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 | - Brian Hill - Jeremy Langford | - Tevin Coleman | - Tevin Coleman | Ito Smith is on IR leaving Coleman with more opportunities. Brian hill of Jeremy Langford will back him up. | |
| Baltimore Ravens | Gus Edwards | - Kenneth Dixon | - Kenneth Dixon | - Gus Edwards | X | With Lamar Jackson under center, the running game has flourished. Edwards is the man to own here, but Kenneth Dixon is making noise and is the backup to own. |
| Buffalo Bills | LeSean McCoy | Chris Ivory | LeSean McCoy | LeSean McCoy | It appears McCoy is going to be able to go this week. | |
| 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. | |
| Chicago Bears | Tarik Cohen | Jordan Howard | Tarik Cohen | Jordan Howard | X | Howard is starting to see more work now and is useful once again. I still prefer Cohen in fantasy, especially PPR, but its closer than it was a few weeks ago. |
| Cincinatti Bengals | Joe Mixon | Giovani Bernard | Giovani Bernard | Joe Mixon | X | Mixon is really all you care about here. |
| Cleveland Browns | Nick Chubb | Duke Johnson Jr | Duke Johnson Jr. | Nick Chubb | So much for Duke Johnson being utilized more like he should. Nick Chubb or bust. | |
| Dallas Cowboys | Ezekiel Elliott | Rod Smith | Ezekiel Elliott | Ezekiel Elliott | This one is easy. Zeke and more Zeke. | |
| Denver Broncos | Phillip Lindsay | - Royce Freeman - Devonte Booker | Phillip Lindsay | - Phillip Lindsay - Royce Freeman | Lindsay is the man to own here. He may get snipped at the goalline by Freeman, but he is good enough to overcome it. | |
| Detroit Lions | Theo Riddick | - LeGarrette Blount | Theo Riddick | LeGarrette Blount | X | Kerryon has landed on the IR now that the Lions are out of it. This is not a backfield you want any part of. |
| Green Bay Packers | Jamaal Williams | - Dany Vitale | Jamaal Williams | Jamaal Williams | Aaron Jones sprained his MCL in Week 15 and is done for the season. Back to Jamaal Williams. | |
| Houston Texans | Lamar Miller | - Alfred Blue - D'Onta Foreman | Lamar Miller | - Lamar Miller - D'Onta Foreman | Lamar Miller injured his ankle in Week 15, but the Texans are saying he could be back next week. Until we hear otherwise he stays atop the depth chart. | |
| 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. |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | Leonard Fournette | - David Williams - Carlos Hyde | T.J. Yeldon | Leonard Fournette | Fournette saw one carry in the second half against Washington for David Williams. Who? Fournette may be rested more like that in Week 16 so there is risk in using him. | |
| Kansas City Chiefs | Damien Williams | - Darrell Williams - Charcandrick West - Spencer Ware (INJ) | Damien Williams | Damien Williams | Spencer Ware missed Week 15 and in moved Damien Williams to save the day for those who started him. Ware may return Week 16 but if not Williams is a safe start. | |
| Los Angeles Chargers | Melvin Gordon | - Justin Jackson - Austin Ekeler (INJ) | - Melvin Gordon | Melvin Gordon | Jackson filled in nicely while Ekeler and Gordon were out Week 15. Gordon is ready to return while Ekeler is not, leaving some room for Justin Jackson to get some work. | |
| Los Angeles Rams | Todd Gurley | John Kelly | Todd Gurley | Todd Gurley | Gurley still finished the day with a good fantasy total, but he looks hobbled by a knee injury and is clearly not the same. If he starts you start him but keep an eye on it and get John Kelly if you can. | |
| Miami Dolphins | - Kalen Ballage - Kenyan Drake | - Kenyan Drake - Kalen Ballage | Kenyan Drake | Kalen Ballage | X | Frank Gore was injured early in Week 15, so you would think Drake would have busy day... nope. Kalen Ballage out touched him 13-4. I really just don't know anymore with the Dolphins. |
| 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 | Sony Michel | - James White - Rex Burkhead | James White | - Sony Michel - James White - Rex Burkhead | X | James White has not been very productive over the last few weeks and is an iffy flex play now. Michel might be the only safe play here |
| 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 | Elijah McGuire | Trenton Cannon | Elijah McGuire | Elijah McGuire | 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 | Josh Adams | - Wendell Smallwood | - Wendell Smallwood - Darren Sproles | Josh Adams | X | Josh Adams appears to have taken over the primary role here. It is still a backfield that I'm not interested in. |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | Jaylen Samuels | - Stevan Ridley - James Conner (INJ) | Jaylen Samuels | Jaylen Samuels | Looking more and more doubtful that Conner will return for Week 16. Fire up those Samuel shares once more, especially in Yahoo where he has TE eligibility. | |
| San Francisco 49ers | Matt Breida | - Jeff Wilson - Alfred Morris | Matt Breida | Matt Breida | Breida returned in Week 15 only to reinjure the same ankle that has been bothering him most of the season. It looks like he will play though, but its hard to trust him considering he has left many games early. | |
| Seattle Seahawks | Chris Carson | - Rashaad Penny - Mike Davis | C.J. Prosise | Chris Carson | X | Carson is really the only guy you can trust, but it is still a bit of a committee. |
| 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 | Derrick Henry | Dion Lewis | - Dion Lewis - Derrick Henry | - Derrick Henry - Dion Lewis | X | Where has this been. Derrick Henry has looked like the best running back in the NFL the last two weeks. |
| Washington Redskins | Adrian Peterson | Chris Thompson | Chris Thompson | Adrian Peterson | Thompson is back but this is still all AP. Although with the QB injuries he is going to have a tough time with defenses focusing more on him. |
Visit the F6P Fantasy Football Draft Kit Page for more advice to prepare for the 2018 season.
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