X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

2025 Fantasy Football Backup Running Back Rankings for Dynasty Leagues: Sleepers and Value Picks

Tyler Allgeier - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Top 2025 fantasy football backup running back rankings for dynasty leagues. Sleepers, value picks, and draft targets: Jahmyr Gibbs, Jaylen Warren, Tank Bigsby, and more.

Ah, the backup running backs. Fantasy football managers hold them all season in the hopes that, for at least one week, they have a fantasy starter.

Not all backup running backs are created equal. The top-end runners technically don't start but see an equal share of touches. There are the high-value handcuffs, the running backs who are an injury away from 15-20 opportunities. A group of backups may or may not dominate the workload if the starter is inactive. Finally, the backfield puzzles that free agency or the NFL Draft may solve.

Below, all backup running backs are ranked, based on the categories described above. Fantasy managers have different needs when hunting for running backs. Someone like Austin Ekeler contributes now but would be ranked below many backs in the following groups. Others, like MarShawn Lloyd, are projects for future seasons.

Be sure to check all of our dynasty fantasy football resources for 2025:

 

Group 1: The 1Bs

  1. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit
  2. Jaylen Warren, RB, Pittsburgh *(RFA)
  3. Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville
  4. Rachaad White, RB, Tampa Bay
  5. Austin Ekeler, RB, Washington

Technically, Jahmyr Gibbs plays a reserve role. David Montgomery dominates touches on Detroit's first drive. Gibbs logged four starts in 2024 and just one with a healthy Montgomery. Yet, he finished as the RB1 in PPR formats (including Week 18 when RB2 Saquon Barkley rested). There's a gulf between Gibbs and the rest of this group.

To various degrees, Jaylen Warren, Tank Bigsby, and Rachaad White are 1Bs in their respective backfields. Warren, a restricted free agent, takes a significant number of snaps away from Najee Harris (an unrestricted free agent). Bigsby averaged double-digit carries in the back half of the regular season. White remained Tampa Bay's "starter" through Week 17, although Bucky Irving usurped him.

29-year-old Austin Ekeler is spending his final NFL seasons as the pass-catching back in the nation's capital. While he's currently splitting touches with Brian Robinson Jr., he doesn't hold long-term dynasty value.

 

Group 2: The Clear Backups

  1. Tyler Allgeier, RB, Atlanta
  2. Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle
  3. Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee
  4. Ray Davis, RB, Buffalo
  5. Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets
  6. Trey Benson, RB, Arizona
  7. Isaac Guerendo, RB, San Francisco
  8. Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams
  9. Devin Singletary, RB, New York Giants
  10. Zack Moss, RB, Cincinnati
  11. Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Philadelphia (UFA)
  12. Antonio Gibson, RB, New England
  13. Roschon Johnson, RB, Chicago
  14. Miles Sanders, RB, Carolina
  15. Gus Edwards, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

The four backup running backs atop this list have proved they can produce when their names are called upon. 24-year-old Tyler Allgeier rushed for 1,000 yards in his rookie season. Zach Charbonnet was a few yards shy of 200 against Arizona in Week 14. Tyjae Spears and Ray Davis shined when given the bulk of their team's touches. Allgeier and Charbonnet (younger than Davis) could sign into a starting spot during free agency following the 2025 season.

Braelon Allen, Trey Benson, Isaac Guerendo, and Blake Corum enter their sophomore seasons with plenty to prove. Allen flashed in limited usage behind Breece Hall but began to lose backup touches to Isaiah Davis late in the season. The amateur scouts love Benson's potential but he couldn't show it. He was injured concurrently with starter James Conner, who was signed to a two-year extension during the season.

Guerendo passed his audition filling in for the injured Christian McCaffrey (and Jordan Mason and Elijah Mitchell). San Francisco could (and should) add another running back this offseason, especially if it doesn't bring back Mason (RFA). Corum was scarcely utilized behind Kyren Williams in Los Angeles.

Devin Singletary and Zack Moss fall into the same camp: veterans lacking juice who can score like low-end RB2s when given volume.

Unrestricted free agent Kenneth Gainwell is a beloved backup in Philadelphia who rarely gets double-digit touches. The Eagles could cheaply re-sign him as insurance for Saquon Barkley.

