Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 10 backup running backs going into Week 2 Justin BooneSeptember 9, 2025 at 11:41 PM 0 The running back position wasn't hit as hard by injuries last season, but we know how quickly things can change at one of the most physical positions in football.
- - Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 10 backup running backs going into Week 2
Justin BooneSeptember 9, 2025 at 11:41 PM
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The running back position wasn't hit as hard by injuries last season, but we know how quickly things can change at one of the most physical positions in football. Fantasy football managers who stay prepared and know which backs are next in line for touches will always have an edge on the competition.
It's also important to understand which backups have a chance to rise up the depth chart based on talent, which ones are poised for a leading role when injuries strike and those who would max out as part of a less-appealing replacement committee.
Here's how I'm ranking the top backup running backs heading into Week 2 — based on their fantasy potential in 2025.
Fantasy Football backup RB rankings1. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks
Anyone who's rostered Charbonnet knows the value he's offered when Kenneth Walker III was ruled out. In the six games Walker missed last season, Charbonnet posted weekly fantasy results as the RB1, RB6, RB12, RB15, RB21 and RB27. In Week 1, we saw signs that this backfield might be more of a committee than it's been in the past.
Charbonnet played more snaps (30-21), earned more carries (12-10), produced more yards (47-24) and found the end zone in Week 1. It's possible Walker's preseason foot injury is still limiting him, so we won't know for a couple more weeks whether this is a sign of things to come. However, in the meantime Charbonnet moves into the top spot on this list. Not only did he look like the better back in the opener, he has a potential path to taking over this backfield.
2. Jordan Mason, Vikings
The Vikings made a concerted effort to trade for Mason and didn't do much else to address their backfield. Aaron Jones Sr., who will turn 31 in December, has battled through a flurry of injuries the last few seasons and it seems like the coaching staff understands his workload needs to be dialed back. In Week 1, Mason topped Jones in snaps (30-28), touches (16-11) and scrimmage yards (75-67), while appearing to be the more effective back. For now, we'll keep Mason on the list as a fantasy RB3, but we might not be considering him a backup for much longer if this trend continues.
3. David Montgomery, Lions
Montgomery's carries dropped last year, but he made up for it with receiving work and touchdown scoring. Even though the Lions offense appears likely to take a step back without Ben Johnson, Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler, Montgomery remains a strong RB3/flex with league-winning upside if Jahmyr Gibbs gets hurt.
4. Trey Benson, Cardinals
Benson was drafted to be the heir apparent to James Conner, but the veteran just keeps chugging along. The Cardinals still seem high on Benson, with Conner suggesting in the offseason that the team has two RB1s and Kyler Murray predicting a breakout campaign for the second-year back. In Week 1, Benson only played 33% of the snaps while outgaining Conner 75-44 in scrimmage yards thanks to a 52-yard run. If the 30-year-old Conner drops off or gets injured, Benson would be in the top 20 of my weekly rankings.
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5. Braelon Allen, Jets
Even as a 20-year-old rookie, Allen looked like he belonged last year while backing up Breece Hall. Allen continued his development with a strong offseason, which caught the eye of new head coach Aaron Glenn, who routinely talked about using multiple backs — like his former team did in Detroit. In Week 1, Hall re-established himself as the unquestioned top back in New York, but it was Allen who scored a touchdown. Moving forward, Allen is a volatile weekly flex play with massive upside if Hall gets banged up or traded.
6. Brian Robinson Jr., 49ers
With injuries affecting the younger backs on San Francisco's depth chart, the front office acquired a proven veteran as the backup for Christian McCaffrey. Robinson is just one year removed from posting 1,101 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns, while finishing as the RB21 in fantasy points per game. Though he's not the most exciting back on this list, Robinson would definitely produce if CMC gets hurt again.
7. Najee Harris, Chargers
Harris recovered from his eye injury and was able to suit up in Week 1, serving as the backup to Omarion Hampton. While Harris isn't a threat to the rookie's starting job, he is still one of the better backups in the league if an injury moves him into the top spot. The 27-year-old had four straight 1,000-yard seasons in Pittsburgh before joining the Chargers.
8. Ray Davis, Bills
James Cook is back with the team after signing a new contract, but Davis is still ready to step up if the former misses time. Davis has shown he can deliver when thrust into the starting role. In the two games where Davis played more than 50% of the offensive snaps last year, he finished as a top-15 fantasy RB both weeks.
9. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars
Trading Tank Bigsby to the Eagles after Week 1 is a clear sign the Jaguars feel confident about Tuten serving as the main backup to Travis Etienne Jr. We know the team liked Tuten even before general manager James Gladstone got hired this offseason, but it's still nice to see him moving up the depth chart. Etienne has a strong hold on the starting job after compiling 156 scrimmage yards on a 61% snap share in the opener, but keep an eye out for Tuten carving out a role as the season progresses. The explosive rookie is now one Etienne injury away from being a fantasy star.
10. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons
It seems like a lifetime ago when Allgeier was rushing for over 1,000 yards as a rookie. Then along came Bijan Robinson and away went Allgeier's fantasy value as a starter. He's still an overqualified backup who could step up and produce — if Robinson wasn't able to play for any reason.
Ambiguous backfields still being sorted out
RJ Harvey/J.K. Dobbins, Broncos
Jaylen Warren/Kaleb Johnson/Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers
Jacory Croskey-Merritt/Austin Ekeler, Commanders
Quinshon Judkins/Dylan Sampson, Browns
BackupswithFlex potential
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots
Rico Dowdle, Panthers
Rachaad White, Buccaneers
Quality backups with injuries
Tyjae Spears, Titans
Will Shipley, Eagles
MarShawn Lloyd, Packers
Rookie backups to stash
Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins
DJ Giddens, Colts
Cam Skattebo, Giants
Jaydon Blue, Cowboys
Kyle Monangai, Bears
Woody Marks, Texans
Jarquez Hunter, Rams
Tahj Brooks, Bengals
Brashard Smith, Chiefs
Intriguing backups with question marks
Kendre Miller, Saints
Tank Bigsby, Eagles
Keaton Mitchell, Ravens
Sean Tucker, Buccaneers
Blake Corum, Rams
Kareem Hunt, Chiefs
Backups to stash in deep leagues
Dameon Pierce, Texans
Chris Brooks, Packers
Zamir White, Raiders
LeQuint Allen Jr., Jaguars
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Astro Blog
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