Committee Running Back Draft Targets: 4 Crowded Backfields to Chase (2026)

June 22, 2026

Phil's fantasy football analysis for NFL running back committees. Should you draft the committee backs for the Bears, Panthers, Steelers, and Jaguars in 2026?

The running back by committee (RBBC) approach has traditionally been a source of frustration and consternation for fantasy managers. Congested backfields have frequently fueled a collective cringe among many of you due to the challenges that they create as you assemble rosters. That is a byproduct of the production constraints that can develop when teams utilize multiple backs, as opposed to backfields where a bell cow is operating with an extensive workload.

However, there is justification for embracing some backfields that distribute touches to multiple backs while reducing the customary resistance toward contending with crowded depth charts. That provides the rationale for locating backfields that are comprised of two backs who can serve as resources on your rosters.

This article will help you navigate your options at running back by examining four committee backfields that should be pursued during your upcoming drafts. All backs who will be recommended have ADPs that remain outside the first four rounds of drafts for the Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC) Main Event.

Chicago Bears

D'Andre Swift (ADP 50/RB22) / Kyle Monangai (ADP 90/RB36)

Many fantasy managers have prioritized the selection of Swift during draft season, which is underscored by his Round 5 ADP. However, Monangai’s sustained involvement in a rotation with Swift has launched Chicago’s backfield among the select group of committees to target in your next drafts.

Swift performed effectively last season after being reunited with Ben Johnson, who was Detroit’s offensive coordinator when Swift played for the Lions in 2022. Johnson schematically maximized Swift’s prospects of flourishing in the Bears’ potent offense, and Swift performed efficiently with his 53.8% snap share.

D'Andre Swift ties it up again!

CHIvsSF on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/ktNXWAGdn7

— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2025

Swift assembled a career-best 1,087 rushing yards (67.9 yards per game), finished 10th among backs with a career high in rushing touchdowns (nine), and rose to 12th in red-zone carries (40).

Swift also vaulted to seventh in explosive runs (30) and ninth in yards per attempt (4.9), according to PFF, and led all backs in rush percentage over expected (48.6%), per Next Gen Stats.

BIG catch and run from D'Andre Swift

DALvsCHI on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/vWS2vY9my0

— NFL (@NFL) September 21, 2025

Swift’s versatility was also on display during his involvement as a pass-catcher, as he finished among the top 15 in routes run (293), targets (48/2.8 per game), and receiving yards (299/18.7 per game). He also finished as an RB1 during five different matchups from Weeks 6-17, and finished 17th in points per game (14.3) from Weeks 1-18.

Swift is primed to capitalize on his opportunities once again as he enters the final year of his contract. His workload will remain sizable despite the presence of Monangai, whose physical running style propelled him to 783 rushing yards (46.1 per game).

That placed Monangai fifth among all members of his rookie class while he also finished 16th among backs with 702 yards (58.5 per game) from Weeks 7-18.

🗣️ MONANGAIIIIIII

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/Eik9W2cmMQ

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) November 9, 2025

Monangai was also entrusted with 32 carries inside the red zone during that sequence, which launched him to eighth overall. He also tied for 12th in efficiency from Weeks 1-18, per Next Gen Stats (3.52).

Swift was inactive due to a groin injury in Week 9. That cleared a runway for Monangai to secure a season-high 73.8% share, and he responded by delivering a statistical explosion.

Unleash Kyle Monangai 😤

CHIvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/YLQ3cT70sT

— NFL (@NFL) November 2, 2025

Monangai erupted for league-highs in rushing yards (176) and yards after contact (115) while pacing his position in red-zone attempts (nine) and soaring to RB3 in scoring (22.8 points).

Swift is capable of rewarding you with low-end RB2 output if you invest in him during upcoming drafts. Johnson’s deployment of a committee approach will also maintain Monangai’s viability as a flex option. Monangai would also provide RB2 production during any absence by Swift. 

Carolina Panthers

Chuba Hubbard (ADP 68/RB27) / Jonathon Brooks (ADP 85/RB33)

The offseason departure of Rico Dowdle in free agency has removed a massive barrier from Hubbard’s path toward entering Week 1 as Carolina’s lead back. Brooks’ long-awaited ascension into the Panthers' backfield rotation is also imminent, following his recovery from two ACL tears.

