8 backup RBs you need to stash

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Running backs are recycled more than any other position in pro sports. Some backs make a living by trying to run through - not around - menacing defenders. No wonder they get hurt so often.

Any smart fantasy owner drafted and stashed backup running backs on his bench. Those who did so with Broncos rookie Devontae Booker are reaping the benefits thanks to C.J. Anderson's injury. With limited bench spots in fantasy football, it begs the question: which backup running backs are worth handcuffing at this point in the season?

The following list of backup running backs is ranked in descending order based on how valuable they would be if the incumbent running back were to sustain a season-ending injury (ownership courtesy of FantasyPros).

Tevin Coleman, Falcons

Ownership: 84 percent

Coleman is the lone running back on this list who is a key part of a backfield timeshare. He has actually outscored Devonta Freeman in standard leagues, despite receiving 49 less touches. The only reason he is included on this list is because someone in your league may have been foolish enough to drop him because of his current hamstring injury that will likely keep him out for Week 8.

DeAngelo Williams, Steelers

Ownership: 60 percent

Williams has proven time and time again that he is a true RB1 when Le'Veon Bell is out. In the 13 games that Bell has missed since 2015, Williams has accumulated 1,059 rushing yards, 409 receiving yards and 12 total touchdowns.

Alfred Morris, Cowboys

Ownership: 14 percent

Morris needs no introduction to fantasy football veterans. He had three straight 1,000 yard seasons to begin his career, totaling 28 touchdowns during that time in Washington. He was phased out of the offense last season, mostly due to his inability to catch out of the backfield. He inked a two-year deal with the Cowboys this past offseason.

If Ezekiel Elliott were to suffer an injury, Morris would instantly become the primary back, with Lance Dunbar filling third-down duties. Given how dominate Dallas' offensive line is (three of five rank in the top 11 at their position, per Pro Football Focus), Morris could become an RB1 in standard leagues if Elliott were to go down.

Derrick Henry, Titans

Ownership: 48 percent

Henry was expected to be a big part of the offense this season, but that changed as soon as DeMarco Murray proved that his struggles last season were due to schematic issues and not his own decline. Running the majority of plays from under center has helped Murray get downhill quicker, even though it has resulted in a few hiccups from QB Marcus Mariota.

Henry, last year's Heisman winner, lacks the receiving ability that Murray has, but he, too, is a true downhill runner. Tennessee is clearly committed to the running game, and has the big men up front to do so. LT Taylor Lewan (top ranked tackle) and RT Jack Conklin (sixth-ranked tackle) anchor one of the league's best O-lines.

Kapri Bibbs, Broncos

Ownership: Less than one percent

Anderson's injury has moved Bibbs up to No. 2 on the depth chart. Gary Kubiak, Denver's head coach, runs an offense with the same concepts of legendary Broncos coach Mike Shanahan's offense (Kubiak was Denver's offensive coordinator during the Shanahan days).

The zone-run, play-action heavy scheme has always been very RB friendly. Take a look at how Kubiak-coached teams have ranked in rushing yards over his career:

This sample size is large enough to prove that no matter who the running back is - from Steve Slaton in '08 to Justin Forsett in '14 - Kubiak's starting RB will always be a fantasy juggernaut.

Daniel Lasco, Saints

Ownership: Less than one percent

Only once in Mark Ingram's six-year career has he played more than 13 games in a season. He has yet to miss a game this season, however.

Lasco, a rookie, would handle the bulk of work on first down, second down and around the goal line, with Travaris Cadet serving as the receiving back if Ingram were sidelined. Sean Payton's offense isn't run-first by any stretch, but they get into the red zone enough to keep their RBs fantasy relevant.

Mike Gillislee, Bills

Ownership: 26 percent

Buffalo leads the NFL in rushing yards. Since Anthony Lynn took over as OC following Week 2, the Bills are averaging 183 yards on the ground per game.

Gillislee has averaged 6.2 yards per carry this year. Even if LeSean McCoy were to go down long-term, the club would have no choice but to stick to the running game given how thin their receiving core is.

Damien Williams, Dolphins

Ownership: Less than one percent

Jay Ajayi's back-to-back 200-yard rushing performances are impressive, but he can't take all the credit. It's no coincidence that the left side of Miami's O-line (LT Branden Albert, LG Laremy Tunsil & C Mike Pouncey) have all been on the field at the same time this season in only the past two games.

Arian Foster's sudden retirement bumps Williams up to No. 2 on the depth chart. Williams is adept enough in all three phases (running, receiving & blocking) that he wouldn't split carries if Ajayi went down. With that being said, if the Dolphins were mathematically eliminated in this hypothetical scenario, rookie Kenyan Drake would likely get a few looks.