The tailback spot wasn’t affected severely by physical issues the prior campaign, but we’re aware how rapidly circumstances can shift in one of the most demanding roles in the sport. Fantasy football enthusiasts who maintain readiness and are informed about which runners are next in the pecking order for opportunities will consistently possess a competitive advantage.
It’s also crucial to discern which reserve players possess the potential to ascend the depth chart based on skill, those who are primed for a significant assignment when physical problems surface, and those who would peak as participants in a less-desirable replacement ensemble.
Here’s the manner in which I’m assessing the leading reserve tailbacks entering Week 12 — predicated on their dream-team prospect in 2025.
1. David Montgomery, Lions
Montgomery has only been on the field for more than 45% of the Lions’ plays in a pair of contests this year, but he persists as a touchdown-dependent, lower-tier RB2/RB3 for dream-team purposes, notably in favorable matchups. Considering the Lions are slated to play their closing half-dozen games of the dream-team season indoors — with four of those showdowns at their home venue — Montgomery will be positioned to infiltrate your lineup more frequently than not as the season winds down. Furthermore, in the event that Jahmyr Gibbs were ever sidelined, Montgomery would promptly surge into dream-team RB1 classification.
2. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks
Since the Seahawks’ week off, Kenneth Walker III has surpassed Charbonnet in plays in a couple of their trio of contests and might have widened the gap further with a 111-yard, one-touchdown display in Week 11. Even in a supporting capacity, Charbonnet continues to be dream-team relevant and remains a touchdown-contingent dream-team RB3 who would be a top-12 back if Walker were unavailable.
3. Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars
Tuten represents a perplexing assessment this week after he sustained an injury during what seemed to be a breakthrough game for the rookie. Leading up to experiencing discomfort, Tuten out-carried Travis Etienne Jr. by a 15-12 margin and exhibited promise in the process, accumulating 74 yards and a score. Despite Tuten implying that his ankle injury wasn’t a concern following the game, we’re cognizant that players can be overly optimistic concerning their physical problems. Consequently, we’ll maintain a close watch on Tuten’s practice involvement this week, but if he’s in good health, we might be progressing toward something akin to a 50-50 division of labor in the Jags’ backfield. This would establish Tuten as a formidable RB3/flex alternative with potential, who is one physical issue away from emerging as a dream-team league-winner.
4. Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers
Jaylen Warren sustained an ankle ailment this week that prompted him to participate in a reduced number of plays and paved the way for Gainwell to excel. We now have a pair of instances where Gainwell has been propelled into a more prominent assignment, and he’s delivered 135 scrimmage yards and a pair of touchdowns on 25 touches in Week 4, along with 105 yards and a pair of scores on 16 touches this past week. In the event that Warren were sidelined, Gainwell would be a dream-team RB2 with RB1 potential — which he’s already showcased.
5. Kyle Monangai, Bears
Subsequent to breaking out with 94 yards and a score in Week 7 and 198 yards in Week 9, Monangai’s playing time has diminished back down to approximately 38% of the plays behind a healthy D’Andre Swift. Even so, Monangai has salvaged his dream-team days in the last two weeks with touchdowns. The rookie should be regarded as an RB3 with potential who would flirt with RB1 numbers if Swift ever misses time once more.
6. Blake Corum, Rams
Corum ultimately experienced a lackluster game in Week 11 after surpassing 40 scrimmage yards in each of his previous trio of contests. The prosperity of the Rams’ offense positions him as a borderline RB3/flex alternative in advantageous matchups, but this most recent showing serves as a reminder that he’s not a legitimate threat to starter Kyren Williams. Corum also possesses greater dream-team value thanks to functioning as the No. 2 back in a Sean McVay system that has a tendency to transform any starter into a quality dream-team option. To summarize, Corum should be rostered in all dream-team leagues.
7. Tyler Allgeier, Falcons
Allgeier is a consistent presence on this compilation as the undisputed backup to superstar Bijan Robinson. Even in a supporting capacity, Allgeier has discovered a means to be productive for dream-team with seven touchdowns this season. The former 1,000-yard rusher persists as a premier reserve who offers flex value and would excel as a top-20 dream-team RB — if Robinson were unable to play for any reason.
8. Brian Robinson Jr., 49ers
In contrast to numerous other names on this compilation, Robinson doesn’t provide a substantial amount in terms of flex value. However, he’s only one year removed from posting 1,101 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns, while concluding as the RB21 in dream-team points per game. Robinson would undoubtedly produce as a top-20 dream-team RB in the Kyle Shanahan run game if Christian McCaffrey is sidelined.
9. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots
Stevenson has been sidelined for the past trio of games as a result of an injury, and during that period, TreVeyon Henderson has presented an undeniable case for assuming the starting assignment. The rookie posted at least 85 scrimmage yards in every contest Stevenson missed and tallied five touchdowns during that timeframe. Upon Stevenson’s return, he’ll certainly impact Henderson’s workload, but it would be coaching malpractice if the veteran slides back into the lead role.
10. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers
Rico Dowdle has firmly solidified himself as the lead back in Carolina, which has relegated Hubbard to an overqualified backup assignment. Unless Dowdle sustains an injury or falters, Hubbard’s dream-team value exists solely as a one-injury-away stash. He isn’t seeing sufficient touches to be utilized as a flex alternative.
Just missed the top 10
Backups turned temporary starters with RB2/RB3 value
-
Rachaad White, Buccaneers
Backups with RB3/Flex potential
-
Michael Carter, Cardinals
Rookie backups to stash
-
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders
Backups with Flex potential
-
Ollie Gordon II, Dolphins
-
Jeremy McNichols, Commanders
Backups with injuries
Backups to stash in deep leagues
-
Trayveon Williams, Chargers
