Running backs are a critical component and core building block for all fantasy football teams, so it’s important to stay on top of the running back situations and any depth chart changes throughout the NFL preseason and each week of the fantasy football season.

We are here to help you plan your running backs draft strategy, and to target the right RBs on each NFL team. Below are our 2015 fantasy football running back depth charts as we approach the start of the NFL and fantasy football season. For each team you will find the primary running back (RB1), the secondary running back (RB2), the third running back (RB3), and dynasty values. Players listed under “Dynasty Value” have added value in dynasty/keeper league formats and can be targeted on draft day.

Due to the nature of the NFL, running back is one of the most volatile positions in fantasy football, and one of the highest turnover positions in the NFL year-to-year and week-to-week. By staying on top of all the running back changes and in-season position battles, you can adjust your rosters off the waiver wire, find sleepers, potential breakouts, and dominate your fantasy football leagues.

Players listed under "Dynasty Value" have added value in dynasty leagues.

 

2015 Running Back Depth Charts

AFC EAST: Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB)

Baller Stability Rating	Team Name	Primary Running Back	Backup or Handcuff	Longshot Candidates	Dynasty Value
Solid	Patriots	LeGarrette Blount	Dion Lewis, Brandon Bolden	James White	N/A
Solid	Jets	Chris Ivory	Zac Stacy, Stevan Ridley	Bilal Powell	N/A
Solid	Bills	LeSean McCoy	Karlos Williams	Bryce Brown	Karlos Williams
Solid	Dolphins	Lamar Miller	Damien Williams, Jay Ajayi	LaMichael James	Jay Ajayi, Damien Williams

 

It's now certain that LeGarrette Blount will be entering the season as the starter. The third down role however is still up for grabs in a two way tie now between Dion Lewis and Brandon Boldin. Lewis has had a lot of positive thing

Since the last update, Chris Ivory's star has only risen as the Jets coaches have alluded to using him as a 3-down back. It's unlikely that really comes to fruition, but it's good news nonetheless that he'll be the main starter coming out. Stevan Ridley still projects to take some carries away once he's healthy.

The Bills RB situation has gotten so much worse since July. Every single RB they have under contract is injured. However, the starting role seems to be locked in with LeSean McCoy. Karlos Williams has come up a bit (enough to gain dynasty value) and since the last time of writing, he's now almost definitely locked into the second role.

Lamar Miller is the main back here. Damien Williams is now fighting with LaMichael James for the 2nd job, but still holds the lead. Jay Ajayi is still expected to be seldom used this year.

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AFC WEST: Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB)

Baller Stability Rating	Team Name	Primary Running Back	Backup or Handcuff	Longshot Candidates	Dynasty Value
Solid	Broncos	C.J. Anderson	Ronnie Hillman,	Juwan Thompson	C.J. Anderson
Solid	Chiefs	Jamaal Charles	Knile Davis	Charcandrick West,	Knile Davis
Solid	Raiders	Latavius Murray	Roy Helu	Michael Dyer	Roy Helu, Latavius Murray
Solid	Chargers	Melvin Gordon	Brandon Oliver, Danny Woodhead	Donald Brown	Melvin Gordon, Brandon Oliver

 

Unfortunately there still isn't a concrete starter here. It's expected to be C.J. Anderson but Kubiak has also taken a liking to both Ronnie Hillman and Juwan Thompson recently. Ball's out, so it's worth taking your chances with any of the other backups. Hillman has been particularly praised recently.

Jamaal Charles might be spelled a little more often this year by Knile Davis than last year but otherwise the developments have been minor. De'Anthony Thomas was moved full time to WR making the 3rd spot a battle between the two SPARQ athletes Characadrick West and Darrin Reaves. Now that Reaves is out, it's all West's, but it's doubtful that he sees any impact time this year.

