How do all 32 NFL backfields stack up for Fantasy Football in 2025? Some depth charts are straightforward and easy to project — others are murky, crowded, and full of uncertainty.
But in fantasy football, knowing the starter is only half the battle. Identifying the right handcuff — backup, for the uninitiated — or contingency play can be the difference between a fantasy playoff exit and a championship.
Below, we break down every backfield situation across the league. This article will be updated throughout the summer, so be sure to check back regularly.
2025 NFL Running Back Depth Charts
| Team | RB1 | RB2 | Value if RB1 Gets Hurt |
| ARI | James Conner | Trey Benson | Workhorse |
| ATL | Bijan Robinson | Tyler Allgeier | Workhorse |
| BAL | Derrick Henry | Keaton Mitchell | Committee |
| BUF | James Cook | Ray Davis | BELL COW |
| CAR | Chuba Hubbard | Rico Dowdle | Minimal Role Change |
| CHI | D'Andre Swift | Roschon Johnson | Minimal Role Change |
| CIN | Chase Brown | Tahj Brooks | Workhorse |
| CLE | Quinshon Judkins | Dylan Sampson | Potential Committee |
| DAL | Javonte Williams | Jaydon Blue | Increased RB Targets |
| DEN | RJ Harvey | Audric Estime | Potential Committee |
| DET | Jahmyr Gibbs | David Montgomery | BELL COW |
| GB | Josh Jacobs | MarShawn Lloyd | Potential Committee |
| HOU | Joe Mixon | Woody Marks | Fewer Carries |
| IND | Jonathan Taylor | DJ Giddens | BELL COW |
| JAX | Travis Etienne | Bhayshul Tuten | Minimal Role Change |
| KC | Isiah Pacheco | Kareem Hunt | Minimal Role Change |
| LAC | Omarion Hampton | Najee Harris | BELL COW |
| LAR | Kyren Williams | Blake Corum | Minimal Role Change |
| LV | Ashton Jeanty | Raheem Mostert | Committee Backfield |
| MIA | De'Von Achane | Jaylen Wright | Fewer Targets |
| MIN | Aaron Jones | Jordan Mason | BELL COW |
| NE | TreVeyon Henderson | Rhamondre Stevenson | Minimal Role Change |
| NO | Alvin Kamara | Devin Neal | Fewer Targets |
| NYG | Tyrone Tracy | Cam Skattebo | BELL COW |
| NYJ | Breece Hall | Braelon Allen | Fewer Targets |
| PHI | Saquon Barkley | Will Shipley | Reduced Starter Role |
| PIT | Kaleb Johnson | Jaylen Warren | Minimal Role Change |
| SEA | Kenneth Walker | Zach Charbonnet | BELL COW |
| SF | Christian McCaffrey | Isaac Guerendo | Minimal Role Change |
| TB | Bucky Irving | Rachaad White | Minimal Role Change |
| TEN | Tony Pollard | Tyjae Spears | Minimal Role Change |
| WAS | Brian Robinson | Austin Ekeler | Committee |
Workhorse = a RB getting a high number of carries; Bell Cow = a RB getting a high number of snaps, carries, and targets
Elite Duo
Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery
There is simply nothing like the Lions' backfield for fantasy managers over the past two seasons. The Gibbs/Montgomery duo deserves a category that’s all its own. Back-to-back seasons where both backs have finished no lower than the RB16 in PPR PPG. Last season, they nearly became the first pair of teammates to finish as RB1s since Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram in 2017. Ben Johnson is now the head coach of the Chicago Bears, but it is hard to imagine new offensive coordinator John Morton deviating from what has worked so well for the team.
Potential “Handcuff-Plus” Situations
Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason
Jones dominated the usage in 2024 and set a career high in carries. He was re-signed this offseason, but Minnesota also upgraded their RB2 position with a trade for Mason.
Tennessee Titans: Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears
Pollard got off to a red-hot start last season (six games of 14 points or more in his first eight games played), and Spears had a strong finish (3 RB1 finishes between Weeks 15 and 17).
