
The 5 Running Backs I'm Betting It ALL On
STACKED extracted the fantasy-relevant player signal from this video and kept the full transcript here for context.
Player insights
Antonio Gibson
There is room for Antonio Gibson to finish as a top-five fantasy football running back under Mike McDaniel's run-heavy scheme with the Chargers.
Insight pageCaleb Johnson
Drafted by the Steelers in the third round as an attempt to replace Jaylen Warren, but the team continues to rely on Warren despite this investment.
Insight pageChris Rodriguez
Positioned as a complement to Ryquell Touton in the Denver Broncos backfield, with potential goal-line work.
Insight pageChris Rodriguez has been ineffective as a pass-catcher in the NFL since 2023, recording only six receptions. Mattek Fantasy Football states he can only be used in obvious rushing situations and cannot be trusted in any other context. Despite being head coach Liam Coen's workhorse running back in college, Rodriguez took a long time to earn playing time with the Washington Commanders, and his fancy metrics are only mediocre.
Insight pageChris Rodriguez has been hilariously bad as a pass catcher in the NFL with only six receptions since 2023, and can only be played in obvious rushing situations.
Insight pageJaylen Warren
Averaged 13.5 fantasy points per game last season and is now positioned to benefit from Aaron Rodgers' check-down tendencies and improved Steelers offense under new coordinator Brian Angelino.
Insight pageCareer 4.5+ yards per carry, above-average rushing yards over expectation, 22%+ juke rate, and 6+ yards per target make him a very good running back positioned for breakout production in the seventh-eighth round.
Insight pageJaylen Warren is one of the five running backs the analyst is betting their entire fantasy season on.
Insight pageJaylen Warren is a second-round pick averaging 13.5 PPG last season despite sharing backfield with Kenneth Gainwell; now shares with Rico Dowdle but benefits from Aaron Rodgers' check-down tendency and improved Steelers offense. Career metrics: 4.5+ yards per carry, above-average rushing yards over expectation, 22%+ juke rate annually, 6+ yards per target. Despite repeated backfield additions (Najee Harris, Gainwell, Caleb Johnson draft pick), Warren consistently returns to production. Seventh-eighth round value in expensive running back market provides bankable production for playoff teams. Mattek Fantasy Football explicitly calls Warren one of the five running backs they are betting their entire season on.
Insight pageJeremy McNichols
Part of a crowded Washington Commanders backfield and is less talented than J'Mycal Hasty Merritt, limiting his upside.
Insight pageJerick McKinnon
Jerick McKinnon is one of the five running backs the analyst is betting their entire fantasy season on.
Insight pageOne of the source's five running backs they are betting their entire season on; explicitly called out as a 'buy' in their redraft strategy.
Insight pageKeaton Mitchell
Keaton Mitchell averages over 6.5 yards per carry for his career and was targeted 12 times last season on a low number of snaps.
Insight pageWith Mike McDaniel as the new offensive coordinator for the Chargers, Keaton Mitchell has significant upside given McDaniel's history of producing elite running back performances like Raheem Mostert's 18 touchdowns and Devon Achane's 997 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns in 11 games.
Insight pageKeaton Mitchell has room to finish as a top-25 fantasy football running back, which is not a popular opinion among other analysts.
Insight pageKeaton Mitchell is the most efficient runner in the NFL and is cheaper than other running backs who won't impact fantasy football, making him one of the analyst's favorite adds in redraft leagues available in the 13th-15th round.
Insight pageMitchell is one of the analyst's favorite adds in redraft leagues, available in the 13th-15th round or potentially undrafted, representing the type of asymmetric risk the analyst wants on their fantasy team.
Insight pageOne of the source's five favorite running back adds in redraft leagues; available in the 13th, 14th, or 15th round and possibly undrafted in home leagues. The source identifies him as the exact type of asymmetric risk pick they want to make. Mitchell averages over 6.5 yards per carry for his career and was targeted 12 times last season on a low number of snaps. The source believes there is room for both Antonio Gibson to finish as a top-five fantasy running back and Mitchell to finish as a top-25 fantasy running back under Mike McDaniel's run-heavy system. Mitchell is described as the most efficient runner in the NFL and explosive; he can produce on limited touches. If the Chargers' run game proves effective and efficient, Mitchell could become the third or fourth highest projected Charger in a given week.
Insight pageKeaton Mitchell averages over 6.5 yards per carry for his career and was targeted 12 times last season on a low number of snaps. He is cheaper than running backs who will not impact fantasy football. Mattek Fantasy Football identifies him as one of their favorite adds in redraft leagues, available in the 13th, 14th, or 15th round, and possibly undrafted in some leagues. Mitchell is the most efficient runner in the NFL and explosive; he can produce on limited touches. The source believes there is room for both Antonio Gibson to finish as a top-five fantasy running back and Keaton Mitchell to finish as a top-25 fantasy running back under Mike McDaniel's run-heavy system, though this is not a popular opinion among other analysts. Mitchell represents asymmetric risk in redraft leagues; he could become the third or fourth highest projected Charger in a given week if the Chargers' run game proves effective and efficient.
Insight pageKenneth Gainwell
Previously shared backfield with Jaylen Warren; now with Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers, will be involved in passing downs despite not being the primary goal-line back.
Insight pageKenneth Walker III
Kenneth Walker is one of the five running backs the analyst is betting their entire fantasy season on.
Insight pageMattek Fantasy Football projects Kenneth Walker to play 65–70% of snaps for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2026 and potentially serve as the primary goal-line weapon (not just goal-line runner). A 20-touchdown season is in play; if he reaches 1,200 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, his receiving numbers are expected to resemble his 2024 averages (4.8 targets per game, 4.2 receptions per game). In 2024, Walker averaged 16 fantasy points per game across 11 games played. The source calls him "basically the single most important running back in fantasy football this year," though he is a second-round pick. Walker's pass-catching role is expected to remain intact despite backup Amari Di Mercado, as the source believes Walker will not have to leave the field on obvious passing downs and distances as much as the market expects. The Chiefs have been 32nd in the NFL three consecutive years in explosive run rate, and Patrick Mahomes is returning from an ACL injury; the source believes Andy Reid will revert to his historical approach of featuring a complementary running back (citing LeSean McCoy, Brian Westbrook, and early-career Kareem Hunt as examples), positioning Walker to benefit from increased offensive opportunity and goal-line touches.
Insight pageAuthor projects Kenneth Walker to play 65-70% of snaps for the Chiefs and believes a 20 touchdown season is in play, with potential to be the primary goal line weapon.
Insight pageIn 2024, Kenneth Walker averaged 16 fantasy points per game over 11 games with 4.8 targets per game and 4.2 receptions per game, demonstrating strong receiving production.
Insight pageAuthor believes Kenneth Walker will not have to leave the field on obvious passing downs as much as the market thinks, suggesting he'll maintain receiving opportunities.
Insight pageAuthor calls Kenneth Walker "basically the single most important running back in fantasy football this year," despite him being a second round pick.
Insight pageMichael Pittman
Added to the Steelers wide receiver group as part of offensive improvements that could elevate the overall offense.
Insight pageNajee Harris
Jaylen Warren has been forced to complement Najee Harris in the Steelers backfield, yet the team keeps returning to Warren despite replacement attempts.
Insight pageRico Dowdle
Joins the Steelers backfield with Mike McCarthy, creating competition for Jaylen Warren despite Warren's superior talent and production history.
Insight pageEpisode Transcript
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