Antonio Andrews burst onto the scene in Week 3, only adding more confusion to the Titans’ backfield

Running back by committee (the dreaded RBBC) is something fantasy owners try and avoid like the plague. But these RBBCs are now prevalent as the backfield bell cow is a dying breed, leaving little option but to gamble on one of the players getting shared touches. Poor starts, injuries and a few spectacular performances have had an impact on playing time in these committees. Here’s a quick run through of RBBC teams entering Week 5.

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Arizona Cardinals – Andre Ellington/Chris Johnson/David Johnson
Ellington started as the lead back, but a knee injury thrust Chris Johnson into the starting role. Chris Johnson has played well, earning a regular role once Ellington returns, which could be as early as this week. David Johnson seemingly has the most upside but hasn’t gotten the touches to show it on a consistent level. In the short term, Chris Johnson still has the value, while season-long starter Ellington will likely end up as the top scorer in this backfield. David Johnson is the wildcard depending on if he ever gets the touches needed to break out.

Atlanta Falcons – Devonta Freeman/Tevin Coleman
Coleman began the year as the starter but appears headed toward a complimentary role after Freeman’s performance over the course of the last two weeks. Freeman’s play in the running and passing game have been impressive, making him the clear favorite to have in this backfield throughout the year even with Coleman returning as early as Week 5.

Cincinnati Bengals – Jeremy Hill/Giovani Bernard
There are enough touches in this offense for Hill and Bernard to be inserted into fantasy lineups. Bernard has been getting slightly more carries, but Hill bounced back from a slow start to the season and looks like a solid option going forward. With Bernard as the pass-catcher out of the backfield and Hill as the goal line back, they should both continue being fantasy relevant moving forward.

Cleveland Browns – Isaiah Crowell/Duke Johnson
This is starting to look like a fairly even mix in the backfield between Crowell and Johnson. The Browns offense flowed better with Josh McCown playing QB again in Week 4 and going forward each player remains a fringe fantasy starter. Crowell is the starter but lacks any high upside, and with just one TD so far the fantasy production just isn’t there yet. Johnson has the upside, and while it’s too early to start him with any confidence, his role in the passing game and big-play ability make him the more interesting fantasy option going forward.

Dallas Cowboys – Joseph Randle/Darren McFadden/Christine Michael
The loss of Lance Dunbar should create a big opportunity for someone in this backfield though the entire Dallas running game looked bad in Week 4. Randle struggled and could be in jeopardy of losing the starting reps, but McFadden did nothing to take the job and Michael doesn’t appear ready to take over either. By default, Randle appears to be the back who will be the top fantasy producer going forward, but McFadden and Michael could emerge and are worth the roster stash if you have the roster flexibility.

Denver Broncos – C.J. Anderson/Ronnie Hillman
Anderson remains the starter in Denver, but Hillman has essentially turned this into a 50-50 timeshare. Outside of one long TD run from Hillman last week neither has done anything to earn a role on your fantasy team. Running backs have been kept out of the passing attack so far as well. As the season progresses, the Broncos will have to run the ball as it’s evident that the right shoulder of Peyton Manning cannot carry this team. It seems like head coach Gary Kubiak is giving Anderson every chance to succeed, but at some point fantasy players need to move on and simply avoid this backfield.

Detroit Lions – Three-Way Committee
The only Lions RB with fantasy relevance is Ameer Abdullah. Abdullah predictably struggled against the Seahawks in Week 4 but should rebound in Week 5. He continues to be involved in the passing game as well. Theo Riddick has been involved in the passing game and earned some PPR attention. At some point Joique Bell will return, but has been struggling, and the crowded backfield situation will likely leave him off the fantasy radar.

Miami Dolphins – Lamar Miller/Jonas Gray/Damien Williams
This has been a backfield to avoid in fantasy though the coaching change could bring a new commitment to running the ball. Miller has been a huge disappointment, seeing single-digit carries in two straight weeks. Gray has jumped Williams for the second spot but has had limited touches. It would be wise to see the game plan in Week 6 once the team returns from its bye before jumping to conclusions, but it looks like this backfield is not worth any fantasy investment.

New England Patriots – Dion Lewis/LeGarrette Blount
It appears as though Lewis and Blount are the two Patriots RBs that will be involved in weekly game plans. Lewis is the all-around back who has maintained the lead role in this backfield and is the top Patriots back to own. Blount has the short yardage and clock management role that should continue to earn consistent fantasy points based on how strong the Patriots look early on this season.

New Orleans Saints – Mark Ingram/C.J. Spiller/Khiry Robinson
Mark Ingram has held the lead role and remains the only Saints RB worth starting in fantasy. Spiller showed off his home run ability in Week 4, but a lack of usage makes him way too risky to start, although he does have PPR value. Robinson now has a lesser role with Spiller’s return and plays just enough to annoy Ingram owners by stealing TDs.

New York Giants – Rashad Jennings/Andre Williams/Shane Vereen
The Giants have struggled running the ball and appear to be sticking to a true committee approach. No one has emerged as a consistent option in the passing game, to the disappointment of anyone banking on Vereen’s previous track record. It’s going to be hard to predict the better fantasy play each week, making this a backfield to avoid if you can.

Philadelphia Eagles – DeMarco Murray/Ryan Mathews/Darren Sproles
It’s been a nightmare start for Murray, and he finally voiced his frustration. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, so it’ll be interesting to see if he gets an uptick in carries. Matthews looked good while being the feature back in Week 3, but limited carries with Murray healthy makes him almost droppable. Sproles is also limited and has little fantasy value. Week 5 will be telling for Murray owners as the Eagles play a vulnerable Saints defense that should get Murray back on track.

San Diego Chargers – Melvin Gordon/Danny Woodhead
Woodhead continues to out-produce Gordon and remains the better fantasy option going forward, especially in PPR formats. Gordon has talent but has been bottled up through the first four weeks of the season. Gordon has received double-digit carries each week, so the opportunity is there for higher scoring, but the presence of Woodhead will keep his upside limited.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Doug Martin/Charles Sims
The Bucs have a surprisingly consistent backfield in Martin and Sims. Martin has locked down the lead back role, with Sims producing in the passing game and emerging as a viable PPR threat. Martin has bounced back as an RB2, going over 100 yards rushing in Week 4 against a tough Carolina defense.

Tennessee Titans – Four-Way Committee
The easiest thing to do here is to avoid all Titans RBs. There has been a different leading rusher in each game. The latest RB to join the committee is Antonio Andrews, who scored a TD along with 49 yards rushing in Week 3 before their Week 4 bye. If you are in desperate need, he could be worth a bench spot just in case he gets the bulk of the carries again. Bishop Sankey, Dexter McCluster and Terrance West will all fight for touches as well, and the lack of talent overall makes this a situation to ignore.

Washington Redskins – Alfred Morris/Matt Jones/Chris Thompson
Morris is the consistent, boring play that likely won’t ever produce big fantasy stats. Jones has some upside but the consistent usage isn’t there, so if/when he has a big game it will likely occur on your bench. Thompson has emerged as a change of pace back receiving five to eight touches a game but not worth a roster spot. Morris will likely finish as the top fantasy producer, but on a week-to-week basis, the results will likely be disappointing to fantasy owners.

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Micah Cedergen is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Micah, check out his archive and follow him @mcffinsights.