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Running back depth-chart battles are often some of the most important races to monitor in the offseason and preseason. New starters can emerge, and backs who appear set to receive starter-level touches in a committee also become hot commodities. It is a little tougher to navigate and project these battles without a normal offseason, but that is where we are right now.
To keep this list from getting longer than it already will be, I will exclude backup battles that will not result in starter-level touches for the winner. Also conspicuously absent from this article is Jonathan Taylor versus Marlon Mack. Taylor has the job sewn up, and the significantly less talented Mack will hit free agency in 2021. Also absent is the Ravens’ backfield. Mark Ingram will start. Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins will battle for torches behind him, but both will play and remain deep-league and Best Ball options. The roles in those two backfields are already defined, and as such do not warrant further discussion. We will take a look at 14 running back battles that every re-draft and dynasty owner should pay close attention to.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ke’Shawn Vaughn vs. Ronald Jones
For obvious reasons, the running back battle in Tampa Bay is one of the most hotly debated competitions in all of fantasy football. Ronald Jones is a talented running back, but he has been unable to put it all together as a pro. He failed to grab hold of the starting job from a below-replacement level talent in Peyton Barber, and he now has to deal with the most underrated running back from the 2020 NFL Draft class.
It is important to note that one of the main reasons Ke’Shawn Vaughn was not a consensus first-round rookie pick pre-draft is due to his age. As a redshirt senior, he is the same age as Miles Sanders, Lamar Jackson, and Kyler Murray. Based on his 2018 and 2019 tape alone, he would be the top running back after Taylor, D’Andre Swift, Dobbins, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Cam Akers. While there is a chance that Jones opens the season as the starter, he has been in the league long enough for us to form a conclusion about his NFL upside. Vaughn is a battle-tested running back who plied his wares against SEC competition, something that should help him make an easier transition to the pros. If there was one running back battle every fantasy football gamer should observe closely, this is it.
Los Angeles Rams: Cam Akers vs. Darrell Henderson
Depending on who you ask, this running back battle is already over. A year after trading up to select the talented Darrell Henderson, the Los Angeles Rams selected Akers with the 52nd pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Many have already written Henderson off due to a disappointing rookie season. This may be a mistake. He was always expected to have a slower transition to the NFL due to playing outside the Power 5 at Group of Five school Memphis, so seeing him struggle with limited touches behind Todd Gurley was no surprise.
Akers is a very talented running back in his own right, but expecting him to walk in and assume a workhorse role may lead to some disappointment. Akers is special, but similar to what he had to deal with at Florida State, the Rams’ offensive line has struggled. This in itself may lead to increased opportunities for Henderson, who is both better as a receiver and as a runner in space. Ultimately, expect Akers to win the lead back role in a committee, but Henderson should be heavily involved and may even end up being the back to own in PPR leagues. This is an important battle to monitor.
Detroit Lions: D’Andre Swift vs. Kerryon Johnson
The number one ability an NFL player needs to have is availability. Kerryon Johnson has played in just 18 of 32 possible games since he entered the league. This alone was reason enough for the Detroit Lions to bring in reinforcements. However, drafting a running back many pegged as the best in the 2020 NFL Draft class could prove to be the final blow for Johnson’s fantasy value.
Swift is the more talented runner, and he is also the superior receiver. He should be ready to start immediately and will likely play a bigger role with more rookie touches than anyone is currently giving him credit for. Yes, Johnson is talented in his own right, but he may now be viewed internally as a starter-level backup. Although Swift is expected to win this battle (and is being drafted like it), there could be a ton of value to be had in Johnson if he somehow wins the job.
Denver Broncos: Melvin Gordon vs. Phillip Lindsay
Melvin Gordon is expected to be the lead back in Denver’s committee, with Phillip Lindsay also playing heavy snaps. If the Broncos were satisfied with Phillip Lindsay as their lead runner, it would have made more sense to add a rookie runner, or someone cheaper than Gordon. Adding an $8 million running back suggests that they envision Gordon leading the backfield. The Broncos’ offense is expected to be more pass-heavy than they have been in recent years, but there should still be enough touches to go around for both of these talented running backs. This winner of this battle could prove to be a value.
