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Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 10 Backup Running Backs Going Into Week 16

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.

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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 late in the season and those who would max out as part of a less-appealing replacement committee.

For the final time this season, here’s how I’m ranking the top backup running backs heading into Week 16 — based on their fantasy potential for the remainder of 2025.

1. David Montgomery, Lions

The Lions’ offense has gone away from Montgomery in recent weeks with Dan Campbell taking over as the playcaller. The veteran back has now seen 10 touches or less in five consecutive outings, which makes him just a TD-or-bust RB3 for fantasy. However, he can still be useful in that role since he’s found the end zone each of the last three weeks. Plus, Montgomery’s potential ceiling remains unchanged as a fantasy RB1 if Jahmyr Gibbs were ever sidelined.

2. Kyle Monangai, Bears

Monangai has had two quieter games after scoring touchdowns in four straight outings, culminating in a 130-yard, one-TD effort in Week 13. He stays near the top of this list thanks to his strong overall play and the Bears’ success on the ground. The rookie has now turned Chicago’s backfield into more of a 60-40 split with D’Andre Swift still in the lead. But Monangai is a valuable fantasy asset and we saw what he’s capable of back in Week 9 when he started for an injured Swift and poured in 198 scrimmage yards on 29 touches in a favorable matchup with the Bengals. Given how well Ben Johnson’s rushing attack has been performing, Monangai will continue to offer weekly fantasy RB3 results with the chance to be a top-12 option if Swift was forced to sit out at any point.

3. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks

Charbonnet is an excellent backup, but at the moment it doesn’t matter since the Seahawks’ rushing attack is struggling behind an ineffective offensive line. Even so, Charbonnet continues to be fantasy relevant as a TD-or-bust RB3 who would be a top-15 back if starter Kenneth Walker III were ever forced to sit out.

4. Blake Corum, Rams

Corum has capitalized on his increased opportunities over the last six weeks and now has at least 55 scrimmage yards in five of his last seven outings, including 81 yards and a touchdown in Week 13, 131 yards and two TDs in Week 14 and 71 yards and a score this past week. Corum isn’t a threat to Kyren Williams’ job, but has turned into a fantasy RB3 with enticing upside in favorable game scripts. The 25-year-old also carries more fantasy value thanks to being the No. 2 back in a Sean McVay system that tends to turn any starter into a quality fantasy option. Bottom line: Corum should be rostered in all fantasy leagues.

5. Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers

Gainwell has seen at least 15 touches in four games this season and delivered every single time. He posted 134 yards and two TDs in the first, 105 yards in the second, 122 yards in the third and 126 yards on Monday night in Week 15. Overall, he has six touchdowns on the year and has pushed his way into a near 50-50 split with Jaylen Warren in recent weeks. That makes Gainwell an upside RB3 option in most matchups, but he would become a fantasy RB2 with RB1 upside if Warren got hurt.

6. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers

Hubbard’s quest to win back his starting job took a major hit in Week 15 when he was limited to just 38 yards on nine touches while playing 42% of the snaps. This remains a difficult situation to project with the team admittedly employing a hot-hand approach. For now, I’ll keep Rico Dowdle in the RB2 range and Hubbard as an RB3/flex who would have significant upside if he ever got the majority of the volume in Carolina’s backfield.

7. Brian Robinson Jr., 49ers

Unlike a lot of the other names on this list, Robinson doesn’t offer much in terms of flex value. However, he’s just one year removed from posting 1,101 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns, while finishing as the RB21 in fantasy points per game. Robinson would definitely produce as a top-20 fantasy RB in the Kyle Shanahan run game if Christian McCaffrey gets banged up.

8. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots

Stevenson might be outsnapping TreVeyon Henderson, but it’s clear to anyone watching that the rookie is the true lead back in New England. Though we’ll likely see this sort of 50-50 split continue, Henderson is a fantasy RB2 with RB1 upside, while Stevenson is an RB3.

9. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons

Allgeier is a mainstay on this list as the unquestioned backup to superstar Bijan Robinson. Even in a supporting role, Allgeier has found a way to be productive for fantasy with eight rushing touchdowns this season. The former 1,000-yard rusher continues to be a premier backup who offers flex value and would crush as a top-20 fantasy RB — if Robinson wasn’t able to play for any reason.

10. Emanuel Wilson, Packers

Injuries across the league have opened up a spot in the top 10 for Wilson. He might not offer much in the way of flex value on a weekly basis, but it’s impossible to forget what he did in a relief start in Week 12, turning 30 touches into 125 yards and two scores. With Josh Jacobs continuing to play through injuries, Wilson needs to be stashed everywhere.

Just missed the top 10