The NFL is continuously changing, and there’s no better evidence of that than the running back position. The day of workhorse running backs has steadily been passing, with more and more teams opting to use multiple backs in one backfield.
That trend has led to the devaluation of running backs in fantasy football. While the Saquon Barkleys and Bijan Robinsons of the world remain atop fantasy boards, the middle rounds of drafts have been hollowed out when it comes to running backs.
With this trend though, there comes the opportunity to find diamonds in the rough. Hero running back builds are great, but almost all leagues require more than one starting running back. Finding value in the mid-late rounds of your drafts is increasingly important.
Below, I outline the split backfields that offer upside for your fantasy roster. With how cheap these backs are, I’m going to be taking my shot on multiple of them in almost every draft I do. With split backfields come immense upside with injury contingency or young breakouts. We’re aiming for the next Chase Brown or Bucky Irving here and only using rounds 8-12 picks to do it!
All Average Draft Position (ADP) numbers are based on Underdog Fantasy rankings, which offers the best up-to-date look at where real people are selecting these players.
Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson Jr. - ADP RB30
Austin Ekeler - ADP RB49
The Commanders were one of the most exciting surprise offenses of 2024. Quarterback Jayden Daniels had arguably the best rookie season in NFL history as the team made a run all the way to the NFCCG. Much of their offense was driven by the running game, yet their top-drafted running back is going as the RB30 currently.
A team that finished 3rd in rushing yards and 4th in rushing touchdowns a year ago shouldn’t have their top back being drafted so late. There’s reason to believe the Commanders rushing game could take a step forward in 2025 as well. The team traded for star left tackle Laremy Tunsil and drafted Josh Conerly in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to play right tackle.
This backfield split is different than the others I highlight in this article. Austin Ekeler is going 19 spots behind Brian Robinson in positional ADP. That’s the largest difference between the RB1 and RB2 of any team on this list. With the Commanders, I think it’s very likely both running backs well outperform their draft spot.
Both Robinson and Ekeler are currently being drafted behind where they finished last year, despite missing a combined 8 games. Robinson’s soft tissue injuries also clearly hampered his ability on the field later in the season.
The only competition the Commanders added this offseason was a 7th round pick in Jacory Croskey-Merritt. There have been very few running backs selected as late as Croskey-Merritt that have made a real impact, so I’m betting heavily on Robinson and Ekeler leading the backfield again in 2025. Even if the improved offensive unit repeats their 2025 output, both Ekeler and Robinson should well outplay their ADP.
Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard - ADP RB28
Tyjae Spears - ADP RB41
In 2024, Tony Pollard well outpaced his current ADP, finishing as the RB21. Tyjae Spears, despite missing 5 games, still finished just behind his current ADP as the RB43. Given the improvements around the running back room, it’s hard to see why expectations would be worse for those two heading into 2025.
It was very clear early in the 2024 season that quarterback Will Levis is not an NFL talent. He has ample physical skills, but his processing is simply not at the level needed to even be a successful backup in the NFL. The Titan were 2nd in the NFL in interceptions and finished 27th in points scored.
While first-overall pick Cam Ward likely won’t lead the Titans to be a top 5 offense, even a move towards average in terms of scoring would give the Titans backfield a lot more scoring opportunities and prevent defenses from stacking the box. Ward is one of those older prospects coming out of college that we’ve recently see thrive at the quarterback position early on.
Both Pollard and Spears are skilled backs, but a poor situation has held them back. Given their very low ADP, it’s also possible for each to surpass ADP while splitting the backfield. The real home run here, though, is if one of these backs truly separates, or if there is an injury. In that case, we could see either of these backs among the league-winner category come the fantasy playoffs.
Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones - ADP RB29
Jordan Mason - ADP RB31
The Vikings finished 2025 ranked 29th in rushing touchdowns with only 9 scores. That’s despite finishing closer to the middle of the pack in rushing yardage. It’s likely that Minnesota is due for some positive regression in rushing touchdowns.
The Vikings also made it a priority to bolster their interior offensive live this offseason and added National Championship winning guard Donovan Jackson in the 1st round of the 2025 NFL Draft as well as signing guard Will Fries, who had the 6th highest PFF run blocking grade among guards in 2024.
