Jaleel McLaughlin Fantasy Outlook: Should you draft Broncos RB in 2024?
Jaleel McLaughlin is the Denver Broncos backup running back in 2024 and will be behind Javonte Williams on the depth chart. Backup RBs have a lot more fantasy value than they used to thanks to teams running by committees and generally opting to limit workloads for the position.
Is Jaleel McLaughlin a good pick in 2024?
Jaleel McLaughlin looked good at times in 2023, but he's not a very good pick in 2024. The Broncos do have an inexperienced QB room, so they will likely lean on the run a lot more in 2024. However, McLaughlin is very much the backup and it's not really a committee in Denver.
Javonte Williams is the top back in Denver, and unless he gets hurt, which is possible, McLaughlin won't see a whole lot of action. Williams is very talented and still fairly young, so McLaughlin doesn't have a ton of upside. He could be a good handcuff, though.
With Bo Nix starting and Zach Wilson possibly seeing some time if that doesn't pan out, the Broncos figure to be a run-heavy team. If Williams goes down, that workload opens up for McLaughlin. That's really the only true value he brings to the table right now, though.
Should you draft Jaleel McLaughlin?
Jaleel McLaughlin is only a good pick if Javonte Williams gets hurt, so he's not a player you should have on your fantasy radar. Of course, at some point, a lot of what's left on draft boards are backup running backs and McLaughlin might make some sense.
However, at that point, the difference in players is marginal. You can certainly take the Broncos RB, but he's not a player you should specifically be targeting for your roster. He just doesn't have enough value to justify that. That said, if you draft Williams, taking McLaughlin as an insurance policy in the late rounds is a sound policy.
Jaleel McLaughlin 2023 stats, 2024 outlook, and ADP
Jaleel McLaughlin is in the same boat as he was in 2023 when he was the backup. Williams didn't play every game. He appeared in 16 and started 13 of them. McLaughlin, on the other hand, played all 17 and made three starts.
In those games, McLaughlin rushed 76 times for 410 yards at an astonishing 5.39 yards-per-carry average. He scored one touchdown on the ground, adding 160 yards and two scores through the air. The efficiency numbers are eye-popping.
They do suggest that McLaughlin can make the most of his situation and do well even as a backup. However, with those numbers, he was RB46 last year. Unless Williams goes down, this is unlikely to change much.
Williams finished RB32, so it's not as if the Broncos backfield was particularly dominant. With that in mind, it's hard to predict an outburst for either player, but especially the backup.
That's why his current ADP is 145th overall. That's in line with his scoring placement last year, and he's being taken as the 49th running back off the board. He's not someone a lot of fantasy managers are rushing to select.
Where should you draft Jaleel McLaughlin in 2024?
As mentioned, at the range that McLaughlin is being picked, it's largely a wash between running backs. If you're still in need of a starter or even a possible flex at this point, you're in trouble. However, McLaughlin can still provide some value depending on where you pick him.
Depending on your league size, he should be available in the later rounds. Getting him as late as possible is advisable, and realistically, you should be able to wait a long time to get him.