The running back position wasn’t hit as hard by injuries last season, but we know how quickly things can change at one of the most physical positions in football. Fantasy football managers who stay prepared and know which backs are next in line for touches will always have an edge on the competition.
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It’s also important to understand which backups have a chance to rise up the depth chart based on talent, which ones are poised for a leading role when injuries strike and those who would max out as part of a less-appealing replacement committee.
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Here’s how I’m ranking the top backup running backs heading into Week 1 — based on their fantasy potential in 2025.
1. David Montgomery, Lions
Montgomery’s carries dropped last year, but he made up for it with receiving work and touchdown scoring. He remains a strong RB3/flex with league-winning upside if Jahmyr Gibbs gets hurt.
2. Jordan Mason, Vikings
The Vikings made a concerted effort to trade for Mason and didn’t do much else to address their backfield. Aaron Jones Sr., who will turn 31 in December, has battled through a flurry of injuries the last few seasons and it seems like the coaching staff understands his workload needs to be dialed back. Enter Mason as one half of a 50-50 tandem and the goal-line hammer in an offense that should be in scoring position often. He’s another RB3/flex with a fantasy ceiling inside the top 12 if Jones is sidelined at any point.
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3. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks
Anyone who’s rostered Charbonnet knows the value he offers when Kenneth Walker III is ruled out. In the six games Walker missed last season, Charbonnet posted weekly fantasy results as the RB1, RB6, RB12, RB15, RB21 and RB27. Though he’s not startable when Walker is active, Charbonnet deserves to be one of the first true backups off the board in drafts.
4. Trey Benson, Cardinals
Benson was drafted to be the heir apparent to James Conner, but the veteran just keeps chugging along. The Cardinals still seem high on Benson, with Conner suggesting the team has two RB1s and Kyler Murray predicting a breakout season for the second-year back. While that seems unlikely, if Conner drops off or gets injured, Benson would be in the top 20 of my weekly rankings.
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5. Braelon Allen, Jets
Even as a 20-year-old rookie, Allen looked like he belonged last year while backing up Breece Hall. Allen continued his development with a strong offseason, which caught the eye of new head coach Aaron Glenn, who has routinely talked about using multiple backs — like his former team did in Detroit. If that scenario comes to fruition, Allen could be a weekly flex play with massive upside if Hall gets banged up or traded.
6. Ray Davis, Bills
James Cook is back with the team after signing a new contract, but Davis is still ready to step up if the former misses time. Davis has shown he can deliver when thrust into the starting role. In the two games where Davis played more than 50% of the offensive snaps last year, he finished as a top-15 fantasy RB both weeks.
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7. Brian Robinson Jr., 49ers
With injuries affecting the younger backs on San Francisco’s depth chart, the front office acquired a proven veteran as the backup for Christian McCaffrey. Robinson is just one year removed from posting 1,101 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns, while finishing as the RB21 in fantasy points per game. Though he’s not the most exciting back on this list, Robinson Jr. would definitely produce if CMC gets hurt again.
8. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots
Rookie TreVeyon Henderson is the most exciting back in New England, but Stevenson isn’t being relegated to the bench just yet. He’ll remain involved and could see more carries than people realize as the thunder to Henderson’s lightning. Though he’s not as sexy a fantasy pick as some of the other names on this list, he could have plenty of standalone value as a flex option.
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9. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons
It seems like a lifetime ago when Allgeier was rushing for over 1,000 yards as a rookie. Then along came Bijan Robinson and away went Allgeier’s fantasy value as a starter. He’s still an overqualified backup who could step up and produce behind the Falcons’ excellent offensive line — if Robinson wasn’t able to play for any reason.
10. Will Shipley, Eagles
While casual fantasy managers were distracted by a name they recognized in A.J. Dillon, savvy managers were scooping up as many shares of Shipley as they could. It’s been clear by the way the coaches and front office have spoken about Shipley that he’s the backup to roster if Saquon Barkley breaks down after his huge 2024 workload. Shipley also looked up to the task in the preseason opener when he rushed for 48 yards on seven carries and added a catch for four yards.
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Ambiguous backfields still being sorted out
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RJ Harvey/J.K. Dobbins, Broncos
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Jaylen Warren/Kaleb Johnson/Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers
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Jacory Croskey-Merritt/Austin Ekeler/Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders
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Tank Bigsby/Travis Etienne/Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars
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Dylan Sampson/Jerome Ford/Quinshon Judkins, Browns
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Javonte Williams/Jaydon Blue/Miles Sanders, Cowboys
Quality backups with injuries
Backups with Flex potential
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Rachaad White, Buccaneers
Rookie backups to stash
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Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins
Intriguing backups with question marks
Backups to stash in deep leagues