2024 preseason rankings: Top 40 running backs in fantasy football ahead of the 2024 NFL season

25. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

Age: 28
2023 rank: 24
Projected offensive line rank: 32
Quarterback: Derek Carr, Jake Haener

Whether it was the offense shifting to new quarterback Derek Carr or age catching up to him, Kamara had the worst statistical year of his career in 2023. While tying his career-low with 13 games played, the multi-faceted veteran logged just 694 rushing yards on 3.9 yards per tote with a mere 466 receiving yards. Regardless of the reason behind his regression, nothing will be any better for Kamara in 2024 behind what PPF projects to be the worst offensive line that was only further hampered by Ryan Ramczyk's season-long knee injury.

24. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

Age: 26
2023 rank: 25
Projected offensive line rank: 8
Quarterback: Jordan Love, Sean Clifford

After five years of up-and-down production from Jacobs with the Raiders, the 2022 rushing yards leader signed with Green Bay in the offseason to put him in a better offensive situation than the one he would have been in with Las Vegas. However, that is where the positives end on paper as Jacobs is coming off career lows in carries (233), yards per attempt (3.6) and touchdowns (six) in 2023. Only time will tell if the change in scenery will benefit the notoriously inefficient Jacobs, who will have to fend off both AJ Dillon and rookie MarShawn Lloyd.

23. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

Age: 29
2023 rank: 15
Projected offensive line rank: 24
Quarterback: Kyler Murray, Desmond Ridder

Conner shocked everyone with a career-high 1,040 rushing yards in 2023 but it is difficult to imagine that production being replicated with Father Time being undefeated. Entering his eighth year in the NFL, Conner will begin the season at 29 years old with rookie Trey Benson now to push him for carries. Add that to the fact that Arizona is expected to have a bottom-five defense and not much will favor Conner in 2024.

22. Gus Edwards, Los Angeles Chargers

Age: 29
2023 rank: 14
Projected offensive line rank: 11
Quarterback: Justin Herbert, Easton Stick

Although he will be 29 by Week 1, Edwards figures to be the primary beneficiary of Jim Harbaugh taking over the Chargers in 2024. Though Justin Herbert is still the team's best offensive asset, the receiver room in Los Angeles has thinned out with Mike Williams and Keenan Allen both leaving the team in the offseason. Edwards' efficiency took a dip in 2023 but behind an improved offensive line in Los Angeles, the top running back on a Harbaugh-led offense cannot be ignored.

21. Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins

Age: 32
2023 rank: 2
Projected offensive line rank: 29
Quarterback: Tua Tagovailoa, Mike White

Mostert finished 2023 as the RB2 behind only Christian McCaffrey but will face an uphill battle in his attempt to return to fantasy dominance in his 10th season. Without much value as a pass catcher, Mostert built his foundation off 18 rushing touchdowns in 2023, a lofty feat unlikely to repeat. In his age-32 season, he will have to out-last the younger and more explosive De'Von Achane, who finished as the RB21 as a rookie in just 11 games.