-
Eric Moody
After working greater than 10 years within the monetary providers trade, here is my tackle insurance coverage: Having insurance coverage is like carrying an umbrella — it may not rain each day, however when it does, you will be grateful you are ready. This idea additionally applies to fantasy football, a recreation that is strategic and unpredictable.
Accumulating proficient backups who’re one step away from a starter’s workload is an effective approach to fill not less than a few your bench spots. Final season, Bucky Irving was a major instance. He was rostered in simply 22% of ESPN leagues getting into Week 1 however emerged as a league winner after the Buccaneers’ Week 11 bye, averaging 18.9 touches and 18.3 fantasy factors over the ultimate seven weeks.
Not all No. 2 backs within the NFL are created equal, in fact. Take David Montgomery of the Detroit Lions as an example. He has a big sufficient position within the Lions’ offense to be flex-worthy in any given week (relying on league dimension, in fact).
The gamers beneath aren’t beginning issues in Week 1 however may emerge as difference-makers sooner or later through the season. Whether or not you are backing up your starter or just stockpiling expertise, listed here are the highest 10 operating again insurance coverage choices to contemplate on draft day, in addition to some ideas on how the backfield would possibly look if the starter goes down.
Regulate our fantasy depth charts for up to date insurance coverage data all through the season.
In six video games with out Kenneth Walker III final season, Charbonnet averaged 18.3 touches and 19.2 fantasy factors, which might have ranked fifth amongst RBs for the complete season. Charbonnet is a former second-round decide with solely rookie seventh-rounder Damien Martinez behind him on the depth chart. He has a transparent path to quantity if Walker goes down once more, and Walker has missed 10 video games in his first three seasons. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak brings a extra run-focused scheme, whereas rookie guard Grey Zabel strengthens an offensive line that was overmatched in 2024, ending twenty eighth in run block win fee. With the Seahawks recommitting to the operating recreation, Charbonnet profiles as one of many highest-upside backups in fantasy.
With Christian McCaffrey returning after an injury-riddled 2024, Guerendo is well-positioned behind a star operating again who comes with sturdiness issues. McCaffrey, 29, has missed vital time in three of the previous 5 seasons. In 4 video games the place Guerendo performed greater than 50% of snaps, he averaged 17.9 fantasy factors. Whereas his 5.0 yards per carry was boosted by a 76-yard run, he nonetheless produced a 94% catch fee and 9.5 yards per goal on restricted receiving work. Now the clear backup with Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason gone, Guerendo tasks for short-yardage and goal-line duties and advantages from an above-average offensive line. He would not maintain standalone worth however will play a excessive proportion of the snaps and certain get 15-plus touches per recreation if McCaffrey misses time. For fantasy managers seeking to shield an early-round decide in CMC or stash upside late, Guerendo is a bench participant you should not overlook within the later rounds.
The Vikings’ starter is 30-year-old Aaron Jones Sr., who has handled a number of accidents (hamstring, MCL, quad) over the previous two seasons. Mason, who was acquired from the 49ers within the offseason, brings elite effectivity. In 2024, he averaged 90.7 dashing yards per begin, which ranked fourth behind Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Jonathan Taylor. Whereas Mason presents nearly no receiving upside (simply 14 profession receptions), he’s a bodily, downhill runner poised for a large workload if Jones have been sidelined. He’ll profit from an improved offensive line, because the Vikings revamped their inside by including Ryan Kelly, Will Fries and rookie Donovan Jackson. Mason additionally matches right into a extra balanced offense that is breaking in QB J.J. McCarthy. He is not standalone playable, however Mason is likely one of the higher backups in fantasy this season.
The Payments completed ninth in dashing yards per recreation (131.2) final season behind a balanced, potent assault. James Cook was spectacular and completed as RB8 in ESPN fantasy leagues, however his 18 touchdowns doubled his complete from his first two seasons mixed. Some regression is probably going in 2025. Davis confirmed promise as a runner and receiver when Cook dinner missed time, ending with 23 touches and 18.2 fantasy factors in Week 6 and 17 touches and 14.5 fantasy factors in Week 18. Buffalo returns all 5 starters from an offensive line that allowed simply 14 sacks and ranked fourth in go block win fee. Davis is poised for a much bigger position in Yr 2, with offensive coordinator Joe Brady emphasizing his rising consolation and understanding of the scheme. This turns into much more vital with uncertainty surrounding Cook dinner’s contract. If Cook dinner have been to overlook time, Davis can be firmly on the RB2 radar.
