A running back without a split backfield in fantasy football is the dream. So often in today's NFL, RB rooms are split 50/50, or substantial roles are given to the RB2. Analyst Joel Smyth breaks down 10 notable backfields with two RBs competing for work — and where (or rather, who) the numbers point us to.
Stat Key:
MTF/att - Missed Tackles forced per attempt; how many carries bring extra yards created
YAC/att - Yards after contact per attempt; how many yards a RB gains after first contact
Success% - How often a play is deemed successful based on down & distance (for example: 4 yards on 1st & 10, 3 yards on 3rd & 3; an analytical way to show "staying on schedule" — very notable when explaining a RB's value/role)
PB Grade - Pass Blocking Grade, via PFF
YPRR - Yards per route run; how efficient the RB is as a receiver out of the backfield
*small sample
Jaguars' RB committee breakdownMaybe the most talked-about backfield in fantasy football. Each Jaguars RB's numbers look great, similar and based on a small sample. They both have top-10 success rates after strong seasons in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Bhayshul Tuten will have the edge in the passing game, as Chris Rodriguez Jr. has never had a year with over (a very low bar) of five receptions.
Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2026 NFL season
Fantasy Take: Tuten has a real shot of being a 65%+ touch RB in a great offense, but the concern of Rodriguez in the red area is real. Tuten's ceiling is a high-end RB2 but with a floor of a normal flex play.
Steelers' RB committee breakdownThe Pittsburgh duo looks about as even as it can get, although Jaylen Warren has the analytical edge. The yards per route is a decent bit inflated thanks to Aaron Rodgers' tendencies, something that will benefit Rico Dowdle too in 2026. McCarthy seems to really trust his former Cowboys RB Dowdle, but I wouldn't expect him to get much more than 50%.
Fantasy Take: Warren has the most important edge in the passing game, as his No. 1 RB pass-blocking grade of 2025 becomes even more important when a 42-year-old immobile QB is behind center. I'd expect the rushing work to be a near-pure 50-50 split.
Patriots' RB committee breakdownThe numbers back up everything out of Patriots camp. Although TreVeyon Henderson is the fun name and has the clear explosive edge, Rhamondre Stevenson was quietly one of the most efficient running backs in football. The pass-blocking edge is massive, and Stevenson made a lot of plays on top of being overly reliable.
Fantasy Take: I don't think much changes in 2026, like most people desire. Stevenson still has the edge in the red zone, and there's less of a reason to take him off the field in passing down work as well.
Broncos' RB committee breakdownTo begin the season, J.K. Dobbins had over 70% of the carries as RJ Harvey remained a pure passing down back. The rookie had his shot after Dobbins' injury, but as you can see, his rushing production was far from perfect. It's one of the most extreme role differences from the run game to the pass game.
Fantasy Take: Despite the ideal situation in Denver, no RB will be great without injury. Even Dobbins, with likely more volume than he'll see this season, had 0 RB1 weeks. I'd expect rookie Jonah Coleman to make this messier down the road if they do all stay healthy, with real upside only if last season repeats itself.
Buccaneers' RB committee breakdownIrving's 2024 vs. GainwellAgain, Kenny Gainwell's passing production is a little affected by Rodgers, but was overall very good in 2025. So far, the camp reports make it look like Gainwell will be overall limited in the rushing attack, like the majority of his career, opening up an opportunity for Bucky Irving to bounce back. Looking at his 2024 season before injury, his production was incredible, and his receiving was even higher than Gainwell's!
Fantasy Take: Gainwell is nothing more than a backup, even in PPR leagues, with the absence of Rodgers checkdowns. Irving is extremely risky not only due to injury, but also because of the real threat of Gainwell in passing situations and Sean Tucker at the goal line, but his upside for both volume and production is unbeatable at his ADP. He was fifth in fantasy opportunities (carries + targets) per game last season, even with the injuries.
Bears' RB committee breakdownNeither running back was fantastic behind one of the best offensive lines in football, but both get the job done and will keep the role they had at the end of the season. The receiving for RBs in Chicago is slim pickings with Caleb Williams, making the goal-line split unfortunate in fantasy. With Kyle Monangai's injury, D’Andre Swift has the potential for a great early season stretch.
Subscribe to Fantasy Ultra to unlock our Strategy Lab, 150+ page Draft Playbook and more!
Fantasy Take: The Bears' offensive potential is insane. The red-zone work may not always be best for Swift, but if Monangai misses time early, he has RB1 potential. When both are healthy, I'd expect ~60-40 Swift.
Titans' RB committee breakdownTony Pollard is one of three RBs to have 275+ touches in each of the last three seasons (Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry). I fear that may not be the case in 2026. Tyjae Spears is a little better in the past when healthy compared to his 2025 numbers, but based on Brian Daboll's history and Week 1 of preseason, I'd expect a more balanced backfield in 2026. Spears is easily the better receiver and clearly has that role when not sidelined.
Fantasy Take: The combination of low confidence in the offensive line, the offense as a whole and a potential split RB room makes me cool off on Titans RB shares. Pollard is unlikely to get a lot of targets or touchdowns in 2026, which is usually not the type of player to target in fantasy.
Rams' RB committee breakdownThe Rams had a split backfield in the second half of the season for the first time in years. Blake Corum had 12 of the goal-line carries from Week 7 on, compared to Kyren Williams’ 13. It's still Williams' backfield, but not the bellcow work we saw to begin the season or in years past. It's nearly identical to Chicago's situation with low receiving opportunities.
Fantasy Take: The offense and offensive line will propel Kyren Williams to good fantasy production, but overall upside is limited.
Commanders' RB committee breakdownThe Commanders may play up to five running backs throughout the season. While Jacory Croskey-Merritt has the best rushing upside, Rachaad White's receiving (historically) is a clear step above and provides a stable veteran back.
Fantasy Take: With offensive line concerns and star LT Laremy Tunsil injured, a lot will have to go right for either back to be startable in fantasy. Croskey-Merritt will have to play very clean to get more than 60% of the touches.
Texans' RB committee breakdownThe Texans bring in veteran David Montgomery this offseason after Woody Marks’ rookie season. Houston has talked plenty about Marks receiving prowess and him being a complement, but the numbers look bleak.
Fantasy Take: I'm not expecting anything too far off from Montgomery's bell-cow volume.
Leave a Comment