Below are the tentative running back depth charts entering Week 1 of the 2016 regular season for all 32 teams in the NFL.

We will be updating our depth charts all season long so be sure to stay on top of them.

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Fantasy Football Running Back Depth Charts

NFC East - Running Back Depth Charts

Dallas Cowboys

RB1 Ezekiel Elliott
RB2 Alfred Morris
RB3 Lance Dunbar
RB4 Darius Jackson
RB5 Darren McFadden (NFI)
FB1 Keith Smith
FB2 Rod Smith

GLB1 Ezekiel Elliott
GLB2 Alfred Morris

3DB1 Ezekiel Elliott
3DB2 Alfred Morris

The Dallas Cowboys will likely run with Ezekiel Elliott as their every-down back in 2016. The highly-touted rookie has the league's best front five to run behind, which bodes well for his fantasy outlook in the upcoming campaign. With Darren McFadden starting the year on the NFI list due to an elbow injury, Alfred Morris is Elliott's handcuff for fantasy football purposes. Don't sleep on Lance Dunbar in PPR scoring formats. Dunbar could pick up where he left off in 2015 as he led all of Dallas' backs with 21 receptions before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 4.

New York Giants

RB1 Rashad Jennings
RB2 Shane Vereen
RB3 Orleans Darkwa
RB4 Bobby Rainey
RB5 Paul Perkins

GLB1 Rashad Jennings
GLB2 Orleans Darkwa

3DB1 Shane Vereen
3DB2 Rashad Jennings

The New York Giants will once again appear to have a crowded backfield in 2016. However, Rashad Jennings is the clear-cut featured rusher on the depth chart. Since the team parted ways with Andre Williams on final cut down day, Shane Vereen stepped into the No. 2 role. Vereen is a player to target in PPR formats as he was Eli Manning's running back to target last season as a receiver out of the backfield. Vereen finished the 2015 campaign with 59 receptions for 495 yards and four touchdowns. Orleans Darkwa could be a deep sleeper in 2016. He is next in line for Jennings' starting job if he goes down to an injury at any point this season and shown enough to beat out Williams for his roster spot in the preseason.

Philadelphia Eagles

RB1 Ryan Mathews
RB2 Darren Sproles
RB3 Kenjon Barner
RB4 Wendell Smallwood

GLB1 Ryan Mathews
GLB2 Darren Sproles

3DB1 Darren Sproles
3DB2 Ryan Mathews

The Philadelphia Eagles have question marks all over their roster as they are in rebuilding mode following the disastrous ending to the Chip Kelly era at the beginning of the offseason. In a surprise move, the Eagles announced that Carson Wentz would be their Week 1 starting quarterback, which means the run game will be heavily relied upon to take the pressure off of the rookie signal caller. The injury-prone Ryan Mathews will lead the backfield, but offseason rumors swirled that he was not a fit in Doug Pederson's system. Pederson has a tendency to move the running back around to create mismatches in the passing game which better fits Darren Sproles' skill set. Although Mathews is slated as the No. 1 rusher in Philadelphia, Sproles could finish the season as the top fantasy scoring running back at the end of the year. If Mathews is hampered by injury once again in 2016, Kenjon Barner is expected to step in as Philadelphia's top back.

Washington Redskins

RB1 Matt Jones
RB2 Rob Kelley
RB3 Chris Thompson

GLB1 Matt Jones
GLB2 Rob Kelley

3DB1 Chris Thompson
3DB2 Matt Jones

The Washington Redskins have a young and unproven running back corps entering the upcoming season led by Matt Jones. Jones should be available to play in Week 1 after suffering a shoulder injury early in the preseason. Rookie Rob Kelley is the No. 2 rusher in Washington who had an outstanding showing during training camp and in exhibition play. Chris Thompson is expected to lead the team in receptions and should be targeted over Kelley in PPR scoring formats. Tompson could also emerge as the No. 1 back on the Redskins down the line in the regular season. Jones has a ball security issue that could cost him his job and Thompson is the veteran on the depth who could step up if Washinton is in playoff contention.