Allgeier has no standalone fantasy worth heading into 2025, however he is the most effective late-round insurance coverage runners you may make. Bijan Robinson is the clear lead again after averaging 23.3 touches and 22.8 fantasy factors from Week 6 on final season, and he enters this season because the Falcons’ offensive focus after coaching with Christian McCaffrey this offseason so as to add nuance to his recreation. However Allgeier quietly rushed for 644 yards on simply 137 makes an attempt (4.7 YPC), and head coach Raheem Morris has expressed a want to get him extra concerned, doubtlessly in two operating again units with Robinson flexed out huge. He is restricted as a go catcher, but when Robinson have been to overlook time, Allgeier can be in line for a big share of the backfield work and be within the RB2 combine in what we challenge to be a balanced offense with quarterback Michael Penix Jr.
In 2024, Spears was a transparent backup, averaging simply 7.6 touches and 5.7 fantasy factors whereas Tony Pollard remained wholesome. Nonetheless, Spears flourished when given a larger alternative in Weeks 15 to 17 with 20.7 fantasy factors per recreation, rating fifth amongst all RBs in fantasy factors over that three-week stretch. He excels as a receiving risk, main all operating backs with 1.5 prevented tackles per recreation on receptions in 2024, showcasing his elusiveness. The Titans’ offensive line, which ranked twenty first in run block win fee final season, noticed key upgrades this offseason with veteran guard Kevin Zeitler and left deal with Dan Moore Jr., providing a greater basis. Spears’ late-season surge and an improved Titans offense with rookie Cameron Ward beneath middle is purpose sufficient to contemplate him within the later rounds.
The Bears at the moment are led by head coach Ben Johnson, whose Lions offenses utilized a two-player backfield that ranked sixth or higher in dashing yards and high 10 in operating again targets in two of the previous three seasons. Whereas D’Andre Swift is the lead again and a pleasant worth at RB22 in ESPN leagues, Johnson brings short-yardage and pass-game worth. Johnson matched Swift with six dashing touchdowns final season regardless of having 198 fewer carries. With a revamped offensive line that includes Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson, this unit may quietly grow to be one of many league’s finest. Johnson is constructed like a extra bodily David Montgomery and performs in a system that might reward his fashion.
Whereas Bucky Irving has taken over as Buccaneers’ starter, White stays a confirmed pass-catching risk and pink zone contributor. White is certainly one of solely two RBs (together with Alvin Kamara) to publish not less than 50 receptions in every of the previous three seasons and nonetheless completed high 10 amongst RBs in targets, catches and receiving yards final season regardless of a diminished snap rely. White additionally scored 9 complete touchdowns and averaged extra fantasy factors (14.2) than Irving (13.3) over the primary 15 weeks of 2024. White has already proven he can handle a full workload (he had 1,539 yards from scrimmage on 336 touches in 2023). If Irving misses time, White will step again right into a high-volume position with goal-line and passing-game utilization in an above-average offense.
Corum is the subsequent man up behind Kyren Williams, who has averaged practically 22 touches per recreation the previous two seasons. Below Sean McVay, the Rams have persistently leaned on a main runner, so it was no shock that Corum was restricted to 65 touches as Williams’ understudy final season. Whereas rookie Jarquez Hunter will compete for snaps, Corum’s expertise provides him the within observe on the backup gig this season. With the Rams returning all 5 starters on a vastly improved offensive line, Corum shall be set as much as produce high-end RB2 numbers in one of many league’s most favorable lead-back roles if Williams is sidelined.
Now in Denver beneath head coach Sean Payton, Dobbins enters a scheme that might supply early alternative. Payton’s historical past and most projections recommend a committee strategy, and Dobbins has the burst to profit from his touches. He averaged 69.6 dashing yards (tenth amongst RBs) and ranked fourth in runs of 30-plus yards final season with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Broncos return all 5 beginning offensive linemen from 2024 after ending first in run block win fee, providing uncommon continuity. Whereas rookie RJ Harvey is projected to guide the backfield, Dobbins is in prime place to step up if Harvey falters or is injured. Although he is but to play a full season, Dobbins has recovered from previous accidents and proven elite upside when wholesome.
Different notables:
Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
Tank Bigsby/Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
Nick Chubb, Houston Texans