Antonio Gibson, Roschon Johnson, and Miles Sanders are second-stringers on poor offenses. Gibson edges out Johnson and Sanders because of his pass-catching prowess.

Gus Edwards is technically the starter in Los Angeles. J.K. Dobbins is a free agent but the Chargers won't enter training camp with Edwards atop the depth chart.

 

Group 3: Muddy Backfields

  1. Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami
  2. Kendre Miller, RB, New Orleans
  3. Audric Estime, RB, Denver
  4. MarShawn Lloyd, RB, Green Bay
  5. Justice Hill, RB, Baltimore
  6. Dameon Pierce, RB, Houston

Fantasy managers should swing for the upside of Jaylen Wright, Kendre Miller, Audric Estime, and MarShawn Lloyd over the veterans at the bottom of the previous list. However, if the starters in their respective cities were to get injured, it would not necessarily be these young runners who would take over. Miami (which released Raheem Mostert) and Denver (Javonte Williams is a free agent) will add running backs through the NFL Draft or free agency this offseason.

The former New Orleans coaching staff (mainly Dennis Allen) was not a Kendre Miller fan. Kellen Moore could take better note of his talent or Miller's injury woes could submarine his chances of becoming a successful professional. It's a similar story for MarShawn Lloyd, who played one game (seven touches) due to various ailments.

Justice Hill won't be a three-down running back. If Derrick Henry were to miss time, he'd split touches with Keaton Mitchell.

Dameon Pierce has sputtered since his explosive rookie season. He's entering his last season under contract in Houston.

 

Group 4: Work In Progress

  1. Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland
  2. Rico Dowdle, RB, Dallas (UFA)
  3. Cam Akers, RB, Minnesota (UFA)
  4. Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City (UFA)
  5. Sincere McCormick, RB, Las Vegas
  6. Tyler Goodson, RB, Indianapolis

Jerome Ford's value could vault into 1B territory or collapse into irrelevancy. Nick Chubb is a free agent and Ford has a handful of starts and an 800-yard season under his belt. If the Browns don't re-sign the longtime starter in Chubb, the franchise will add another major piece to the running back room. Ford could wind up a starter (if, say, the Browns draft a Day 2 rookie who needs easing in). He could also become part of a committee in a backup role to a free-agency addition.

It's a similar story for Rico Dowdle, who has lower odds of sitting atop a depth chart in September. Dallas' 1,000-yard rusher is a free agent. He could re-sign with the Cowboys but the team will also pick up a splashier name. Najee Harris, Javonte Williams, or Ashton Jeanty would fit the bill, relegating Dowdle to backup duty and a spot in the middle-to-low end of Group 2's list.

There are too many variables to properly rank the Minnesota Vikings backfield. Aaron Jones and Cam Akers are unrestricted free agents. The team needs a starter before we can name a backup. If it's Akers again, he'd fit in well in the Gainwell-Gibson territory in Group 2.

Will the Kansas City Chiefs ride with soon-to-be 30-year-old Kareem Hunt again? The results for Isiah Pacheco, following his broken leg, were less than favorable. My hypothesis is the Chiefs add through the draft and let Hunt walk.

The Raiders running game stayed grounded in Zamir White's first season as the full-time starter. Then, Las Vegas experimented with Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah before settling on Sincere McCormick. He received starter-level volume for two games before a season-ending injury. He's better suited as a backup but the team will need to acquire a starter first.

Tyler Goodson is a replacement-level player. It would be a surprise if the Colts didn't add a body to their committee-backup approach to Jonathan Taylor.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis


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.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

James Wood

Homers, Drives in Four
Agustín Ramírez

Agustin Ramirez Homers Twice to Snap Skid
Isaac Paredes

Astros Hopeful Isaac Paredes Can Avoid the Injured List
Royce Lewis

Dealing With Hamstring Strain
Kodai Senga

Diagnosed With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain
Gleyber Torres

Goes Deep Twice on Friday
Evan Carter

Leaves Early With Wrist Soreness
Anthony Richardson

Should be Fine for Training Camp
Russell Westbrook

to Decline Player Option
Kevin Durant

Trade Could Happen in the "Next Few Days"
A.J. Puk

Pauses Throwing Program
Matt Chapman

Can Begin Rehabbing in a Week
Logan Gilbert

Next Start Could Come in the Big Leagues
Cam Akers

Joining Saints
Yordan Alvarez

Still Not Hitting
Michael Mayer

to Get More Involved
Aaron Rodgers

DK Metcalf Building Chemistry with Aaron Rodgers
Colston Loveland

Likely to be Primary Tight End
Jacob Wilson

Returns on Friday
Justin Martinez

Out 12-13 Months With UCL Sprain
Will Johnson

Returns to Practice
Harold Fannin Jr.

