Running Backs in Fantasy Football are becoming more important again, as proven by the scoring leaders from 2017.
The zero-RB theory strategy is becoming less and less utilized, but not completely disregarded by everybody. This is because the running back position is still a very volatile one. It is prone to injuries and busts more than just about any position on the field.
The volatility requires you to stay on top of the depth charts so you know who the next man up is when the starter goes down. You also want to know who is in that dreaded committee so you can draft/plan accordingly.
To stay in the know use our Fantasy Football Running Back Depth Chart.
Table explanation:
- RBBC: If the touches will be split roughly 60/40 or less, this is marked as a running back by committee.
- Starter: The running back who is most likely to start each game. This does not always mean they will get the most touches.
- Handcuff(s): Player(s) who are likely to take over if the starter comes out of the game. In some cases, it is not 100% determined yet.
- Third-Down Back(s): Player(s) who are likely to get the bulk of the passing down work.
- Goal Line Back(s): Player(s) who are likely to get the bulk of the workload near the goal line.
Fantasy Football Running Back Depth Chart
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| Team | Starter | Handcuff(s) | Third-Down Back(s) | Goal Line Back(s) | RBBC | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Cardinals | David Johnson | Chase Edmonds | David Johnson | David Johnson | This is David Johnson's backfield. Chase Edmonds is the handcuff here, but holds almost no standalone value. | |
| Atlanta Falcons | Tevin Coleman | Ito Smith | - Tevin Coleman - Ito Smith | - Tevin Coleman - Ito Smith | X | Freeman is on IR opening the door for Ito Smith to take the old Coleman role. |
| Baltimore Ravens | Alex Collins | - Javorius Allen - Ty Montgomery | - Javorius Allen - Ty Montgomery | - Javorius Allen - Alex Collins | X | Collins and Allen are splitting the workload a lot more than most thought they would. If Collins can't fix his fumbling problems then he will be benched. The addition of Montgomery doesn't feel like it means much. |
| Buffalo Bills | LeSean McCoy | Chris Ivory | LeSean McCoy | LeSean McCoy | McCoy is getting the bulk of the carries here but not producing thanks to a lackluster offense. | |
| Carolina Panthers | Christian McCaffrey | Cameron Artis-Payne | Christian McCaffrey | Christian McCaffrey | CMC is getting tons of work and its leading to plenty of Fantasy points especially in PPR. | |
| Chicago Bears | Tarik Cohen | Jordan Howard | Tarik Cohen | Jordan Howard | X | Cohen is seeing more and more work each week it seems. Yes, Howard scored, but that appears to be the only way he keeps any value. I'm making the swap on the depth chart to Cohen being the guy you want to use more. |
| Cincinatti Bengals | Joe Mixon | Giovani Bernard | Giovani Bernard | Joe Mixon | X | Gio returned and it is back to the Mixon and Gio show. Mixon is still the guy you really want. |
| Cleveland Browns | Nick Chubb | Duke Johnson Jr | Duke Johnson Jr. | Nick Chubb | Chubb had a fantastic Week 10 and is the clear guy to own here, but Johnson is starting to be used more like he should since the coaching change. | |
| Dallas Cowboys | Ezekiel Elliott | Rod Smith | Ezekiel Elliott | Ezekiel Elliott | This one is easy. Zeke and more Zeke. | |
| Denver Broncos | Phillip Lindsay | - Devonte Booker - Royce Freeman (INJ) | Phillip Lindsay | - Phillip Lindsay - Devonte Booker | X | Lindsay is locked into a role here now and Freeman and him are splitting most of the work. |
| Detroit Lions | Kerryon Johnson | - Theo Riddick - LeGarrette Blount | Theo Riddick | LeGarrette Blount | X | Kerryon has distanced himself from this group and finally taken over as expected. |
| Green Bay Packers | Aaron Jones | Jamaal Williams | Jamaal Williams | Aaron Jones | X | Ty Montgomery was shipped out. All we can hope for is this opens the door for Jones to get even more work after his strong Week 8. |
| Houston Texans | Lamar Miller | - Alfred Blue - D'Onta Foreman (PUP) | Lamar Miller | - Lamar Miller - D'Onta Foreman (PUP) | Lamar Miller is starting to show signs of life lately. I'm removing the committee tag for now. | |