 

NFC North - Running Back Depth Charts

Chicago Bears

RB1 Jeremy Langford
RB2 Ka'Deem Carey
RB3 Jordan Howard
FB 1 Paul Lasike

GLB 1 Jeremy Langford
GLB2 Jordan Howard

3DB1 Jeremy Langford
3DB2 Ka'Deem Carey

Jeremy Langford has been on the fantasy radar since the Chicago Bears parted ways with Matt Forte earlier in the offseason. The second-year rusher is projected to be the No. 1 back on the depth chart, but rumors suggest that head coach John Fox will employ a by-committee approach to Chicago's running game in 2016. Rookie Jordan Howard garnered attention early in spring workouts, but he slipped behind Ka'Deem Carey on the depth chart and fell off of the fantasy radar. Carey should be the only back on the Bears aside from Langford targeted early on in the upcoming fantasy football campaign.

Detroit Lions
RB1 Ameer Abdullah
RB2 Theo Riddick
RB3 Zach Zenner
RB4 Dwayne Washington
FB1 Mike Burton

GLB1  Zach Zenner
GLB2 Ameer Abdullah

3DB1 Theo Riddick
3DB2 Ameer Abdullah

The Detroit Lions will attempt to resurrect their NFL's worst rushing attack from 2016 in the upcoming season. Ameer Abdullah will take on the lead running back duties, but he may not lead the team's rushers in fantasy scoring at the end of the year. Theo Riddick was an outstanding receiver out of the backfield last season and could be pushed into the starting role if Abdullah struggles early. Zach Zenner could emerge as a deep sleeper in standard scoring formats as he is slated as Detroit's goal line and short yardage back.

Green Bay Packers

RB1  Eddie Lacy
RB2 James Starks
RB3 Jhurell Pressley
FB1 Aaron Ripkowski

GLB1 Eddie Lacy
GLB2 James Starks

3DB1 James Starks
3DB2 Eddie Lacy

Green Bay's backfield appears to be consistent since Eddie Lacy and James Starks were paired together in 2013. Lacy will enter the year on top of the depth chart, but should be considered overvalued at his ADP. Starks, on the other hand, produced similar numbers as Lacy in 2015 and is the better value in the later rounds of the fantasy draft. As the season progresses, don't be startled if Starks is Green Bay's starting back if Lacy's mid-season struggles continue.

Minnesota Vikings

RB1 Adrian Peterson
RB2 Jerick McKinnon
RB3 Matt Asiata
FB1  Zach Line

GLB1 Adrian Peterson
GLB2 Matt Asiata

3DB1 Jerick McKinnon
3DB2 Adrian Peterson

Adrian Peterson will once again lead Minnesota's running backs in 2016. In the upcoming season, the Vikings may rely on the 31-year-old rusher even more than in the past since losing Teddy Bridgewater for the entire season with a severe knee injury. Keep in mind that Peterson isn't getting any younger and Jerick McKinnon could be in line for an increased workload in this season to keep the aging veteran fresh for a playoff run. For fantasy football purposes, McKinnon should be owned as Peterson's handcuff in all scoring formats.

 

NFC South - Running Back Depth Charts

Atlanta Falcons

RB1 Devonta Freeman
RB2 Tevin Coleman
RB3 Terron Ward
FB1 Patrick DiMarco

GLB1 Devonta Freeman
GLB2 Tevin Coleman

3DB1 Devonta Freeman
3DB2 Tevin Coleman

The Atlanta Falcons saw the emergence of Devonta Freeman in 2015. He exploded onto the scene and knocked Tevin Coleman out of fantasy relevance. However, Freeman's tremendous season could be an anomaly which adds to Coleman's value in the upcoming campaign. Coleman should be considered Freeman's handcuff who could see an increased role in the passing game in 2016.

