hard to see either having a substantial offensive role if Williams and Corum are both healthy.

Miami Dolphins

When it comes to the Miami Dolphins offense, speed is the name of the game. That's true in the backfield as well, where Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane are two of the most explosive players at their position in the NFL.

Mostert was the starter in 2023 and made the Pro Bowl after tallying 1,187 yards and 21 combined touchdowns. Achane averaged a ridiculous 7.8 yards per carry and was just as dangerous in Mike McDaniel's offense.

Jeff Wilson Jr. is another speedy back, but he didn't see a ton of playing time last season. He, Salvon Ahmed and Chris Brooks all return to the depth chart. However, Miami added Tennessee's Jaylen Wright in the fourth round, and the rookie speedster (4.38-second 40-yard dash) will likely supplant one of the reserve holdovers by the end of camp.

Mostert and Achane should remain the top two backs, with Mostert likely retaining the starting gig. However, Wright will give McDaniel even more options in the running and receiving games, so Mostert's overall workload may decline as the season goes on.

While Mostert is under contract through the 2025 season, he'll have only $1 million in dead money remaining on his contract after this season. Expect Miami to test the viability of an Achane-Wright tandem at various points in 2024.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings took advantage of Aaron Jones' departure from Green Bay and quickly snapped up the former division rival in free agency. The 29-year-old should immediately step in as Minnesota's starter and primary backfield option.

Though Jones battled hamstring and knee injuries last season, he was healthy late in the year and played a significant role in the Packers' postseason run. Jones averaged 4.6 yards per carry in the regular season and racked up 247 scrimmage yards in two playoff games.

Jones will take over a backfield that ranked 29th in rushing yards last season and struggled to find aconsistent option. Ty Chandler was the closest Minnesota found to a reliable ball-carrier, and he should pair with Jones in a two-back attack—not unlike the Jones and AJ Dillon tandem that the Packers utilized over the past few seasons.

Kene Nwangwu and Myles Gaskin are back to provide depth, though neither should see the field often if Jones and Chandler are both healthy.

The Vikings are one of the few teams that utilize a traditional tight end. While C.J. Ham played only 19 percent of the offensive snaps in 2023, he performed well enough to earn his second career Pro Bowl nod.

Ham will occasionally contribute as a pass-catcher and help provide backfield protection for rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy.

New England Patriots

The Patriots' rushing attack took a hit last season, as Rhamondre Stevenson was limited to 12 games and eventually landed on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain. New England finished the season ranked 25th in yards per carry.

Stevenson, who topped 1,000 rushing yards in 2022, should be back as the Patriots' Week 1 starter this year. Ezekiel Elliott is heading back to Dallas, and the Patriots brought in former Washington Commanders starter Antonio Gibson as the No. 2 back.

Kevin Harris returns to provide depth, as are late 2023 additions Ke'Shawn Vaughn and JaMycal Hasty. While New England didn't draft a running back, it did sign Oregon State product Deshaun Fenwick as an undrafted free agent.

We grew accustomed to seeing the Patriots utilize a committee backfield under former head coach Bill Belichick, and that might not change under new head coach Jerod Mayo. He hired Alex Van Pelt as his offensive coordinator, and Van Pelt regularly rotated backs in Cleveland, even when Nick Chubb was at 100 percent.

However, we might not see the sort of role-specific rotation that New England has utilized in the past. The Patriots don't have a dedicated receiving back a la James White, and they'll likely lean heavily on Stevenson and Gibson in 2024.

New Orleans Saints

Though Alvin Kamara remains one of the league's better receiving backs, the 28-year-old has been less reliable as a runner in recent seasons. He last averaged more than four yards per carry in 2020.

The Saints struggled to run the ball in general last season. They finished 31st in yards per carry. Jamaal Williams wasn't as effective as he was in Detroit in 2022, and the Saints' best rushing option was often tight end/quarterback Taysom Hill.

Kamara and Williams will likely lead the Saints' backfield rotation once again in 2024, though we may see a bit more of second-year back Kendre Miller. The 2023 third-round pick suffered a knee injury in the preseason, dealt with an ankle injury in-season and appeared in only eight total games.

Miller should have a shot at supplanting Williams as the No. 2 back at some point this season. While Williams is under contract through 2025, he'll turn 30 next April and could be a cap casualty. The Saints could save $2.3 million in cap space by cutting him next spring.

December addition James Robinson, Jordan Mims and undrafted rookie Jacob Kibodi will provide depth, but a lot will hinge on Kamara's form and Miller's development. New Orleans also has two fullbacks on its roster—Zander Horvath and Adam Prentice—and will likely continue using Hill in a backfield role.

New York Giants

The Saquon Barkley era ended for the New York Giants when the two-time Pro Bowler signed with the rival Philadelphia Eagles earlier this offseason. That puts New York in a difficult position, because Barkley was a legitimate do-everything back when healthy.

Following Barkley's departure, the Giants signed Devin Singletary, who emerged as a serviceable starter with the Texans last season after four mostly inconsistent years with the Bills. With 2023 spot starter Matt Breida still unsigned, Singletary will likely enter Week 1 as the Giants' starter.