| Indianapolis Colts | Marlon Mack | - Jordan Wilkins - Nyheim Hines - Robert Turbin | Nyheim Hines | Marlon Mack | X | Mack is looking good and is definitely worth owning and starting most weeks now. |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Leonard Fournette | - Carlos Hyde | T.J. Yeldon | Leonard Fournette | Fournette is back and there goes the committee tag. | |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Kareem Hunt | Spencer Ware | - Kareem Hunt - Spencer Ware | Kareem Hunt | There was some worry for Hunt early on, but he has seen his workload increase each week. He is one of the safe running backs out there and on a great offense. | |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Melvin Gordon | Austin Ekeler | - Melvin Gordon - Austin Ekeler | Melvin Gordon | Gordon is the primary back here and should get enough third down work to be considered a workhorse back. | |
| Los Angeles Rams | Todd Gurley | John Kelly | Todd Gurley | Todd Gurley | Gurley is the guy and you should have no issues with him. | |
| Miami Dolphins | - Kenyan Drake - Frank Gore | - Kenyan Drake - Frank Gore | Kenyan Drake | Frank Gore | X | I have no idea what they are doing in Miami. Gore has actually out-touched Drake in multiple games this season. I am putting them 1A/1B for now. |
| Minnesota Vikings | Dalvin Cook | -Latavius Murray - Mike Boone | Latavius Murray | Dalvin Cook | X | Cook is back and should get the majority of the work, but to make sure he stays healthy Murray will see his fair share. |
| New England Patriots | James White | - Kenjon Barner - Sony Michel (INJ) | James White | James White | X | Sony Michel's injury this past Sunday looked bad and I expect him to miss significant time. James White will see his workload increase a bit, but expect Barner to be involved too. |
| New Orleans Saints | Alvin Kamara | - Mark Ingram | Alvin Kamara | Mark Ingram | X | Kamara is the show here, while Ingram is proving to be game flow dependent. When it does go his way he has huge games. |
| New York Giants | Saquon Barkley | - Wayne Gallman - Jonathan Stewart | Saquon Barkley | Saquon Barkley | This is no doubt Barkley's backfield. | |
| New York Jets | Isaiah Crowell | Elijah McGuire | Elijah McGuire | Isaiah Crowell | X | Powell is out for the season and Crowell will get the bulk of the carries with McGuire taking Powell's role. |
| Oakland Raiders | Doug Martin | - Jalen Richard | Jalen Richard | Doug Martin | X | Lynch is out for the season so it is Doug Martin getting early down work, with Richard getting pass catching duties. |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Wendell Smallwood | - Corey Clement - Josh Adams | - Wendell Smallwood - Darren Sproles (INJ) | - Corey Clement - Josh Adams | X | Clement and Smallwood have underwhelmed since Ajayi's injury. In Week 8 Josh Adams stepped up so add his name to the mix here. |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | James Conner | James Conner - Le'Veon Bell (holdout) | James Conner | James Conner | Look like more and more Le'Veon Bell won't report to the Steelers. Congrats to those of you who snatched up Conner. | |
| San Francisco 49ers | Matt Breida | Alfred Morris | Matt Breida | Matt Breida | Mostert broke his arm and is done for the year. This leave Breida as the primary ball carrier and Morris to back him up. I'm removing the committee tag though as Alf has not been utilized much at all. | |
| Seattle Seahawks | Chris Carson | - Mike Davis - Rashaad Penny | C.J. Prosise | Chris Carson | X | This backfield is hard to figure out. One week its Carson the next its Davis and now in Week 10 it was Penny. You're guess is as good as ours. |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Peyton Barber | - Jacquizz Rodgers - Ronald Jones II (INJ) | Jacquizz Rodgers | Peyton Barber | X | With Jones injuried Barber becomes a viable RB2/Flex play. |
| Tennessee Titans | Dion Lewis | Derrick Henry | - Dion Lewis - Derrick Henry | - Derrick Henry - Dion Lewis | X | The run game has not been strong this season, Lewis and Henry are flex plays at best now. |
| Washington Redskins | Adrian Peterson | - Kapri Bibbs - Chris Thompson (INJ) | - Kapri Bibbs - Chris Thompson (INJ) | Adrian Peterson | Bibbs is filling in nicely for Thompson while he is injured, but this is still APs backfield. |
Visit the F6P Fantasy Football Draft Kit Page for more advice to prepare for the 2018 season.
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