2015 Running Back Depth Charts for Fantasy Football: July Edition

With so much volatility around the NFL given the recent string of injuries, especially to running backs, there have been a lot of changes already with the backfields of many NFL teams.

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 each week of the fantasy football season.

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 or 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	Travaris Cadet, Jonas Gray	James White	N/A
Solid	Jets	Chris Ivory,	Zac Stacy, Stevan Ridley	Bilal Powell	N/A
Solid	Bills	LeSean McCoy	Fred Jackson	Bryce Brown, Karlos Williams	Bryce Brown
Solid	Dolphins	Lamar Miller	Damien Williams, Jay Ajayi	LaMichael James	Jay Ajayi, Damien Williams

 

Nothing has changed in the Patriots running back situation in this offseason, as Blount is still the expected week 1 starter and Travaris Cadet still projects to be the passing back taking up Vereen's old role in this offense.

Chris Ivory still has his position locked up right now and to make matters better, Stevan Ridley is now a huge candidate to start the season on PUP. Zac Stacy looks to hold down his spot on this roster pretty easily since he's one of the few players the Jets have that can do outside and inside running but he's completely unlikely to take the job from anyone ahead of him without injury forcing it's hand. Powell still projects as the 3rd down back.

Still carrying the main load is LeSean McCoy but there's some questions that need to be asked about his role in Buffalo, given the weak offensive line and issues with McCoy's ability to run up the middle (Rex Ryan's favorite place to run) there's still a significant chance that Fred Jackson holds a role in this offense. Beyond that, Bryce Brown is still nothing more than a talented stash with low chances of making significant impact without some kind of development. Karlos Williams on the other hand is a low ceiling back with some change of pace potential, he's just good enough to run any type of run and just able to catch enough to see a role there too. Still, little value this year and no news has come out to change that.

Lamar Miller is definitely coming into the season as the starter, but will he be the full time starter? That still hasn't been answered. Last year Miller surpassed 15 carries only 6 times despite having no one other than Daniel Thomas to compete with. Now, with second year Damien Williams (a #drafttwitter favorite) and highly talented rookie Jay Ajayi (who shares Miller's skill-set) behind him, chances are nothing moves in the positive direction for Miller. He's still the main back there and will be without any doubt the player who gets the most work this season but until the Dolphins show a 3-down commitment, Miller's just a very efficient player on limited touches. Both Williams and Ajayi have massive dynasty appeal, although Williams is much more of a sleeper for a deep bench, and might see opportunities open before them if Miller isn't re-signed at the end of this year by the Dolphins. 

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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	Montee Ball	Ronnie Hillman	C.J. Anderson
Solid	Chiefs	Jamaal Charles	Knile Davis	De'Anthony Thomas	Knile Davis
Solid	Raiders	Latavius Murray	Trent Richardson, Roy Helu	Michael Dyer	Roy Helu, Latavius Murray
Solid	Chargers	Melvin Gordon	Brandon Oliver, Danny Woodhead, Donald Brown	N/A	Melvin Gordon

 

C.J. Anderson is currently the expected starter for Denver, and all signs are pointing to that being the case coming into the season as Anderson has taken nearly all first team reps in practice and even been recently endorsed by Peyton Manning. Montee Ball will still be a high value handcuff, if he's able to remain the backup but there's still good chance for Ronnie Hillman to take over if things go awry for Ball. 

Jamaal Charles has the strongest hold on his starting job in the entire NFL for RBs, without any doubt. Kniles Davis has had some success and figures to be Charles relief whenever he's injured or needs a breather. He's talented enough that if Charles was to move on, Davis might see the starting 3 down job full time. Further down is De'Anthony Thomas, who is unlikely to be more than a committee back.

This is a very talented backfield. Latavius Murray will almost definitely be the starting back entering the season but his job is very likely going to be limited to the first two downs, at least until he proves to be more effective than either of Roy Helu or Trent Richardson as a passing back. While beating Richardson's efficiency might not be very hard, Helu is a significant talent who still has starter caliber potential in the league if not for injury woes. Helu was second in the league last year in Yards Per Route Run and projects as the main pass catching back this season.