While Singletary is a fine dual-threat back—he tallied 30 receptions and 1,091 scrimmage yards last season—he isn't the special playmaker that Barkley has been when playing at his best. Unfortunately, New York hasn't done a lot to supplement Singletary in the backfield this offseason.

Eric Gray and Gary Brightwell are back, but neither is a threat to push Singletary out of the starting role. Rookie fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy Jr. probably isn't either, though the Purdue product and former wide receiver could be an effective pace-changer and pass-catcher.

"In Tracy's lone season as a ball-carrier, he ran for 716 yards and eight touchdowns," Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski wrote after the Giants selected Tracy. "With his wide receiver background and elite athletic profile, the 24-year-old prospect should only improve with time."

While quarterback Daniel Jones is recovering from a torn ACL, he should have a role in the ground game when healthy. However, fans should expect a drop-off in backfield production following Barkley's departure.

New York Jets

Breece Hall will again be the New York Jets' starter in 2024, though he may rotate out more than he did last season. While Hall has the tools to be an explosive dual threat (1,585 scrimmage yards in 2023), he isn't always consistent as a ball-carrier.

"We all agree, when the ball is in his hands, we're better, but there's grimy yards that a back has to understand he has to get," head coach Robert Saleh said in November, per Brian Costello of the New York Post.

Veteran tailback Dalvin Cook is no longer around to back up Hall, but Israel Abanikanda will return as a depth player.

During the draft, the Jets added a pair of tailbacks in Wisconsin's Braelon Allen in Round 4 and South Dakota State's Isaiah Davis in Round 5. In Round 3, they took Western Kentucky receiver Malachi Corley, who also has some experience as a ball-carrier.

None of that means Hall is on thin ice with regard to the starting job, but it does suggest that the Jets are looking to get more out of their ground game. Considering that quarterback Aaron Rodgers is 40 years old and is coming off a torn Achilles, that's a smart decision.

Hall should still maintain a prominent role (and plenty of fantasy value), but one of the rookies—possibly the physical, hard-running Allen—could significantly cut into his workload down the stretch.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles signed Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.8 million deal in free agency. He'll be their featured back if healthy, and his ability to run, catch and block should give quarterback Jalen Hurts a helping hand.

The question is whether Barkley can stay on the field. Injuries have caused him to miss at least three games in four of his six NFL seasons.

Fortunately, the Eagles do have depth at running back. Kenneth Gainwell returns as the No. 2 back, and Philly added Clemson running back Will Shipley in Round 4. Gainwell and Shipley could each see a handful of snaps each game to reduce Barkley's workload, and the rookie may eventually rise up the depth chart.

"Both of these backs can be on the field at the same time," Sobleski wrote.

Lew Nichols, Tyrion Davis-Price and undrafted rookie Kendall Milton will compete for roster spots, and Milton may already have the inside track. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston, Milton's UDFA deal includes $250,000 guaranteed.

Barkley will likely see a heavy workload under new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, but he shouldn't be the only Eagles back whom we see on game days. Hurts will see his fair share of work in the ground game as well, particularly near the goal line.

Pittsburgh Steelers

We shouldn't see major changes to the Pittsburgh Steelers' backfield philosophy, as Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren return as the top two options. The only real question is whether Harris will maintain his position as a true lead back.

While the 2021 first-round pick is a capable receiver and a solid high-volume back, his consistency as a runner leaves something to be desired. Harris averaged a career-high 4.1 yards per carry last season and has averaged only 3.9 yards per carry over his career.

Warren (5.3 yards per carry) was clearly a more explosive and effective runner last season. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith regularly rotated back as the Falcons' head coach, so he might give the most snaps to his most efficient option.

The Steelers added Cordarrelle Patterson and Aaron Shampklin in free agency before signing Georgia's Daijun Edwards as an undrafted free agent. They also added fullback Jack Colletto to their practice squad in October.

Smith may employ a committee approach in 2024, but it will be a huge surprise if Harris and Warren aren't at its forefront. The wild card in all of this is quarterback Justin Fields.

Russell Wilson is expected to be Pittsburgh's new starting quarterback. However, that shouldn't stop the Steelers from using the blazing-fast Fields on occasion to keep opposing defenses off-balance.

San Francisco 49ers

There's virtually nothing to dissect regarding the San Francisco 49ers' backfield. Christian McCaffrey is the NFL's reigning rushing champion, scrimmage-yards leader and Offensive Player of the Year. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk is a Pro Bowler, and the rest of San Francisco's backfield is strictly depth.

Elijah Mitchell was a solid backup last season and will return to that role. The 49ers have other depth backs, including rookie fourth-round pick Isaac Guerendo, Jordan Mason and undrafted free agent Cody Schrader.

However, McCaffrey will be the offensive focal point if healthy. He logged 272 carries and 339 total touches last season. All other 49ers running backs combined for 149 touches—and Juszczyk had 19 of those.

Kyle Shanahan does like to use wideout Deebo Samuel on the occasional designed run, but it should again be the McCaffrey show in 2024. The only real question is whether San Francisco digs a little deeper into its depth chart to reduce McCaffrey's workload in the second-to-last season of his contract.

