Yardbarker
x

The best backup running backs in the NFL

The best backup running backs in the NFL.

 
1 of 24

1. DeAngelo Williams, Steelers

DeAngelo Williams, Steelers
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

A former starter with the Panthers, Williams became a backup for the first time last season and made the most of his time between Le'Veon Bell's suspension and injuries. He had 907 rushing yards on 200 carries, with a league-leading 11 touchdowns on the ground. He added 367 receiving yards. Not bad for a then 32-year-old back.

 
2 of 24

2. Spencer Ware, Chiefs

Spencer Ware, Chiefs
Cory Edmundson / USA Today Sports Images

Ware came out of nowhere to create a thunder and lightning duo with Charcandrick West after Jamaal Charles' season-ending knee injury. The bruising back had 72 carries for 403 yards and six scores, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He's expected to get short-yardage work this season.

 
3 of 24

3. Charles Sims, Buccaneers

Charles Sims, Buccaneers
Reinhold Maley / USA Today Sports Images

Sims made huge progress in his second season behind Doug Martin, with 529 rushing yards and 561 receiving yards. Martin's injury history indicates that Sims could get more work this season.

 
4 of 24

4. Giovani Bernard, Bengals

Giovani Bernard, Bengals
Chris Humphreys / USA Today Sports Images

The 37th overall pick in the 2013 draft, Bernard gets plenty of work as a third-down back and change of pace behind Jeremy Hill. He had 730 rushing yards and 472 receiving yards last season.

 
5 of 24

5. T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars

T.J. Yeldon, Jaguars
Jim Brown / USA Today Sports Images

Yeldon started for the Jags in his rookie season but will likely be relegated to No. 2 duty after Jacksonville signed Chris Ivory in the offseason. The former Alabama back had 740 rushing yards and 279 receiving yards in his rookie season.

 
6 of 24

6. James Starks, Packers

James Starks, Packers
Kyle Terada / USA Today Sports Images

Starks took over for a poorly conditioned Eddie Lacy last season, rushing 148 times for 601 yards and adding 392 receiving yards. He has more flash than Lacy but averaged only 4.1 yards per carry.

 
7 of 24

7. Bilal Powell, Jets

Bilal Powell, Jets
Brad Penner / USA Today Sports Images

Powell was featured as an excellent third-down back behind Chris Ivory last season, with 4.5 yards per carry and 47 receptions. He could pick up work this season if Matt Forte doesn't take to his new offense.

 
8 of 24

8. Theo Riddick, Lions

Theo Riddick, Lions
Steven Flynn / USA Today Sports Images

The premier receiving back in football, Riddick is basically a wideout at running back. He had 43 carries last season and 80 receptions for the Lions, finishing with 830 yards from scrimmage.

 
9 of 24

9. Duke Johnson, Browns

Duke Johnson, Browns
Aaron Doster / USA Today Sports Images

Johnson could claim the Giovani Bernard role in Hue Jackson's offense as a third-down and change-of-pace back behind Isaiah Crowell. He averaged only 3.6 yards per carry in his rookie season but had 61 receptions for 534 yards.

 
10 of 24

10. Tevin Coleman, Falcons

Tevin Coleman, Falcons
Jason Getz / USA Today Sports Images

Coleman struggled through injuries in his rookie season but was more effective as a runner in limited work than starter Devonta Freeman with 4.5 yards per carry. He should get significantly more work than last year if the trend continues.

 
11 of 24

11. Karlos Williams, free agent

Karlos Williams, free agent
Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today Sports Images

Williams is a bruiser who was tough to stop in his rookie season, rushing 93 times for 517 yards and seven scores, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He will miss the first four games of 2016 due to a suspension and was just released by the Bills, but he's a strong talent for any team looking to add running back depth.

 
12 of 24

12. Chris Johnson, Cardinals

Chris Johnson, Cardinals
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

A former 2,000-yard rusher, Johnson revived his career in Arizona last season until he fractured his leg. He still had 814 rushing yards and should get plenty of work this season alongside David Johnson.

 
13 of 24

13. Darren McFadden, Cowboys

Darren McFadden, Cowboys
Timothy T. Ludwig / USA Today Sports Images

McFadden was a dynamic back early in his career with Oakland, and he rebounded with Dallas last season for 1,089 rushing yards at 4.6 yards per carry. He takes a step down in the depth chart after Dallas drafted Ezekiel Elliott in the first round.

 
14 of 24

14. Charcandrick West, Chiefs

Charcandrick West, Chiefs
Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

West did a solid job for the Chiefs after Jamaal Charles was lost last season, rushing 160 times for 634 yards and adding 20 receptions in 15 games. He's likely third on the depth chart this year.

 
15 of 24

15. Christine Michael, Seahawks

Christine Michael, Seahawks
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Michael has taken a while to develop, but he's steadily picked up more work. He's averaged 4.7 yards per carry for his three-year career and could get significantly more work this season behind Thomas Rawls.

 
16 of 24

16. Chris Thompson, Redskins

Chris Thompson, Redskins
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

A useful third-down back for Washington, Thompson had 35 rushes and 35 receptions last season. He could be used more often this season with Alfred Morris out of the picture and the team turning toward young Matt Jones.

 
17 of 24

17, Jerick McKinnon, Vikings

17, Jerick McKinnon, Vikings
Bruce Kluckhohn / USA Today Sports Images

McKinnon got his fair share of work in his rookie season when Adrian Peterson was out and averaged 4.8 yards per carry. Last season he did even better but only on 52 carries.

 
18 of 24

18. Alfred Morris, Cowboys

Alfred Morris, Cowboys
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

A two-time Pro Bowler in Washington, Morris' production has fallen off with each progressive season. He enters 2016 as the Cowboys' third back behind Ezekiel Elliott and Darren McFadden after averaging 3.7 yards per carry last season.

 
19 of 24

19. Andre Ellington, Cardinals

Andre Ellington, Cardinals
Raj Mehta / USA Today Sports Images

Ellington was terrific in his rookie season for the Cardinals in 2013, but he's struggled to stay on the field since then. He's been a dynamic back when on the field but had only 60 touches last season.

 
20 of 24

20. Danny Woodhead, Chargers

Danny Woodhead, Chargers
Kelley L. Cox / USA Today Sports Images

Woodhead is a unique weapon but is starting to show his age. He had only 3.4 yards per carry last year but did have 80 receptions for the Chargers.

 
21 of 24

21. Darren Sproles, Eagles

Darren Sproles, Eagles
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Sproles has been an extremely productive player over his career, both as a third-down back and kick returner. Last season his production fell off, with only 3.8 yards per carry. He did have 55 receptions and should continue in his current role with the new Eagles offense.

 
22 of 24

22. Derrick Henry, Titans

Derrick Henry, Titans
Christopher Hanewinckel / USA Today Sports Images

The 2015 Heisman Trophy winner at Alabama, Henry will serve as Tennessee's short-yardage runner behind DeMarco Murray in his rookie season. It's possible he could be asked to do more with the Titans unlikely to compete for a playoff spot.

 
23 of 24

23. Cameron Artis-Payne, Panthers

Cameron Artis-Payne, Panthers
Brad Penner / USA Today Sports Images

Artis-Payne is in an important role behind the injury-prone Jonathan Stewart. The former Auburn back had 45 carries for 183 yards last season.

 
24 of 24

24. Benny Cunningham, Rams

Benny Cunningham, Rams
Aaron Doster / USA Today Sports Images

Cunningham fits well as a third-down back behind Todd Gurley. He's averaged less than four yards per carry in each of the last two seasons but does have 71 receptions over that time.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.