Isaac Guerendo, Jordan Mason, Kendre Miller, and Zach Charbonnet are all NFL contributors who have shown starter promise this year. Which young running back has the most value in the long term?
Welcome to Week 15 of the 2024 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. We split the conversation into separate features.
This week's roundtable features these four topics:
- Fantasy vs. Reality
- Player Storylines to Validate or Debunk
- Potential League-Winning WRs
- Dynasty RB Value Check (see below)
Let's roll.
Dynasty RB Value Check
Matt Waldman: Here are four running backs who have shown the potential to produce starter value when called upon.
With the next 2-3 seasons in mind, answer the following: 1) Who has the most upside if his situation wasn't a factor? 2) Who has the best situation? And 3) Who is the biggest trap to hold and risk holding too long?
Most Upside (Situation Not Factored)
Andy Hicks: Zach Charbonnet. He was the highest drafted, and pedigree usually matters. Until performance does. He has done well when Ken Walker III has missed time and is an excellent receiver out of the backfield.
Miller is mostly known for being injured. Mason and Guerendo can be called products of the 49ers system.
Justin Howe: Charbonnet looks like the best of these in a vacuum. I've long preferred him to Ken Walker III from a real-life standpoint; what he loses to Walker in straight-line speed, he makes up for with elusiveness and power.
He's also more likely to be featured in the passing game, as opposed to merely included as a checkdown. Besides, I agree with Jason: there's no evidence that either of the 49ers backs are worthwhile in a vacuum.
Jason Wood: It's Zach Charbonnet, and for me, it's an easy choice. Not only is he the most pedigreed of this quartet, but we've also seen him deliver huge numbers when given the chance.
Last week, starting in place of Ken Walker III, he delivered a better fantasy week than Walker has ever had in his career.
Guerendo, Miller, and Mason are all guys with intriguing traits, but most of their value is tied to their situation, which you've asked us to exclude. They're in good systems, but are they difference-makers on their own? Charbonnet has the best chance of the four to thrive on a league-average offense.
Jeff Bell: Charbonnet has the most situation-independent upside. Guerendo has never been a feature back, even at the college level. Miller has worked through issues in his career. Mason has had a chance to show he is a regular passing game contributor. Charbonnet's standout Week 14 performance is a factor, but he was a second-round pick and has shown a three-down skillset when given opportunities.
Dan Hindery: If we're talking pure upside, the answer is Zach Charbonnet. He's coming off a monster game with 193 total yards, seven catches, and two touchdowns.
When Ken Walker III has been sidelined, Charbonnet has thrived, scoring five touchdowns in three starts. With his rare combination of size and receiving ability, Charbonnet has the tools to be a true three-down workhorse if given the opportunity.
Gary Davenport: Charbonnet has the most fantasy upside if his situation isn't a consideration. Many fantasy managers forget just how talented a back Charbonnet is in his own right. He reminded everyone last week with his huge game in Arizona.