Carolina Panthers

RB1 Jonathan Stewart
RB2 Cameron Artis-Payne
RB3 Fozzy Whittaker
FB1 Mike Tolbert

GLB1 Jonathan Stewart
GLB2 Mike Tolbert

3DB1 Jonathan Stewart
3DB2 Fozzy Whittaker

The Carolina Panthers will have veteran Jonathan Stewart leading their rushing attack this season. The 29-year-old back is nearing the dreaded age of 30 and could see his role minimized in 2016. Cameron Artis-Payne is the No. 2 rusher on the depth chart and could see an increased workload to give Stewart rest more so than in year's past. Mike Tolbert is expected to retain his role as Carolina's short-yardage and goal line back which could take scoring plays away from Stewart. Stewart should be the only running back targeted from Carolina's roster in the upcoming fantasy football campaign.

New Orleans Saints

RB1 Mark Ingram
RB2 C.J. Spiller
RB3 Tim Hightower
RB4 Marcus Murphy
RB5 Daniel Lasco
FB1 John Kuhn

GLB1 Mark Ingram
GLB2 Tim Hightower

3DB1 Mark Ingram
3DB2 C.J. Spiller

The New Orleans Saints have a crowded backfield entering the 2016 regular season led by Mark Ingram. The injury-prone back only played one 16-game slate in his five-year career which makes his handcuffs fantasy value incredibly high. In 2016, Ingram's primary backup is another injury-plagued rusher, C.J. Spiller. Although Spiller is projected to be the No. 2 rusher on the depth chart, Tim Hightower should be monitored as a player to own in the upcoming fantasy football campaign. Hightower out-played Spiller in Ingram's absence last season and could once again emerge as the starter especially due to the injury histories of the players ahead of him.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

RB1 Doug Martin
RB2 Charles Sims
RB3 Mike James
FB1 Alan Cross

GLB1 Doug Martin
GLB2 Charles Sims

3DB1 Charles Sims
3DB2 Doug Martin

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the most crystal-clear running back situations in the NFL. Doug Martin finished behind Adrian Peterson for the league's rushing title and should once again see a heavy workload on Tampa Bay's offense that is trending upwards. Beware of Martin's durability, however. He played in all 16 games in 2015 but appeared in only 17 total contests in 2013 and 2014 combined. Charles Sims should be one of the first handcuffs selected in the fantasy draft and could garner an increased workload to keep Martin fresh at different points in the season.

 

NFC West - Running Back Depth Charts

Arizona Cardinals

RB1 David Johnson
RB2 Chris Johnson
RB3 Andre Ellington
RB4 Stepfan Taylor

GLB1 David Johnson
GLB2 Chris Johnson

3DB1 David Johnson
3DB2 Andre Ellington

The Arizona Cardinals employ David Johnson, who exploded onto the fantasy scene last season due to the injuries that plagued Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington. David Johnson will likely see a heavy dose of the running back duties in 2016 as both a rusher and a receiver. He is a dual-threat player who could finish the year on top of his position in total fantasy points scored. If he remains healthy, Chris Johnson should not be considered as anything more than a change of pace back, but should be owned as a handcuff nonetheless.

Los Angeles Rams

RB1 Todd Gurley
RB2 Benny Cunningham
RB3 Malcolm Brown
RB4 Chase Reynolds
RB5 Terrence Magee
FB1 Cory Harkey

GLB1 Todd Gurley
GLB2 Benny Cunningham

3DB1 Benny Cunningham
3DB2 Todd Gurley

The Los Angeles Rams' offense will live and die behind Todd Gurley in 2016. The Rams had the worst passing offense in the NFL last season and it doesn't appear that it will improve in the upcoming campaign. Case Keenum will receive the first shot at the starting job, but if and when he struggles, the reigns will be handed over to Jared Goff. Gurley will only carry the bulk of the workload throughout the year with Benny Cunningham assuming the role of his primary handcuff for fantasy football purposes. Barring unforeseen circumstances happening to Gurley, Cunningham will have minimal fantasy value in 2016.