Washington Commanders: Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler
Seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the only new face in the Commanders' backfield. Robinson has the strongest role, but Ekeler will be a thorn in his side in terms of usage. They had nearly identical PPG numbers last season.
Backfield Battles: Ambiguous backfields with no clear RB1
Dallas Cowboys: Javonte Williams vs Jaydon Blue vs Miles Sanders
A head-scratching offseason from Dallas has resulted in one of the least predictable RB1 competitions in the NFL. Blue — a speedy fifth-round pick out of Texas — may have the upper hand over two dusty and unproductive veterans. He is on the small side, but had 42 receptions and 6 touchdown catches last season in Austin. Sanders is the darkhorse candidate here.
Denver Broncos: RJ Harvey vs J.K. Dobbins
The Denver backfield went from a handcuff battle (Jaleel McLaughlin vs Audric Estime) to a full-on Ambiguous Backfield after the Broncos signed Dobbins. Harvey is a player we are very high on at Fantasy Points, and the second-round draft pick still has a leg up on the starting role, but he will be tested and then some by Dobbins. Last season, Dobbins had his best season as a pro, finishing with 1058 combined yards and nine rushing touchdowns in only 13 games played. There are fantasy points to be had in this backfield. The Broncos were top five in running back targets in each of the last two seasons.
New York Giants: Tyrone Tracy vs Cam Skattebo
Tracy was one of the most productive rookie running backs last season, wresting the starting running back job away from Devon Singletary early on in the year. He now faces stiff competition in the form of Skattebo, an early fourth-round selection who was one of college football‘s most productive players last season at Arizona State. There are fantasy points to be had in this backfield, but a lot of question marks surround which back to target in drafts. Skattebo is going a few spots earlier than Tracy in both FFPC and Underdog formats. This could turn into an ugly full-on committee, but if one back separates himself from the other, then drafters could find an ADP win. Monitor this situation all summer long.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Bhayshul Tuten vs Travis Etienne vs Tank Bigsby
Liam Coen could turn into the day three RB whisperer if he can coax a Bucky Irving-like rookie season out of the speedy Tuten. A fourth-round pick out of Virginia Tech, Tuten was an absolute star at the NFL combine, posting one of the best speed scores of all time. He rushed for over 6 yards per carry last season at Virginia Tech and scored 18 total touchdowns. Bigsby was much more productive as a runner last year than Etienne. An RB one in 2023, ETN had the most regression of almost any skill position player last year in Fantasy Football. He could also be traded, making this a much clearer backfield situation for drafters. As of now, bet on Tuten — he has the highest upside in this offense.
Kansas City Chiefs: Isiah Pacheco vs Kareem Hunt
Pacheco was an RB1 in 2023 and got off to a great start last year before becoming injured early in the year. Hunt was brought in as a free agent signing and was one of the better waiver wire pickups over the course of the entire season. When Pacheco returned from injury, Hunt continued to lead the charge. Pacheco is now fully healthy, but yet again has to deal with Hunt, who was re-signed. The Chiefs also brought in Elijah Mitchell as a free agent and drafted Brashard Smith out of SMU in the NFL Draft. Most are betting on Pacheco to retake his starting job, but I am uncertain that this is a situation that needs to be monitored throughout the off-season heading into training camp. Keep an eye on Smith — one of my favorite late Day Three selections. He is a converted WR with juice as a receiver and burst as a runner.
Rookie Starters with Veteran Resistance
Los Angeles Chargers: Omarion Hampton (starter) vs Najee Harris
I am drafting Hampton with confidence and view Harris as more of a handcuff, but there is risk in this approach. Harris has four straight seasons with 1,000+ rushing yards and 260+ carries. There could be some early-season frustration for Hampton managers.
New England Patriots: TreVeyon Henderson (starter) vs Rhamondre Stevenson
Stevenson finished as the RB27 in fantasy PPG in back-to-back seasons. Henderson should quickly become the featured back, but his upside will not be fully met unless Stevenson is phased out of the passing game.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Kaleb Johnson (starter) vs Jaylen Warren
Johnson is set to inherit the Harris role this season, but a healthy Warren could cut into the potential volume. Warren finished as an RB2 in a split backfield in 2023, and has been a Mike Tomlin favorite. Still, it is challenging to envision Pittsburgh not embracing the skills of Johnson (1537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns last season at Iowa) for too long. Johnson’s success as a runner can also protect what could be abysmal quarterback play and open up the play-action passing game.
