Backfield Breakdowns: Week 7

Through Week 6, 2025, Jonathan Taylor led the NFL in rushing yards with 603. James Cook III was second at 537. Bijan Robinson had 484. Through the same point in 2026? Taylor would trail Ken Walker III (665), Robinson (641), and Cook (627). Walker has played five games! Robinson's 2025 total would have him 7th in 2026. 

We are having fun to start 2026. 

How does the rest of the league shake out?

Backfields Worth Noting

Some backfields saw noteworthy movement in Week 6:

• New England: The Patriots have injury questions with both Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson. In a surprise, they leaned on Corey Kiner through the fourth quarter to close out the win.
• Pittsburgh: Rico Dowdle returned to split the backfield with Jaylen Warren, ending Warren's glorious run as the Bellcow.
• Arizona: Jeremiyah Love was out; instead of leaning on Tyler Allgeier, the Cardinals split the backfield evenly with Bam Knight. 
• NY Giants: The Giants started Najee Harris, then released him two days later. Cam Skattebo hardly played following his costly Week 5 fumble. I don't know either.

Bellcow Backfields

• The Falcons fell behind by multiple scores, limiting the ground game's impact. Robinson was well on his way to another standout game, even with those limitations. If Bijan Robinson is limited in the run game, Brian Robinson Jr. will disappear. Brian is a risky lineup decision. Week 7 brings a premier running back matchup: Christian McCaffrey and the 49ers. The Falcons offense will need to click early to avoid another negative game script, but Robinson remains elite and can swing any matchup. 

• Hubbard has topped 120 rushing yards with a touchdown in consecutive weeks, tying four others for the longest in team history. Lawrence Johnson, O.J. Simpson, and Jim Brown reached 5-game streaks. The last two games skew the numbers, but Hubbard is on pace for 1,445 yards. His passing volume has disappeared the last two weeks; the Panthers have been able to push the ball downfield. The team shuffled backup running backs, with AJ Dillon inactive and Etienne coming off IR. Jonathon Brooks returned to practice and jogged on the side. Given Hubbard's strong play, there is little reason to believe this backfield will be anywhere close to the split it opened the season with with Brooks. Hubbard will be hard-pressed to continue his current streak; Tampa Bay has one of the league's best run defenses. 

• Marks operated as the Bellcow with David Montgomery out, following the team's 2025 usage. As in 2025, Jordan looked like the more interesting back when given the opportunity. It would be surprising to see much of a shift until Montgomery returns. The Texans face an exploitable Giants defense in Week 7. 

• Taylor was the lone bright spot in a Colts offense in a narrative that is becoming too familiar. The team fired GM Chris Ballard after the game, opening the door to pre-deadline trades. Taylor has been mentioned in rumors, but nothing concrete to suggest movement. The Colts have a brutal matchup against Minnesota in Week 7; Taylor is the only fantasy piece worth exploring, though we should expect a lower-than-average game. 

• Walker's 665 rushing yards are the seventh most through five games in NFL history. He leads the league despite the Chiefs already seeing their bye. Week 7 is full of storylines as he catches a revenge matchup against Seattle. The Seahawks allowed both of Denver's top running backs to have good fantasy games in Week 6; motivation should be high. 

• Allen ceded some touches to Davis, though he still came in as a Bellcow. Breece Hall seemed close to returning for Week 6; we will be watching the reports closely for a Week 7 matchup against Miami. Unlike the Patriots, who can dictate the game script, the Dolphins have struggled to score all season, creating a prime opportunity for the run game to pick up. Allen's strong performance and Hall being eased in from injury likely point to split work if he is active. 

• Steele was injured very early, making Piece the only option in the backfield. The Eagles were down to backups everywhere besides receiver, and the results showed. Saquon Barkley could be a name on the trade market after the Eagles lost Jalen Hurts for the season. Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley are on IR; it will be Pierce's show unless Barkley is available for a favorable Week 7 matchup with Dallas. The game is a Monday night kick, which could create issues unless we have clarity on Barkley's status. 

• McCaffrey posted his best game of the season and second career game with 2+ rushing touchdowns and 9+ receptions. James Wilder had the most, with 3, while Alvin Kamara, Chris Johnson, and LaDainian Tomlinson join McCaffrey as players who have done it twice. McCaffrey has now scored in five consecutive games. Week 7 offers a running back shootout against the Falcons and Bijan Robinson.  

• Irving has worked as the Bellcow in consecutive weeks, clearly over whatever situation caused him to sit in the fourth quarter of Week 4. His production dropped from his huge Week 5 game against Dallas, but his underlying usage remains positive, keeping him a Top 15 fantasy option. He is in a good spot for Week 7; Carolina has struggled to stop the run in 2026. 

• We have seen the Titans play in positive run game scripts twice, Weeks 2 and 6, and Pollard operated as a Bellcow in both. The Week 6 performance is more of a red flag for the Colts than a positive sign that the Titans are turning things around. Pollard has a low floor, and his boom games haven't been great; that said, he is the cheapest potential Bellcow on the trade market, and backs in this offense have emerged as fantasy playoff difference-makers over the last couple of seasons. Tennessee faces a Cleveland defense that limited Derrick Henry in Week 6, but the Browns offense has not buried teams in negative game scripts. 

Committees With a Lead Back