Kansas City Chiefs: Clyde Edwards-Helaire vs. Damien Williams
While much of the fantasy world may expect Edwards-Helaire to step right in and run with the featured back job, Andy Reid has stated that he does not anticipate that happening. However, when a head coach and his MVP quarterback are both reportedly excited about the addition of a prized rookie runner, we can easily deduce which way this battle will eventually turn out.
Damien Williams will likely be a thorn in the side of CEH owners, as he has been an effective running back when fully healthy, especially in the Chiefs’ playoff run. With that said, he has never been, and is not at the same talent level as someone like Edwards-Helaire. He is effective enough as a receiver and around the goal line to maintain a role in this offense, and he will likely see enough touches to start early in the season. While seeking value is paramount, do not completely ignore Williams on draft day if he drops farther than expected.
Los Angeles Chargers: Austin Ekeler vs. Joshua Kelley
Austin Ekeler will open the season as the starter, but how big of a role the Chargers hand talented rookie Joshua Kelley could prove to be a major storyline. A big back with soft hands, Kelley has every-down upside. He is never going to get there with Ekeler healthy, but he has the ability to force a 50/50 split. The more likely scenario, especially with Tyrod Taylor under center, is the Bolts playing catch-up enough to necessitate Ekeler seeing a 65/35 split. However, if Justin Herbert wins the job, or if the Chargers’ top-tier defense keeps them in more games than expected, ball control could become prioritized. This could lead to an increased role for Kelley, a value in re-draft and dynasty leagues who appears ticketed for a larger role than many may expect. Keep his name in mind when setting your queues.
Cleveland Browns: Nick Chubb vs. Kareem Hunt
Nick Chubb is expected to remain the lead runner in this offense, especially after Kareem Hunt found himself in more legal hot water earlier in the offseason. With said, Hunt is already a value-draining backfield partner who has capped Chubb’s upside. Hunt will remain the receiving back due to his superior hands, but it is also fair to wonder if his role as a runner may increase. Hunt saw just 43 carries in eight games with the Browns in 2019, a number that is almost certain to rise. Chubb should likely still be one of the top-12 running backs off the board, but he may be someone to avoid in drafts due to the uncertainty regarding a possible role expansion for Hunt. This running back battle could have wide-reaching fantasy implications, making it an important one to monitor.
Seattle Seahawks: Chris Carson vs. DeeJay Dallas vs. Travis Homer
Chris Carson will have this lead back job to himself if he opens the season healthy. However, if he does not, there will be an open competition between him, Travis Homer, and impressive rookie running back DeeJay Dallas. A former wide receiver with top-level pass-protection skills, Dallas is already ticketed to be the Seahawks’ third-down back of choice. If he can impress coaches when Seattle finally hits the practice field, he could become what we all hoped Rashaad Penny would be.
It is important to reiterate that Carson is not going away if healthy, but Dallas is coming at a deep enough discount in re-draft and startups that he could prove to be one of 2020’s top ADP values. Homer will remain involved in any battle, especially with Penny expected to open the season on the PUP list, but he is not a serious threat to win starter-level touches.
Buffalo Bills: Devin Singletary vs. Zack Moss
Devin Singletary is a talented running back who the Buffalo Bills just do not believe has the build to be a workhorse back. With that in mind, they drafted Zack Moss to fill the Frank Gore role. Moss is an exciting, punishing runner who should earn a sizable role as a rookie. How large that role is will be an important correlative factor that affects Singletary’s fantasy value.
Singletary should see more touches when carries and receptions are combined, but there is every reason to believe that Moss can lead the team in carries multiple weeks in his rookie season before becoming a more permanent fixture in his second season. This is a maddening situation for Singletary owners, who were likely celebrating the fact that he was finally freed from a committee. Yet Singletary may be better off as a hyper-efficient committee member as opposed to someone who gets worn down by 300 touches in a cold-weather city. There is every chance that both running backs emerge with starter-level fantasy upside.
