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Given the rate at which injuries strike the running back position, knowing who's next in line for carries is critical for fantasy owners.
Not all backup rushers are created equal, and though the league-winning potential of players like Kareem Hunt and Tony Pollard may appear obvious, many second-string ball carriers aren't getting the respect they deserve in fantasy drafts.
Here's how we're ranking the top reserve tailbacks, broken down into tiers:
More than a backup
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
1 | Kareem Hunt | CLE |
- Top-10 upside if Nick Chubb is injured
- Proven RB1 during time with Chiefs
- Could still provide RB2 production without starting
Elite options
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
2 | Tony Pollard | DAL |
3 | A.J. Dillon | GB |
4 | Alexander Mattison | MIN |
5 | James Robinson | JAX |
6 | Gus Edwards | BAL |
- RB1 upside if starter is injured
- Stuck behind a more talented back
- Will flirt with flex value some weeks, even as a backup
May emerge as starter
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
7 | Trey Sermon | SF |
8 | Michael Carter | NYJ |
9 | James Conner | ARI |
- Top-20 upside if starter is injured
- Could rise to the top of the depth chart during season
- Can provide flex value some weeks, even as a backup
Hanging around
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
10 | Jamaal Williams | DET |
11 | Latavius Murray | NO |
12 | Kenyan Drake | LV |
13 | Melvin Gordon | DEN |
- Top-20 upside if starter is injured
- Currently in a committee with a more qualified teammate
- Can provide flex value most weeks, even as a backup
Unproven upside
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
14 | Darrynton Evans | TEN |
15 | Chuba Hubbard | CAR |
16 | Kenneth Gainwell | PHI |
- Top-24 upside if starter is injured
- Should have notable role behind a veteran lead back
- Can provide flex value some weeks, even as a backup
Wild cards
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
17 | Leonard Fournette | TB |
18 | Devin Singletary | BUF |
19 | Phillip Lindsay | HOU |
- Top-30 upside if starting at any point
- 2021 role yet to be determined
- Workload questions due to crowded backfield
PPR specialists
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
20 | Nyheim Hines | IND |
21 | James White | NE |
22 | J.D.McKissic | WAS |
23 | Tarik Cohen | CHI |
- Limited upside as a fantasy insurance policy
- Unlikely to serve as workhorse if starter is injured
- Can offer flex value in PPR formats, even as a backup
Volume-dependent veterans
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
24 | Samaje Perine | CIN |
25 | Devontae Booker | NYG |
- Veteran playing behind starters with an injury history
- Doubts surrounding hold on backup job or ability to produce if called upon
- Would need majority of touches to be fantasy relevant
Unclear situations
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
26 | Malcolm Brown/Salvon Ahmed/Gerrid Doaks | MIA |
27 | Darrel Williams/Jerick McKinnon | KC |
28 | Rashaad Penny/Alex Collins/DeeJay Dallas | SEA |
29 | Javian Hawkins/Qadree Ollison | ATL |
30 | Joshua Kelley/Larry Rountree | LAC |
31 | Kalen Ballage/Anthony McFarland Jr./Benny Snell | PIT |
- Upside in quality offenses if a clear backup emerges and starter is injured
- Value limited by possibility of committee replacement scenario
- Players to draft as bench stashes in final rounds
Deep targets
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
32 | Damien Williams | CHI |
33 | Rhamondre Stevenson | NE |
34 | Wayne Gallman | SF |
35 | Ty Johnson | NYJ |
36 | Xavier Jones | LAR |
- Long shots with intriguing upside if injuries hit their backfield
- Have the skills to produce as lead back over short stretches
- Watchlist candidates who could turn into key waiver wire pickups