It seems more and more like Latavius Murray will be getting a lot of carries this year. Trent Richardson is now just fighting to keep his spot away from Michael Dyer, while Roy Helu figures to be the main passing down back despite being 3rd on the depth chart. Richardson was cut and now cedes all backup roles to Roy Helu.

Melvin Gordon showed exactly why I wasn't a huge fan of his in his first pre-season action, the indecisiveness within his game. Since then, it's only been further confirmed that the Chargers will employ a running back by committee approach, making Gordon's value much less than his ADP. Although he still figures to be the lead back, this adds a lot of value to Danny Woodhead and potentally Brandon Oliver too.

 

AFC NORTH: Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB)

Baller Stability Rating	Team Name	Primary Running Back	Backup or Handcuff	Longshot Candidates	Dynasty Value
Solid	Ravens	Justin Forsett	Lorenzo Taliaferro	Javorius Allen	Lorenzo Taliaferro
Solid	Steelers	Le'Veon Bell	DeAngelo Williams	Dri Archer	Le'Veon Bell
Solid	Bengals	Jeremy Hill	Giovani Bernard	Rex Burkhead, Cedric Peerman	Jeremy Hill
Questionable	Browns	Isaiah Crowell	Duke Johnson	Glenn Winston	Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson

 

No one is really threatening to touch Justin Forsett's spot, however there's been a little talk of Lorenzo Taliaferro taking some carries. That shouldn't matter on a team that's likely to throw to Forsett over 80 times this year. Allen will have some value in case Forsett goes down, but it's almost impossible that he sees anything more than a passing down role over Taliaferro. Now that Taliaferro is also injured, that's just going to give Forsett more carries to work with early in the year.

There's nothing to see on the Steelers. Le'Veon Bell is the starter. DeAngelo Williams is the backup. Dri Archer is a gadget weapon. The roles are clearly defined.

Another clear cut situation with some slight room for improv. Jeremy Hill is the starter and potential 3-down back. Giovani Bernard will still see time as a passing down specialist and potentially see 5-7 carries of his own per game. Beyond that, it's just low-value backups.

Terrance West was traded to the Titans, removing him from a competition he had no chance of winning. Isaish Crowell seems firmly in place to start early in the year, with Duke Johnson backing him up and potentially challenging him for carries.

 

AFC SOUTH: Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB)

Baller Stability Rating	Team Name	Primary Running Back	Backup or Handcuff	Longshot Candidates	Dynasty Value
Solid	Colts	Frank Gore	Josh Robinson	Vick Ballard	Josh Robinson
Questionable	Texans	Alfred Blue	Arian Foster, Chris Polk	Jonathan Grimes	Alfred Blue
Questionable	Titans	Bishop Sankey	Terrance West	Dexter McCluster, Antonio Andrews, David Cobb	David Cobb
Questionable	Jaguars	Denard Robinson	T.J. Yeldon	Toby Gerhart	T.J. Yeldon

 

Another clear situation. Frank Gore's the starter on a high powered offense. With Dan Herron cut, Josh Robinson moves into the #2 spot suddenly gaining some redraft value as the backup in a high powered offense. Ballard remains in play for some touches, but minimal at best.

So what we know is that Arian Foster will be starting when he returns. What we don't know is how long it'll take for him to return exactly and who is his backup. In a recent article about the Texans' running backs, I predicted that Chris Polk would win the job but Alfred Blue's only issue with being the main player had to do with his lack of disciplined running. Since then, Blue has only strengthened his hold on the starting job and showed that he has progressed enough to potentially be the lead while Foster rehabs.

More and more love has come out for David Cobb out of the Titans camp but until Bishop Sankey actually fails in an NFL regular season game it's unlikely for Cobb to take real touches from him. To make matters better for Sankey, Cobb is now on injured reserve for at least half of the year. However, the Titan's just traded for Terrance West which might impact Sankey's usage. Still, it looks more and more like Sankey's job to lose.

