Matt BowenNov 12, 2026, 06:43 AM ET
- Matt Bowen is a fantasy football and NFL writer for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2015, writes regularly for ESPN+ and spent multiple years on "NFL Matchup." After graduating from the University of Iowa, Matt played safety in the NFL for St. Louis, Green Bay, Washington and Buffalo over seven seasons.
The lack of quality running back depth has been an issue for fantasy football managers this year, and it's even tougher to find consistent production in the lineup with so many shared backfields across the league.
That got us thinking about how managers can approach teams that are using two backs, as it pertains to setting a weekly lineup (across multiple formats).
Below is a breakdown of 11 running back rooms, placing them in different buckets to give fantasy managers a clear picture of how to value each player moving forward.
One must-start, one streaming option
Christian McCaffrey (20.8 fantasy PPG) remains a top-five back in fantasy, but don't sleep on rookie Kaelon Black as a flex option in deeper formats. Available in more than 60% of ESPN leagues, Black has seen at least 11 carries in back-to-back games, including a rushing touchdown and three goal-to-go carries in Week 7 versus Atlanta. Plus, we know the 49ers want to manage the workload for McCaffrey. Yes, Black provides very limited receiving upside (three receptions this season), but his running style and pad level jump out, and he plays in the league's best offensive scheme under Kyle Shanahan.
In a Tampa offense that has become very run-heavy, Bucky Irving is a locked-in RB1 after scoring 21 or more points in four of his past five games. The tape is really good, too. Fast and elusive with the ball. But with this Bucs offensive identity, should managers look to add and/or play Kenny Gainwell? His numbers are somewhat inflated over the past three games due to the weather in the Carolina game. However, Gainwell has scored at least eight in each game during this stretch, and he had three receptions for 60 yards in Week 9 versus the Bears. Gainwell is available in more than 45% of ESPN leagues, and he fits as a deeper-league pickup who can be used as a flex.
An emerging lead back
Jonah Coleman's emergence has created separation from J.K. Dobbins, and with RJ Harvey (knee) on IR we finally have a good read on this running back room. Coleman scored 18.8 points in the Week 9 win over the Panthers, getting 21 touches to Dobbins' five, and finishing with 88 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. The Broncos have a bye this week, but Coleman, who has 18-plus points in back-to-back games, is the only Denver running back you want in your lineup.
Backfields with multiple starters
Blake Corum's increased usage (11 or more carries in three straight games) and scoring (11 or more points in five consecutive) has impacted the overall value of Kyren Williams, but both can be played as fantasy starters. Williams, who should still be viewed as a lead runner, has 17 or more touches in his past three games, with a touchdown in two of them. Plus, with Puka Nacua (knee) and Davante Adams (hamstring) on IR, we should see a run-oriented approach out of multiple TE sets. Based on matchups, Williams will have fringe-RB1 value (as he does Sunday versus Arizona) or settle into the RB2 range, while Corum (35% started in Week 9) can be played as a weekly RB2/flex.
D'Andre Swift has been the clear No. 1 in Ben Johnson's offense since Week 5 when Kyle Monangai (thumb/toe) missed his first of what has now been five straight games. In that span, Swift has posted three games of 20 or more touches. If Monangai returns in Week 11 (after the bye), we should expect both runners to see consistent touches in Chicago. Yes, Swift will still have more value as a RB2 -- due to his receiving traits -- but the Bears have lacked the north/south burst and pile-pushing mentality of Monangai in the backfield. In an explosive Bears offense, Monangai can give managers 10 to 12 touches in a normal game script (including goal-line carries). He can be started as a flex upon his return.
In Weeks 4 through 8, Braelon Allen started for an injured Breece Hall and the numbers jumped (21.2 touches per game, 16.2 fantasy PPG). He has downhill power and is decisive. Plus, he caught 13 passes for 70 yards during that stretch. However, with Hall returning last week in the loss to the Chiefs and taking back his lead role (87 total yards on 18 touches), Allen saw only 10 touches, finishing with 54 total yards (5.4 points). If the game script stays on track here, Hall should be viewed as a mid-to-lower-tier RB2, while Allen (27% start rate in Week 9) slips down to the flex range for the next three matchups (BUF, @LAC, @MIA) due to declining volume.
Matchup-dependent RB2/flex options
Ashton Jeanty (15.5 PPG) isn't rushing with much efficiency this season (3.2 YPC), and the Raiders' run game is an absolute grind to watch. However, with his pass-catching ability (4.7 receptions and 41.2 receiving yards per game), Jeanty will stay in my RB2 ranks moving forward. So, where does that leave Mike Washington Jr.? The rookie, who had a start percentage of only 4% in a Week 9, is best suited for deeper formats at this time, but he will take touches away from Jeanty.
With Zach Charbonnet and rookie Jadarian Price now healthy, this is a true backfield rotation in Seattle. I don't see high-end burst on the tape with Charbonnet, who is coming off an ACL injury from late last season, but he provides value as a volume runner (17 carries in Week 9 versus Arizona). With Price, managers are getting more upside, especially if his usage as a receiver remain steady. Price scored 11.4 points against Arizona, rushing for 24 yards on nine carries, while catching four passes for 54 yards. He's an explosive mover after the catch. I'll have Charbonnet as an RB2 for this week against Las Vegas, while Price is in the lower-end RB2 or flex range.
The Vikings traded for Kirk Cousins on Tuesday, which should bring some stability and much-needed rhythm to the Vikings' offense. That's a positive for Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason. As I've said before, I feel Mason is the better runner and fit, but Jones gives managers a boost as a receiving option. For now, I have Jones and Mason as flex options ahead of the Week 10 game versus the Packers.
In case of emergency
Travis Etienne Jr. (hamstring) hasn't played since Week 3, and the team cut Kendre Miller last week, so mangers are looking at Alvin Kamara (10.5 PPG) and Audric Estime (14.7 points in Week 9) as the top options in New Orleans. With Kamara's receiving traits (21.4 yards per game) and the volume Estime saw in Week 9 (18 touches), both running backs have flex value in a positive Week 10 matchup versus the Panthers, but it's not very exciting. And when Etienne returns, this will be a tough backfield to figure out.
Rachaad White (10.0 PPG) can be viewed as a bye-week fill-in who gets you around eight to 12 touches, but I'm going to pass on Austin Ekeler. It's been a rough season for the Commanders' running back room.
Source: ESPN · Matt Bowen
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