Seattle Seahawks

RB1 Thomas Rawls
RB2 Christine Michael
RB3 C.J. Prosise
RB4 Alex Collins

GLB1 Thomas Rawls
GLB2 Christine Michael

3DB1 C.J. Prosise
3DB2 Thomas Rawls

Seattle's running back situation appears straight forward since Marshawn Lynch announced his retirement in the offseason. Thomas Rawls is the No. 1 rusher on the Seahawks in Week 1, but the question marks surround the players behind him on the depth chart. C.J. Prosise was hyped to win the No. 2 role, but an injury that held him out of the majority of the preseason opened the door for Christine Michael to emerge as Rawls' primary handcuff. Both Prosise and Michael should be owned in the upcoming fantasy football campaign until a clear-cut No. 2 is established.

San Francisco 49ers

RB1 Carlos Hyde
RB2 Shaun Draughn
RB3 Mike Davis
RB4 DuJuan Harris

GLB1 Carlos Hyde
GLB2 Shaun Draughn

3DB1 Carlos Hyde
3DB2 Shaun Draughn

The San Francisco 49ers are entering the season with Carlos Hyde as their workhorse. However, an injury-shortened 2015 campaign allowed Shaun Draughn to produce enough to garner fantasy value in 2016. Draughn should be targeted in the latter rounds of the fantasy draft and owned in all scoring formats as Hyde's handcuff.

 

AFC East - Running Back Depth Charts

Buffalo Bills

RB1 LeSean McCoy
RB2 Reggie Bush
RB3 Mike Gillislee
RB4 Jonathan Williams
FB1 Glenn Gronkowski
FB2 Dan Vitale

GLB1 LeSean McCoy
GLB2 Mike Gillislee

3DB1 LeSean McCoy
3DB2 Reggie Bush

LeSean McCoy will lead Buffalo's running back corps this season and is poised for a big year if he remains healthy. The Bills are a ground and pound team that will run the ball more than the majority of teams in the NFL, which bodes well for McCoy's statistical outlook. Reggie Bush is penciled in as the No. 2 rusher on the depth chart, but he has struggled to stay healthy over the years and could end up as a role player on passing downs. Mike Gillislee should be viewed as McCoy's handcuff over Bush in 2016.

Miami Dolphins

RB1 Arian Foster
RB2 Jay Ajayi
RB3 Isaiah Pead
RB4 Damien Williams
RB5 Kenyan Drake

GLB1 Arian Foster
GLB2 Jay Ajayi

3DB1 Arian Foster
3DB2 Jay Ajayi

The Miami Dolphins won the Arian Foster sweepstakes this offseason and will choose to start the veteran over Jay Ajayi to lead their backfield. Ajayi was projected to enter the regular season as the starter, but an outstanding training camp and preseason by Foster pushed him ahead of the young rusher on the depth chart. Ajay will still have fantasy value in 2016 nevertheless. Foster is known to have durability issues and if he is hampered by injury again this season, Ajay will be an instant fill in.

New England Patriots

RB1 LeGarrette Blount
RB2 James White
RB3 Brandon Bolden
RB4 D.J. Foster
RB5 Dion Lewis (PUP)
FB1 James Develin

GLB1 LeGarrette Blount
GLB2 James White

3DB1 James White
3DB2 Brandon Bolden

The New England Patriots will enter Week 1 with LeGarrette Blount leading their running back corps with Dion Lewis starting the season on the PUP list. James White will have solid value in PPR formats as he will assume the role of New England's primary receiver out of the backfield. When Dion Lewis returns, he will likely take over White's spot on the depth chart, however, Blount should still be considered New England's main ball carrier.

New York Jets

RB1Matt Forte
RB2 Bilal Powell
RB3 Troymaine Pope
FB1 Julian Howsare

GLB1 Matt Forte
GLB2 Bilal Powell

3DB1 Matt Forte
3DB2 Bilal Powell

The New York Jets enter Week 1 with Matt Forte as their No. 1 running back. Forte should still be viewed as one of the top dual-threat backs in the league who can beat the defense on the ground as well as a receiver out of the backfield. Bilal Powell should also have fantasy value in 2016 who could see an increase in playing time as the season progresses due to Forte's age.

