Over the past decade, one of the most striking trends in the National Football League has been the devaluing of the running-back position.

While the top rushers in the league have had trouble getting paid as much as their receiving and quarterbacking cohorts, they’ve still proven to be invaluable to fantasy football success.

Four of the past five years, we’ve made a ball-carrier the No. 1 rookie pick in our fantasy previews (Josh Jacobs, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Breece Hall, Bijan Robinson).

But no such luck this year. Pass catchers reign in our 2024 list, led by a talented trio that begin their NFL fantasy careers as must-starts.

1. Marvin Harrison Jr. (Cardinals WR)

The son of a hall of famer and a future hall of famer himself? Yes, the hype around Harrison has been feverish. That’s due to his last two seasons at Ohio State (144 catches, 2,474 yards, 28 touchdowns). He’ll be the obvious No. 1 target of Arizona QB Kyler Murray, and he’s the only player on this list who could conceivably finish in the fantasy top 10 this season.

2. Malik Nabers (Giants WR)

The latest model of LSU superstar receivers, Nabers made like Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase with a three-year tally of 189 catches, 3,003 yards and 21 TDs. He begins his career as the Giants’ No. 1 offensive threat. The only thing that could hold him back, and likely will hold him back, is the mediocrity of New York incumbent quarterback Daniel Jones.

3. Rome Odunze (Bears WR)

He helped lead Washington to the national championship game last season with 92 catches for 1,640 yards and 13 touchdowns. And now he’s in the Windy City to pair up with Caleb Williams in what could be an explosive Bears attack. The only issue for Odunze’s fantasy value is that, playing beside veterans D.J. Moore and Keenan Allen, there are many mouths to feed.

4. Jonathon Brooks (Panthers RB)

Brooks blossomed as a senior at Texas with 212 touches for 1,425 yards and 11 touchdowns. Despite a knee injury he suffered at the end of last season, he’s still the top rookie running back of this class. He won’t be ready for the first few weeks, but he should eventually push his way past Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders into a starting role in Carolina.

5. Brock Bowers (Raiders TE)

Georgia’s three-time All-American was one of the greatest tight ends in college football history, scoring 31 touchdowns as a Bulldog. And he will quickly rise near the top of the fairly thin crop of fantasy tight ends. Could he challenge Davante Adams for the Raiders’ receiving lead? The biggest liability for both is Vegas’ meager QB ranks (Aidan O’Connell and Gardner Minshew).

6. Brian Thomas Jr. (Jaguars WR)

The other standout LSU receiver, Thomas last year had 68 catches for 1,177 yards and 17 TDs. He posted a sizzling 4.33 time in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine. If QB Trevor Lawrence doesn’t have a rebound season, he won’t be able to blame it on a pass-catching corps that also includes Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and tight end Evan Engram.

7. Caleb Williams (Bears QB)

The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 draft pick threw for 10,082 yards in his last three seasons at Oklahoma and Southern California. His 93-14 touchdown-to-interception ratio glitters, but he often did not in big games. But he’ll be heading an overhauled Chicago offense that, in addition to Odunze, added veterans Allen and D’Andre Swift.

8. Trey Benson (Cardinals RB)

The clear No. 2 rookie running back had almost identical seasons the past two years at Oregon and Florida State. He totalled 343 touches for 2,267 yards and 24 touchdowns. He’ll be taking some of the workload from starter James Conner and will be a significant player in the ascending Arizona offense.

9. Xavier Worthy (Chiefs WR)

Patrick Mahomes’ newest ally starred for three years at Texas, with 197 receptions for 2,755 yards and 26 TDs. But his most impressive number is the record 4.21-second time he posted in the 40 at the NFL combine. With Rashee Rice facing a possible suspension, Worthy will be high on Mahomes’ target list along with another newcomer, Marquise Brown.

10. Jayden Daniels (Commanders QB)

The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner had an off-the-charts season at LSU, completing more than 72 percent of his passes for 3,812 yards and 40 TDs. Even more impressive: only four interceptions. But he’s pretty skinny by NFL QB standards, so we’re guessing he won’t be duplicating the 10 rushing touchdowns he had last season in Baton Rouge.

11. Ladd McConkey (Chargers WR)

McConkey was one of the many standouts at Georgia, where in three seasons he tallied 132 touches for 1,903 yards and 18 TDs. He lands with a rebuilding Chargers team led by new coach Jim Harbaugh. With the exits of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Austin Ekeler and Gerald Everett, QB Justin Herbert will need McConkey to quickly emerge as a weapon.

12. Keon Coleman (Bills WR)

The Bills said goodbye to Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, who combined for 152 catches last season. In comes this Florida State standout, who caught 51 passes for 660 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Seminoles. He’s the seventh rookie on this list who has at least a chance to lead his new team in receptions.

13. Blake Corum (Rams RB)

The hero of Michigan’s 2023 national championship team had two sterling seasons with the Wolverines, rushing for 2,708 yards and 45 touchdowns in 2022-23. He scored in 26 of his last 27 games. Corum could see regular work in L.A. as he’s behind only Kyren Williams on the depth chart. Coach Sean McVay will not let this talent go to waste.

14. Ricky Pearsall (49ers WR)

Pearsall started at Arizona State and finished at Florida, where he scored six TDs and caught 65 passes for 965 last season. A very athletic addition to a 49ers receiver corps that is a bit up in the air because of the uncertain status of disgruntled Brandon Aiyuk.

15. Adonai Mitchell (Colts WR)

Mitchell transferred from Georgia to Texas and posted strong numbers last season (55 catches, 845 yards, 11 TDs). He could find his way into the starting lineup with the Colts, who have only one top-flight receiver in Michael Pittman Jr.

Other notable rookies

Jaylen Wright (Dolphins RB), MarShawn Lloyd (Packers RB), Xavier Legette (Panthers WR), Drake Maye (Patriots QB), J.J. McCarthy (Vikings QB), Bo Nix (Broncos QB), Michael Penix Jr. (Falcons QB), Ben Sinott (Commanders TE).

Coming up

Aug. 18: Veterans that we’re not especially high on for this fantasy season.

Aug. 25: Veterans that we’re rating higher than the experts’ consensus.

Sept. 1: Our annual Nipsey Russell-inspired NFL Preview.

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.