San Francisco 49ers: Raheem Mostert vs. Tevin Coleman vs. Jerick McKinnon
Raheem Mostert showed enough last year to be the favorite to open the season as the starter, but head coach Kyle Shanahan seems to love both Tevin Coleman and Jerick McKinnon. Matt Breida was shipped out of town for cap relief, but McKinnon — if he can finally make it to the regular season — could step right into his role, keeping this backfield a dreaded three-man committee. While it would be easy to recommend avoiding the backfield altogether, there will likely be a high-level contributor among this trio. Mostert will be drafted as the starter, but Coleman and McKinnon are both worth late-round stashes in redraft leagues. This battle is likely more wide open than it should be, and it may also include undrafted free agents JaMycal Hasty and Salvon Ahmed.
Pittsburgh Steelers: James Conner vs. Benny Snell vs. Anthony McFarland
The Pittsburgh Steelers backfield is one that screams avoid. If James Conner, Benny Snell, and Jaylen Samuels were not enough to cause headaches for fantasy gamers, they went out and added talented rookie running back Anthony McFarland. Conner appears to be in his last year as a Steeler, which means there may be an internal push to give extended looks to 2019 fourth-round pick Snell and 2020 fourth-round pick McFarland. The two backs have complementary styles, something the Steelers may have taken into consideration when selecting McFarland. Both backs project as more than capable of handling featured touches, but they may be better served forming an explosive committee together. Conner will complicate things in 2020, but if one or both younger backs can show enough this season, they could have the backfield locked up in 2021 and beyond.
Arizona Cardinals: Kenyan Drake vs. Eno Benjamin vs. Chase Edmonds
The Kenyan Drake hype train is in full effect. David Johnson‘s trade to the Houston Texans seemingly opened up a massive role for Drake to take advantage. He had a special two-game stretch for the Arizona Cardinals last season that he parlayed into an $8.4 million transition tag. However, using the transition tag shows us that the Cardinals are not completely sold on Drake as a potential featured back. While the money ensures that he will get the first crack at starting duties, the Cardinals are rightfully wary about a running back who averaged less than four yards per carry outside of his two-game explosion.
Chase Edmonds looked set to run with the starting job last season, but an unfortunate injury prevented him from proving he deserved an extended role. The Cardinals also added a talented running back in rookie Eno Benjamin. Although likely viewed as more of a committee back than someone who could handle workhorse touches, Benja has the talent to emerge as the lead back in Arizona. Drake is someone to avoid in dynasty startups, but he’s well worth the gamble in re-draft leagues. However, drafters will want to make sure they add either Benjamin or Edmonds as insurance.
Washington: Derrius Guice vs. Bryce Love vs. Adrian Peterson vs. Antonio Gibson
Washington’s backfield is going to be extremely messy. Adrian Peterson remains an effective runner, and his experience in this offense is going to ensure he gets weekly carries. Derrius Guice projects as the top current talent, but two injury-marred seasons later, he may not be the same player he was when coming into the league. Despite flashing upside last season, he will likely get just one final chance to prove he can be a reliable NFL back. Bryce Love is very talented in his own right, but he is also must prove he can resemble the top prospect he was considered before undergoing knee surgery last year.
Enter rookie Antonio Gibson, an explosive running back with soft hands whom head coach Ron Rivera has compared favorably to Christian McCaffrey. While the comparison may be a bit of a stretch, Gibson does have the explosive all-around game to fill a similar role if given the opportunity. This is likely to be a backfield to avoid altogether. Yet if Washington’s defense plays as good as expected, and a true lead back is able to emerge, there could be tremendous value to be had.
Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Warren vs. Elijah Holyfield vs. Boston Scott (Backup Role)
Miles Sanders has his lead-back role locked up in Philadelphia. However, there still projects to be a sizable role as his backfield partner up for grabs. Boston Scott is going to get the change-of-pace touches he earned last season, but which back emerges as the true number two will be an important situation to monitor. Jordan Howard rode the big-back role to solid fantasy value last season. Although Sanders should see an expanded role from what he saw when Howard was healthy, there is still a fantasy-relevant opportunity up for grabs.
Due to Scott’s diminutive stature, this battle is probably between UDFA’s Michael Warren (2020), Elijah Holyfield (2019), and Corey Clement (2017). By this point, the Eagles already know what they have (or don’t have) in Clement. This likely brings the battle down to Warren and the son of former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield. Elijah Holyfield may be better suited for a pure power-back role, but Warren’s ability to contribute on all three downs likely ensures that he makes the Eagles’ final 55-man roster.
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Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyContext.
