NFL Analysis
12/6/24
11 min read
Ranking NFL's 10 Best Insurance Backs In League Today
The NFL is in the midst of a running back revival. Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry already have more than 1,400 rushing yards, and we should see another dozen or so ball-carriers break the 1,000-yard mark in the season's final five weeks of action. These are the household stars who are carrying your fantasy teams and have a significant cache.
But we should remember the best insurance backs who provide help behind the stars. The best backup rushers can be efficient, explosive alternates who can swing a game on a handful of snaps. We've done the work to see which backups blend reliability and explosiveness and who can start if needed.
Each of the top 10 best backup running backs has a unique skill set that allows them to be an overqualified insurance policy or an elite change-of-pace presence.
Top 10 Backup NFL Running Backs
There are so many good backups that we had to include a few more who fell just outside of our initial list.
Honorable Mentions
- Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers
- Audric Estime, Denver Broncos
- Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
- Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills
- Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers
10. Jaleel McLaughlin, Denver Broncos 
Stats: 80 carries, 367 yards, 1 TDs
Denver uses Jaleel McLaughlin specifically as a change-of-pace back, but Sean Payton has mastered maximizing the diminutive presence. Averaging an impressive five yards per carry and 4.3 yards per reception in his first two seasons, no better backup is a bigger threat on screens and designed space plays. Even as his 2024 numbers have dipped, his rookie season showcased a unique skill set.
McLaughlin has been coming on more lately as Bo Nix has commanded more respect from defenses. He's averaged at least 4.8 yards per carry in six of his last eight games, overcoming a slow start to the year. Payton has likely been too methodical with McLaughlin instead of trusting him with more snaps, as he's had only one reception during the last month.
When he's been inserted as the primary back, McLaughlin has outperformed expectations. He set a season-high with 84 yards against Cleveland last week. Hopefully, we'll continue to see an expanded role for McLaughlin and see whether he can be more than a guy who handles only a few touches a game.
9. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns
Stats: 70 carries, 339 yards, 1 TDs
Nick Chubb's return and the addition of Jameis Winston have brought more balance to the Cleveland Browns' offense. Jerome Ford was underqualified to be a full-time starter behind a battered offensive line in 2023, and his efficiency has skyrocketed this season. A speedster best served to benefit from spacing, the Browns have found that Ford creates opportunities and missed tackles when given some wiggle room.
Ranking 10th in yards created per touch, 30th in yards per reception, 14th in juke rate, and boasting the sixth-highest carry rate from shotgun, Ford is perfect as a third-down option. Spread offenses trying to move the ball downfield quickly benefit from his ability to win 1-on-1.
What limits Ford is his lack of reliable pass-blocking, ranking 38th in the NFL among backs in PFF grade. His smaller stature is part of this, but he also doesn't consistently take on the most prescient threat to the quarterback. Nevertheless, his value as a runner against light boxes and when matched up against linebackers as a receiver is significant.
Antonio Gibson's 4 explosive runs vs Indy were the most for a #Patriots RB since Mondre in Wk 1
— Taylor Kyles (@tkyles39) December 3, 2024
1 was his TD, and the others were OZ runs behind Trey Jacobs and the right side w/ assists at the 2nd level
Gibson brings a different blend of speed and elusiveness to the backfield https://t.co/oxJHvzRmrL pic.twitter.com/pY3rEETOZN
8. Antonio Gibson, New England Patriots
Stats: 79 carries, 373 yards, 1 TDs
Similarly to Ford, Antonio Gibson has become more efficient as his role has evolved. No longer a lead back, Gibson has thrived in New England this season, tying his career-high with 4.7 yards per carry. While his receptions are way down, we know he's a capable player in space and is probably at his best as a receiver.
That's on the Patriots for not maximizing that part of his game. But with the eighth-best yards per touch and the fact he has some of the least advantageous situational play-calling in the league because of New England's abysmal playmaker corps, it's not hard to see that Gibson is a solid player who has benefitted from fewer dive plays directly into the teeth of a defense.
As with Ford, Gibson is not a well-rated pass-blocker and has limitations as a between-the-tackle runner. However, we're almost on the list of backups who are decent starters.
7. Devin Singletary, New York Giants
Stats: 87 carries, 349 yards, 3 TDs
After five straight seasons with at least 956 total yards from scrimmage, this will be the first year since Devin Singletary fails to reach that milestone. Whether it's the fact that Singeltary turned 27 this year, a notable birthday for running backs, or how bad the New York Giants offensive line is, it's been a tough year.
Nevertheless, the advanced metrics and film show that Singletary still has the juice to dart past defenders. He's never been a power threat, and his shifty nature is problematic in tight spaces. The issue is that New York can't even produce those situations, and Tyrone Tracy is outright better at handling contact.
Ranking ninth in juke rate and 30th in evaded tackles, Singletary is a third-down nightmare as a slasher against light boxes and as a receiver.
6. Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders
Stats: 74 carries, 355 yards, 4 TDs
It looked like Austin Ekeler might've been done playing football at the end of the 2023 season. His signature quickness was zapped and manifested into a sudden drop in efficiency in the run game. Whatever changed this offseason, the Washington Commanders look like geniuses for picking Ekeler up out of free agency.
