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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
Kareem Hunt
CLE
2
Tony Pollard
DAL
3
AJ Dillon
GB
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 much production unless the lead back gets injured
Chance to carve out bigger role
Rk
Backup
Team
6
James Cook
BUF
7
Ronald Jones
KC
8
Rhamondre Stevenson
NE
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
Hanging around
Rk
Backup
Team
9
Melvin Gordon
DEN
10
Rashaad Penny
SEA
Top-20 upside if the starter is sidelined
Currently in a committee with a more qualified teammate
Can provide flex value some weeks, even as a backup
High upside if healthy
Rk
Backup
Team
11
James Robinson
JAX
12
Gus Edwards
BAL
Currently recovering from a serious injury
Former lead back, now behind a younger RB with high draft capital
Top-20 upside if the starter is sidelined
Tons of potential
Rk
Backup
Team
13
Dameon Pierce
HOU
14
Isaiah Spiller
LAC
15
Kenneth Gainwell
PHI
16
Rachaad White
TB
17
D'Onta Foreman
CAR
18
Khalil Herbert
CHI
19
Michael Carter
NYJ
Top-24 upside if the starter is sidelined
Should have a notable role behind a veteran lead back
Can provide flex value some weeks, even as a backup
Unproven but enticing
Rk
Backup
Team
20
Ty Davis-Price
SF
21
Tyler Allgeier
ATL
22
Brian Robinson Jr.
WAS
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
23
Nyheim Hines
IND
24
J.D. McKissic
WAS
25
James White
NE
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
26
Sony Michel
MIA
27
Darrel Williams
ARI
28
Jamaal Williams
DET
29
Raheem Mostert
MIA
30
Mark Ingram
NO
31
Kenyan Drake
LV
32
Samaje Perine
CIN
33
Phillip Lindsay
IND
Established 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
34
Dontrell Hilliard/Hassan Haskins
TEN
35
Anthony McFarland Jr./Benny Snell
PIT
36
Matt Breida/Jashaun Corbin
NYG
Upside in quality offenses 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
Rex Burkhead
HOU
D'Ernest Johnson
CLE
Zack Moss
BUF
Damien Williams
ATL
Jeff Wilson Jr.
SF
Tyler Badie
BAL
Chris Evans
CIN
Keaontay Ingram
ARI
Abram Smith
NO
Snoop Conner
JAX
Kennedy Brooks
PHI
Long shots with intriguing upside if injuries hit their backfield
Have the skills to produce as the lead back over short stretches
Watchlist candidates who could turn into key waiver wire pickups
Free agents who could still be a factor
Backup
Jerick McKinnon
Justin Jackson
Jordan Howard
Devonta Freeman
David Johnson
Latavius Murray
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