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Predicting the fantasy-relevant backfields battles from around the NFL.

Key Fantasy Football Running Back Training Camp Battles to Follow originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

With teams around the NFL back in pads, fantasy football draft season is picking up steam. It's imperative to follow the latest news on training camp positional battles, and we have you covered on the key competitions to keep tabs on over the next few weeks.

Also see: Quarterbacks | Wide receivers | Tight ends

Dallas Cowboys

Javonte Williams vs. Miles Sanders vs. Jaydon Blue vs. Deuce Vaughn

There's a dichotomy to address here in the way these backs will be utilized. Williams and Sanders offer similar skill sets, and the same can be said for Blue and Vaughn. The major difference is the latter pair are not suited to handle the rigors of being a primary back, let alone as a workhorse, and are best deployed as third-down outlets or change-of-pacers.

The RB1 duel comes down to Williams vs. Sanders, and it's plausible the Cowboys don't actually crown a winner in the conventional sense. For fantasy purposes, that would be a disaster if you're banking on either emerging as a clear RB3 selection later this summer. Anyone drafting in the short term will be taking a bit of a guess.

Williams never lived up to the hype in Denver and struggled to regain his explosiveness since a 2022 torn ACL. This is a do-or-die year for him to finally exceed expectations. Likewise, Sanders failed to assert himself in Carolina when he was signed as the presumed No. 1 guy in 2023 free agency. Partly thanks to a high-ankle sprain, his mileage in 2024 read a mere 353 total yards.

Projected result: Smart money is on Williams, 25, getting every opportunity to seize the job and show he's still the versatile back who brings some pop to the ground game that we saw during his UNC collegiate days. Sanders struggled to meet his potential in all but one NFL season to date. While he's fresh and just 28 years old, the best outlook appears to be as late-round fantasy flier should Williams flop. As for Blue and Vaughn, the winner will contend for a handful of touches but are irrelevant for fantasy draft purposes.

Denver Broncos

RJ Harvey vs. J.K. Dobbins vs. Audric Estime vs. Jaleel McLaughlin

Harvey, a second-round rookie, will look to claim the top spot vs. the veteran Dobbins, a one-trick pony with a knack for missing games due to injury. Estime is much closer to Dobbins in his limited offerings as a short-yardage guy, and McLaughlin is a pass-catching outlet with an uphill climb to make the final roster.

Harvey is a capable receiver but really made his name as an explosive rusher at Central Florida over the past two seasons. As usual, rookie running backs get preferential draft treatment in fantasy circles, if for no reason than the position is the easiest to learn on the fly.

Projected result: The addition of Dobbins suggests Harvey won't be asked to shoulder the load, and head coach Sean Payton is no stranger to making fantasy owners negotiate a split backfield. Give Harvey an edge on draft day, especially in PPR scoring, but prepare for what could be a dicey utilization percentage some weeks.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Travis Etienne vs. Tank Bigsby vs. Bhayshul Tuten vs. LeQuint Allen

Look for Etienne to be granted the early nod to prove last year's disaster was not entirely his fault. That doesn't mean head coach Liam Coen will hand him the job, though. Two running backs -- Tuten and Allen -- were drafted, and Bigsby presents a burly bruiser for when tough yards are needed.

Etienne's versatility and pedigree warrant giving him the benefit of the doubt, and there is an elevated chance he dominates the backfield touch split. Much of that comes down to whether he clearly separates himself in camp, particularly from Tuten, who also can do it all. Allen, a final-round draftee, may be the closest of the squad to offering a true three-down back. Whether he gets enough reps in camp to showcase this is to be determined.

Projected result: Lean toward Etienne coming out of camp as the presumed RB1, followed by Tuten having the best chance at realizing his own potential behind the former first-rounder. Bigsby is back-end roster depth but may get overdrafted in more casual leagues. Allen belongs on your watch list for now.

Kansas City Chiefs

Kareem Hunt vs. Elijah Mitchell vs. Brashard Smith

Isiah Pacheco should be treated as the primary ball carrier, and this battle is for the backup role. It's an important fantasy position given Pacheco wasn't able to recapture his explosiveness last year after returning from a fractured ankle. There's a three-way competition between the familiar Hunt, an oft-injured Elijah Mitchell, and seventh-round rookie Brashard Smith.

