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.
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 4 — based on their fantasy potential in 2025.
1. David Montgomery, Lions
Montgomery might only be playing around 38% of the Lions’ snaps, but he continues to find ways to produce for fantasy. He’s back to being a borderline low-end RB2, who would vault back into RB1 territory if Jahmyr Gibbs were ever sidelined.
2. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks
Charbonnet played significantly more snaps than Kenneth Walker in the first two games, but wasn’t nearly as productive with his touches. Now that Walker is further removed from his foot injury in the summer, he’s re-established himself as the lead back. Though Charbonnet missed Week 3 due to injury, that doesn’t impact his ranking as one of the best backups in the NFL.
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3. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots
This is one of the hardest rankings to hand out due to the pure insanity we’ve seen from the Patriots’ backfield. In Week 2, it appeared as though Rhamondre Stevenson was solidified at the top of the depth chart with 142 scrimmage yards and five receptions in a win over the Dolphins. What a difference a week makes. In Week 3, Stevenson fumbled multiple times and Antonio Gibson also put the ball on the ground. That turned Henderson into the most trusted option for the rest of the game and could vault him into starter status moving forward. For now, we’ll keep Henderson on the list as a talented backup with high draft capital, who could take over as the lead back in the near future.
4. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars
Tuten has emerged as the clear No. 2 back behind Travis Etienne Jr. While his snaps and touches took a slight hit in Week 3, the rookie did score a touchdown for the second straight game. More importantly, he’s looked the part as an impact player on his limited usage. Etienne is playing well, so Tuten isn’t taking over this job right away, but he can be started as a RB3/flex. He’s also one injury away from being a fantasy star.
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5. RJ Harvey, Broncos
The good news for Harvey is that third-stringer Tyler Badie was barely used in Week 3. The bad news is that his touches went to starter J.K. Dobbins and not Harvey. For the time being, Harvey is not threatening Dobbins’ spot atop the depth chart. With the veteran’s extensive injury history, it feels like only a matter of time before Harvey is starting for the Broncos.
6. Blake Corum, Rams
Corum has fought off rookie Jarquez Hunter and taken a firm grip on the Rams’ backup job. Corum didn’t hit the 65-35 snap share with Kyren Williams that Sean McVay suggested as their target, but he remained productive and now has 97 scrimmage yards and a touchdown over his last two outings. He’s joined the flex option range, while also being a potential league-winner if Williams gets injured.
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7. 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. However, Allgeier continues to be an overqualified backup who offers flex value and would crush as a top-20 fantasy RB — if Robinson wasn’t able to play for any reason.
8. 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 would definitely produce in the Shanahan run game if CMC gets hurt again.
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9. Braelon Allen, Jets
Aside from his touchdown in Week 1, Allen hasn’t exactly run wild with his opportunities this season. Fortunately, the Jets’ No. 3 back Isaiah Davis isn’t threatening his spot on the depth chart. Moving forward, Allen is a volatile weekly flex play with significant upside if Breece Hall gets banged up or traded.
10. Ray Davis, Bills
Davis is splitting backup duties with Ty Johnson, but if James Cook were to go down it would be Davis leading the backfield like we saw last year. In the two games where Davis played more than 50% of the offensive snaps in 2024, he finished as a top-15 fantasy RB both weeks.
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Just missed the top 10
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Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins
Backups with Flex potential
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Rachaad White, Buccaneers
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Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers
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Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders
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Jeremy McNichols, Commanders
Quality backups with injuries
Rookie backups to stash
Intriguing backups with question marks
Backups to stash in deep leagues
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Emari Demercado, Cardinals
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LeQuint Allen Jr., Jaguars
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