When you’re doing your Fantasy Football scouting, chances are you don’t spend a lot of time poring over third-string running backs. And, for the most part, you’re probably right to spend your preparation time elsewhere.
That said, there are a handful of third-string running backs that you at least need to keep on your radar. I’m not saying that they’re draftable right now, even in a deep Fantasy League. But you should be ready to pounce on any one of these four in the free agent pool if circumstances start to swing in their direction.
Jaylen Wright, Miami
Wright might start the season as the #4 running back on the Dolphins depth chart. Raheem Mostert is back again after his monster 2023, and De’Von Achane is going in the top 10 among running backs in most Fantasy drafts based on his electric play last year in a small sample. Veteran Jeff Wilson Jr. is also still in the picture, and he knows the system well.
In Wright, however, the Dolphins have, like Achane, a ridiculously athletic back with breakaway speed, which is something this team likes to accumulate. If Achane should get injured, Wright would be a natural fill-in for that position. And, considering Mike McDaniel’s ability to scheme, you can expect him to be in situations that take advantage of his open-field abilities, which would immediately make him a Fantasy factor.
Malik Davis, Dallas
The Cowboys running back room isn’t exactly stacked right now. The decision to let Tony Pollard go without really replacing him with a young up-and-comer means that untested Rico Dowdle and returning hero Ezekiel Elliott are the top two on the depth chart. It wouldn’t take much for somebody to vault past them into a starring role.
Davis received some playing time as a rookie two years ago when Elliott was banged up, and he showed a little bit of spark. After hardly playing last year, he’s back in the mix and apparently ahead of both Deuce Vaughn and Royce Freeman on the Cowboys depth chart. Considering Elliott’s age and Dowdle’s unproven status as a starter, Davis, a sparkplug type of back at 5’9” who hits the hole hard, could certainly end up having a role.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington
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Rodriguez worked his way into the Commanders’ lineup in November last year, although he usually didn’t get more than a handful of touches per game. The former star at Kentucky saved his best game for last, averaging 5.8 yards per carry and running for two touchdowns against the stout Jets defense.
Unfortunately for him, the addition of Austin Ekeler last season sent him back down the depth chart to the third-string level. But the fact that he’s already proven himself in NFL action should give the Commanders confidence in him should they need to dip down below the top two in the pecking order. In fact, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Rodriguez work his way into some sort of rotation at some point, even if the other two guys in front of him remain healthy.
Jordan Mason, San Francisco
This one is a bit tricky because it’s unclear if Mason is the second-string or the third-string running back right now for the Niners. Elijah Mitchell, who has been backing up Christian McCaffrey ever since the superstar’s arrival in San Fran, has missed pretty much the whole preseason, allowing Mason to state his case.
Obviously, both backs are nothing-burgers in Fantasy unless McCaffrey must sit with an injury. When McCaffrey took breathers last year, Mitchell struggled to make anywhere near the same kind of impact on his carries. That could lead to Mason getting more of a look this season and perhaps serving as the handcuff to McCaffrey.
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