Starter and Handcuff Established: Contingent Upside Values
Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson (starter) - Tyler Allgeier (handcuff)
Allgeier is one of the most underrated handcuffs to roster. He has rushed for over 600 yards in every season as a professional, including 1,035 in 2022, in the Pre-Bijan Robinson Era (PBRE). If Robinson were to miss time, he would be a 20-touch per game player.
Arizona Cardinals: James Conner (starter) - Trey Benson (handcuff)
Benson has the opportunity to become a handcuff plus. He had a quiet rookie season, but he has the profile to carve out a weekly role in this offense.
Buffalo Bills: James Cook (starter) - Ray Davis (handcuff)
Ty Johnson has a weekly role in the passing game, but if James Cook were to miss time, Davis would step in as the starter and be the preferred fantasy option.
Carolina Panthers: Chuba Hubbard (starter) - Rico Dowdle (handcuff)
Dowdle signed a one-year deal this offseason worth up to $6.25 million. He rushed for 1,079 yards last season in Dallas. Carolina also drafted Trevor Etienne, but Dowdle has the clear upper hand.
Chicago Bears: D’Andre Swift (starter) - Roschon Johnson (handcuff)
D’Andre Swift became an unexpected fantasy football winner this offseason when Chicago passed on multiple big-name running backs in the NFL Draft. He will enter the season as the best bet to dominate touches in the Bears' backfield, including valuable receiving work. Johnson still has the chance to carve out the David Montgomery role in the Ben Johnson offense. But keep an eye on rookie Kyle Monangai. He rushed for 1200+ yards in back-to-back seasons the past two years at Rutgers.
Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs (starter) - Marshawn Lloyd (handcuff)
Lloyd is the forgotten handcuff for early drafters. Last year at this time, he was viewed as a handcuff plus who could carve out a weekly role and chip away at Josh Jacobs’ touches every week. This season, he is virtually free. He has day two draft capital and plus athleticism. If Jacobs were to miss time, Lloyd would be an instant RB2.
Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Taylor (starter) - DJ Giddens (handcuff)
Giddens is one of the better contingent upside handcuff stashes in the league relative to value right now. Taylor is in a high-volume and high-profile role, and has missed time in all but one season of his career. Giddens showed the ability to withstand volume in college and has plus athletic ability.
Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty (starter) - Raheem Mostert (handcuff)
Jeanty should dominate usage in the Vegas backfield, including work in the passing game. He is the definition of a bell cow. Mostert is 33 years old, but is still the best bet to win the handcuff role over Zamir White and Sincere McCormick.
Miami Dolphins: De’Von Achane (starter) - Jaylen Wright (handcuff)
Ollie Gordon could carve out a role as a power back in this offense, but when it comes to handcuffs, Wright has the leg up. He is the most like-for-like replacement for Achane. Much like Achane, Wright has elite speed.
Seattle Seahawks: Kenneth Walker (starter) - Zach Charbonnet (handcuff)
Charbonnet is one of fantasy’s top handcuffs to roster. He had three top-10 weekly finishes last season, including an RB1 overall finish in Week 14 (38 PPR points). When Walker misses, Charbonnet scores. He finished as the RB30 in PPG last season and has second-round NFL Draft pedigree.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucky Irving (starter) - Rachaad White (handcuff)
The pecking order in the Tampa backfield has flipped from last season, with Irving - a dynamic second-year back — overtaking White in dramatic fashion over the second half of last season. In Tampa’s wild-card playoff loss to Washington, Irving out-touched White 19-3. Despite taking a backseat, White still has a good deal of contingent upside. The coaching staff trusts him, and he has top-notch receiving skills (165 catches in three seasons as a pro).
