Three mid-round running backs to target in fantasy football drafts

With the NFL preseason in full swing, many eager fans have already begun scouting out their next fantasy football squad. 

The most pressing question most ask themselves is who their first-round draft target will be. While that's undoubtedly an important choice to make, the results have shown that first-round selections rarely make or break a draft. Barring an unforeseen injury, most players in this range live up to their draft standing, at the very least.

Instead, drafts are won in the middle and late rounds. Especially with wide receivers once again rising to the forefront of fantasy drafts, selecting the most productive running backs in the middle rounds has become more crucial than ever. 

For those who plan on addressing their need with Bijan Robinson or Saquon Barkley in the opening round, scouring the draft boards for an RB2 may not be a top priority. But for those who will be buying low on the position this year, these players may be for you. 

Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks

A back most won't see come off the board until the latter third of drafts, Zach Charbonnet isn't even slated to lead Seattle's depth chart. That job currently belongs to Kenneth Walker III. But one thing Charbonnet has over his backfield partner? Health.

The 2023 second-rounder filled in during each of Walker's six absences in 2024 and delivered. Charbonnet posted just 34 yards on 14 attempts during his first starting bout of the season but combined for over 300 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns in his next two starts. If Walker misses a chunk of the season again, Charbonnet could prove to be a draft-day steal.

David Montgomery, Detroit Lions

Montgomery found a home in Detroit in 2023, posting over 1,000 rushing yards in his first campaign with the Lions. His usage and production dropped in 2024 due to the rise of Jahmyr Gibbs, but with a sixth-round price tag, drafting Montgomery is worth considering.

While Montgomery only posted 775 rushing yards over 14 games, he did reach the endzone 12 times from the backfield, good enough for ninth among running backs. Montgomery won't be in a featured role, but there's little reason to believe his touchdown upside won't still be there with Detroit in 2025. 

Montgomery should serve as a reliable RB2 with plenty of goal-line opportunities and the chance for even more should Gibbs miss time at any point.

James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

The ever-reliable James Conner is once again projected to last until the fifth round. He'll be entering his age-30 season, usually a signifier of decline for running backs, but after posting the two most productive seasons of his career with the Cardinals, there's no reason to think the 2017 third-round pick can't turn in one more impressive campaign.

Conner has run for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, a feat he never reached in the first six seasons of his career. He doesn't boast the same touchdown upside as Montgomery after scoring eight rushing TDs in 2024. But Conner does have a grip on Arizona's backfield, likely until his wheels fall off. For that reason, he could be a league-winner in 2025.