Could Have Big Role in Rookie Season
Matt Chapman

Could Miss the Rest of June
Quentin Johnston

Still Running With Starters
Rashawn Slater

Takes Part in Minicamp
Jack Bech

Mostly Working With Second-Team Offense
Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Makes Strides This Offseason
Joaquin Buckley

Set For Main Event
Ashton Jeanty

to be Part of Committee Backfield?
Kamaru Usman

An Underdog At UFC Atlanta
Christian McCaffrey

Takes Part in Mandatory Minicamp
Jordan Watkins

has Been Standing Out
Miranda Maverick

Set For Co-Main Event
Rose Namajunas

Looks To Bounce Back
Jacob Cowing

on the Rise
Andre Petroski

Looks To Extend His Win Streak To Four
Demarcus Robinson

a Frequent Target This Spring
Dee Winters

has Been Impressive This Spring
Edmen Shahbazyan

A Favorite At UFC Atlanta
Raoni Barcelos

Set To Take On Former Champion
Cody Garbrandt

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Mansur Abdul-Malik

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Cody Brundage

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Alonzo Menifield

Opens Up UFC Atlanta Main Card
Oumar Sy

Looks To Remain Undefeated
Aaron Civale

Traded to the White Sox
Connor Hellebuyck

Wins Vezina And Hart Trophies
Aleksander Barkov

Records Two Power-Play Assists Thursday
Sam Reinhart

Collects Three Points in Thursday's Loss
Matthew Tkachuk

Notches Three Points in Losing Effort
Calvin Pickard

Joins Exclusive List with Thursday's Win
Mattias Ekholm

Logs Two Assists in Comeback Victory
Leon Draisaitl

Delivers Victory in Overtime Thursday
Myles Turner

Playing Through Illness
Reed Sheppard

Will Play in the NBA Summer League
Kevin Durant

Deal Could Come Sooner Rather Than Later
Jacob Misiorowski

Pulled With Cramps
Framber Valdez

Punches Out 12 in Win
Isaac Paredes

Homers, Exits Early With Hamstring Injury
D.J. Humphries

Rams Sign D.J. Humphries on Thursday
Troy Franklin

has Had a Good Offseason
Jacob Misiorowski

Leaves Game with Ankle Injury
Mike Williams

Expected to be Ready for Training Camp
Trey Benson

Adds Weight, Explosiveness
Dorian Finney-Smith

Undergoes Ankle Surgery
Christian Moore

Angels Calling Up Christian Moore
Anze Kopitar

Wins Third Lady Byng Trophy
Sergei Bobrovsky

Heading Out for Win No. 15
John Klingberg

Won't Play in Game 4 Against Panthers
Viktor Arvidsson

Sits Out Game 4 Against Panthers
Christian Yelich

Back in Brewers Lineup
Stuart Skinner

Remains in Oilers Crease Thursday
Chris Kreider

Ducks Acquire Chris Kreider From Rangers
Jalen Williams

Leads Thunder in Scoring Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Settles for 24 Points in Game 3 Loss
Pascal Siakam

Does Everything for Pacers Wednesday Night
Tyrese Haliburton

Gets Close to Triple-Double in Game 3 Win
Bennedict Mathurin

Leads All Scorers with 27 Points Wednesday
Brandin Podziemski

Has Second Offseason Surgery
Cale Makar

Wins His Second Norris Trophy
Lane Hutson

Voted NHL's Best Rookie
CGY

Adam Klapka Agrees to Two-Year Extension with Flames
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

Considered a Game-Time Call Thursday
Jaylen Brown

Undergoes Successful Knee Procedure
Kevin Porter Jr.

