BELL COWS*
These are the workhorses. While an H-back or secondary running back may pinch a few snaps, these players dominate their backfields and face very little competition for meaningful volume.
Unlike the Receiving article, not every team has a write-up here. That’s because, for these backfields, the summary above generally tells you everything you need to know.
JAHMYR GIBBS (Detroit Lions)
BIJAN ROBINSON (Atlanta Falcons)
CHRISTIAN MCCAFFREY (San Francisco 49ers)
OMARION HAMPTON (Los Angeles Chargers)
JAMES COOK (Buffalo Bills)
JONATHAN TAYLOR (Indianapolis Colts)
SAQUON BARKLEY (Philadelphia Eagles)
KYREN WILLIAMS (Los Angeles Rams)
KENNETH WALKER (Kansas City Chiefs)
DE’VON ACHANE (Miami Dolphins)
CHASE BROWN (Cincinnati Bengals)
JEREMIYAH LOVE (Arizona Cardinals)
DERRICK HENRY (Baltimore Ravens)
BUCKY IRVING (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
ASHTON JEANTY (Las Vegas Raiders)
QUINSHON JUDKINS (Cleveland Browns)
JAVONTE WILLIAMS (Dallas Cowboys)
CAM SKATTEBO (New York Giants)
BREECE HALL (New York Jets)
TONY POLLARD (Tennessee Titans)
TRAVIS ETIENNE (New Orleans Saints)
*This list is only in approximate ranking order.
COMMITTEES
Some teams build their backfields by committee, with different running backs used in different situations. As a result, two or even three RBs can rotate throughout a game, making none of them particularly reliable for SuperCoach.
BHAYSHUL TUTEN / CHRIS RODRIGUEZ JR (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Both are capable of leading an NFL backfield, making it a difficult decision for head coach Liam Coen. One is expected to eventually separate from the pack and emerge as the bell cow, with Tuten the more likely candidate, but for now expect the workload to be shared.
RHAMONDRE STEVENSON / TREVEYON HENDERSON (New England Patriots)
Henderson is the more dynamic playmaker and a genuine weapon in the passing game, while Stevenson does his best work as a downhill runner. Henderson proved last season he doesn't need many touches to make an impact, but at this stage, expect both backs to continue splitting the workload.
JONATHON BROOKS / CHUBA HUBBARD (Carolina Panthers)
The Panthers still have high hopes for Brooks, but injuries have stalled the start of his NFL career. The expectation is that he'll eventually become the lead back, and with Hubbard currently injured, that opportunity could arrive as early as Week 1.
D’ANDRE SWIFT / KYLE MONANGAI (Chicago Bears)
This is a very similar situation to the Patriots. Monangai has all the tools to become a star, but D'Andre Swift remains the established workhorse. Both are capable of producing big fantasy scores, though it's unlikely they'll do it in the same week while they're sharing the backfield.
RJ HARVEY / JK DOBBINS (Denver Broncos)
The Broncos haven't traditionally relied on a true bell cow under Sean Payton, although Davis Webb taking over as offensive coordinator adds a new wrinkle this season. RJ Harvey took all the first-team snaps during pre-season, giving him the edge over Dobbins for now, but this remains a backfield worth monitoring.
DAVID MONTGOMERY / WOODY MARKS (Houston Texans)
Initially, I would’ve had David Montgomery as the bell cow, but Houston still clearly like Woody Marks and his ability to get downfield. We could instead see a familiar split for Montgomery, handling more of the physical and short-yardage work while Marks gets opportunities in space.
AARON JONES / JORDAN MASON / DEMOND CLAIBORNE (Minnesota Vikings)
Jones is getting older, Mason wants a bigger slice of the pie, and Claiborne has been drafted to shake things up. Add a quarterback who'll steal his fair share of rushing attempts, and the Vikings' backfield is a minefield I'll be avoiding.
JAYLEN WARREN / RICO DOWDLE (Pittsburgh Steelers)
On any given week, either Warren or Dowdle could lead the backfield. Warren offers speed and receiving ability, while Dowdle brings a more physical downhill running style. I'm just not convinced Mike McCarthy's approach to the running game will make either a particularly reliable fantasy option.
JACORY CROSKEY-MERRITT / RACHAAD WHITE (Washington Commanders)
Croskey-Merritt offers explosiveness in space, whereas White provides a more physical running style. Their usage is likely to vary from week to week depending on how the game unfolds.
MARSHAWN LLOYD / CHRIS BROOKS / KALEB JOHNSON (Green Bay Packers)
With Josh Jacobs on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, the Packers’ backfield looks destined to run by committee. Lloyd is your gap finder, Brooks your blocker and Johnson can work between the tackles. Throw in new tight end Jonnu Smith’s ability to play H-back, and there’s enough competition to be cautious. MarShawn Lloyd still has genuine cash cow upside, though.
JADARIAN PRICE / GEORGE HOLANI (Seattle Seahawks)
As expected, Charbonnet starts the season on the PUP list, leaving rookie Jadarian Price to lead the Seahawks' backfield with third-year back George Holani behind him. Price has genuine cash cow upside and impressed throughout the preseason, but if Charbonnet returns at the earliest opportunity in Week 4, his cash generation could quickly stall.