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Phil's top handcuff running backs and backup RB sleepers to target and draft in 2025 fantasy football leagues. His potential late-round league-winners among RB2s.
Regardless of how adeptly you construct your rosters during draft season, you could encounter a wave of lineup challenges during the regular season. These are often factors that remain beyond your control, including injuries that sideline your starters. This is an unwanted scenario that can emerge at any position, but it frequently impacts your running backs.
Building a roster that can withstand the obstacles that might develop during the season remains essential at this position, no matter which strategy you deploy toward selecting your backs. This can also elevate players who are clear backups into the equation, as these backs can be secured as insurance policies for the high-end starters that you selected near the onset of your drafts.
These backups are also worthy of consideration as late-round selections if you prefer to stash players who are positioned directly below the starting backs on their teams' depth charts. This article will focus on five running backs who would seize expanded workloads during any absence by their teams‘ starter. Each player is capable of becoming a valuable resource on your roster if that situation occurs.
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Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers
Isaac Guerendo is among the most enticing high-upside handcuffs to secure on your roster, due to his proximity to a massive workload if Christian McCaffrey is unable to avoid injuries.
Guerendo became the direct backup to McCaffrey on San Francisco’s reconstructed depth chart when the 49ers jettisoned Jordan Mason to Minnesota in March. That also placed Guerendo at the threshold of a significant role if McCaffrey is sidelined for any reason.
Isaac Guerendo goes up the middle for 20 yards!
📺: #DALvsSF on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/0ezXoxcizK— NFL (@NFL) October 28, 2024
Guerendo generated a season high 99 yards on 10 attempts in Week 6 after Mason sustained a sprained AC joint. Guerendo also led all backs in yards after contact (99), and rush yards over expected per attempt (7.08) according to Next Gen Stats.
He also launched into a temporary lead-back role after Mason aggravated his shoulder injury in Week 8. Guerendo accrued 102 total yards, finished eighth in yards per attempt (6.1), and was 10th in efficiency (3.39) per Next Gen Stats.
| Week 6 | YPA | Attempts | Yards | YAC |
| Isaac Guerendo | 9.9 | 10 | 99 | 99 |
| Sean Tucker | 9.7 | 14 | 136 | 32 |
| Joe Mixon | 7.8 | 13 | 102 | 17 |
| Najee Harris | 7.6 | 14 | 106 | 78 |
| David Montgomery | 6.7 | 12 | 80 | 59 |
| Breece Hall | 6.3 | 18 | 113 | 44 |
| Bijan Robinson | 6.3 | 15 | 95 | 42 |
| Tyler Allgeier | 5.8 | 18 | 105 | 87 |
| Bucky Irving | 5.8 | 14 | 81 | 57 |
| Derrick Henry | 5.5 | 24 | 132 | 60 |
| Week 8 | YAC | Yards | Attempts | BT% |
| D'Andre Swift | 89 | 129 | 18 | 5.6 |
| Najee Harris | 89 | 114 | 19 | 15.8 |
| Josh Jacobs | 82 | 127 | 25 | 28 |
| Saquon Barkley | 80 | 108 | 22 | 0 |
| De'Von Achane | 73 | 97 | 10 | 40 |
| Tyrone Tracy | 70 | 145 | 20 | 20 |
| Derrick Henry | 66 | 73 | 11 | 9.1 |
| James Conner | 64 | 53 | 20 | 15 |
| Isaac Guerendo | 63 | 85 | 14 | 21.4 |
| James Cook | 63 | 111 | 17 | 17.6 |
Guerendo also functioned as San Francisco’s feature back in Weeks 14-15 after Mason (ankle) and McCaffrey (knee) were placed on injured reserve. Guerendo averaged 15.5 attempts/67.5 yards per game and generated two touchdowns before multiple injuries (foot/hamstring) suppressed his production from Weeks 16-18.
ISAAC GUERENDO. 76-YARD RUN TO START THE DRIVE.#SFvsSEA on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Pt3BWP6JEF— NFL (@NFL) October 11, 2024
The 29-year-old McCaffrey is currently healthy, but has an escalating track record of extended absences. San Francisco also selected Jordan James in Round 5 of April’s NFL Draft (147th overall). However, Guerendo should maintain his role as the 49ers’ RB2. Guerendo possesses a combination of size, vision, and blazing speed, which was displayed when he completed the 40-yard dash in 4.33 at the 2024 NFL Combine.
