Why Zamir White of the Las Vegas Raiders is a Major Fantasy Football Sleeper for the 2024 Season

By Jason Bolton August 17, 2024 10:12

Photo by Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 NFL season is around the corner, and fantasy football players are interested in identifying possible breakout candidates providing above-average value based on their draft ADP. Of all the players in that key reserves category, one sleeper is vested at running back for the Las Vegas Raiders, Zamir White. White is in a prime position to have quite the fantasy impact this season, with a great deal of talent at his disposal on an offense that leans heavily toward pass first. This piece looks into his background, why he's set up for a breakout, and some specific statistical outlines that explain him being the sleeper he truly is.

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Zamir White's Background

College Performance and Stats

A super explosive running back, Zamire White's college career is impressive. He made a name for himself at the University of Georgia. In three seasons at Georgia, he totaled 1,121 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on only 156 carries (7.2 ypc average). Most notably, he played an integral role in leading Georgia to a national championship this past season and did not seem phased by high-pressure circumstances.

Draft and Rookie season

The Las Vegas Raiders drafted White in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. His rookie campaign included limited action as he was part of a backfield rotation behind then-veteran Josh Jacobs. Nonetheless, White did show glimpses of promise, especially late in the season. From Weeks 15-18, he saw an average of 23.3 touches and produced at least 114.3 total yards per game to finish as the RB12 in fantasy points. This performance demonstrated his potential to carry a heavier load, so he will be successful if given the opportunity.

Current Role and Usage

At the outset of 2024, White is projected to have a larger role in Las Vegas. Now that Jacobs has left the club for Green Bay, White will take over as RB1. With the Raiders' new offensive coordinator already talking about a run-first approach and plans for using both White and his running mate, that could leave plenty of carries to still make him a solid No. 1 option. He has plenty of value for fantasy managers aiming to pile up worth by volume.

Why Zamir White Will Breakout in 2024

Physical Traits/Skill Set

White is a bigger back but has speed for his size. At 6 feet and 215 pounds, he possesses great power to go with quick enough feet that he eluded would-be tacklers regularly. He was tied for 13th among all qualified running backs in explosive run rate last year and sixth in yards after contact per attempt. These are important numbers for any fantasy running back because they show that he can create and gain ground equally.

Changes in Raiders Offense

White may get added looks with a new head coach and offensive scheme in Oakland. Jacobs leaving vacates a bunch of carries, and the addition of fourth-round pick Bucky Irving, pass-catcher extraordinaire, indicates White will fill something more than just standard back sauce duties. With new personnel and a different offensive philosophy in place, that might open the door for more work on the ground and through the air for White.

Touch Upside and Fantasy Output to Expect

Many analysts predict he could take on circa 235 carries and possibly generate 33 catches in the passing game. A much-needed volume play that amounts to touch opportunity, which is so important in fantasy football as more touches generally mean more yardage and touchdown opportunities. Considering his past performance and how their offense is set up now, White will be a key component of what the Raiders do on offense.

Zamir White's 2024 Fantasy Football Projections and Outlooks

Statistical Projections

Rushing Yards: 988 yards
Rushing Touchdowns: 5.8
Receptions: 33
Receiving Yards: 230 yards
Total Fantasy Points: 158.7 points

This puts White in that RB2 range with some additional wiggle room and upside if he scores a bunch of TDs. His 62 rushing yards, 99, if you include injuries, bettered his line while scoring twice to make up for any lost scores from last season's average.

Comparison to Other Elite Fantasy Running Backs

White compares favorably with other running backs in projected stats. However, while many top running backs are being taken in early rounds, White is at an average draft position (ADP), putting him at around #67. This disconnect offers fantasy managers a chance to draft such a higher-upside player later in the rotation. This makes him incredibly attractive to anyone looking for value towards the back end of their drafts, and his RB2 tier performance outlook backs this up.

To sum it up, Zamir White is on the verge of a huge season in 2024 as his skill set continues to be showcased more, and he has favorable projections. He offers a ton of fantasy value as the No. 1 running back for the Raiders and is someone to take chances on during your drafts this year. Considering White's skill set and availability, fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on him as he has sleeper potential written all over 2021. After battling unfortunate knee injuries in college, Zamir White is the perfect storm of talent and opportunity to make his mark on fantasy football this year.