Seattle Seahawks

Fans should again expect a two-pronged Seattle Seahawks backfield centered around 2022 second-round pick Kenneth Walker III and 2023 second-round pick Zach Charbonnet.

Seattle will have a new offense under incoming head coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. However, they haven't added any substantial pieces to their backfield.

Beyond Walker and Charbonnet, 2023 seventh-round pick Kenny McIntosh is back, and Seattle signed Boise State's George Holani and North Dakota State's TaMerik Williams as undrafted free agents. One of those three will likely replace the departed DeeJay Dallas as Seattle's No. 3 back, but Dallas was more of a special teams contributor than an offensive threat.

Walker and Charbonnet combined for 389 touches last season. Dallas was the only other Seahawks running back to record a catch or carry, and he had a mere 19 touches.

Unless a major surprise emerges from the dept chart, we're likely to see a ton of Walker and Charbonnet again this season. The question is whether we see more of a 50-50 split than we did under former head coach Pete Carroll.

Walker started 15 games in 2023 and outpaced Charbonnet by more than 100 touches. However, Charbonnet was slightly more efficient as a runner (4.3 yards per carry versus 4.1), so an argument could be made for expanding Charbonnet's workload in 2024.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If there's one team that should have an open running back competition in training camp this year—and probably should have added more to the position—it's the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Rachaad White emerged as a capable high-volume runner and receiver in 2023, but he wasn't particularly consistent as a runner.

White amassed 1,539 scrimmage yards but averaged only 3.6 yards per carry. Returning backup Chase Edmonds (3.6 yards per carry) wasn't any better, and the Bucs finished dead last in both rushing yards and yards per carry.

Having an underwhelming interior offensive line played a role in that—first-round pick Graham Barton should help there moving forward—but Tampa Bay needs to generate more burst from its backfield this year.

Bucky Irving, a fourth-round rookie out of Oregon, might fit the bill. Though he's smaller at 5'9" and 192 pounds, he's a potent receiver out of the backfield with the speed to gain yards in bunches.

"Irving won't enter the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' lineup as the featured back. But he adds juice to a backfield that desperately needs it," Sobleski wrote.

Patrick Laird and 2023 undrafted free agent Sean Tucker round out Tampa's depth chart, but Irving is best poised to challenge White for significant playing time in 2024. However, White will likely remain the lead back.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans officially said goodbye to longtime star running back Derrick Henry this offseason, and they signed former Cowboys tailback Tony Pollard to a three-year, $21.8 million deal in free agency to replace him. While Pollard is not an upgrade over Henry, his receiving ability may better fit the offense of new head coach Brian Callahan.

While Pollard averaged a mediocre 4.0 yards per carry for Dallas last year, he caught 55 passes and topped 1,300 scrimmage yards. He should fill the role that Joe Mixon held under Callahan in Cincinnati.

However, Pollard proved during his time in Dallas that he's better as a committee back than a leading rusher. He split time with Ezekiel Elliott in his first four seasons and averaged more than 5.0 yards per carry in three of those.

It's worth noting that Pollard was also coming off a significant leg injury last season, though the eye test suggests he just isn't built to be a high-volume runner. Fortunately, the Titans have a capable second option in 2023 third-round pick Tyjae Spears.

Spears averaged a solid 4.5 yards per carry as a rookie, and he could see a fairly large share of the rushing workload in 2024. Using him in something close to a 50-50 split might be the best way for Tennessee to manage Pollard.

The Titans also have Hassan Haskins, Julius Chestnut and undrafted rookies Dillon Johnson and Jabari Small for depth. Based on Callahan's track record, though, the Titans probably won't go much deeper than Pollard and Spears.

Washington Commanders

The Commanders have their new quarterback in second overall pick Jayden Daniels, and they might just surround the rookie with an effective and fun ground game. A lot will hinge on how much soon-to-be 29-year-old Austin Ekeler has left in the proverbial tank.

Ekeler remains a terrific receiver out of the backfield, but he battled an ankle injury with the Chargers last season and averaged a career-low 3.5 yards per carry. He can be a prominent player this season, but his two-year, $8.4 million contract won't guarantee him a starting role.

Incumbent Brian Robinson Jr., who logged 1,101 scrimmage yards in 15 games last season, should remain Washington's leading ball-carrier. Ekeler can replace Antonio Gibson as the No. 2 back and serve as a more effective rotational, red-zone and receiving threat.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. is a functional third option, and he should return to the RB3 role this season. Washington also added Jeremy McNichols in free agency before signing Arizona's Michael Wiley and USC's Austin Jones as undrafted free agents.

While the Commanders will enter camp with a decent amount of depth, they're likely to lean heavily on the tandem of Robinson and Ekeler during the regular season. The two should see a fairly even split in touches, though Ekeler is almost certain to lead the backfield in receiving.

It'll be interesting to see how much Washington incorporates Daniels' scrambling ability into the equation, but the addition of him and Ekeler should boost a backfield that ranked 27th in rushing yards last season.

Advanced statistics from Pro Football Reference. Contract information via Spotrac.