Carolina rose to 10th in run play percentage last season (45.6%), and Dave Canales should sustain his reliance on the Panthers' ground game by distributing touches to Hubbard and Brooks.

Chuba Hubbard and the @Panthers answer with SIX

LARvsCAR on FOX/FOX One
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/1KxzKTblRw

— NFL (@NFL) January 10, 2026

Hubbard should remain highly involved in Carolina’s reshaped offense, even if Brooks captures a workload that matches rising expectations. That will maintain Hubbard’s status as a consistent starter in your lineups.

Hubbard assembled a collection of career-best results during 2024. However, his numbers declined in multiple categories during 2025, including attempts per game (16.7/8.9), rushing yards per game (79.7/34.1), and points per game (16.1/8.4).

Panthers answer with a Chuba Hubbard touchdown

LARvsCAR on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/dmMU4ASLO5

— NFL (@NFL) November 30, 2025

Hubbard did tie for ninth among backs in receiving touchdowns (three), but was limited to one rushing touchdown. This was largely due to the combination of his protracted calf issue and the productive presence of Dowdle.

It is unclear whether Brooks will secure a significant role entering Week 1, but his workload should expand during the regular season.

Brooks was the first running back selected during the 2024 NFL Draft when Carolina traded up to secure him in Round 2 (46th overall).

He performed proficiently during his final collegiate season, while leading Texas in attempts (187/17.0 per game), rushing yards (1,139/103.5 per game), targets (30/2.7 per game), and receiving yards (286/26.0 per game).

Brooks also attained a 77.8% goal-line snap rate and a 66.1% short-yardage snap rate during 2023, according to PFF, and averaged 4.1 yards after contact per attempt.

Brooks has only registered 23 offensive snaps, nine attempts, and three targets with the Panthers due to the extended absences that followed each injury.

JB busting out the moves

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/mlmEf0uS18

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 1, 2024

However, Brooks will not turn 23 until July, and he appears destined to ascend directly below Hubbard on the Panthers’ depth chart. His favorable performances during OTAs have ignited surging optimism surrounding his potential to eventually seize an integral role in the Panthers backfield.

Hubbard remains under contract through the 2028 regular season, and his versatility should preserve his place in Carolina's rotation despite last season’s statistical downturn.

Hubbard can be targeted as a high-end RB3, while Brooks can be considered as a flex option. Brooks’ stock could rise steadily during draft season if he continues to avoid health issues.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Jaylen Warren (ADP 76/RB28) / Rico Dowdle (ADP 86/RB34) 

The Steelers will rely on Warren and Dowdle during their deployment of a committee approach, as Pittsburgh transitions to an attack designed by Mike McCarthy.

Both backs should secure a sufficient percentage of attempts to assemble respectable rushing numbers, while Warren should operate as the primary receiving weapon from the backfield.

JAYLEN WARREN 45-YARD TD

PITvsDET on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/1ftRuVSHs6

— NFL (@NFL) December 21, 2025

Warren’s role within the Steelers’ restructured backfield could also propel him to a snap share that exceeds the career-high 50% that he secured during 2025.

Warren also established career bests in attempts (211/13.2 per game) and rushing yards (958/59.9 per game) last season after averaging 7.2 carries/34.9 rushing yards per game from 2022-24. He also finished eighth among all backs with 45 missed tackles forced, according to Fantasy Points Data.

Jaylen Warren takes it 38 yards for the TD!

PITvsBAL on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/lCwZkzIPxe

— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2025

Warren was also targeted on 21.1% of his routes in 2025, while rising to 11th in receptions (40/2.5 per game) and 12th in receiving yards (333/20.8 per game). He also finished 19th with a career-best average of 13.6 points per game.

Dowdle has entered the equation after signing a two-year, $12.25 million contract in March. That will reunite him with McCarthy, which bolsters Dowdle’s prospects of confiscating a sizable percentage of carries in Pittsburgh’s revamped attack. He should also accrue opportunities in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

Dowdle led Dallas in snap share (55.7%), attempts (235/14.7 per game), and rushing yards (1,079/67.4 per game) while functioning as the primary back in McCarthy’s offense during 2024.