Melvin Gordon was drafted in the first round by the Chargers and that should be all he needs to take the starting job outright. Gordon doesn't seem capable of coming in and immediately handling all three downs, and that's going to leave a lot of passing down value to be had for Danny Woodhead. Brandon Oliver and Donald Brown are expected to have some kind of insanely unpredictable backup/handcuff job that will likely involve a committee.

 

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
Volatile	Browns	Isaiah Crowell	Duke Johnson, Terrance West,	Glenn Winston, Shaun Draughn	Isaiah Crowell, Duke Johnson

 

Justin Forsett is definitely coming in with the job being his to lose. Trestman's major usage of running backs in the passing game (even before Forte, with his OC job in Oakland he gave Charlie Gardner 91 and 48 receptions in 2002 and 2003, respectively) is going to give Forsett a huge boost in PPR and a high floor throughout the year. Lorenzo Taliaferro will be the backup to Forsett to start the season but he'll be challenged by Javorius "Buck" Allen, a low upside RB who can work as both a pass catcher and runner. Taliaferro's a big back who's still in development, so he has some dynasty potential in the long term. Allen unfortunately doesn't have the significant burst or power that make him project well into the future as anything more than a committee or change of pace back.

After an incredible 2014 season, Le'Veon Bell has absolutely no chance of losing his starting job. Despite currently facing a potential 3 game suspension, there's no way that upon his return he's given anything short of 90% of the total carries- and almost all redzone work, especially considering that DeAngelo Williams isn't much of a redzone specialist. The Steelers under Tomlin have never employed a RB by committee when they have a clear 3-down talent, so Williams has minimal value as a stash and immediate return, as he's only going to get work for as long as Bell is suspended. Dri Archer really doesn't project as anything better than a Dexter McCluster type in the future- so his fantasy value is nearly negligible outside of return leagues.

Jeremy Hill came on strong at the tail end of his rookie year and managed to usurp nearly all starting carries from Giovani Bernard within a few games. It's very likely that continues this year since Hill is just a better overall runner than Bernard, especially when given a heavy workload. Bernard is unlikely to ever find another 3 down opportunity without injury striking, so the best way to look at Bernard is similar to Darren Sproles at this point. Rex Burkhead and Cedric Peerman are either too old or not talented enough to project as legitimate threats to either Bernard or Hill, so they are both truly longshot candidates who could both be off the team next year. 

The Browns backfield situation is a mess. Brimming with two high caliber talents behind an incredible offensive line, Isaiah Crowell and Duke Johnson are going to be in a constant competition for touches and targets. Crowell is the incumbent, currently practicing with the first team and looking like it's his job to lose. Johnson is projected to play a role as a passing down back. Don't be surprised if by the season starts these two are splitting carries evenly, unless Crowell can really produce well early on in the year. On the other end is Terrance West, who's left behind in the dust behind the two talents in front of him. A committee back at his best, West should be not much more than a backup during his next 2 or 3 years in Cleveland barring an unforeseen transformation in his game.

 

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	Dan Herron, Josh Robinson	Vick Ballard	Josh Robinson
Solid	Texans	Arian Foster	Alfred Blue, Chris Polk	Jonathan Grimes	Alfred Blue
Questionable	Titans	Bishop Sankey	David Cobb	Dexter McCluster, Antonio Andrews	David Cobb
Solid	Jaguars	T.J. Yeldon	Denard Robinson, Toby Gerhart	Storm Johnson	T.J. Yeldon

 

Frank Gore is one of the most incredibly consistent running backs to ever play football. He has the chance to be in the top 10 career yardage of all time for running backs with just 1206 rushing yards gained this season. Gore definitely knows that, the team likely knows that, and Gore's yardage the last two years as been just over 1100 yards. Enough though, the point is Gore is firmly entrenched as the starter going into the season on a team that heavily utilizes RBs in the passing game. Backing him up are Dan Herron and Josh Robinson who both are kind of lacking the 3 down capabilities that you'd want out of your RB. Both just aren't particularly good enough physically to be dominant but Josh Robinson shows more effort than nearly anyone else on the field despite his lacking athleticism. Expect that Robinson supplants Herron as the backup- but depending on him for your dynasty teams future is a bit of a leap of faith. Vick Ballard shores up the final part of this backfield and he's more or less a change of pace back at heart.