Averaging the best yards-per-carry rate since his first two seasons, Ekeler has been the perfect backup to Brian Robinson Jr. Jayden Daniels has demanded all eyes from defenses, which has boosted the performance of the offensive line, and that has trickled over to the backs. It's not just an accident that Ekeler is playing like it's his prime once again.
Of course, it is in a smaller role. His efficiency has been remarkable, though. He's above career averages in rushing success rate (51.4 percent), yards per carry (4.8), and yards per reception (10.5).
Hopefully, we'll see Ekeler back on the field this season after he sustained a frightening concussion against the Dallas Cowboys two weeks ago.
5. Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
Stats: 93 carries, 445 yards, 2 TDs
One of the talking points about whether Atlanta should've drafted Bijan Robinson in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft had to do with Tyler Allgeier's presence. After breaking out with a 1,000-yard rookie season, Robinson's arrival made Allgeier one of the league's top backups. Last year was a down campaign as a rusher, but this year has seen the return of Allgeier efficiently beating up defenses with his pulverizing style.
A whopping 341 of his 445 yards have come after contact, establishing Allgeier as an elite power presence. His low center of gravity and agile feet create tough tackling angles. Almost one-third of his carries end up with a first down and a missed tackle forced.
Though he doesn't catch the ball often, he has averaged a catch per game throughout his career. Allgeier has been efficient when targeted. Despite his size, though, Allgeier is a non-factor in pass protection.
shocking how much better of a runner Tank Bigsby looked than Travis Etienne in Week 1
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) September 10, 2024
Tank created explosives. Forced missed tackles. Etienne bumped into his blockers. And then when he found an alley, he fumbled into the endzone.
(it's just one week) pic.twitter.com/zWG4dM0qSf
4. Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars
Stats: 102 carries, 547 yards, 4 TDs
Tank Bigsby is right on the edge of passing Travis Etienne as the starter in Jacksonville, but it seems as though the draft capital the franchise invested into Etienne has influenced his role. On the field, Bigsby is clearly the better player. His improvement has been rewarded in recent weeks, as Bigsby has played at least 45 percent of snaps in four of the last five games.
Averaging 5.4 yards per carry and totaling four touchdowns, Bigsby is a dynamic presence who deserves to be a starter in the NFL. He's racked up four games with at least 73 yards, and the others where he fell short had eight or fewer carries. Moving forward, Jacksonville has to change his low total of touches.
With elite marks in explosive rating (fifth), juke rate (third), yards per touch (seventh), and yards created per touch (eighth), Bigsby is ripe for a massive breakout next year as the teams clear RB1. He's the best-suited backup to emerge as a star top back.
3. Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers
Stats: 153 carries, 789 yards, 3 TDs
There's no question that every running back gets a boost from playing in Kyle Shanahan's scheme compared to any other run-of-the-mill offense. Jordan Mason is the latest young back who has outperformed expectations as an undrafted free agent from Georgia Tech. Mason had a good collegiate career, totaling 2,349 yards and 17 touchdowns, but he's been even better with the 49ers.
The 225-pounder has filled in admirably for Christian McCaffrey throughout this season. He's on pace for 1,000 yards in 2024, but we'll have to see if this injured reserve stint ends his campaign before he can get there. Regardless of the outcome, Mason has been one of the best backs in the NFL in his unexpected opportunity.
Although Mason is a poor pass-blocker (rated 43rd), and his yards created per touch (30th) defy his 10th-best yards per-touch average, there's value to someone who excels at taking what's in front of them. He's incredibly effective when San Francisco is running from under center, making Mason a bit of a throwback option.
BAKER WITH THE DOWNFIELD BLOCK!!
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) November 24, 2024
Bucky Irving career long 56-yard run with Baker’s help pic.twitter.com/IBvJN5M13y
2. Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Stats: 133 carries, 732 yards, 6 TDs
The NFL was down on the 2024 rookie running back class as a whole, and Bucky Irving fell to Day 3 in a class where he was clearly a top-100 talent coming out of Oregon. Lightning-quick with a low center of gravity, Irving was hyper-efficient and explosive despite not boasting tremendous long speed or size. Tampa Bay took a flier on the 195-pounder and is now reaping major rewards.
Irving is taking over the backfield from Rachaad White in recent weeks, logging just over half the snaps in back-to-back games. With 240 rushing yards and 97 receiving yards in that span, we're seeing real-time growth leading to bigger opportunities. The Buccaneers can only keep Irving off the field for a short time.
Averaging 5.5 yards per carry and 8.1 yards per reception, Irving will enter 2025 as one of the best breakout candidates across the league. He's a consensus top 15 back in all advanced metrics despite having a limited workload until November.
1. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions
Stats: 166 carries, 720 yards, 11 TDs
The most familiar name on this list for most NFL fans is also the best RB2. David Montgomery was a solid starter in Chicago before coming to Detroit, and he's only recently ceded control of the backfield to Jahmyr Gibbs. The tandem is stellar, perfectly replicating the idea of thunder and lightning, even if Montgomery has explosiveness as a receiver.
Consistency is Montgomery's superpower. He's reliably good at reading holes, maximizing what's available to him, and avoiding negative plays. He's also one of the better receivers at the position, averaging 10.3 yards per catch this season.
A red zone vulture who can power through crowded lanes and fall forward as well as anyone not named Derrick Henry, Montgomery brings tremendous value to the Lions.
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