7 Running Back Committees With Upside: Key Fantasy Football Takeaways for Week 9

Zach analyzes the top fantasy football RB committees, looking for fantasy football RB breakouts heading into Week 9 (2025). Read his key takeaways about seven RB committees.

As we reach the halfway point in the NFL regular season, many teams continue to use committees in the backfield. Rotating multiple options depending on momentum and game situation can allow teams to focus on each player's strengths. It also makes more players relevant for fantasy football, even though they're harder to keep track of from week to week. To help you successfully navigate the always-changing landscape of running back committees, this post takes a look at the latest games and how the timeshare shapes up going forward. This week, we're looking at seven backfields for Week 9.

Matchups and injuries always impact who plays for how long, and coaches are always looking for a "hot hand" to ride. If you're also looking to add a surging running back to your fantasy lineup, check out the latest from each of these seven committees from Week 9.

What can we learn from Week 8, and how does it change our projections going forward? What follows are my breakdowns of the backfields in New England, Chicago, Houston, Denver, Tennessee, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh.

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Patriots Committee: Is it TreVeyon Henderson's time?

The Patriots got another nice win in Week 8 at home over the Browns. The offense continues to thrive under second-year QB Drake Maye and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, but the backfield continues to be a work in progress.

In Week 7, Rhamondre Stevenson shouldered the workload, playing 75% of the snaps, leaving just 14% for TreVeyon Henderson and 14% for Terrell Jennings. In Week 8, the percentages were consistent with Stevenson again playing 74% of snaps, while Henderson's workload increased slightly to 21% and Jennings was just 7%.

What makes things interesting, though, is that Henderson was much more effective, taking his 10 carries for 75 yards while Stevenson took 14 carries for only 34 yards. Stevenson added a 15-yard catch, but Henderson wasn't targeted. Henderson did lose a fumble at the one-yard line, which was a problem earlier this year for Stenvenson as well, but overall, it was a very encouraging performance for the rookie, who offers big-play ability if he gets out in space.

TreVeyon Henderson noted after the game that the coaching staff has been trying to give him more opportunities with the ball out in space.

Helped lead to him having a career-best 75 rushing yards on 10 carries (14 snaps) vs. the Browns. pic.twitter.com/3RGaPoaRGC

— Brian Hines (@iambrianhines) October 27, 2025

The coaching staff stuck by Stevenson throughout his early-season fumble problems and will likely continue to use him extensively as the primary early-down back. Henderson is a dynamic, big-play threat, but his snap count is still low, making him a high-risk flex play in any matchup.

In Week 9, the Patriots are home against the Falcons. Henderson would seem to be a good option since the Falcons have been beatable by running backs as receivers, so if you're desperate for a bye-week fill-in, he could make sense. Stevenson is still the much safer play, though, since he is getting so much more work and continues to grind out hard yards inside. He's also the preferred option in short-yardage situations, so he should have a good chance at touchdowns moving forward in his current role.

Bears Committee: Kyle Monangai more in the mix

After two straight wins, the Bears struggled against the Ravens in Week 8, falling apart in the fourth quarter of their 30-16 loss in Baltimore. The two running backs in the Bears' committee have shared time almost evenly the last two weeks, with veteran D'Andre Swift and rookie Kyle Monangai both showing some upside.

After two huge weeks, Swift came back to earth in Week 8. He did still find the end zone to keep his day from being a bust, while producing 45 rushing yards on 11 carries and 26 receiving yards on two catches.

.@DAndreSwift punches it in for 6 👊

📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/NCq6qrncTh

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 26, 2025

However, he didn't convert a relatively easy read for a touchdown run on the first drive and whiffed on a couple of pass protections as well. One of those missed coverages led to an intentional grounding penalty.

Monangai didn't have as many carries with just seven and only managed 24 rushing yards. He also wasn't targeted at all in the passing game. However, he was on the field for 29 snaps, compared to Swift's 31.

While Swift is still the better fantasy option, there's not as much disparity as has shown up in the box score lately. While Swift may be slightly over-valued since it looks like he's still the primary back, Monangai could eventually flip the script and take over. It's closer than many fantasy managers may realize, so if you can snag Monangai off waivers or trade away Swift for a good return, you may be able to get ahead of the movement in this timeshare.

Texans RB Committee: Specialized roles emerging

The Texans got a big win in Week 8 by bouncing back from a bad Monday Night Football loss to the Seahawks with a nice win over the visiting 49ers. Continuing their pattern from the past few weeks, they've used Woody Marks on passing downs and Nick Chubb on early downs.

When the Texans play from ahead, Chubb gets a little more work, and when they play from behind, the game script favors Marks. This week, Chubb had 35 snaps compared to Marks' 32, and he had 17 carries, compared to Marks' 11. Chubb only managed 56 yards on the ground while adding two catches for 13 more yards.

Even with six fewer carries, Marks had more rushing yards with 62 yards on the ground, and he was third on the team with 50 receiving yards on four catches as well.

Woody Marks takes the pass 50 yards!

SFvsHOU on FOX/FOX Onehttps://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/fgVqUTFCj9

— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025

Marks is definitely the more dynamic option and the better fantasy play in PPR leagues. However, Chubb is still getting enough early-down work and has enough touchdown potential to keep Marks from truly breaking out and being an every-week RB2.

This week against the Broncos, both backs can be used as flex plays, but both are also risky. Chubb almost has to have a touchdown to be worth playing, and Marks is busiest when the Texans are playing from behind. In Week 7, for example, he played 63% of snaps since the team was playing catch-up in Seattle.

Both backs are game script-dependent options, since the other back keeps them from getting a full workload. Marks is the better play of the two for this week, given what we know at this point.