Those attributes have positioned Guerendo to confiscate lead back duties if McCaffrey becomes unavailable once again. Guerendo can provide you with RB1 production if that scenario occurs.
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
Tyler Allgeier breaks off a 42-yard run! #BYUFootball
pic.twitter.com/tEczqpN4ry— Cougs in the Pros 🤙🏼 (@BYUpros) October 2, 2022
Tyler Allgeier established his ability to perform proficiently as an NFL starter during his 2022 rookie season. He led Atlanta in attempts (210/13.1 per game) and rushing yards (1,035/64.7 per game) while also rising to seventh among all backs in yards after contact (706), and 11th in red zone carries (39). He was also 22nd in points per game (12.0) from Weeks 8 to 18.
2022 - Tyler Allgeier rookie year: 1,035 rushing yards.
2023 - Bijan Robinson rookie year: 976 rushing yards.
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) January 8, 2024
Bijan Robinson confiscated lead-back duties after Atlanta selected him with the eighth overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft. However, Allgeier remains cemented among the top-tier handcuffs, as he operates as the unquestioned RB2 for the Falcons. Allgeier will also emerge as a highly productive asset for fantasy managers if Robinson is sidelined at any point during the season.
Allgeier’s per-game averages have unsurprisingly declined since the arrival of Robinson (9.5 attempts/39 yards per game). He has also averaged 30.5 red zone carries and 8.1/6.2 points per game during those two seasons. That includes his career-low numbers during 2024, which was Zac Robinson's first year as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator (8.1 attempts/37.9 yards per game), (25 red zone attempts).
Tyler Allgeier pic.twitter.com/j6e3nvKq8F
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) April 16, 2025
However, Allgeier did register career highs in first downs per attempt (31.4 percent) and carries of 10+ yards per attempt (13.1 percent) in 2024, according to PFF. Allgeier has also earned a rushing grade of 91.2 from PFF since 2022, which ties him for seventh overall. Any absence of Robinson will vault Allgeier into a massive workload, and he remains capable of delivering RB1 production if that situation develops.
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
Trey Benson was the second member of his rookie running back class to be selected during the 2024 NFL Draft, and there was sufficient rationale for believing that he could seize an ongoing role in Arizona’s backfield during his first season.
55 days until @FSUFootball! 🍢
55 yards on this Trey Benson run where exactly 0 Pittsburgh defenders were even able to lay a hand on him on his way to the end zone. pic.twitter.com/YXef9J6lKe
— TJ Pittinger (@TJ_Pittinger) July 6, 2025
Benson’s speed, strength, and athleticism fueled his encouraging outlook, as did his ability to pace Florida State in attempts (310/11.9 per game), rushing yards (1,896/72.9 per game), and rushing touchdowns (23) in 2022 and 2023 combined.
He also rose to ninth with 14 runs of 20+ yards and registered 0.51 missed tackles forced per attempt in 2022.
Benson’s projected role as the Cardinals’ RB2 justified optimism surrounding his outlook entering 2024, which included his adjacency to a massive workload if James Conner were forced to the sideline.
Cardinals RB Trey Benson had 12 touches and a career-high 87 yards in week 10. Showing off that explosive play ability and contact balance that made him the 2nd RB selected in the draft. pic.twitter.com/V2Yd8Flbvo
— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) November 12, 2024
However, Benson’s usage and output were restricted last season, as Conner was a mainstay in Arizona’s lineup (16 matchups), while accumulating 1,508 yards from scrimmage.
Benson was limited to a 17 percent snap share while averaging 4.6 attempts and 22.4 rushing yards per game. However, Benson’s potential to secure a respectable workload has increased entering his second season.
give it up for @trey_uno1's FIRST career TD 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ZnU7AUlfcZ
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) November 3, 2024
Conner turned 30 in May and has accumulated 1,642 touches during his career. Benson also remains at the periphery of a substantial role during any absence by Conner. That delivers your incentive to target Benson when your drafts have progressed beyond Round 10.
Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills
Ray Davis was the eighth back to be selected during the 2024 NFL Draft when Buffalo secured him in Round 4 (128th overall). Davis shared touches with James Cook and Ty Johnson during his rookie season, which limited him to a 24.3 percent snap share.
still a Ray Davis believer
compact, decisive, strong, balance
was a nightmare for many fill players and CBs. Broke plenty of arm tackles at the first and second levels pic.twitter.com/h2KaFI84jM
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) May 27, 2025
However, Davis operates with a physical presence while his vision, quickness, and pass-catching prowess make him an effective three-down back. This positions Davis to perform as the primary backup to Cook, even if Johnson siphons targets as a receiving weapon.
