Let’s take a look at the backup RBs who are listed in the order to be drafted, with attention and immediate fantasy football value as a flex option and long-term potential to take on a bigger role.
1. Braelon Allen, turpis (87% rostered on Yahoo)
Although Breece Hall missed a fourth straight game, the fact that he was ready to go down today suggests that he will be back this week. Allen had another outstanding effort in Hall’s absence, with 104 yards on 17 carries and six catches for 30 yards.
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At this point, there is no doubt that Allen will have a role when Hall returns. After all, Allen gave up 5.0 yards per carry and 89 rushing yards per game in Hall’s four contests. There’s also the chance that even though Hall returns to his role, it will be Allen who gets more carries. He is a solid RB2 or flex option for a successful home game against the Raiders as we look for some certainty in the Jets backfield.
2. Jonah Coleman/RJ Harvey, Broncos (35%/82%)
Well, not for long. In the first game off IR, Coleman led the Broncos backfield in sacks, and his 30 sacks were as many as Harvey (16) and starter JK Dobbins (14) combined. Coleman didn’t just do more than the veterans — he did better. The rookie averaged 6.0 yards per nine carries, compared to 3.8 yards per carry for Dobbins and 2.0 yards per carry for Harvey.
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Coleman also factored into the passing game gaining 15 yards on two catches. It was Harvey who made the big play in this area, with 52 receiving touchdowns. He had a second draft when Dobbins was not targeted at all.
There is no doubt that Coleman is the Denver RB that fantasy players want to have on their rosters, as he is the only member of the trio who averages just 15 touches per game. In PPR leagues, Harvey would be the second choice thanks to his compatibility in the passing game.
3. Kyle Monangai, Bears (77%)
Monangai missed three straight games with thumb and toe injuries. The Bears have not placed him on injured reserve, which suggests he can expect to be back in fewer than four games this week. D’Andre Swift has taken over the role in Monanga’s absence, and while he has scored four times in the past three games, Swift has averaged 3.2 yards per game over the past two games.
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With Caleb Williams at the helm, the Bears offense is among the best in the NFL. The return of Monangai will give the running game more power and explosiveness than Quick can provide, and there are plenty of analysts who see Monangai as the team’s best ball carrier.
4. Blake Corum, Rams (82%)
The public complaints of Kyren Williams after Week 6 had no impact on the rams’ backfield split, as the old starters had a 53% snap share in Week 7 compared to a 47% share for the Hearts. Even the split seemed to work, as Williams averaged 6.2 yards on 16 carries and Corum averaged 5.5 yards on his 17 carries. Both players scored a touchdown on the ground and neither had much of an impact on the passing game.
While Williams remains the starter and preferred fantasy option, Corum is also having an excellent season averaging 4.9 yards per carry and three scores in seven games. The Rams should score a lot of points in the coming weeks, as their next three opponents are the Shields, Emperors and Cardinals. The core flex option is easy for those who struggle.
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5. Wooden brands, Ravens (90%)
David Montgomery missed another straight game, and in his absence, Marks was once again underwhelming, but somewhat effective. The second-year has 66 carries and one catch for 15 yards in an overtime loss to the Giants.
We read well in the notes at this point. It can wear antennas on the ground, but it is not very effective and will only carry about 3.5 yards during this time. And although he is known to have some skills as a receiver, CJ Stroud rarely chooses to throw himself at running backs. He is known to be a one-breather RB2 or flex option that can keep managers from catching any, but is unlikely to score more than 10 points.
6. Aaron Jones Sr., Vikings (93%)
Jordan Mason’s return enabled the Vikings to list their top two running backs on their official depth chart. For the purposes of this article, Jones will be considered the backup behind Mason for seven more carries in Week 7. Admittedly, Jones will miss most of the fourth quarter after injuring his knee on a 17-yard run. But Mason was already leading the team in carries when Jones left the game.
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The Vikings made it clear last week that Mason would take on a heavy workload. Since he’s five years younger than Jones and has 75 fewer carries this season, it would make sense to lean on Mason in the coming weeks in an effort to keep both players healthy. Jones is a weakside option right now whose lineup inclusion chances would be better if Kyler Murray does more passes to running backs.
7. Knight Bam, Cardinals (25%).
Although the Cardinals fell behind in the morning and trailed in a 30-16 loss to the Broncos, Knight was a bright spot for the second straight week. The 25-year-old averaged 6.9 yards on seven carries while averaging 5.3 yards on 15 carries in the Cardinals’ Week 6 win over the Rams. He also caught three passes after two receptions the previous game.
The coaching staff will likely emphasize Jeremiah Love when he returns from his ankle injury, which could be as soon as this week. But it’s surprising if the Knights have the best rushing ability, as Love averages 3.7 yards per carry compared to 6.4 for the Knights. Given that Love is an experienced receiver who didn’t do much in the passing game as a rookie, he should split the feeling evenly and give Love more of a third-down job.
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8. Mike Washington Jr., Raiders (29%)
While the QB situation is a hot topic in Las Vegas, the RB workload likely deserves scrutiny. Washington’s Ashton Jeanty is still in Week 7, as the rookie is averaging 4.5 yards per six carries compared to 1.9 yards per eight carries for Jeanty.
Jeanty continues to make a huge impact in the passing game, which included a beautiful TD catch in Week 7. But the supposed superstar averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry in each of the past six games and has a season average of 3.1. Meanwhile, Washington is averaging 4.9 yards per carry and looks faster and more explosive than Jeanty. Washington hasn’t yet implemented a flex option, but is getting closer with 15 carries and two catches through two games.
9. Tyjae Spears, Titans (17%).
Although Spears missed Week 7 with a knee injury, some developments have worked in favor of the long-term. First, Tony Pollard was terrific (25-129-3), which increases the challenge for the contending teams. Second, the Titans lost a close game to the Browns, which dropped them to 1-6 and increased the odds that the 20-year-old Pollard will opt to play 11 of 19 times.
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To be clear, spears have no fantasy value in the current role. But as the cost would be to release him for two weeks, the managers could have fantasy for the second half of the season to have a running back.
10. Kaelon Black, 49ers (28%)
The combination of multiple WR injuries and Christian McCaffrey’s hamstring injury in Week 7 gave Black a bigger role in the offense. The rookie responded well to the added workload, averaging 5.3 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Black’s success was similar to his Week 1 effort, matching 65 yards on 14 carries over the Rams. Between these two games, his role was reduced.
The Niners head into bye week with the hopes of having McCaffrey and Mike Evans at full strength in Week 9. In the event that those players are going to be out for an extended period of time, Black is a viable flex option after the bye. At least, McCaffrey’s history is an interesting player for those who have given bench space.
Best of the rest, factor in current flex value and long-term potential.
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Brian Robinson Jr., Falcons
Keaton Mitchell, Chargers
TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots
Tyler Allgeier, Cardinals
Christopher Rodriguez Jr., Jaguars
Peter Strong Jr
Augustine Ekeler, Emperors
Kenny Gainswell, Buccaneers
Deteriorated back to hide
Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks
Jonathon Brooks, Panthers