Arian Foster is a clear cut starter again, as no one is surprised. At his age and injury history it's becoming a bit concerning and expectations are that some of the carries might go elsewhere. Neither Polk or Blue have displayed talented enough running to take a significant steps forward but Blue has the athleticism to potentially take his game to the next level, if his mind can follow. It should be expected that Blue remains as Foster's handcuff while Polk is the third back. Jonathan Grimes might be a long shot to even make the roster at this point, but he's nearly a no name in this battle outside of some inexplicable development.

It's likely that Bishop Sankey comes as the starter for the beginning of the season, Ken Whisenhunt is notorious for not giving rookies significant playing time, so last years weak fantasy season for Sankey can be blamed as much on himself as on Whisenhunt. If Sankey does struggle again though, it should be expected that David Cobb becomes the main rushing down back. Cobb isn't an explosive enough talent to take the job outright from Sankey, but he's a very solid player who would easily take a firm hold on the job if he's given it.  Dexter McCluster is an afterthought as the starting RB but he has some value as a pass catching back. At the tail end is Antonio Andrews who showed some a lot of good running in preseason of 2014 and has had many fans clamoring for him to get an opportunity. He's a deep sleeper in this group, and still a huge long shot.

T.J. Yeldon has stuck out in camp with many reporters and some coaches saying that he has the potential to become the 3-down back sometime this season. He's coming in as the definite 2-down back, so that gives a chance for Denard Robinson to still maintain some value early in the year. Robinson, despite having a strong breakout last year, is not an inside runner and that will greatly limit his long-term productivity in the NFL. Robinson projects to be the teams passing down back, used as a Darren Sproles type player since his best skills involve excelling in space. Toby Gerhart becomes sort of the odd-man here, unable to do either role, he's the low tier backup to Yeldon who might be replaced at the start of next year if not cut sometime during this season. Storm Johnson likely will be the 3rd back on this depth chart for a long time but doesn't show much value as an NFL prospect.

 

NFC EAST: Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB)

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

 

It's looking like Rashad Jennings will be starting the season as the opening day back but there's no promise he'll end the season with that same job title. Andre Williams enters his second year with a head full of steam but concerns over his vision and what he can offer in the passing game helped fuel the Giants decision to go after Shane Vareen who's likely to have the same role he did in New England. Orleans Darkwa showed some promise in very limited opportunities and with the injury history of Rashad Jennings and holes in Williams game, there's some chance that Darkwa might actually see playing time this year. Darkwa has too low of a chance to open the season as a starter but he'll be a name to watch, especially in Dynasty.

After trading away LeSean McCoy, DeMarco Murray betrayed the Cowboys to become the next starting running back of the Eagles. Murray's fully expected to be the starter and there is no reason to assume that his spot is in jeopardy. Ryan Mathews, although talented, has been injured far too much in his career but is expected to be the breather back for when Murray's had enough. There's also a chance that a healthy Mathews might see some real carries instead of just what Murray's leaving for him, especially given Murray's own injury history. Darren Sproles sees the same role as last year, taking advantage of passing down plays and still getting some carries here and there. Longshot candidates Kenjon Barner and Matthew Tucker aren't likely to even see the field this year without an injury to both Murray and Matthews.

What started as a two man race between Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle has now become Randle's job to lose, supposedly. There's still yet to be contact in practice and there's still preseason to come. At this moment, Randle is the player to own. McFadden's ineffectiveness and non-fit for a zone scheme makes him seeing significant time over Randle a little hard to imagine. Lance Dunbar still projects to be the passing down back. The most recent reports have both Ryan Williams and Lache Seastrunk as projected cuts.

