Fantasy football insurance is a tricky animal.
On one hand, you want to protect yourself from injuries by warehousing your star player's backup.
On the other hand, the opportunity cost of expending that roster spot could cost you a valuable waiver pickup.
The fact is insurance is a valuable tool if used correctly.
Some backups are very good players, while others are not. In the event of an injury, some would be positioned for a clear path to a large share of touches, while others would see only a slight uptick in work. When evaluating insurance, the best game plan is to select players with high ceilings should the player ahead of them on the depth chart miss time.
For example, if Dalvin Cook goes down, Alexander Mattison would handle a feature back role in Minnesota and would be in the RB1 discussion. If Najee Harris goes down, however, some combination of Benny Snell Jr., Anthony McFarland Jr., Jeremy McNichols and perhaps Mataeo Durant would share touches, and none would be a clear fantasy starter. If you selected Harris and not Cook, don't cross Mattison off your draft board and force a dart throw at Snell. Pick the guy who can win you a league championship, not a player who would barely be worth flex consideration.
Below is an examination of the 2022 running back insurance landscape, with a 1-to-32 ranking of the top RB backups for each team, as well as some thoughts on how the backfield might look if the starter goes down.
For updated insurance information and advice throughout the season, be sure to keep up with our fantasy depth charts.
Running back insurance rankings
1. Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings (RB1 if Dalvin Cook)
Mattison is the top insurance back in fantasy football, and you have to look no further than the 2021 season for the evidence. Cook missed four games (none consecutively), and Mattison produced 518 yards and three touchdowns in his place. No running back had more fantasy points during those four weeks. Minnesota is expected to pass more under new coach Kevin O'Connell, but Mattison has proven effective as both a rusher and receiver and likely would defer only a handful of touches to Kene Nwangwu and perhaps rookie Ty Chandler. The 24-year-old would be a no-brainer RB1.
2. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys (RB1 if Ezekiel Elliott is out)
Elliott was one of only 12 tailbacks who was active for all 17 regular-season games last season, so we didn't get a look at Pollard as the lead back. He was terrific in his situational role, though, posting top-five rankings in YPC (5.5) and YAC (2.7), as well as top-10 marks in catch rate (87%) and YPT (7.5). Elliott has missed one game since Pollard was drafted -- Week 15 in 2020. In that game, Pollard played 90% of the snaps, racked up 12 carries and a career-high nine targets and produced 132 yards and two scores. If the overworked 27-year-old Elliott misses time, Pollard would be a feature back and lineup lock.
3. Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns (RB1 if Nick Chubb is out)
Hunt topped this list last season, and you could make a case that he should be No. 1 this time around, as well. After all, he was fantasy's No. 13 RB in 2020 and No. 11 in 2021 during weeks with Nick Chubb active. Hunt, who owns an NFL-best 2.4 YAC since he was drafted, was fully healthy for only six games last season, which opened the door for D'Ernest Johnson's emergence. Should Chubb miss time, Hunt would figure to play a slightly increased role as a runner, with Johnson -- and perhaps Demetric Felton and rookie Jerome Ford -- also involved. Regardless, Hunt would surely leap into the RB1 mix.
4. AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers (RB1 if Aaron Jones is out)
Jones missed one game last season, which allowed Dillon career-high showings in snap share (74%) and targets (six). Dillon produced 97 yards on 17 touches in the game. It hasn't been shocking to see the 247-pounder handling a big chunk of Green Bay's carries (20th at RB in the category last season), but it has been a pleasant surprise to see his prowess as a receiver (second-best catch rate and YPT in 2021). With Kylin Hill and Patrick Taylor as his top competition, Dillon would be a feature back and would leap into the top-12 mix if the 27-year-old Jones were to miss time.
5. Melvin Gordon III, Denver Broncos (RB1 if Javonte Williams is out)
Williams and Gordon split the Denver backfield workload right down the middle last season, and the two combined for only one missed game. With Gordon out in Week 13, Williams exploded for 178 yards and a score on 29 touches. Granted, Denver has a new coaching staff (and quarterback in Russell Wilson), but if Williams (who figures to play a larger role in his second season) is sidelined, that Week 13 example gives us an idea of what kind of ceiling the temporary lead back could have. Gordon is now 29 years old, but he played well last season (sixth straight season with more than 900 scrimmage yards) and, with Mike Boone as his only competition for work, he'd surely be on the RB1 radar if called on to start.
6. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars (RB2 if James Robinson is out)
Etienne is an interesting one, as he's already operating as his team's No. 1 back while Robinson continues his recovery from last season's torn Achilles. Robinson is a strong bet for some missed early-season action and/or limited early-season production. Of course, even as well as Robinson has played during his first two seasons, it's possible Etienne -- the 25th overall pick of the 2021 draft -- will emerge as the team's top back regardless. Prior to missing his entire rookie season because of a foot injury, Etienne put up 6,107 yards and 78 TDs, along with elite efficiency, during his time at Clemson. He is expected to be a major factor in the pass game and will be an RB2 with upside when Robinson is out.
7. Darrell Henderson Jr., Los Angeles Rams (RB2 if Cam Akers is out)
We got an extended look at this scenario last season after Akers tore an Achilles during offseason activities. Henderson opened the season as the team's lead back and was producing solid RB2 numbers while playing nearly three-quarters of the snaps. He ended up suffering an injury of his own, however, and missed a majority of the rest of the season. Henderson has been effective, and the Rams' offense is very good, so he'd again be in the RB2 mix should Akers miss more time. That said, it's possible he'll have more competition with Xavier Jones and rookie Kyren Williams now in the fold.
8. Michael Carter, New York Jets (RB2 if Breece Hall is out)
Earlier this offseason, Carter had the look of a potential 2022 breakout player, but that was put to bed by the selection of Hall in the second round of April's draft. Carter -- a 2021 fourth-round pick -- flashed his upside with a 172-yard showing on 24 touches in Week 8 last season. He is a bit undersized but was trusted with double-digit carries in eight games as a rookie and would presumably reach that mark again -- along with a sizable passing-game role -- in this scenario. That'd be enough work to allow RB2 production.
9. James Cook, Buffalo Bills (RB2 if Devin Singletary is out)
Cook was selected by Buffalo in the second round of April's draft as a backfield solution for the team when in obvious passing situations. Of course, should Singletary miss action, the rookie's top competition for carries would be likes of Duke Johnson or Zack Moss. One or both of them would surely handle some carries, but Cook would figure to push for 10 to 12 totes along with his substantial passing-game work. Cook, who averaged 6.5 YPC and didn't drop a single pass at Georgia, would leap into, at least, the RB2 mix in Buffalo's elite offense.
10. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (RB2 if Damien Harris is out)
The Patriots lean heavily on a running back committee and, considering their Day 3 investments in Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris, that doesn't figure to change in a post-Josh McDaniels world. If Damien Harris is out, Stevenson would step in as the team's primary rusher and goal-line option but would still defer nearly all passing-down work to James White (or, if White is out, likely Strong). Damien Harris was out/limited in four games last season (Weeks 10, 13, 15 and 17), and Stevenson played his largest snap counts those four weeks. In those games, he was on the field for 54% of the offensive snaps, and handled 55% of the carries (18.3 per game) and 6% of the targets (1.5 per game). He was fantasy's No. 6 RB during those weeks (14th in PPG), though super dependent on touchdowns (four) and a nonfactor as a receiver (18 yards). Stevenson would be a stronger RB2 in non-PPR in this scenario but would be a fantasy starter in all formats.
11. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks (RB2 if Rashaad Penny is out)
Chris Carson decided to retire because of a neck injury suffered last season. That means second-round rookie Walker would be the one to launch into a massive role if Penny were to miss time (a likely event considering he has missed 43% of Seattle's games since being drafted). Walker is a fast power back who showed elite rushing efficiency at Michigan State, but he was a near-zero as a receiver. The latter could limit his fantasy upside, especially with Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas in the mix, but it's also possible Walker handles 80% of the team's carries. That'd be enough to place him in the weekly fantasy starter mix.
