Zamir White fantasy outlook: Is Raiders RB a good pick in 2024?
Zamir White is set to take over the backfield for the Las Vegas Raiders this year. After breaking out towards the end of last season, and with Josh Jacobs now with the Green Bay Packers, it's White's team as far as the running back room goes. Does this make him a good fantasy pick?
Zamir White's Fantasy Outlook in 2024
Zamir White is a starting running back without another player expected to immediately cut into his usage. In other words, he is the starter and should get the bulk of the carries. It may be less of a committee backfield than the Carolina Panthers have, for example.
Furthermore, the Las Vegas Raiders may very well be a run-heavy team. They weren't exactly pass-happy last year, and the QB situation is a little worse this year.
Aidan O'Connell and Gardner Minshew, whoever becomes the starter, aren't likely to strike fear into the hearts of the defense. Plus, head coach Antonio Pearce may lean towards being run-heavy, which bodes well for White.
His fantasy performance last year is skewed by having Josh Jacobs ahead of him for most of the season, but in the last four games he did the following:
- 84 carries
- 397 yards
- One touchdown
- Nine catches
These numbers translate to a promising line over a full season which he should have in 2024.
Is Zamir White a good fantasy pick in 2024?
Zamir White is a good fantasy pick in 2024. Alexander Mattison is a fine backup as he showed in Minnesota, but he's not likely to push White to the side or play so well that the Raiders have to give him carries. White is the clear top back, which is very beneficial in fantasy.
His performance last year suggests that he's in for a solid season. He's not likely to challenge Christian McCaffrey or others for the top RB rank, but he is likely to be dependable and put in a good performance that you can rely on.
The zero-RB strategy can and does backfire often. On the other hand, it's difficult to get a guy like McCaffrey. That's where players like White (or someone like Joe Mixon) come into play at the right range. They won't win leagues, but they also won't lose them for you.
White is a bit of an unknown since he has had such limited time as a starter and does have a former starter in the backfield with him. That said, it could lower his ADP (average draft position) and provide more value at the position for you.
Where should you draft Zamir White this year?
Zamir White's ADP is currently 70th overall as he is being taken roughly in the seventh or eighth rounds in fantasy drafts right now. However, this is subject to change as data is incomplete. Not a lot of fantasy drafts have been completed yet, so there's little evidence.
This is probably a fair range for White, though. Our fantasy analyzer believes this is the right place to begin targeting him. When compared to some other options, White looks like the better choice.
When you get into the seventh and eighth rounds, star running backs are scarce. White is hardly a star (at least not yet), but he is capable of starting in your lineup and providing you with a better option than taking another position and waiting even longer. Running backs have become more important lately in fantasy football, so it's best not to wait too long.
Entering Week 1, Zamir White ranks as RB24 in our 2024 fantasy football RB rankings. Our fantasy draft tool projects a return of 217 points for the Raiders RB.