Alfred Morris is still the leading back on the Redskins when it comes to taking carries but it's very likely that 3rd round pick Matt Jones is primed to take over passing down duties and has even had some talk about taking some carries from Alfred Morris. He'll be a big dynasty player to spotlight and should be on everyones watch list come the start of the season. Long shot candidates Chris Thompson and Silas Redd are competing for their roster spot more than for a chance to see the field. Trey Williams on the other hand was a UDFA signing with some actual potential as an NFL back, but it's hard to say whether or not he'll finish on the Redskins roster this year and might even see his role expanded next year if Morris isn't re-signed. Still, he's more of a lottery ticket than anything to spend a roster spot on further than deep leagues.

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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, Kendall Hunter	Carlos Hyde, Mike Davis
Solid	Seahawks	Marshawn Lynch	Robert Turbin	Christine Michael	Robert Turbin, Christine Michael
Questionable	Cardinals	Andre Ellington, David Johnson	Stepfan Taylor	Kerwynn Williams, Marion Grice	David Johnson
Solid	Rams	Todd Gurley (INJ)	Tre Mason	Benny Cunningham, Malcolm Brown	Todd Gurley, Tre Mason, Malcolm Brown

 

With Frank Gore making his move to the Colts, Carlos Hyde takes over as the defacto lead back on the 49ers. Reggie Bush has been turning some heads in training camp but is likely to be limited to being the pass catcher in the 49ers gameplan. Kendall Hunter is now fighting for his roster spot seeing that Mike Davis was drafted. Davis was a highly rated recruit coming out of high school who didn't have the college career many expected out of him but he is still a talent that, with some weight loss, could potentially have an NFL career within him.

No doubt that Marshawn Lynch will be the starter for the Seahawks in 2015. The battle for his backup spot rages on between Robert Turbin and Christine Michael and Michael keeps coming short. Turbin's projected to have his spot as a backup locked up and is reportedly going to be held out of preseason, giving Michael a chance to fight to stay on this team. The two have value when they leave the Seahawks, as their both NFL caliber athletes, but Turbin has a real chance at finding himself in a starting spot at the end of his contract.

The only battle in the NFC West, David Johnson and Andre Ellington have their roles undefined. Both are similar players, elusive and shifty- so they don't fit into roles. They're both pass catchers, with Johnson actually edging out Ellington heavily, and perhaps even the best pass catcher in this class. It's hard to figure how the two will have their usage split but with Ellington's injury history it's assumed there will be a committee in play. Stepfan Taylor holds down the backup role to both of them since he's been there the longest, but Marion Grice might be on his tail as a capable backup.

Todd Gurley will be the starting running back of the Rams once he's healthy. Whether that's the season opener or week 4, he's going to be the starter. Tre Mason should be a high caliber backup with the potential to put up significant points in Gurley's absence, but there's always the chance he's also traded after this season is over. Beyond them is Benny Cunningham who is likely going to see his role remained unchanged as a change of pace back but Gurley has the chance to take that job away from him too since he is a capable NFL blocker and pass catcher. Malcolm Brown is the sneaky value of the group, a high caliber vision back- he has real starter potential in the NFL but is unfortunately in the youngest backfield the NFL has to offer. If he's traded, or injuries make him the starter, he should be able to find enough success to warrant a trade.

 

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	Ameer Abdullah	Theo Riddick, Joique Bell	Zach Zenner	Ameer Abdullah, Zach Zenner
Solid	Bears	Matt Forte	Jeremy Langford	Ka'Deem Carey, Jacquizz Rodgers	Jeremy Langford
Questionable	Vikings	Adrian Peterson	Jerick McKinnon	Matt Asiata	Jerick McKinnon

 

There's little chance of Eddie Lacy losing what must be the most comfortable gig in the NFL, being the guy lined up behind Aaron Rodgers. James Starks is holding down his role as the backup to Lacy throughout this season. John Crockett is at the tail end of the depth chart, a recent UDFA signing with intriguing NFL prospects, who had a reported 20 offers from teams but chose to sign with the Packers. Starks is entering a contract year and Crockett has no one else to battle on the depth chart, so he'll be a player to keep an eye on in the future.

