The NFL is awake from its offseason slumber with training camp in full swing. 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.
Competitive RB1 Roles
Warren has the incumbent edge, having worked with Aaron Rodgers last season, but Dowdle was a workhorse at previous stops and the hot hand over a viable Chuba Hubbard in Carolina in 2025. The passing role for Rodgers is valuable, with Kenny Gainwell last season the most recent iteration.
Aaron Jones Sr. vs. Jordan Mason
Jones has eroded in recent years and might be entering the last year of viability on the fantasy front. Mason can absorb early-down work and goal-line chances to keep Jones fresh. This split is likely not clarified until the Week 1 data point on if one, both, or neither are weekly starters in fantasy.
Jadarian Price vs. Emanuel Wilson vs. George Holani
Price has the Round 1 pedigree to be the likely answer soon, but the most touches in Week 1 specifically is not a given. Seattle recently released Kenny McIntosh, leaving Wilson, more of an early-down option, and Holani, more of a receiving option, as potential pairings with Price. Zach Charbonnet is a likely mid-season arrival to the depth chart, where Price may already have a vice grip on the lead role over a working-back-into-form Charbonnet during the stretch run. All three are worth roster spots for now until Wilson or Holani are either injured or the clear tertiary option in the rotation.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. vs. Bhayshul Tuten
Tuten is easily the most expensive in fantasy cost, but Rodriguez received surprising money as a free-agent addition this offseason and has been an underrated rushing option in his early years with Washington. Both are likely limited in the receiving game with LeQuint Allen Jr. dominating passing-down work as a Day 3 rookie last year and Ameer Abdullah added to the depth chart.
Chuba Hubbard vs. Jonathon Brooks
Hubbard was an uninspiring starting option last year as Rico Dowdle soared to prominence as the hot hand. Brooks looks to finally put two knee injuries and surgeries behind him with a healthy lead-up to Week 1. A healthy Brooks offers upside and talent Hubbard cannot match in a best-case scenario.
Rachaad White vs. Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Croskey-Merritt showed well as a runner as a Day 3 rookie, but was sparsely trusted for pressure situations on passing downs. Insert Rachaad White as a veteran receiving option, and this could be a near-even split to begin the season. Croskey-Merritt is the more talented pure rusher, but will he be mixed into receiving work or near the goal line in Year 2?
Elite RB2 Roles
All four are projected to be secondary options to begin the season with pronounced upside should the starter miss time. Corum was a viable RB2/Flex option for the Rams last season and with an even stronger roster in 2026, Corum could see more mop-up duty in the second half of games to keep Kyren Williams fresher for later in the season. Rhamondre Stevenson held off TreVeyon Henderson all season as a rookie, and Stevenson was the preferred option in the Patriots' surprise Super Bowl run in the playoffs as well. Assume Henderson is an upside flex option unless Stevenson cedes more market share than last year. Kyle Monangai was a surprise producer from the Day 3 rookie ranks in 2025, and expect a similar split as the secondary option, but a possible fantasy flex, with D'Andre Swift in the 1A role. Kenny Gainwell had a career year last season, but the change of scenery to Tampa Bay softens the predicted upside with Baker Mayfield subbed for the checkdown-centric Aaron Rodgers under center. The Gainwell-Sean Tucker split should be a key projection among backfields this season if Bucky Irving misses time.
Clarified Higher-Cost Veteran RB2 Roles
Dylan Sampson is likely to be a long-term injury-away option in Cleveland, with Quinshon Judkins the clear starter with a higher pedigree and on the same rookie contract. Woody Marks had starting opportunities for the Joe Mixon-less Houston depth chart as a Round 4 rookie last season, but Houston was aggressive in trading for David Montgomery this offseason to supplant Marks. Tyrone Tracy Jr. is one of the better values among backup running backs. Cam Skattebo is one of the most violent runners in the NFL and a hazard on every touch. Tracy, with starting experience, sits in the optimal RB2 spot to benefit from any Skattebo missed time.
Clarified Lower-Cost Veteran RB2 Roles
Justifying Alvin Kamara on this list is a bit of a shock, given his long track record of production, but Kamara fell off last season and could be in more of a committee with Kendre Miller or Devin Neal for early-down work than would be ideal for fantasy relevance. Samaje Perine and Brian Robinson Jr. are ideal low-cost stash options, as they have little name cache but possess prior starting experience and prototypical size for a three-down role. Ray Davis has typically been third on Buffalo in backfield snaps, with Ty Johnson serving as the RB2 behind James Cook III. However, Davis is the RB2 in practice, with the starting role should Cook miss time. Isiah Pacheco is another former starter now in Detroit, with the presumptive RB2 role locked down; monitor him closely, as he has struggled with injuries and poor play of late. Sione Vaki is an intriguing blend of size and athleticism for the RB3 role should Pacheco falter.