TreVeyon Henderson, the 23-year-old running back for the New England Patriots, is dealing with a new lower ankle injury, which may impact his chances of emerging as the lead back in the team.
Henderson has been working hard to prove himself as a pass protector and between-the-tackles runner, but so far, it doesn't seem like he has answered the call in that area this summer. He is being taken in Round 6 as the RB26 in fantasy drafts, while Rhamondre Stevenson, the current starter, is going off the board as the RB28 in the seventh round.
The coaching staff has made it clear that they need to see more from Henderson before he can take over the top spot on the depth chart. His performance as a rookie resulted in 911 rushing yards, 221 receiving yards, and 10 total touchdowns, but he will need to continue to improve if he wants to become a weekly fantasy difference-maker.
Henderson's injury may finally push his average draft position (ADP) below Stevenson's, which is how many fantasy managers have had it ranked for a while now. This could make him a more attractive option for fantasy managers searching for a breakout or sleeper pick.
Jonathon Brooks, the 22-year-old running back for the Carolina Panthers, is finally making headlines for the right reasons after spending the first two seasons of his career recovering from ACL tears. He has been earning praise from head coach Dave Canales and is reminding fantasy managers what he's capable of when healthy.
Current starter Chuba Hubbard had a down year due to injuries, but he's just one season removed from a 1,366-yard, 11-touchdown campaign that allowed him to finish as the RB12 in fantasy points per game. Whether Hubbard maintains the lead back job will depend on his health, as well as Brooks' ability to return to his pre-injury form.
Brooks is one of the few players on this list who could take over the starting role without needing an injury ahead of him on the depth chart. He has a realistic shot to become the lead back in Carolina before the end of the season and should be considered a high-ceiling stash and potential flex option.
Rico Dowdle, the 24-year-old running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has been reunited with his former head coach Mike McCarthy, who knows him well from their time together in Dallas. This could result in Dowdle capturing a significant role in the Steelers' offense and perhaps even overtaking Jaylen Warren as the lead back at some point.
Dowdle has a history of producing in uncertain backfields and has the potential to offer fantasy RB3 production while holding serious one-injury-away upside. Even if he remains behind Warren, he will have a chance to make a significant impact in the Steelers' offense.
Blake Corum, the 24-year-old running back for the Los Angeles Rams, took a major step forward in Year 2, earning a larger role behind Kyren Williams and ultimately finishing with 782 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns. His best production came in the second half of the season, when he topped 50 yards in seven of his last 10 outings.
Corum will continue to have a larger role in the Rams' offense, but he will also have to contend with Williams, who has finished as a top-10 fantasy back on a per-game basis for three straight campaigns. This will make it difficult for Corum to emerge as the lead back in the team.
The 2026 fantasy football season is just around the corner, and these backup running backs will be worth keeping an eye on as the season progresses. Their performances will have a significant impact on fantasy managers' lineups, and it will be interesting to see how they develop throughout the season.
Source: Yahoo Sports