Likely to Decline Player Option
Matt McCarty

Comes Off Season-Best Showing at RBC Canadian Open
Justin Thomas

Desperate to Continue Good 2025 Season
Kevin Durant

Knicks Not Looking to Trade for Kevin Durant
Jon Rahm

Seeks Revenge at U.S. Open
Tom Kim

Aiming for Improvement in U.S. Open
PGA

Sungjae Im Expects Solid Performance at Oakmont
Brian Harman

Aims to Rebound From the Memorial
Tony Finau

has Been Up and Down at U.S. Open
Patrick Cantlay

Hoping This is the Year at Oakmont
Akshay Bhatia

Improving in Time for U.S. Open
Xander Schauffele

Primed for Another Major Championship Run
Cameron Young

May Struggle at U.S. Open
Collin Morikawa

Eyeing Third Major Championship Title
Matt Fitzpatrick

Seeks to Avenge Oakmont Collapse
Jordan Spieth

Can Contend at Oakmont
Shane Lowry

a Strong Value Play at U.S. Open
Brooks Koepka

Seeks Another Major Win at Oakmont
Viktor Hovland

Still Can Improve at U.S. Open
Michael Kim

a Boom-or-Bust Value Play at U.S. Open
Russell Henley

Looking to Play the Weekend at Oakmont
Tyrrell Hatton

a Safe Option at U.S. Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Eyeing Third U.S. Open Title
Darius Garland

Kings Targeting Darius Garland
Kevin Durant

Expected to Be Moved Soon
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Reportedly Has "No Trade Market"
Jarace Walker

Remains Out Wednesday
Tyrese Haliburton

"Fine" For Wednesday's Action
Denny Hamlin

Charges Late to Win at Michigan
Carson Hocevar

Michigan Run is Derailed by A Late-Race Flat Tire
Kyle Larson

Up-and-Down Day Ends With Top-Five Finish at Michigan
Ross Chastain

Quietly Finishes Sixth at Michigan
Olivier-Maxence Prosper

Says Rehab Going "Great"
Corey Perry

Nets Power-Play Goal in Monday's Loss
Stuart Skinner

Gets Pulled in Heavy Game 3 Defeat
Evan Rodrigues

Extends Scoring Streak with Multi-Point Effort
Sam Reinhart

Collects Two Points in Monday's Win
Chris Buescher

Takes Second Place After William Byron Runs Out of Fuel
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Has a Great Points Day to Build Buffer Over the Playoff Cut Line
Ryan Blaney

Flat Tire Results in Poor Finish for Ryan Blaney
Alex Bowman

Playoffs in Doubt After Stage 2 Crash at Michigan
Sean O'Malley

Submitted For The First Time In His Career
Merab Dvalishvili

Defends Bantamweight Belt At UFC 316
Julianna Peña

Julianna Pena No Longer A Champion
Kayla Harrison

Is The New Champion
Joe Pyfer

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Kelvin Gastelum

Drops Decision
Patchy Mix

Drops Decision In His UFC Debut
Mario Bautista

Extends His Win Streak
Vicente Luque

Submitted At UFC 316
Denny Hamlin

is A Top Contender to Win At Michigan
Kyle Larson

Will Compete For The Win At Michigan
Chase Elliott

is One of the Most Favored DFS Options of the Week for Michigan
William Byron

May be A Top Threat to Win at Michigan
Kyle Busch

is Difficult to Recommend for DFS Lineups at Michigan
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Qualifies Ninth For the FireKeepers Casino 400
Alex Bowman

What Should Fantasy Managers Do With Alex Bowman at Michigan?
Austin Cindric

Should Austin Cindric be Considered For Michigan DFS Lineups?
Shane Van Gisbergen

Should Shane Van Gisbergen Be Rostered For Michigan DFS Lineups?
John Hunter Nemechek

Is A Solid Value Option For Michigan DFS Lineups
Zane Smith

Is Zane Smith Worth Rostering Outside of Tournament Lineups at Michigan?
Todd Gilliland

Is A Decent Value Option for Michigan DFS Lineups
Ryan Blaney

One of the Leading DFS Contenders, but Might Be Slightly Overpriced
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF