{"id":744,"date":"2025-09-02T23:21:43","date_gmt":"2025-09-02T23:21:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jubi24.com\/?p=744"},"modified":"2025-09-02T23:21:44","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T23:21:44","slug":"fantasy-football-rankings-top-10-backup-running-backs-going-into-week-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jubi24.com\/?p=744","title":{"rendered":"Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 10 backup running backs going into Week 1"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The running back position wasn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

[<\/strong>Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season<\/strong><\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

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Here\u2019s how I\u2019m ranking the top backup running backs heading into Week 1 \u2014 based on their fantasy potential in 2025.<\/p>\n

1. David Montgomery, Lions<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Montgomery\u2019s carries dropped last year, but he made up for it with receiving work and touchdown scoring. He remains a strong RB3\/flex with league-winning upside if Jahmyr Gibbs gets hurt.<\/p>\n

2. Jordan Mason, Vikings<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Vikings made a concerted effort to trade for Mason and didn\u2019t 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. Enter Mason as one half of a 50-50 tandem and the goal-line hammer in an offense that should be in scoring position often. He\u2019s another RB3\/flex with a fantasy ceiling inside the top 12 if Jones is sidelined at any point.<\/p>\n

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3. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Anyone who\u2019s rostered Charbonnet knows the value he offers when Kenneth Walker III is ruled out. In the six games Walker missed last season, Charbonnet posted weekly fantasy results as the RB1, RB6, RB12, RB15, RB21 and RB27. Though he\u2019s not startable when Walker is active, Charbonnet deserves to be one of the first true backups off the board in drafts.<\/p>\n

4. Trey Benson, Cardinals<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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 the team has two RB1s<\/a> and Kyler Murray predicting a breakout season<\/a> for the second-year back. While that seems unlikely, if Conner drops off or gets injured, Benson would be in the top 20 of my weekly rankings.<\/p>\n

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5. Braelon Allen, Jets<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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 has routinely talked about using multiple backs \u2014 like his former team did in Detroit. If that scenario comes to fruition, Allen could be a weekly flex play with massive upside if Hall gets banged up or traded.<\/p>\n

6. Ray Davis, Bills<\/strong><\/h3>\n

James Cook is back with the team after signing a new contract<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n

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7. Brian Robinson Jr., 49ers<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With injuries affecting the younger backs on San Francisco\u2019s 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\u2019s not the most exciting back on this list, Robinson Jr. would definitely produce if CMC gets hurt again.<\/p>\n

8. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Rookie TreVeyon Henderson is the most exciting back in New England, but Stevenson isn\u2019t being relegated to the bench just yet. He\u2019ll remain involved and could see more carries than people realize as the thunder to Henderson\u2019s lightning. Though he\u2019s not as sexy a fantasy pick as some of the other names on this list, he could have plenty of standalone value as a flex option.<\/p>\n

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9. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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\u2019s fantasy value as a starter. He\u2019s still an overqualified backup who could step up and produce behind the Falcons\u2019 excellent offensive line \u2014 if Robinson wasn\u2019t able to play for any reason.<\/p>\n

10. Will Shipley, Eagles<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While casual fantasy managers were distracted by a name they recognized in A.J. Dillon, savvy managers were scooping up as many shares of Shipley as they could. It\u2019s been clear by the way the coaches and front office have spoken about Shipley that he\u2019s the backup to roster if Saquon Barkley breaks down after his huge 2024 workload. Shipley also looked up to the task in the preseason opener when he rushed for 48 yards on seven carries and added a catch for four yards.<\/p>\n

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Ambiguous backfields still being sorted out<\/strong><\/p>\n