One development that's occurred over the past month is the potential usurping of Joique Bell's starting position by Ameer Abdullah. One of the best all around backs in the class, Abdullah offers scheme versatility and a triple threat out of the backfield which is more than both Joique Bell and Theo Riddick can offer. With Bell dealing with injury that's caused him to miss all of OTAs, Abdullah took all first team reps. Now, talk is that Bell might be missing even more of training camp because the coaches are worried about his health and recovery from achilles and knee injuries that plagued him last year. Abdullah is currently on pace to be the week 1 starter if there aren't developments to Bell's health, and if that's the case he can easily run away with the job given the amount of talent he has. If that does happen, Bell becomes a change of pace back to Abdullah and potentially the goal line back for the Lions. Theo Riddick's role is expected to become a pure pass catcher, lining up in the slot and backfield and being used more like a utility weapon than a running back. Deeper in the depth chart is SPARQ favorite Zach Zenner, who finished only second to Abdullah in SPARQ's athleticism rating. He's got dynasty appeal because of his athleticism but it's not a lot.

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.

Whatever team Adrian Peterson ends up playing for, he'll be the starter. Jerick McKinnon is just too athletic with too much potential to develop to fall behind second on this teams depth chart but as of now, he's a stash more than a starter. Matt Asiata's already shown his NFL colors and he'll be seeing time as a touchdown vulture, and potentially passing down back here and there.

 

NFC SOUTH: Fantasy Football Running Backs (RB)

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

 

Mark Ingram will be entering the season as the starting RB but as reports keep coming out of training camp that C.J. Spiller keeps impressing, who knows what will happen here. The Saints have never had trouble making multiple backs fantasy capable though. Khiry Robinson's hype has certainly died down with the signings, but Robinson is still a potential value as a deep dynasty stash for when his contract with the Saints runs out, or of course if Ingram suffers another injury. This is still a situation that hasn't changed since early June, and will remain unchanged until pre-season brings out a clear picture.

Devonta Freeman started OTA's opening as the lead back with the first team but many are expecting that as the offseason continues he'll be put in a committee with Falcons draft pick Tevin Coleman. Coleman has been compared many times to Darren McFadden but has had questions raised from all levels of analysts about his ability to play in Shanahan scheme. Freeman projects as the better fit but coaching will likely turn this into a messy situation. Antoine Smith was a huge spark last year on limited touches and it's hard to imagine Smith finds his role expanded.

Finally, Jonathan Stewart will get his chance to take lead carries in a not-crowded backfield. There's little chance of him being unseated but with his injury history there's also a huge chance that someone else gets a start this year. Cameron Artis-Payne was picked in the fifth round by the Panthers but isn't much of a long term prospect on his own unless he can really make the most of his limitations. Still, his name and team gives him some boosted dynasty value. Neither Mike Tolbert or Fozzy Whittaker are going to see their roles change but with Ron Rivera's love of committees and Stewart's injuries, don't be surprised if they see significant time during the season.

Another team in the NFC South with no clear starter, currently Doug Martin is ahead of the pack running with the first team during OTA's and has been reportedly "in the best shape" he's ever been. If Martin struggles or gets injured again, Charles Sims seems like the next in line to get time but he'll be fighting the very productive Bobby Rainey for that spot. It seems more likely that the two of them will split than either of them becoming the full time starter. Sims has dynasty value but his prospects as a three-down back aren't nearly as high as many others, although he does offer a team a great change of pace player. Mike James is also an interesting character with a lot more 2-down potential who even flashed in 2013, but his value on a team crowded with role-oriented talent is minimal.

 

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