Dowdle also exceeded expectations with Carolina in 2025 despite sharing touches with Hubbard. Dowdle paced the Panthers backfield in snap share (55.7%) and eclipsed 1,070 yards for a second consecutive season (1,076/63.3 per game). That expanded Dowdle’s yardage total to 2,155 (65.3 per game) during the past two years combined, which has vaulted him to 11th among all backs.

It was a good, good day for @ricodowdle:
- 234 total yards
- 1 TD
- Big W at home@Panthers | @FedEx pic.twitter.com/UenLPJmQi3

— NFL (@NFL) October 5, 2025

Dowdle also established career highs in attempts (236/13.9 per game), red-zone carries (34), yards after contact (713), and rushing touchdowns (six) during 2025. That includes his numbers from Weeks 5-11 when he led all backs in rushing yards (750/107.1 per game) and attempts (140/20.0 per game).

Rico Dowdle into the end zone!

CARvsGB on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/gOq2x8dRDD

— NFL (@NFL) November 2, 2025

He also joined Warren among the top 16 in rush percentage over expected per attempt last season, according to Next Gen Stats (Warren 44.5%, Dowdle 43.5%).

Only 10 spots separate the ADPs for Warren and Dowdle, and both backs present fantasy managers with viable RB3/flex options. They are each capable of delivering RB2 production in a temporary role as Pittsburgh’s lead back if either member of the tandem is forced to the sideline.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Bhayshul Tuten (ADP 57/RB25) / Chris Rodriguez Jr. (ADP 121/RB42)

Projecting the percentage of touches that will be allocated to Tuten and Rodriguez within Jacksonville’s backfield rotation has ignited an ongoing debate within the fantasy community.

However, both backs are capable of functioning effectively in Liam Coen’s offense. That provides the rationale for targeting Tuten and Rodriguez despite a 64-spot difference in their ADPs.

Tuten and Rodriguez will benefit from operating in an attack that will be concocted by Coen, whose innovative blend of zone and gap schemes contains elements that can be confusing to opposing defenders.

Coen’s prowess should also expedite Tuten's rise within the fantasy landscape, as the second-year back ascends into an expanded workload.

Bhayshul Tuten scores his first NFL TD!

JAXvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/B4EmYon3L8

— NFL (@NFL) September 14, 2025

Tuten remains an enticing roster option due to the convergence of his athleticism, acceleration, and elite speed. His promising attributes did not propel him to a sizable workload last season, as his 21% snap share easily trailed the 60.1% share that was secured by Travis Etienne Jr.

Etienne’s presence also fueled erratic touch totals for Tuten, who carried eight+ times in four different matchups while also failing to exceed four attempts during seven contests.

However, Tuten also accumulated 64.8% of his yards after contact and attained a 57.8% rushing success rate, per Fantasy Points Data. He also tied for 10th among backs with 87+ carries in missed tackles forced per attempt (0.22), according to PFF.

BHAYSHUL TUTEN DID NOT GIVE UP ON THE PLAY 😤

He powers his way in for the TD

Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/sQ5iIMUSLh

— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2025

Etienne's departure in free agency has created an opportunity for Tuten to emerge as a prolific point producer for fantasy managers. That could transpire even if Rodriguez secures opportunities in short-yardage and goal-line situations.

Rodriguez is recovering from foot surgery, but that should not prevent him from participating in training camp. He signed a two-year, $10 million contract with Jacksonville in March. This has reunited him with Coen, who coached Rodriguez at Kentucky during 2021.

Rodriguez assembled the most prolific numbers of his collegiate career during his tenure with Coen while accumulating 225 attempts (17.3 per game), 1,379 rushing yards (106.1 per game), and nine touchdowns.

Chris Rodriguez Jr. is in for the @Commanders TD!

DENvsWAS on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/M4mZTpDyyV

— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2025

Rodriguez also established career highs in attempts (112/8.6 per game), red-zone carries (33), rushing yards (500/38.5 per game), and rushing touchdowns (six) last season while averaging 3.0 yards after contact per attempt.

Tuten should function as the Jaguars’ lead back when the regular season launches, and his potential to erupt for significant yardage should encourage you to secure him near his current ADP (57/RB25).

However, the Jaguars’ pursuit of Rodriguez during the offseason should not be dismissed. His prospective role in Coen's offense should also justify selecting him at his Round 10 ADP (121/RB42).

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