Despite the holes on the offensive line in Minnesota, Aaron Jones managed 1,546 total yards on decent efficiency. While the addition of Jordan Mason means Jones likely won’t repeat his volume of 306 total touches, a positive regression in touchdowns and added efficiency from a lower workload should keep him well above RB29 after finishing as the RB16 last year.
That is, unless Mason proves he is a bonafide starter in the NFL. While Kyle Shannahan is known for implementing very good rushing schemes, the 49ers had a very banged up team last year, including the offensive line. Despite that, he still managed to average an incredible 5.2 yards per carry.
While it’s certainly possible that both of these backs could surpass their ADP splitting the backfield, the real upside here is if one of the backs truly outshines the other. Due to Jones’ age and injury history, I think the upside lies with Mason, but it’s entirely possible that Mason can’t replicate his efficiency from the 49ers system, and Jones has already proven himself to the Vikings staff.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Etienne - ADP RB33
Bhayshul Tuten - ADP RB42
Tank Bigsby - ADP RB50
2024 saw the Jaguars evenly split the backfield between Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby. They alternated who received more carries each game, while Etienne took on the passing work and Bigsby was used on the goal line.
In 2025, that backfield has been further muddied by the addition of the explosive rookie Bhayshul Tuten. Why is this one of my top split backfields to target then? Because people are drafting them as if they’ll split touches three ways.
It’s very rare to see a true 3-way split backfield in the NFL, and I don’t expect that to be the case for the Jaguars in 2025. Bigbsy and Etienne finished as RB32 and RB36 last season, despite the Jacksonville offense ranking 26th in the league. With quarterback Trevor Lawrence back healthy, and a young innovative offensive mind now leading the team, things should turn around.
While I think he’s being overrated for fantasy this season, the Jaguars clearly found a stud at receiver in Brian Thomas Jr., but they also went and added the top wide receiver in the 2025 class in Travis Hunter. Even Dyami Brown, who is rising up fantasy boards, offers help to this offense. While they lost Evan Engram and Christian Kirk in free agency, both veterans missed the entirety of the 2nd half of the season last year already.
With a stronger offensive unit leading to more scoring opportunities, I think we’ll see whichever two of these backs win the jobs in camp finishing as high-end RB3s, or even sneaking into the low-end RB2 category.
Now the question is which two it will be. Tuten is the fastest back in the class and has the big-play potential to be a great option in fantasy. Bigsby took over the goal-line role last year and an improved offense would likely benefit him the most if he stays in that role. Etienne finished as the RB3 overall just two seasons ago and is a solid pass-catcher.
With Etienne being the most expensive in drafts, in the final year of his deal, and his disappointing efficiency two years in a row, I believe he is the odd man out in this backfield. I think Tuten will show in camp that he offers the big-play ability that Etienne doesn’t and earn his role.
New York Giants
Tyrone Tracy Jr. - ADP RB34
Cam Skattebo - ADP RB35
Tyrone Tracy may be one of the most underrated backs following the 2025 NFL Draft. Tracy managed to average 4.4 yards per carry despite the fact the Giants were missing their top lineman in Andrew Thomas almost the entire time Tracy was the team’s starter. He also averaged a solid 7.5 yards per reception on 38 catches.
Last year was only Tracy’s second as a running back after converting from receiver his final college season. There’s still plenty of room for growth for Tracy, especially with the return of Thomas to anchor the offensive line and improved quarterback play in 2025.
The Giants waited until the 4th round to add a running back in the 2025 NFL Draft. Historically, 4th round running backs are rarely successful in the NFL. Cam Skattebo, though, has rightfully won over a lot of fans with his play in college at Arizona State, and in such a deep running back class, the 4th round could still be considered a strong pick.
While he’s a fun player to cheer for, he doesn’t have the agility, speed, or elusiveness to be a three-down back in the NFL. Instead, he’ll likely be used as a goal-line back and early-down rusher.
I don’t see Skattebo as someone that can take over a backfield, so Tracy is my pick between the two, but you can’t ignore Skattebo’s motor and heart. If there’s anyone that can overcome a lack of physical skills at the running back position, it’s him.
As it stands, I see Tracy leading this backfield in passing work and being able to break off the big plays, while Skattebo could surpass his ADP if this offense does improve and he’s given the goal line work.