With training camps about to get underway and a 17 week regular season coming, the fragility of the running back position is about to be tested more than ever. We’ve already seen a key RB go down to a season ending injury (prayers up for Cam Akers) and, unfortunately, we very well may see more over the next several weeks. Insulating your fantasy teams with insurance via backups is an ideal move for those savvy managers who want to make not only protect against the injury bug but also find league-winning upside. Consider rostering these rookie RBs at the end of your benches in case of emergency.
Rhamondre Stevenson – New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson is the classic thunder-and-lightning type running back, filling in the former portion of such a duo. A physical grinder, Stevenson possesses an imposing stiff arm much like former Patriots RB LeGarette Blount (who many have comped Stevenson to). Even though Stevenson is a bruising back, he has demonstrated the ability to evade defenders near the line of scrimmage by using his athleticism (e.g., good footwork, solid contact balance, and spin moves).
On the downside, the former Sooner enters the league at age 23 and has not shown enough of a receiving ability (only 28 receptions across two collegiate seasons) to make him a dual-threat back. In his limited 19 game college career, Stevenson did show decent ability to catch the ball and run routes out of the backfield but he’ll likely be pegged as a two-down back in the pros.
Stevenson finds himself on one of the deeper backfields in the NFL and will need to impress Bill Belichick and company in the preseason to see a significant amount of touches in year 1. Damien Harris is the favorite to lead the Patriots RBs in touches this season and Sony Michel is still around. With that said, the Patriots have been known to take the slow approach with their running backs so even if Stevenson doesn’t see the field in his rookie year, he’s a player you should consider stashing as Michel has already shown signs that he may not last very long as a dependable option for New England. Remember, Harris barely saw the field in his rookie year and is now the odds-on favorite to be the Patriots RB1. Even if Stevenson sees a redshirt year in his rookie season, don’t forget that Blount pounded his way to 18 touchdowns for the Patriots in his age 30 season. This gives hope to those rostering Stevenson that he might find himself in a similar role sooner or later.
Elijah Mitchell – San Francisco 49ers
Elijah Mitchell finds himself in a crowded San Francisco backfield with a depth chart to climb but a RB in Kyle Shanahan’s explosive offense is worth a stash in dynasty leagues. Mitchell’s tape from his playing days at Louisiana-Lafayette shows an elusive back who possesses good contact balance and an ability to break arm tackles with ease. Mitchell possesses a knack for finding and hitting holes hard with great burst and acceleration. The former Ragin Cajun has the size you are looking for in an NFL running back (5-10, 201 lbs.) paired with high-end speed, burst, and agility. San Francisco’s current lead back, Raheem Mostert, is known for his world-class speed and ran a 4.42 40. With that said, Mitchell is even faster, clocking a 4.35 40 at his Pro Day (which has been adjusted by Player Profiler to 4.40). As a north-south runner who pounds the rock, Mitchell projects to fit very well in the 49ers run scheme (outside zone and inside zone) given his size and speed.
Shanahan has a knack for turning late round picks and undrafted players into highly productive RBs as seen with Arian Foster, Alfred Morris, and the aforementioned Mostert. Mitchell, a sixth round pick, fits the bill when it comes to sleeper running backs who might become a windfall for fantasy owners if given the opportunity.
Although fellow rookie Trey Sermon and veteran backs Mostert and Wayne Gallman stand in Mitchell’s way, we have already seen Jeff Wilson go down with injury this offseason. Another injury and/or disappointing start with any of the other backs on the 49ers may give Mitchell an opportunity to run away with a spot in the rotation. Even if Mitchell doesnt get an opportunity in his rookie year, Mostert, Gallman, Wilson, and Ja’Mycal Hasty (exclusive rights) will all become free agents after this season leaving Sermon and Mitchell as the only backs under contract.
Chuba Hubbard – Carolina Panthers
Chuba Hubbard is a quick running back with excellent burst. Especially dangerous in open space, Hubbard has the makings of a true gamebreaker with the ability to create big plays and find the end zone. The former All-American from Oklahoma State is also a strong runner and has showcased consistency when it comes to grinding out tough yards. Hubbard has shown he can excel in the red zone by pounding the rock in the trenches while also being able to find open holes and break loose.
Hubbard was considered one of the nation’s top running backs only a couple of years ago, even garnering attention as a Heisman candidate. However, injuries derailed Hubbard’s college career. Hubbard slipped in the NFL Draft and he now finds himself in a precarious landing spot for early production as the Panthers selected him in the fourth round as a backup for Christian McCaffrey. The silver lining is that there is weak competition for the backup role as Reggie Bonnafon and Trenton Cannon are replacement-level players at best.
Hubbard should easily move up the depth chart and in the event of another CMC injury, Chuba would likely see a large workload. Even if McCaffrey stays healthy, it isn’t inconceivable that Carolina would want to manage CMC’s heavy volume in order to preserve his career. If Hubbard didn’t suffer those lingering injuries in college, he would likely have gone earlier in the draft. Hubbard’s ability to return to peak form will make him a steal even as the thunder to McCaffrey’s lightning.