TJ Yeldon is going to be starting eventually but the Jaguars are adamant that he'll be sharing the ball with Denard Robinson and Toby Gerhart. That's likely since Yeldon doesn't offer much in the passing game right now. Denard has been declared the likely week 1 starter, and by all mean's he worth trying out.

 

NFC EAST: Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB)

Baller Stability Rating	Team Name	Primary Running Back	Backup or Handcuff	Longshot Candidates	Dynasty Value
Questionable	Giants	Rashad Jennings, Shane Vareen	Andre Williams	Orleans Darkwa	Andre Williams, Orleans Darkwa
Solid	Eagles	DeMarco Murray	Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles	Kenjon Barner	N/A
Questionable	Cowboys	Joseph Randle	Darren McFadden, Christine Michael	Lance Dunbar	Joseph Randle
Questionable	Redskins	Alfred Morris	Matt Jones	Chris Thompson, Trey Williams	Matt Jones, Trey Williams

 

That's right, Rashad Jennings is no longer a certainty for the primary role. After talking up Shane Vereen for nearly all of the offseason, the Giants finally gave him some real work against the Jaguars and it was more work than Jennings got. It's looking a lot more like Vereen and Jennings might actually split. Andre Williams will be on the outside looking in as he comes to vulture touchdowns and occasionally handle short yardage work. He'll be the bane of every giants running back owners existence this year.

As expected, DeMarco Murray will be starting. Ryan Matthews and Darren Sproles will sit behind, spelling him at times and rotating for some special packages i'm sure. There's going to be analysts out there telling you that Murray's workload will be an issue this year. Philadelphia ran the ball 474 times last year, even 50% of those carries would be the 10th most rushing carries last year.

We're still no closer to a real certainty about what's going on in Dallas. Although coaches have mentioned Joseph Randle as the starter, they've also hinted at wanting to put Darren McFadden on the field along with him. Lance Dunbar has seemed to lose the battle for touches. Everyone's going to ask if they should pick up Christine Michael now that he's been traded to here. The answer is an emphatic YES. Even if his talent has yet to show itself on the field, a lottery ticket with that kind of upside is always worth more than the middling players you might be holding onto over him.

It's starting to look more and more like Matt Jones will see first team playing time along with Alfred Morris. He's one of my biggest deep sleepers this year and it's very important for your fantasy season that you're aware of him. Deeper we get Trey Williams, who after some impressive preseason performances himself now potentially has the chance to land on the 53 man roster. He's got a high NFL ceiling but has a lot to develop in his mental game to reach it.

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NFC WEST: Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB)

Baller Stability Rating	Team Name	Primary Running Back	Backup or Handcuff	Longshot Candidates	Dynasty Value
Solid	49ers	Carlos Hyde	Reggie Bush	Mike Davis, Jerrod Hayne	Carlos Hyde, Mike Davis
Solid	Seahawks	Marshawn Lynch	Fred Jackson	Thomas Rawls	Thomas Rawls
Questionable	Cardinals	Andre Ellington, Chris Johnson	David Johnson	Stepfan Taylor	David Johnson
Questionable	Rams	Tre Mason	Todd Gurley	Benny Cunningham	Todd Gurley, Tre Mason

 

Carlos Hyde is the definite starter but there's still a chance for Reggie Bush to take more touches than people expect. He continues to see time with the first team and the coaches have been nothing but positive regarding Bush. Deeper down both Mike Davis and Kendall Hunter seem to be forgotten about for the 2015 season. Jerrod Hayne's seen a lot of hype this preseason, but it's unlikely he touches the field as a RB anytime soon.

The starter will be Marshawn Lynch. His backup will be newly signed RB Fred Jackson. Thomas Rawls will be buried behind them.

With the signing of Chris Johnson this situation only gets harder to figure out. The roles will be shared and split amongst the players here as Ellington battles CJ2K for touches while also battling David Johnson for catches. Then they're all battling for catches on top of that. Realistically, Ellington should be the best option on the ground but it's hard to know what the Cardinals coaches want to do right now.

