Unlock Fantasy Gold: The Top 10 Backup Running Backs Poised to Explode in Week 3

The grind at running back is a beast – fierce, unforgiving, and liable to twist your fantasy fortunes in a flash. Last season spared us a bit, with fewer injuries than usual, but make no mistake: this spot can flip on its head overnight. As a seasoned fantasy manager, you’ve got to keep your ear to the ground and your eyes locked on those backups lurking just behind the starters. These second-stringers—whether poised to rise due to pure talent or suddenly thrust into glory by unforeseen injuries—are your secret weapons. Knowing who’s ready to seize that moment, who’s primed to lead a committee, and who might just fizzle into irrelevance is what separates the savvy from the sidelines this season. So let’s dive into the backups carrying the weight of 2025’s fantasy hopes… and who you absolutely need to be watching. LEARN MORE

The running back position wasn’t 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.

It’s 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.

[Upgrade to Fantasy Plus and gain your edge in player projections and much more]

Here’s how I’m ranking the top backup running backs heading into Week 3 — based on their fantasy potential in 2025.

1. Jordan Mason, Vikings

Mason barely qualifies for this list, since you could make a case he’s the lead back in Minnesota already. The Vikings’ key offseason addition earned more snaps, touches and yards than Aaron Jones in the opener. He also saw his playing time increase to 60% in Week 2 as Jones dealt with a hamstring injury that’s expected to keep him out this week and possibly longer. If Mason performs well in this spot start, he might graduate into starter status moving forward.

2. David Montgomery, Lions

Montgomery’s carries dropped last year, but he made up for it with receiving work and touchdown scoring. He’s doing the same thing so far this season with four catches in Week 1 and a TD in Week 2. He remains an RB3/flex option who would vault back into RB1 territory if Jahmyr Gibbs were ever sidelined.

3. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks

Yes, Charbonnet has played significantly more snaps than Kenneth Walker III in two straight games. That resulted in a better fantasy day in the opener, but Walker drastically outproduced him in Week 2 with 14 touches for 118 yards and a touchdown to just 10 yards on 15 carries for Charbonnet. Now further removed from injury, Walker should continue to retake the lead role. Though Charbonnet’s been inefficient through two outings, he still has one of the highest upsides of any backup. In the six games Walker missed last season, Charbonnet posted weekly fantasy results as the RB1, RB6, RB12, RB15, RB21 and RB27.

4. Trey Benson, Cardinals

James Conner continues to lead Arizona’s backfield and will likely do so until an injury opens the door for Benson. However, the sophomore back has been given more opportunities this season. Benson can now be deployed as a weekly RB3/flex option in fantasy and still retains top-20 upside if his 30-year-old starter gets hurt.

5. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots

It’s finally time to admit Henderson is a backup in New England. The outlook on his talent hasn’t changed, but the coaching staff has stifled him early in the season. Not only is he playing behind Rhamondre Stevenson, he actually saw less touches than third-stringer Antonio Gibson in Week 2. It’s a bizarre way to use an early second-round pick. Nevertheless, Henderson is a hold in fantasy, who should be sent to your bench until we see his playing time rise.

6. RJ Harvey, Broncos

We’re getting clarity on some of the ambiguous backfields around the League after two weeks and one of the things we’ve learned is that JK Dobbins is leading the way in Denver. Harvey had a big run in the opener, but fell back down to earth in terms of production during his second game. The good news is that Harvey’s snap share is moving in the right direction. That should continue, and with Dobbins injury history, it feels like only a matter of time before Harvey is starting for the Broncos.

7. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars

Trading Tank Bigsby to the Eagles after Week 1 was a clear sign the Jaguars felt confident about Tuten serving as the main backup to Travis Etienne Jr. It immediately resulted in a spike in playing time, which the rookie parlayed into 10 touches for 74 scrimmage yards and a receiving touchdown. Etienne is playing well, so Tuten isn’t taking over this job right away, but he can now be started as a RB3/flex. Tuten is one Etienne injury away from being a fantasy star and also has a non-zero chance of stealing this job at some point.

8. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons

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’s fantasy value as a starter. He is offering RB3/flex value though with at least 10 touches in each of the first two games this season and plenty of juicy matchups on the way. Allgeier is an overqualified backup who would crush as a top-20 fantasy RB — if Robinson wasn’t able to play for any reason.

9. Brian Robinson Jr., 49ers

With injuries affecting the younger backs on San Francisco’s 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’s not the most exciting back on this list, Robinson would definitely produce in the Shanahan run game if CMC gets hurt again.

10. Najee Harris, Chargers

Harris recovered from his eye injury and was able to suit up in Week 1, serving as the backup to Omarion Hampton. While Harris isn’t a threat to the rookie’s starting job, he is still one of the better backups in the league if an injury moves him into the top spot. The 27-year-old had four straight 1,000-yard seasons in Pittsburgh before joining the Chargers.

Just missed the top 10