12. Isaiah Spiller, Los Angeles Chargers (RB2 if Austin Ekeler is out)
The Chargers spent a fourth-round pick on Spiller in April's draft with the hope they've finally found the thunder complement to the lightning that is Ekeler. The 6-foot, 217-pound rookie was a productive and efficient rusher at Texas A&M and has substantial experience as a receiver (99 collegiate targets). Assuming he locks down No. 2 duties, Spiller would be positioned for 17-plus touches per game in the event of an injury to 27-year-old Ekeler. That'd be enough for RB2 production in Los Angeles' elite offense.
13. Darrel Williams, Arizona Cardinals (RB2 if James Conner is out)
As far as "insurance back" success stories go, Williams might have been the best one in 2021. The veteran opened 2021 as Clyde Edwards-Helaire's backup in Kansas City, but injuries around him on the depth chart allowed substantial usage near the goal line (third in carries inside the 5) and in the passing game (top 10 in receptions and receiving yards among RBs). Williams ended up 19th among backs in fantasy points. Conner's durability has been a problem throughout his career, and Williams' competition for touches would be the likes of Eno Benjamin and rookie Keaontay Ingram. In this scenario, Williams would launch back into the RB2 discussion.
14. Nyheim Hines, Indianapolis Colts (RB2 if Jonathan Taylor is out)
This might seem low for Taylor's backup, but Hines is 5-foot-8, 198 pounds and has never cleared 89 carries in a single season. In fact, he has reached double-digit carries in four of 65 career games. The passing-down specialist would handle a few extra carries in this scenario, which would be enough to consider him a top-25 fantasy back, but his role simply wouldn't change enough to allow him a high ceiling. As the roster stands, Phillip Lindsay, Deon Jackson and Ty'Son Williams are the top veteran competition to complement Hines in this scenario.
15. Ronald Jones, Kansas City Chiefs (RB2 if Clyde Edwards-Helaire is out)
It's possible Jones overtakes CEH as Kansas City's lead rusher this season, but we're assuming here that he plays second fiddle out of the gate. Of course, if Jones emerges as lead back (especially if due to an Edwards-Helaire injury), he'd be positioned for 15-plus carries and a handful of targets in one of the league's best offenses. Jones would've been higher on this list a month ago, but the Chiefs re-signed Jerick McKinnon, who is an interesting wild card in this backfield. When we last saw the Chiefs, McKinnon was the feature back, totaling 48 touches for 315 yards during three playoff games. We might be looking at a two- or three-headed committee here all season long, which limits the fantasy appeal of all three backs.
16. Khalil Herbert, Chicago Bears (RB2 if David Montgomery is out)
Montgomery missed four games last season and, after splitting backfield snaps down the middle with Damien Williams in Week 6, Herbert took complete control during Weeks 7-9. The 2021 sixth-round pick carried the ball at least 18 times and produced at least 72 rushing yards in all four games, though he was limited to 44 receiving yards on 10 targets. Herbert delivered mid- to back-end RB2 fantasy output those weeks and, considering his chief competition for touches is Darrynton Evans and rookie Trestan Ebner, we should expect something similar in the same scenario in 2022.
17. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Flex if Leonard Fournette is out)
White has been one of the offseason's most-hyped rookies, with his ADP flirting with the single-digit rounds in 12-team leagues. It's a bit much for a third-round pick (the track record isn't great for rookies in this category) who is clearly competing for a backup/situational role behind a feature back. Sure, White will be a hot commodity if Fournette misses time, but keep in mind that he'd likely be sharing work with 2020 third-round pick Ke'Shawn Vaughn, as well as veteran Giovani Bernard, who was re-signed during the offseason. In this scenario, White and Vaughn would need to be rostered and figure to flirt with flex value. White's passing-down ability makes him the more appealing add/hold.
18. Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions (Flex if D'Andre Swift is out)
There were three games last season in which Swift was out (or left early) and Williams was also active. During those outings, Williams posted rushing lines of 15-65-0, 17-71-0 and 19-77-0, while adding a total of 27 yards on six catches. That was some respectable rushing volume, but his role progressively decreased as depth backs Craig Reynolds and Godwin Igwebuike ate into his workload, especially in passing situations. Williams' role would expand with Swift sidelined, but the 27-year-old career situational back would remain in a committee and limited to the flex discussion.
