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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 don't get the respect they deserve in fantasy drafts.
Here's how we're ranking the top reserve tailbacks, broken down into tiers:
Elite backup options
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
1 | AJ Dillon | GB |
2 | Kareem Hunt | CLE |
3 | Tony Pollard | DAL |
- RB1 upside if the starter is sidelined
- Stuck behind a more talented back
- Will offer RB2/flex value some weeks, even as a backup
Proven short-term starters
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
4 | Alexander Mattison | MIN |
5 | Darrell Henderson | LAR |
- RB1 upside if the starter is sidelined
- Stuck behind a more talented back
- Won't offer enough production unless the lead back gets injured
Chance to carve out bigger role
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
6 | Rhamondre Stevenson | NE |
7 | James Cook | BUF |
- Could rise to the top of the depth chart during the season
- Top-20 upside if the starter is sidelined
- Can provide flex value some weeks, even as a backup
High upside if healthy
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
8 | Melvin Gordon | DEN |
9 | James Robinson | JAX |
10 | Ken Walker III | SEA |
11 | Gus Edwards | BAL |
- Currently recovering from an injury
- Behind a RB with high draft capital
- Can provide flex value some weeks, even as a backup
Tons of potential
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
12 | Kenneth Gainwell | PHI |
13 | Michael Carter | NYJ |
14 | Khalil Herbert | CHI |
- Top-24 upside if the starter is sidelined
- Should have a notable role behind lead back
- Can provide flex value some weeks, even as a backup
Unproven but enticing
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
15 | Rachaad White | TB |
16 | Isiah Pacheco | KC |
17 | Tyler Allgeier | ATL |
18 | Tyrion Davis-Price | SF |
19 | Zamir White | LV |
20 | Eno Benjamin | ARI |
- 2022 role yet to be determined
- Top-30 upside if starting at any point
- Workload questions due to crowded backfields
PPR specialists
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
21 | Nyheim Hines | IND |
22 | J.D. McKissic | WAS |
- Limited upside as a fantasy insurance policy
- Unlikely to serve as a workhorse if the starter is injured
- Can offer flex value in PPR formats, even as a backup
Volume-dependent veterans
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
23 | Jamaal Williams | DET |
24 | Mark Ingram | NO |
25 | D'Onta Foreman | CAR |
26 | Dontrell Hilliard | TEN |
27 | Joshua Kelley | LAC |
- Veteran backup
- Some doubt surrounding the ability to produce if called upon
- Would need the majority of touches to be fantasy relevant
Unclear situations
Rk | Backup | Team |
---|---|---|
28 | Sony Michel/Raheem Mostert | MIA |
29 | Samaje Perine/Chris Evans | CIN |
30 | Marlon Mack/Rex Burkhead | HOU |
31 | Benny Snell/Jaylen Warren | PIT |
32 | Matt Breida/Gary Brightwell/Jashaun Corbin/Antonio Williams | NYG |
- Upside if a clear backup emerges and the starter is injured
- Value limited by the possibility of a committee replacement scenario
- Players to draft as bench stashes in final rounds
Deep targets
Backup | Team |
---|---|
D'Ernest Johnson | CLE |
Isaiah Spiller | LAC |
Ameer Abdullah | LV |
Jerick McKinnon | KC |
Damien Williams | ATL |
Tyler Badie | BAL |
Mike Davis | BAL |
Jeff Wilson Jr. | SF |
Phillip Lindsay | IND |
Ty Montgomery | NE |
Travis Homer | SEA |
Zack Moss | BUF |
Kyren Williams | LAR |
- Long shots with intriguing upside if injuries hit their backfield
- Have the skills to produce over short stretches
- Watchlist candidates who could turn into key waiver wire pickups
Free agents who could still be a factor
Backup |
---|
Jordan Howard |
Devonta Freeman |
David Johnson |
Latavius Murray |
Alex Collins |
Devontae Booker |
Kenyan Drake |