Tre Mason will start the season, but Todd Gurley is still expected to take the job when he's ready to. The Rams plan to ease Gurley in, giving Mason some early season value but he'll still be almost definitely losing the job as soon as they feel like Gurley isn't hurting himself by playing. Benny Cunningham will remain as the third down back, but has the potential to play a big role week 1 as Mason is now recovering from his own injury.

 

NFC NORTH: Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB)

Baller Stability Rating	Team Name	Primary Running Back	Backup or Handcuff	Longshot Candidates	Dynasty Value
Solid	Packers	Eddie Lacy	James Starks	John Crockett	Eddie Lacy
Questionable	Lions	Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah	Theo Riddick	Zach Zenner	Ameer Abdullah, Zach Zenner
Solid	Bears	Matt Forte	Jeremy Langford	Ka'Deem Carey, Jacquizz Rodgers,	Jeremy Langford
Solid	Vikings	Adrian Peterson	Jerick McKinnon	Matt Asiata	Jerick McKinnon

 

Eddie Lacy will continue having the ball handed to him by Aaron Rodgers. James Starks will continue to take a few snaps here and there as the Packers aim to keep Lacy healthy. John Crockett, and all other backs that might be here, will not have any value unless Lacy goes down.

I don't care what blurbs are coming out about Bell, Ameer Abdullah's talent and performances should show that he will end up being the starting back sooner or later for this Detroit Lions team. However, the stubbornness of the coaching staff has kept them from declaring so. Joique Bell should still be seeing some amount of carries this year but should ultimately be taking the change of pace role. Theo Riddick will be the pass catching back. Zach Zenner could potentially take over for Joique if he struggles.

Matt Forte is in no danger of losing his job before the season starts. 2015 draftee Jeremy Langford has the inside track to become the backup to Forte but there's no guarantees with his lacking abilities that he'll be doing more than taking whatever carries that Forte leaves for him. Ka'Deem Carey and Jacquizz Rodgers line up the remaining spots, both players don't have their spots on the roster secure and Carey no longer has any connections remaining with the Bears ownership. For the second preseason in a row Senorise Perry is looking like the best choice for the #2 backup but remains deeper.

Yet more clear cut situations. Adrian Peterson will start, Jerick Mckinnon will back him up, and Vikings fans will question why Matt Asiata is ever on the field when the others aren't.

 

NFC SOUTH: Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB)

Baller Stability Rating	Team Name	Primary Running Back	Backup or Handcuff	Longshot Candidates	Dynasty Value
Questionable	Saints	Mark Ingram	C.J. Spiller	Khiry Robinson	Khiry Robinson
Questionable	Falcons	Devonta Freeman	Tevin Coleman	Terrone Ward	Devonta Freeman, Tevin Coleman
Solid	Panthers	Jonathan Stewart	Cameron Artis-Payne	Fozzy Whittaker	Cameron Artis-Payne
Volatile	Buccaneers	Doug Martin	Charles Sims, Bobby Rainey	Mike James	Charles Sims

 

Mark Ingram is getting a little better opportunity to perform now that C.J. Spiller has suffered an injury that's keeping him from practicing. Spiller on the other hand is losing this battle with every day of practice he misses. There's still a real chance that Khiry Robinson sees action this season.

Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman are both missing practice time with injuries, which means neither are getting closer to gripping the role. Which means that we're going off the same projections as we were previously. Which means Freeman is the projected starter since he's a better fit for the scheme than Coleman.

So far Jonathan Stewart has made it through a preseason without getting injured. There's still two weeks left though, so watch out. If he does make it out alive, he's starting. Cameron Artis-Payne has had some hype from the Panthers about potentially becoming a lead back should anything happen to Stewart, but his skill set might show them otherwise.

Doug Martin is the current projected lead back but this team looks like a running back committee from the outside. Charles Sims and Bobby Rainey have both seen first team reps along with Martin so this situation has not gotten any clearer.

 

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