Broncos Committee: Ponies running wild

The Broncos rolled over the Cowboys in Week 8 and looked good doing it, since they were wearing the epic orange throwbacks. In the favorable matchup and game script, both Broncos running backs had great games.

Veteran J.K. Dobbins had been a great fantasy producer over the last few weeks, not sharing much of the workload. He played very well again on Sunday, racking up 111 rushing yards on 15 carries, giving him over 75 rushing yards in six of his last seven games. He also has double-digit carries in every game this season and has scored four touchdowns.

Dobbins remains a solid RB2 in most formats with his workload and effectiveness.

However, this week, another running back also got into the mix. Rookie RJ Harvey has tantalized fantasy managers with his potential in a few games this season, but he also has had some brutal weeks. For example, he had two carries for only four yards against the Jets two weeks ago, and last week, he had four carries that ended up totaling zero yards.

After those two weeks, though, he had a major bounce-back in Week 8. He ran for 46 yards and two touchdowns on his seven carries and also added a five-yard touchdown reception.

RJ HARVEY TO THE CRIB!

DALvsDEN on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/lwVIoXtNoZ

— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025

Harvey will remain a boom-or-bust, home run threat for now, but he has definitely shown the potential to deliver big plays and big games.

Next week, Dobbins and Harvey have a tough matchup against the Texans' stout defense, but the Broncos have done a good job putting both in a position to succeed. Dobbins is a much safer play, but Harvey has that big-play upside that is hard to ignore.

Titans Committee: Is either back viable?

The Titans have also been rotating their running backs, but they've been much less effective than the Broncos. While Denver ranks third in the NFL in rushing, the Titans have the fewest rushing yards in the league. They've been rotating  Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears for the last few weeks, since Spears returned from injury.

Spears played 59% of the snaps in Week 6 compared to just 43% for Pollard, and in Week 7, Pollard took back over the majority of work with 57% of the snaps, compared to 43% for Spears. In Week 8, Spears had 37 snaps (52%) while Polland played 33 snaps (46%).

While both backs have been getting pretty even playing time, neither one has been especially effective. Spears did have the better game of the two in Week 8, finishing with 59 rushing yards and a touchdown, including 41 rushing yards on this big play:

Tyjae Spears all the way down to the ONE

TENvsIND on CBS/Paramount+https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/fqZybP7adS

— NFL (@NFL) October 26, 2025

Pollard still had more carries, totaling 44 rushing yards on his 11 carries, and he tacked on a nine-yard reception. Spears also got in on the passing game, with three catches for 23 yards.

Given how little the Titans have been scoring, it's hard to trust either of these two backs in a regular starting role. They both have flex upside, though under the new interim head coach, Mike McCoy. I'd give a slight edge to Spears, at least for now.

There have also been trade rumors around Pollard, and if he gets moved, Spears would be a strong play in a workhorse back role.

Chiefs Committee: Three-headed monster or just a mess?

The Chiefs rotated Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt for most of the season, and just when it looked as if Pacheco was ready to emerge as the clear primary back, everything changed on Monday Night Football.

While Pacheco had the most carries and rushing yards on the team with 12 carries for 58 yards, he also left the game with a knee injury. Hunt had nine carries for 40 yards along with one catch for two yards, but he scored two short-yardage touchdowns to actually be the much better fantasy play.

SECOND TOUCHDOWN FOR KAREEM 😤 pic.twitter.com/BWuvSfRGWR

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 28, 2025

While the vutured touchdowns are all too familiar to Pacheco's managers, the bigger concern is the injury.

#Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco just limped off of the field after this hit. Got hit right in the knee: pic.twitter.com/W5tSRjVFnd

— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) October 28, 2025

He was diagnosed with an MCL sprain and is considered "week to week," according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Pacheco seems unlikely to play in Week 9 against the Bills, leaving Hunt and converted wide receiver Brashard Smith to share the backfield. Smith didn't have any targets and only had three carries for eight yards, but he'll likely have a much bigger role in Week 9.

The Chiefs have a bye in Week 10, and it's possible Pacheco is ready to return in Week 11. His situation is uncertain, though, and Smith and Hunt could claim a larger share of the work while Pacheco is out.

Steelers Committee: Jaylen Warren in command

On Sunday night of Week 8, the Steelers lost by 10 points to the Packers. Pittsburgh's throwbacks aren't nearly as exciting and excellent as the Broncos' throwbacks, but they did get everyone's attention.

The running game, though, didn't get much going against the Packers, as Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell continue to form the backfield committee.

Since missing Week 4 with an injury and recovering during the Week 5 bye week, Warren has taken more than half the workload. He played over 60% of snaps for the second straight game this week, and he led the team with 13 carries and 62 rushing yards, while also adding 11 receiving yards.

Gainwell stepped up big-time while Warren was out in Week 4, but has played a smaller role in the last few weeks. He only played 38% of snaps in Week 8, and finished with five carries for 31 rushing yards to go with four receiving yards on two catches. Unfortunately for him and his potential playing time, he also has this fumble late as the Steelers were trying to get back in the game.

Packers take the ball right back on the Gainwell fumble

GBvsPIT on NBC
Stream on @NFLPlus + Peacock pic.twitter.com/ePaq5ZSlg5

— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2025

Gainwell will likely stay involved on kick returns and as a change-of-pace option, but Warren looks to have the primary role locked down. Rookie Kaleb Johnson, who was once expected to be in the mix as well, hasn't played an offensive snap in the last two weeks.

The Steelers host the Colts this week, and Warren is a solid RB2. Gainwell has some flex viability as well, but it is much higher risk due to his limited role.

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