WHAT A RUN FOR RAY DAVIS 🔥
63 yards for the Buffalo lead 😮💨
(via @nfl)pic.twitter.com/xA274A6Djm
— ESPN (@espn) November 3, 2024
Davis excelled while operating with an expanded workload in Week 6, as Cook was contending with a toe injury. Davis attained a season-high 58.0 percent snap share and erupted for 152 total yards on 23 touches.
| Week 6 | Attempts | Yards | YAC | YPA | BT |
| J.K. Dobbins | 25 | 96 | 36 | 3.8 | 6 |
| Derrick Henry | 24 | 132 | 60 | 5.5 | 1 |
| Ray Davis | 20 | 97 | 62 | 4.9 | 4 |
| Breece Hall | 18 | 113 | 44 | 6.3 | 0 |
| Tyler Allgeier | 18 | 105 | 87 | 5.8 | 5 |
| Chuba Hubbard | 18 | 92 | 59 | 5.1 | 2 |
| Josh Jacobs | 18 | 62 | 41 | 3.4 | 2 |
| Saquon Barkley | 18 | 47 | 47 | 2.6 | 1 |
| Week 6 | Yards | Targets | Rec | YPC | YPT |
| Tyrone Tracy | 57 | 6 | 6 | 9.5 | 9.5 |
| Breece Hall | 56 | 6 | 5 | 11.2 | 9.3 |
| Sean Tucker | 56 | 3 | 3 | 18.7 | 18.7 |
| Ray Davis | 55 | 3 | 3 | 18.3 | 18.3 |
| Austin Ekeler | 47 | 5 | 4 | 11.8 | 9.4 |
| Kimani Vidal | 40 | 2 | 2 | 20 | 20 |
| Emari Demercado | 39 | 7 | 5 | 7.8 | 5.6 |
| Kenneth Walker | 37 | 8 | 8 | 4.6 | 4.6 |
Davis also vaulted to third in carries (20), fifth in yards after contact (62), and eighth in rushing yards (97). He also rose to fourth in receiving yards (55) and finished 13th in points per game (18.2).
Josh Allen finds Ray Davis downfield!
📺: #BUFvsNYJ on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/xIJsIOjFyV— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2024
Cook has entered the final year of his contract and has yet to garner the extension that he desires. His status should be monitored, although it is likely that his lead-back role will be sustained.
Davis will still elevate into an extensive workload if Cook is unable to operate in his usual capacity as the Bills’ primary back for any reason. That delivers your incentive for targeting the versatile Davis, who can become a valuable point producer if he operates with a sizable role.
Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
Miami traded up to secure Jaylen Wright during Round 4 of the 2024 NFL draft (120th overall). That infused Wright into a congested depth chart that also contained De'Von Achane, Raheem Mostert, and Jeff Wilson Jr.
Wright’s presence delivered explosiveness and big-play potential into the Dolphins’ overcrowded backfield, but his involvement in the offense was disappointing during his rookie year.
VFL Jaylen Wright with a nice run on MNF 👀 pic.twitter.com/K3JQQrDV1g
— TorresOnTennessee (@TorresontheVols) October 1, 2024
Wright was limited to 171 snaps (17 percent share) and 71 touches last season. He also secured a 39.7 percent success rate according to Pro Football Reference, and generated 60.2 percent of his yards after contact according to Fantasy Points Data.
The highest-graded RB in Week 5:
Jaylen Wright - 87.9 🐬 pic.twitter.com/YcpIxFIQGX
— PFF MIA Dolphins (@PFF_Dolphins) October 8, 2024
However, Wright demonstrated his ability to capitalize on an expanded role when a concussion forced Achane to the sideline in Week 5. Wright operated as Miami’s primary back, carried 13 times, finished 10th overall in rushing yards (86), and rose to sixth in yards per attempt (6.6).
Wright is now primed to enter his second season as the clear backup to Achane, after Mostert and Wilson were expunged from the roster during the offseason. The Dolphins signed Alexander Mattison in March and selected Ollie Gordon II in Round 6 of April’s NFL Draft.
Neither back should impede Wright from operating as Miami’s RB2. Wright’s workload would also expand significantly if Achane is absent at any point of the season.
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