Post Day 2 Free Agency – RB Winners and Losers

Day 2 of free agency is in the books. Many running backs were on the loose once again and a plethora of them found new homes early on in free agency. No matter the time of the year, we must stay active in our dynasty leagues as we look to re-tool and fine-craft our rosters. Below are three running backs that made a deal during the second day of free agency, as well as a stock up, stock down analysis to follow. 

Derrick Henry – Baltimore Ravens

After watching Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, D’Andre Swift, Tony Pollard, Austin Ekeler, and others sign deals during the first day of the legal tampering period, Derrick Henry finally finds himself a new home. The Baltimore Ravens brought in the bruiser on a 2-year $16M contract to lead their rushing attack. He now joins Keaton Mitchell and Justice Hill in a talented running back room to help Lamar Jackson and company push for another deep playoff run. 

Stock Up: Lamar Jackson

Lamar Jackson should be the biggest beneficiary based on this news. He now has arguably the most talented back he has ever played with lining up behind him. Because of how dynamic of a runner Jackson is, defenses have always focused so much on him because of his rushing abilities. Now that Henry should shift some of the defenses’ focus on him, Jackson should be able to do more both as a passer and runner. Defenders are going to have a hard time sleeping the night before defending these two in RPOs. 

Stock Down: Keaton Mitchell

Keaton Mitchell showed flashes of greatness towards the middle of last season before he went down to a season-ending injury. Many dynasty managers expected a huge leap forward for him in 2024. Now that Henry is in town, Mitchell will have a hard time receiving a ton of carries unless Henry goes down with an injury. He’s still a viable pass-catcher that should be streamable in PPR leagues. For now, he serves as a decent bench piece for dynasty rosters, but the idea of him slotting into one of your starting running back spots for your team is all but over. 

Aaron Jones – Minnesota Vikings

One day after getting cut from the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Jones found a new home and managed to stay in the NFC North. The Minnesota Vikings signed the dynamic veteran to a 1-year $7M contract. He now gets the chance to play against his old team twice a year. With Alexander Mattison likely leaving town, Jones takes over starting duties for Minnesota ahead of Ty Chandler. 

Stock Up: Aaron Jones

This move bodes well for Jones right away! He gets a one-year contract to prove his worth, and he should see plenty of opportunities with his new team. Even if he takes a step back as a runner during his age-29 season, he still should produce decent numbers as a pass-catcher out of the backfield if he stays healthy. He’s topped 30 receptions in each of his last five seasons in the league. If you’re a Jones manager, the time to trade him would be now, though! He’s getting up there in age, and who knows if he can hold onto a starting spot going into the 2025 season. 

Stock Down: Ty Chandler

Before the 2023 season, many were unsure if Chandler would serve as the RB3 for this Vikings team. Then, Dalvin Cook left to go to the Jets, and Chandler eventually leapfrogged Mattison on Minnesota’s depth chart. Once he received the starting role, Chandler put together three performances of over 60 rushing yards, including a 132-yard performance in Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Now, he takes a back seat to Jones and figures to be a decent bench piece for your dynasty team. Like Mitchell above, the idea of him becoming one of your starting running backs has now been diminished. 

Joe Mixon – Houston Texans

Just a few days ago, Joe Mixon was expected to keep his role as the starting running back for the Bengals. Then the team went out and signed Zack Moss to a two-year deal. Rumors indicated that Mixon would then be cut, but right before the Bengals did so, the Houston Texans came in and traded for the veteran back. Mixon was already under contract, and he is due $5.75 in 2024. The new-look Texans now add another great player to their already up-and-coming offense led by the 2023 offensive rookie of the year, C.J. Stroud. And Mixon is expected to serve as the clear RB1 for this team now that Devin Singletary left to join the New York Giants. 

Stock Up: Chase Brown

Although the Bengals signed Moss to a two-year deal, the expectation is that Chase Brown will receive more opportunities. If you held onto him in hopes that he would see a larger role this season, you lucked out! Trading for him just got expensive, and it may be hard to do so at this point. He’s a fringe streaming option but an excellent depth piece for your dynasty roster. If you have any shares of Brown, I wouldn’t be too worried about Moss coming in and being the clear RB1 for this team. 

Stock Down: Dameon Pierce

After a promising rookie season, Dameon Pierce lost his starting spot to Devin Singletary in the middle of last season. Many dynasty managers expected him to get another chance with Singletary leaving in free agency. Now that Mixon is on this team, it’s hard to imagine Pierce receiving as many opportunities as he did in 2022. He’s a decent player to roster on your dynasty team if you have shares of Mixon. But at this point, he’s only a depth piece for your team. Don’t be surprised if he hardly gets any touches in 2024 and eventually becomes a drop candidate in the near future. 

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