Dynasty Stashes: 4 Young Running Backs to Target

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Welcome to the final installment of Dynasty Stashes. Follow the Footballguys staff as they name players worth targeting in your dynasty leagues. These players should be fairly affordable now but could pay big dividends in the future.

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Let's finish up with the wide receivers. Chase Brown, Trey Benson, Jaylen Wright, and Kimani Vidal are all projected to start the season behind veteran running backs. And we have two questions today.

Part 1: Who has the best chance to be their team's top back?

Chase Brown, Cincinnati

Chad Parsons - Chase Brown has the best chance to win the lead job without an injury. Brown has more juice than Zack Moss, plus Moss has been a nomadic player in his career, only popping up with his stint in Indianapolis last season of prominence. It would be more surprising to see Trey Benson usurp James Conner, Jaylen Wright surpassing Raheem Mostert and De'Von Achane, or Kimani Vidal besting Gus Edwards. 

Ryan Weisse - Of this group, I think Brown has the best chance to steal the job in 2024. I like Benson and Wright better, but that's not the question. Brown only needs to beat Zack Moss, and that isn't a large mountain to climb. Moss looked good taking over in Indianapolis last year, but that doesn't erase the three years prior. He's never played a full season; last year was the first time he crossed 200 touches. Brown didn't show much as a rookie, but the team didn't add any outside competition to replace him. He'll start the year as a backup, but Brown could win the job if Moss reverts to his pre-2023 form.

Trey Benson, Arizona

Andy Hicks - The answer to both questions for me is Trey Benson. There is no sugarcoating it; a player's draft pedigree matters. Benson is by far the highest-drafted running back from the group. The man standing before him is James Conner, a 29-year-old running back who has missed almost a year and a half of NFL football over his seven-year career. It is several games every year, not a big chunk in any one season. I expect Benson to take the job once he gets a sniff and Connor to move on after the season. Connor has defied expectations throughout his career, but the time for a younger running back to take the reigns is now in Arizona. 

Corey Spala - I believe Benson has the best chance and has the highest upside in this group. Arizona understands James Conner is in his last year, and Benson will be their RB1 in 2025. I would not be surprised to see Benson take over during the season. He breaks tackles (.391 per touch) and will look to add an explosive edge to the Arizona offense. Benson had the highest breakaway percentage (56%) in the 2024 class. 

Benson may be behind Conner to start the season, which is no big deal. Arizona gave their running back depth 182 opportunities (carries/targets) last season. There is a sizable workload for Benson to assume alongside Conner. The bonus would be if he claims the RB1 role this season. Conner has never played a full season in his seven-year career.

Hutchinson Brown - James Connor was great last season when healthy, but he's a 28-year-old running back who has many miles on his legs and hasn't played one full season in his whole career. I'd bet money that there will be some games in which Benson has the full-time role due to a Connor injury, and in those performances, he will likely make a strong case to take a bigger role in the offense even when Connor does return. Jaylen Wright is a very talented player, but he has more competition to get around, and Brown simply just profiles as a complimentary back rather than a lead guy. I would bet hard against him, achieving a 12+ touch per game workload.

Matthew Montgomery- James Connor managers, close your eyes. I believe that Benson will be the man who finally usurps Connor's role in Arizona. Connor isn't the explosive player Benson is, and I believe the team philosophically shifted to dynamic playmakers in this draft. While all the hype will go to drafting Marvin Harrison Jr., the team scooping up Benson could get the draft steal, and he could make a difference on your team in year one. Connor is and will continue to be the bruiser back, but after Benson has one of these dazzling touchdowns, the end will be near.

Dan Hindery - Trey Benson. The Bengals view Chase Brown as more of a change-of-pace runner behind Zack Moss. Jaylen Wright and Kimani Vidal were Day 3 picks, which makes them relatively long shots to earn starting roles based on historical precedent. That leaves Benson, who went at the top of the third round (66th overall), to a team with a 29-year-old starter (James Conner). It feels like only a matter of time before Benson takes over the lead role in what could be an exciting young Cardinals offense. 

Part 2: What back has the highest upside out of that group?

Jaylen Wright, Miami

Chad Parsons - In a high-upside-centric projection, Jaylen Wright has the most upside with the Miami offense and ideally being a De'Von Achane-type electric big-play maven.

Matthew Montgomery—The Dolphins have the most dynamic offense on this list. Although the backfield is loaded with talent, Jaylen Wright has a claim to be potentially the best athlete of the group. The Dolphins have a way they want their offense to be, and they're building toward this. They had one of the best run games in the entire league and still felt that it could be better to add Wright. This means the team has a plan to utilize him early and often.

Trey Benson, Arizona

Ryan Weisse - I'll take Benson for the upside. He and Wright are both stuck behind good backs, but Benson has a clearer path to being the team's focal point in the backfield. James Conner is probably gone after 2024, and Benson is the starting back for the Cardinals. When you look at the pieces they have on offense, that could mean big things in 2025. While the Miami offense is far more exciting, the best-case scenario for Wright over the next three seasons is a timeshare with a more talented De'Von Achane.

Hutchinson Brown -I really want to say Jaylen Wright, but Trey Benson has to be my answer due to the clear potential of having the workhorse role in a great offense. Kyler Murray, Trey Benson, Marvin Harrison Jr, and Trey McBride are such a strong offensive core, and if Benson has the workhorse role on lockdown, he could definitely achieve top-five numbers at the running back position. Unfortunately, Wright will be put into a limited role due to the competition around him and likely be a bit capped for fantasy. 

Kimani Vidal, LA Chargers

Vidal did not receive much interest from the group. He is viewed as tiers behind the others and barely ahead of his 29-year-old teammate, Gus Edwards, in dynasty value. He may also be the Chargers' best chance at an all-around back. Vidal had considerably more receiving production than either of the other three backs, and he is paired with a veteran in Edwards, who has rarely been involved in that aspect of the game. JK Dobbins is still looming, but his taking a leading role for this backfield is more on the path of a feel-good story. Vidal has a cult following but has a chance to become a significant contributor quickly.

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