Handcuff Battles
Baltimore Ravens: (Derrick Henry Starter) - Justice Hill vs Keaton Mitchell
Hill had his best season as a pro last year, finishing with 42 receptions (14th among all RBs). But if Henry were to go down, Mitchell would be an enticing option for the run-heavy Ravens. In 2023, Mitchell averaged 8.4 yards per carry and hit 20.99 mph on a long touchdown run. If healthy, he is fast fast.
Cincinnati Bengals: (Chase Brown Starter) - Tahj Brooks vs Zack Moss
Moss split the backfield work with Brown early last season before injuries opened the door for Brown to take over a bell-cow-like workload, and RB1 usage. This season, Moss renegotiated his contract and will compete with Brooks for the number two role. While at Texas Tech, Brooks rushed for 4557 yards and 45 touchdowns.
Cleveland Browns: (Quinshon Judkins Starter) - Dylan Sampson vs Jerome Ford
Judkins — the 36th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft — should have a strong role as a rookie. Sampson, Cleveland’s fourth-rounder, could carve out the lesser portion of a split and is an exciting prospect. He will have to beat out Ford - no easy task, given his familiarity with this offense and success over the past two seasons. For the first time since Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt roamed the Cleveland backfield, the Browns have considerable depth and talent at the position. If Judkins were to miss time, Sampson would be a very valuable player to roster, but I would expect Ford to mix in as well.
Houston Texans: (Joe Mixon Starter) - Nick Chubb vs Woody Marks
Mixon is dealing with an unknown foot injury, leading to a curiously timed June signing of Chubb. The former All-Pro arrives in Houston on a prove-it deal and a chance to regain some fantasy glory of years past. Marks — the Texans' fourth-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft — was the most productive pass catcher among all rookie backs in this class. He had a whopping 261 catches over five seasons as a collegiate and rushed for over 1,000 yards this season at USC. Marks could settle into a James White like role in this backfield.
Los Angeles Rams: (Kyren Williams Starter) - Jarquez Hunter vs Blake Corum
Williams will have considerably more backfield competition behind him this season. 2024 Third Round pick Blake Corum will compete with Hunter — a fourth-round rookie from the 2025 draft class. Corum failed to deliver as a rookie, but was one of the most productive collegiate backs in recent memory while at Michigan. Hunter is an explosive home run hitter with strength and the ability to make defenders miss. If a clear winner emerges here, they will be an extremely valuable handcuff due to the volume and fantasy production often found with Sean McVay’s RB1.
New Orleans Saints: (Alvin Kamara Starter) - Kendre Miller vs Devin Neal vs Cam Akers
Despite being 30 years old when the season starts, Kamara will dominate touches in the Saints’ backfield. Miller has played only 14 games with minimal production. Neal was incredibly productive as a collegian, rushing for 1,000+ yards in three straight seasons at Kansas, and is strong in the screen game. Akers was a recent free-agent signing. This competition is up in the air.
New York Jets: (Breece Hall Starter) - Braelon Allen vs Isaiah Davis
New Head Coach Aaron Glenn has sung the praises of all three backs this offseason. Allen is being selected well ahead of Davis in formats like the FFPC and Underdog, but if Hall were to go down, Davis could emerge as the more valuable back to roster. This is a true handcuff battl,e and the potential that one of these two players could emerge as a handcuff plus. My bet would be on Allen earning weekly touches due to his size and physicality.
Philadelphia Eagles: (Saquon Barkley Starter) - Will Shipley vs AJ Dillon
Barkley is a dominant force of nature in the Eagles' backfield, eliminating any chance of a second back earning weekly backfield touches. This is strictly a contingent upside play. Shipley — a fourth-round pick out of Clemson in the 2024 NFL Draft — has the leg up on the former Packer Dillon.
San Francisco 49ers: (Christian McCaffrey Starter) - Isaac Guerendo vs Jordan James
Guerendo flashed as a rookie, showcasing his elite athletic ability with 572 combined yards and two weekly top 10 finishes. He will have his work cut out for him with James. Taking over for Irving this season as the starter at Oregon, James rushed for 1267 yards and 15 touchdowns in the Big Ten. He is a classic chain mover.
