Three Underrated Rookie RBs to Trade for this Offseason

Did your 2023 fantasy season go differently than planned? Is your dynasty roster in need of a little shakeup? You may need a young running back with a bright future. It will take a lot to trade for players like Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, De’Von Achane, Tyjae Spears, or even Zach Charbonnet. But several of this year’s rookie running backs still have very bright futures in this league. Below are five you should target in trades this offseason.

Chase Brown – Cincinnati Bengals  

Going into the 2023 season, many expected Chase Brown to battle for the RB2 spot behind Joe Mixon. Early in the year, he split that role with Trayveon Williams. Then, he missed four straight weeks with a hamstring injury. But in Week 12, Brown broke out and turned nine carries into 61 yards. He followed that with 125 combined yards and a touchdown on 11 opportunities the next week. Not only did he establish that RB2 role on the team, but he also showed dynasty managers why he could be so valuable moving forward. 

In Weeks 13-18, Brown averaged 8.2 PPR points per game while playing backseat to a top-5 fantasy running back (Mixon of course). Although just over eight PPR points don’t turn many heads, they should when you factor in the total opportunities he received. In those last six games of the season, Brown turned 54 opportunities into 322 yards (5.9 yards per opportunity). To put things in perspective, Mixon produced 557 yards on 120 opportunities (4.6 yards per opportunity). You also have to remember that Mixon is going into his age-28 season. He’s also going into his final year under contract. Don’t be surprised if Brown starts to take over his RB1 role on this team sooner than later. And if you believe he can overtake Mixon’s role (I do), then you need to trade for him now before his value skyrockets. 

Roschon Johnson – Chicago Bears

Although he served as a backup during his college days at Texas University, Roschon Johnson has a chance at becoming a starter in the pros. During his rookie campaign, he played behind Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman for most of the year. In Weeks 1-11, Johnson drew 40 percent or more of snaps in three of the nine games he played. In those nine games, he turned 44 carries into 158 rushing yards and one touchdown. He also hauled in 19 receptions for 91 yards. In his final six games of the year, he saw more opportunities and produced efficient numbers. During that span, he rushed for 194 yards on 37 attempts. He also snagged 15 receptions for 118 yards. At the same time, he leaped Foreman on the team’s depth chart and ate away at Herbert’s lead role. 

With Foreman slated to hit free agency and Herbert going into his final season under contract, Johnson could establish himself as the team’s RB1 eventually. If anything, he takes over as Chicago’s receiving back full-time. Herbert has also dealt with a multitude of injuries during the last two seasons, and that may open the door for Johnson to slide into that lead role sooner than later. Although the Bears’ offense will look different next season with Shane Waldron as the team’s new offensive coordinator, you can expect a bigger role for the one-year pro. 

Keaton Mitchell – Baltimore Ravens

Here’s a guy who went undrafted but had a lot of attributes NFL teams love. He ran a 4.37 40-yard dash (99th percentile), produced a 127.6 burst score (88th percentile), and finished his collegiate career with a 30.7 percent college dominator (70th percentile). His issue was that he played against lesser competition (went to East Carolina) and was very undersized (5’8” and 179 pounds). But the writing was on the wall once Baltimore signed him as an undrafted free agent before the season. He was going to a team that needed help at the running back position. The Ravens listed J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill ahead of him going into the 2023 campaign. But those three players missed a combined 52 games during the 2021 and 2022 seasons (you read that right). 

In his very first game of the year, Dobbins suffered a season-ending injury. That opened the door for Mitchell to prove to the Ravens’ coaches he belonged on the field. After nearly no action for Baltimore’s offense in September and October, Mitchell broke out in limited action on November 5th against the Seahawks. He turned nine carries into 138 yards and a touchdown. The very next week, he produced 66 yards and a touchdown on four total touches (three carries and one reception). During the next four weeks, he produced 224 rushing yards on 35 carries and also hauled in six receptions for 56 yards. He carved out a prominent role in the Ravens’ rushing attack. Sadly, he too faced a season-ending knee injury. He should be back sometime next season, and he may have an even larger role when that time comes. Both Dobbins and Edwards are set to hit free agency. Only Mitchell and Hill are under contract going into 2024. Surely, Baltimore will sign either a veteran back or go to the NFL Draft for young talent. Either way, Mitchell proved in his limited time and opportunity that he deserves to be heavily featured in Baltimore’s offense. 

Honorable Mentions: 

Kendre Miller (NO), Chris Rodriguez Jr. (WAS), Tank Bigsby (JAX)

Did you enjoy this article and want more Dynasty content? Click here for a 12-month DFF Membership. You can also follow me @dirrim23 where I love discussing all things fantasy football. #DFFArmy #AlwaysBeBuilding