19. Mark Ingram II, New Orleans Saints (Flex if Alvin Kamara is out)
It's rare to see a 32-year-old running back on an NFL roster these days, but Ingram is holding steady as Kamara's backup. It could prove an especially significant role this season with Kamara facing a potential multigame suspension. Ingram stepped in as the team's clear lead back for the two games Kamara was out last season (Weeks 10-11). He played a hefty 79% of the snaps and reached 18 touches and 108 yards in both games, but then missed Week 12 and was limited in his final three appearances. Ingram's ceiling is a bit limited at his age, but he could see 15 or so touches in this scenario, which would launch him into the flex mix.
20. Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens (Flex if J.K. Dobbins is out)
Same as Dobbins, Edwards missed all of 2021 due to injury, but he's expected to be healthy and busy as a change-of-pace runner this season. The 27-year-old owns an excellent career YPC of 5.2 but does nearly all of his damage as a rusher (414 carries) and almost zero as a receiver (18 receptions). In this scenario, Edwards would take the lead for Baltimore as a rusher but would defer passing-down work to the likes of Mike Davis, Tyler Badie and/or Justice Hill. Edwards' ceiling is limited, but he'd have flex value and land in the RB2 mix in non PPR.
21. Dameon Pierce, Houston Texans (Flex if Marlon Mack is out)
Houston appears likely to open the season with Mack as its lead rusher and with veteran Rex Burkhead plenty involved. That might mean a limited early-career role for Pierce, but the fourth-round rookie has three-down ability despite a limited collegiate workload. Should oft-injured Mack miss time, Pierce would vault into a substantial role. At the least, he'd land on the flex radar, but he also sports RB2 upside if he proves an NFL caliber player.
22. Hassan Haskins, Tennessee Titans (Flex if Derrick Henry is out)
The No. 2 RB gig in Tennessee is especially intriguing this year with Henry entering his age-28 campaign and after we saw Tennessee stick with the run while its lead back was out last season. Enter 228-pound fourth-round rookie Haskins, who is the de facto replacement for the departed D'Onta Foreman as competition for Dontrell Hilliard behind Henry. If Henry is out, expect both to share the backfield, though Haskins is the favorite for a bulk of the carries and goal-line work. Haskins, who never fumbled on 476 touches in college, would be very limited as a receiver, but the rushing workload would, at least, land him in the flex mix.
23. Kenneth Gainwell, Philadelphia Eagles (Flex if Miles Sanders is out)
Gainwell showed fairly well as a fifth-round rookie last season, but even when Sanders was out, the 191-pound back generally operated in a committee with the likes of Boston Scott and Jordan Howard. In fact, he never cleared a 51% snap share in a single game and was above 40% in one meaningful game. Considering Gainwell's frame, we should expect similar deployment this season if Sanders is out. Scott remains on the roster, and the past few seasons suggest a big back will be added to the roster, as well (Howard remains a free agent). Gainwell might struggle for consistent RB2 production even if called on to start.
24. Tyrion Davis-Price, San Francisco 49ers (Flex if Elijah Mitchell is out)
The 49ers found a diamond in the rough with Mitchell in the sixth round last season, but that didn't stop them from spending a Day 2 pick on a back for the second year in a row. Third-round rookie Davis-Price doesn't figure to see the field much early on in his career (he's only 21 years old after all), but if Mitchell misses time, he'd certainly get an extended look. The reason he's this low, of course, is that the 49ers lean on a committee and Jeff Wilson Jr., 2021 third-round pick Trey Sermon and receiving specialist JaMycal Hasty remain on the roster (not to mention FB Kyle Juszczyk).
25. Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders (Flex if Antonio Gibson is out)
Washington is expected to use three backs this season, with Gibson the lead rusher (especially between the 20s), J.D. McKissic an oft-utilized passing-game target and third-round rookie Robinson a 225-pound short-yardage and goal-line option. Remove Gibson from the mix and Robinson, who had 271 carries at Alabama in 2021, would work as the primary rusher and goal-line back, with McKissic adding a few carries to his workload. In that scenario, both backs would be in the flex mix with a shot to flirt with RB2 numbers.