Hunt offers continuity and system knowledge, though he enters his age-30 season. Mitchell has flashed starter-worthy skills but has been remarkably fragile in his four-year career. Smith, while dynamic, was a late-round pick after all, and he'll need to follow in Pacheco's footsteps to make a case for himself in fantasy.

Projected result: This could come down to Mitchell's performance more than anything. Andy Reid knows what he'll get from Hunt, and he actually is the cheaper cap hit should one of the two get the ax. Smith probably will earn a look on special teams and/or as a practice squader if he doesn't erupt in camp. All four backs should make the roster, but only Pacheco is draftable for now.

Los Angeles Chargers

Najee Harris vs. Omarion Hampton

Harris suffered an eye injury after a July fireworks accident, and he's currently recovering on the active/non-football injury list. There's no expectation at this time that he'll miss Week 1.

His absence allows Hampton to get the lion's share of touches in camp. He is so much more dynamic than Harris, which should work in the North Carolina rookie's favor when both backs are on the field.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman love to lean on the running game, and LA is built to pound the rock if the RBs hold up their end of the deal.

Projected result: Consider this a hot-hand scenario most of the season, with the caveat being if Hampton blows past the plodding Harris early on. There still will be enough touches going Harris' way to annoy Hampton owners, but the rookie absolutely is the back to target of this duo. Handcuffing them is wise.

New England Patriots

Rhamondre Stevenson vs. TreVeyon Henderson vs. Antonio Gibson

The belief here is we'll see Henderson more or less locked into a steady sub-package role, making the true competition between Stevenson and Gibson for traditional two-down work. The latter is far less explosive than Henderson, but his blocking and receiving skills will keep Gibson in the mix should he fail to beat out Stevenson. The linchpin is whether Stevenson can secure the ball after an absurd seven fumbles last year.

Henderson, a second-round pick from Ohio State in April's draft, brings gamebreaking ability to an otherwise boring backfield. He's an unselfish, dual-threat weapon and is used to sharing touches. Josh McDaniels' system has a long history of utilizing this type of back to perfection.

Projected result: Stevenson's versatility and experience should keep him regularly involved, though there's a viable path to Henderson leapfrogging into the RB1 spot as the season wears on. Both he and Henderson will be involved early and often behind this revamped line in Mike Vrabel's smashmouth offense. That said, the rookie was no stranger to injuries in college, so don't entirely write off Gibson just yet.

New York Giants

Devin Singletary vs. Cam Skattebo

Tyrone Tracy Jr. will start the year as New York's primary back and looks to expand on a respectable rookie showing. In 2024, he racked up six scores and 1,123 offensive yards in 17 games while sharing touches with Singletary in a rudderless offense.

Russell Wilson was signed to quarterback the Giants out of the gates, though he could lose his job at some point to Jameis Winston and/or rookie Jaxson Dart, which makes the backfield's long-range outlook shaky.

Tracy won't be tasked with shouldering the load all by himself, which is where this battle matters for fantasy gamers. Singletary looks to fend off rookie Skattebo, a do-all back from Arizona State, and the winner warrants a fantasy bench spot.

Projected result: Skattebo should overtake Singletary with a strong camp as he comes in fresher and is arguably more talented. Target the rookie if you're looking to gamble on a late-round reserve with consequential upside.

Philadelphia Eagles

Will Shipley vs. AJ Dillon

Look, this one is all about which back you should handcuff to Saquon Barkley. Dillon missed all of last year with a neck injury, so rust could be a factor. Shipley wasn't utilized much as a 2024 rookie but failed to distinguish himself with 117 offensive yards on 34 total touches.

Projected result: Barkley's injury history and ridiculous workload last year is disconcerting, and the winner of this battle should be a late-round target. Shipley has a slight edge for the time being, but it's extremely fluid. If Saquon is lost for extended time, multiple backs will fill in.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.

Category: Football