 

AFC North - Running Back Depth Charts

Baltimore Ravens

RB1 Justin Forsett
RB2 Terrance West
RB3 Buck Allen
RB4 Kenneth Dixon
RB5 Lorenzo Taliaferro
FB1 Kyle Juszczyk

GLB1 Terrance West
GLB2 Justin Forsett

3DB1 Buck Allen
3DB2 Justin Forsett

The Baltimore Ravens have a very crowded running back depth chart entering the regular season. Justin Forsett should still be considered their No. 1, but the Ravens will likely use a by-committee approach to their backfield in 2016. Terrance West and Buck Allen could both see playing time until one of them emerges as the true No. 2. Don't sleep on Kenneth Dixon. The rookie is out of action with a torn MCL, but could quietly sneak into the starting role upon his return from injury.

Cincinnati Bengals

RB1 Jeremy Hill
RB2 Giovani Bernard
RB3 Rex Burkhead
FB1 Ryan Hewitt

GLB1 Jeremy Hill
GLB2 Giovani Bernard

3DB1 Giovani Bernard
3DB2 Jeremy Hill

Jeremy Hill is the starting running back on the Cincinnati Bengals entering the 2016 season, but he'll likely split a vast amount of his workload with Giovanni Bernard which makes both rushers fantasy assets. Hill has more value in standard scoring formats due to his touchdown production. However, Bernard is better suited for PPR leagues as he is one of the best pass-catching backs in the NFL. Both Hill and Bernard should be owned in the upcoming fantasy football campaign.

Cleveland Browns

RB1 Isaiah Crowell
RB2 Duke Johnson
RB3 George Atkinson III
FB1 Malcolm Johnson

GLB1 Isaiah Crowell
GLB2 Duke Johnson

3DB1 Duke Johnson
3DB2 Isaiah Crowell

Isaiah Crowell will likely begin the year as Clevland's No. 1 ball carrier, but Duke Johnson should be viewed as the better fantasy option of the duo due to his pass-catching ability.

Pittsburgh Steelers

RB1 Le'Veon Bell
RB2 DeAngelo Williams
RB3 Fitzgerald Toussaint
RB4 Daryl Richardson
FB1 Roosevelt Nix

GLB1 Le'Veon Bell
GLB2 DeAngelo Williams

3DB1 Le'Veon Bell
3DB2 DeAngelo Williams

DeAngelo Williams is expected to start the first three games of the year for the Pittsburgh Steelers as Le'Veon Bell serves out his three-game suspension. When Bell returns, he will likely take over the No. 1 duties on the depth chart for the duration of the season barring unforeseen circumstances. Williams should be kept on fantasy rosters upon Bell's return as the Steelers could feature both backs in 2016.

 

AFC South - Running Back Depth Charts

Houston Texans

RB1 Lamar Miller
RB2 Alfred Blue
RB3 Tyler Ervin
RB4 Jonathan Grimes
FB1 Jay Prosch

GLB1 Lamar Miller
GLB2 Alfred Blue

3DB1 Lamar Miller
3DB2 Tyler Ervin

The Houston Texans will likely feature Lamar Miller as their every-down back in 2016. Miller could see a heavier workload to take the pressure off of Brock Osweiler, who is entering his first NFL season as the starter. Miller has not missed a game in three years and should be the only Texans rusher targeted in the upcoming fantasy football campaign as his durability and production are not expected to be an issue.

Indianapolis Colts

RB1 Frank Gore
RB2 Robert Turbin
RB3 Jordan Todman
RB4 Josh Ferguson

GLB1 Frank Gore
GLB2 Robert Turbin

3DB1 Frank Gore
3DB2 Robert Turbin

Aside from Frank Gore, the backfield of the Indianapolis Colts is in total question. Gore is nearing his mid-30's and has taken a step back in his production every year since 2013. Robert Turbin is projected as the No. 2 back in Indianapolis and may be worth targeting in the later rounds of the fantasy draft as a shot in the dark selection.