26. Kenyan Drake, Las Vegas Raiders (Flex if Josh Jacobs is out)
The Raiders are under new leadership with Josh McDaniels in as head coach. This is expected to lead to more of a backfield committee approach, though Jacobs will surely still operate as lead back. Of course, if he's out, the likes of Drake, fourth-round rookie Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah would be candidates for touches. Drake's résumé includes stretches as a primary rusher and as a receiving specialist, but he's 28 years old and was limited to only 93 touches last season. In this scenario, he'd see a boost in work, but power back White very well could emerge as the top between-the-tackles and goal-line option. Drake and White should both be rostered and would be on the flex radar.
27. Sony Michel, Miami Dolphins (Flex if Raheem Mostert is out)
Miami is expected to see a two- or three-headed backfield committee this season, with Chase Edmonds the primary receiver and the likes of Mostert and Michel handling a majority of the carries (Myles Gaskin is also on the roster). If top fantasy option Edmonds misses time, Gaskin would presumably slide into the top passing-down role and would be a fine PPR bench add. If Mostert misses time (a good bet considering he's 30 years old and has cleared 11 games in a regular season once), Michel would step in as the team's primary ball carrier. Michel, who averaged 21.3 carries and 3.3 targets per game during a six-game stretch for the Super Bowl champion Rams last season, would see enough work to find his way to the flex (if not RB2) mix.
28. Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons (Add to bench if Cordarrelle Patterson is out)
The Falcons' RB depth chart is wide open, and it's possible fifth-round rookie Allgeier leads this team in carries as early as Week 1. Of course, Patterson is expected to remain the leader of an inevitable committee and will especially be featured in passing situations. Should the 31-year-old miss time, the 224-pound Allgeier wouldn't face a ton of competition for work (30-year-old Damien Williams, Qadree Ollison, converted cornerback Avery Williams). At the very least, the rookie would be worth a bench spot.
29. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (Add to bench if Christian McCaffrey is out)
I listed McCaffrey's incumbent backup here (Hubbard), but Carolina signed D'Onta Foreman during the offseason and he's very much in the race for No. 2 duties. Hubbard was competent in place of McCaffrey last season, though his role was reduced in favor of Ameer Abdullah in the second half of the season. Power back Foreman, meanwhile, showed well in place of Derrick Henry in Tennessee. The likely outcome would be a two-headed committee with Foreman and Hubbard, which would reduce both to uninspiring fringe flex options.
30. Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals (Add to bench if Joe Mixon is out)
This will seem low for a backfield that delivered the No. 4 fantasy RB last season, but the team would surely lean on a committee if Mixon were sidelined. Perine is listed here because he's the incumbent No. 2 back, having racked up 82 touches off the bench last season. Chris Evans, a 2021 sixth-round pick, was limited to 32 touches as a rookie (11 in a meaningless Week 18 game), but has upside as a receiving specialist. If Mixon misses time, expect Perine and Evans to split touches, perhaps with some Trayveon Williams involvement.
31. Matt Breida, New York Giants (Add to bench if Saquon Barkley is out)
As rosters stand, the Giants might be weakest in the league in the RB depth department. Breida is known for his speed, but he has been used as a depth/change-of-pace back during stops with San Francisco, Miami and Buffalo. The Giants seem likely to add another back, but if they don't, 27-year-old Breida would be on the flex radar as the leader of a backfield with no other established backs (Gary Brightwell and Antonio Williams are next up). There wouldn't be much fantasy upside, but 15 touches would be in range and volume is, of course, king.
32. Benny Snell Jr., Pittsburgh Steelers (Add to bench if Najee Harris is out)
Harris did not miss a game and played 83.5% of the snaps during an impressive rookie season, which limited his backups to a total of 184 snaps. Snell (107 snaps) was second in line most of the season but lost work to Kalen Ballage (62) at times. Ballage is a free agent, so as the roster stands, a Harris injury would lead to a committee featuring some combination of Snell, Anthony McFarland Jr., Jeremy McNichols and hyped UDFA rookie Mataeo Durant. None are likely to be solid fantasy options, especially behind a shaky offensive line.