The NFL is awake from its offseason slumber with training camp and the first week of the preseason complete. The running back rotations are crucial for identifying early-season roles and providing valuable clarity (and confusion) for RB2 fantasy upside.
This initial running back update will provide an overarching preview of the position, with future installments (leading up to Week 1) highlighting notable changes or adjustments.
Starter Injuries to Monitor
Joe Mixon has an ankle injury that has recovered slowly, and there is no definite timeline for ramping up to the season. Considering this is a preexisting injury, Mixon is one of the riskiest running backs to draft in August without him fully returning to practice. Nick Chubb, even returning from injury himself, is positioned well to benefit if Mixon misses the start of the season.
Najee Harris' fourth of July eye injury is still ambiguous from a severity standpoint and whether Week 1 is in question. The stakes are high as Omarion Hampton is positioned as a clear-cut starter if/when Harris is out, but Najee Harris could easily be the RB1 of the backfield for weeks on end to begin the season.
Back-Up Injuries to Monitor
Kendre Miller has been a walking injury list since his drafting in Round 3 in 2024. Miller's pedigree and smooth movement offer intrigue behind Alvin Kamara, but Miller has yet to stay healthy for long. The Saints' addition of Cam Akers and drafting four-year collegiate starter Devin Neal in this year's draft created a plan without Miller, if necessary. The good news is Miller played in last week's preseason game, and Neal is the current dinged-up option on the depth chart. Miller is the clear RB2 here if (keyword) healthy.
MarShawn Lloyd, like Kendre Miller, has been mired by injuries after securing 2024 Round 3 pedigree. Lloyd's groin injury points to yet another touch-and-go August and September in his journey for the RB2 role behind Josh Jacobs. Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks are incumbents with experience in the RB2/3 roles from last year's Green Bay depth chart.
Notable Rookies for Lineups
Ashton Jeanty requires little bandwidth as an elite prospect, drafted sixth overall, and landing on a wide-open depth chart for a high-ceiling projection as a rookie. RJ Harvey was a surprise Round 2 selection and the target for Sean Payton, a historically strong PPR setting for running backs. J.K. Dobbins' addition creates ambiguity for the early-season split. The key role will be the pass-catching duties, an area Harvey exploited in college. Harvey has full-speed ahead vibes after out-snapping J.K. Dobbins with the starters in the opening preseason game.
Rookie Running Backs Likely to Win RB2 Roles
The upside for all three rookies includes the starting role in short order, but the floor is a sturdy footing as the team's RB2. With Omarion Hampton, Najee Harris' eye injury recovery offers upside early in the season. Reports out of New England include Rhamondre Stevenson has the proverbial 'best shape of his life' weight loss tidbits brewing, a critical time as the Patriots drafted TreVeyon Henderson early in Round 2. In Pittsburgh, many assume Kaleb Johnson is the Week 1 starter. However, Jaylen Warren has played in a full committee with Round 1 pick Najee Harris throughout their dual time in Pittsburgh. As a mid-career veteran with receiving acumen and a persnickety Aaron Rodgers in the pocket, be skeptical of a Round 3 rookie with an average-at-best passing game profile supplanting Jaylen Warren early in the season. The key watch with Kaleb Johnson is Kenneth Gainwell, who played a significant number of snaps early in the game. Additionally, Johnson had an ugly drop in the passing game during the opening preseason week.