Jacksonville Jaguars

RB1 T.J. Yeldon
RB2 Chris Ivory
RB3 Denard Robinson
RB4 Corey Grant

GLB1 Chris Ivory
GLB2 T.J. Yeldon

3DB1 T.J. Yeldon
3DB2 Chris Ivory

T.J. Yeldon is projected as Jacksonville's starting running back in 2016 ahead of Chris Ivory. However, rumors indicate that the Jaguars will split the carries "50-50" between the two rushers. Until either Ivory or Yeldon emerges as the more reliable back this season, both should be considered risky fantasy starts on a weekly basis.

Tennessee Titans

RB1 DeMarco Murray
RB2 Derrick Henry
RB3 Antonio Andrews
FB1 Jalston Fowler

GLB1 DeMarco Murray
GLB2 Derrick Henry

3DB1 DeMarco Murray
3DB2 Derrick Henry

DeMarco Murray will attempt to rejuvenate his stalled career as the No. 1 back in Tennessee. Murray is expected to be the workhorse, but if he struggles Derrick Henry could see an increase in playing time and production. Henry is among one of the top handcuffs in the upcoming fantasy football campaign.

 

AFC West - Running Back Depth Charts

Denver Broncos

RB1 C.J. Anderson
RB2 Devontae Booker
RB3 Kapri Bibbs
FB1 Andy Janovich

GLB1 C.J. Anderson
GLB2 Devontae Booker

3DB1 C.J. Anderson
3DB2 Devontae Booker

The Denver Broncos will enter the season with C.J. Anderson as the No. 1 running back. The inconsistent rusher could lose playing time as he did in years past to Devontae Booker, who out-played Ronnie Hillman for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. Booker's tremendous preseason ultimately lead to Hillman's release, which speaks the world of the rookie's upside. Booker should be owned in all fantasy formats as Anderon's handcuff.

Kansas City Chiefs

RB1 Jamaal Charles
RB2 Spencer Ware
RB3 Charcandrick West
RB4 Knile Davis
FB1 Anthony Sherman

GLB1 Spencer Ware
GLB2 Jamaal Charles

3DB1 Jamaal Charles
3DB2 Charcandrick West

The Chiefs running back situation in Week 1 is questionable. As of now, Jamaal Charles is not expected to start in the contest and if he plays, it will be in a limited role. Spencer Ware is emerging as the No. 1 back to start the season until Charles is back to full health. Charcandrick West may have fantasy value while Charles is sidelined as a pass-catching role out of the backfield.

Oakland Raiders

RB1 Latavius Murray
RB2 DeAndre Washington
RB3 Jalen Richard
RB4 Taiwan Jones
FB1 Marcel Reece
FB2 Jamize Olawale

GLB1 Latavius Murray
GLB2 Jamize Olawale

3DB1 Latavius Murray
3DB2 DeAndre Washington

The Oakland Raiders have Latavius Murray as their No. 1 running back in 2016 who is poised for a big season in his third-year in the NFL. DeAndre Washington will take on the No. 2 spot on the depth chart and will likely be used as a roleplayer and in change of pace duties. With Murray expected to garner an increase in carries this season, Washington's value should leave him on the outside looking in of fantasy relevance.

San Diego Chargers

RB1 Melvin Gordon
RB2 Danny Woodhead
RB3 Kenneth Farrow
RB4 Andre Williams
FB1 Derek Watt

GLB1 Danny Woodhead
GLB2 Melvin Gordon

3DB1 Danny Woodhead
3DB2 Melvin Gordon

Melvin Gordon is coming off of a dreadful 2015 season but will hold onto the starting job despite his struggles. The Chargers have Danny Woodhead as their No. 2 rusher once again who is one of the top PPR backs in fantasy football. Both backs should both be owned in 2016, but don't be surprised to see Andre Williams gets a chance to resurrect his career if Gordon struggles.

 

Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.