5 NFL Backup RBs Most Likely to Make a Major Impact in 2025

Running back is the ficklest of all NFL positions. With the steady decline of the feature back and more teams embracing a platoon approach to their backfields, there is far less year-to-year consistency at the position than there was in previous eras.

That isn't likely to change in 2025, especially with so many youthful prospects chomping at the bit to put their stamp on the league.

Although they may not open the campaign as starters, there should be plenty of opportunities throughout preseason and training camp for these up-and-comers to push for significant playing time.

Regardless of where they start in the pecking order, these five projected backups have game-changing potential and are likely to make a major impact on the 2025 NFL season.

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals

AP Photo/Doug Murray

The Arizona Cardinals have gotten plenty of mileage out of James Conner since signing him in 2021, but it appears it could soon be time for the veteran starter to pass on the torch.

Trey Benson is Conner's heir-apparent, having been waiting in the wings since last season and now looking poised to finally bust out in 2025.

The 22-year-old was a popular breakout candidate following his third-round selection in last year’s draft, but he never moved the needle due to a lack of playing time. Although he was active for 13 contests, he started just one of those games and earned a meager 69 total touches in 2024.

There isn’t a huge body of work to review, but there should be little doubt about Benson’s ability to contribute in a more sizable role.

The Florida State product was incredibly efficient despite a lack of volume last year, posting an impressive 4.6 yards per carry and hauling in every target that came his way for a 9.8 yards per reception average.

While Conner is still the RB1 in Arizona after signing a contract extension in November, injuries been a persistent issue throughout his eight NFL seasons.

He managed to have the healthiest season of his career in 2024—playing in a career-high 16 games—but he missed a total of eight games across the two prior campaigns and has suited up for 14 or more contests just twice since his rookie year.

Benson should have ample opportunity to earn a meaningful amount of work in the Cardinals' platoon this year and is a Conner injury away from becoming a feature back.

Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks

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The Seattle Seahawks have one of the most potent running back platoons in football. Led by starter Kenneth Walker III with quality backup Zach Charbonnet working behind him, the team seems well-positioned for success on the ground in 2025.

While the Seahawks rotation seems set in stone for the moment, the franchise is also a real candidate for a major shakeup. Considering Walker has regressed in each of the last two seasons following a sensational start to his NFL career in 2022, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Charbonnet take over as the backfield's star.

Walker hasn't breached the 1,000-yard rushing mark since his rookie year and has seen his yards-per-carry average steadily decline from 4.6 down to 4.1 in 2023 before plummeting to a concerning 3.7 this past season.

Injuries have also limited his production over the years, causing him to miss 10 games across three seasons—including a career-high six absences in 2024.

Charbonnet has fared well both spelling Walker and stepping into the starting role as an injury replacement ever since he was selected in the second round of the 2023 draft. He’s appeared in all but one game over the last two years and has a steady 4.2 yards per carry average on his career.

The 6’1”, 214-pounder found his niche as a short-yardage and goal-line back in 2024, amassing a career-high eight touchdowns to go along with his 569 yards on 135 totes.

With Charbonnet also showing strong hands—he's outperformed Walker in that category, recording 549 receiving yards and a score on 75 career grabs—it wouldn't be a shock to see him further eat into the starter's workload this season.

Charbonnet already saw the field for 52 percent of the offensive snaps last year and could close the gap with Walker, who participated on 64 percent of offensive plays in 2024, with a strong start to the upcoming campaign.

It’s worth noting Walker is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is a trade candidate for a Seahawks team that lacks clear direction right now. If the squad stumbles out of the gate, there's a real possibility the team moves on from Walker and forges ahead with Charbonnet as the RB1.

RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos

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The Denver Broncos drafted a potential star in RJ Harvey. The second-rounder has landed in an ideal situation, joining an up-and-coming offense that has been desperate for talent in the backfield.

Although he may not beat out holdovers Jaleel McLaughlin—who has averaged a respectable 4.8 yards per carry since joining the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2023—or Audric Estime for the starting job right away, Harvey projects to be heavily featured in the rotation from the jump.

The Broncos were mediocre at best on the ground last year—averaging 112.2 yards per game and scoring just 12 touchdowns—with Javonte Williams, who recorded a meager 513 rushing yards on the year, leading the unit.

With Williams departing in free agency, the team entered the 2025 draft desperate to reinforce an underperforming rushing platoon.

Harvey was a perfect pickup for the Broncos on the heels of a dominant two-year run at UCF. He tallied nearly 3,000 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns on 458 totes and flashed as a pass-catcher too, reeling in 39 receptions for 505 yards and four scores during that span.

To prepare for his role in the pros, Harvey has been watching tape of both Kamara and Darren Sproles—another player who thrived under head coach Sean Payton. The first-year back recently told reporters that he’s aiming to quickly emulate their successes (per NFL.com’s Bobby Kownack):

"Definitely want to be like those guys. Like Darren Sproles, he went crazy with the Saints. Kamara too. I want to be better than those guys, so I'm going to work every day, get better, just prove myself to all the vets and the coaches. I want to make an immediate impact in this league."

Harvey is off to a good start, impressing onlookers at rookie minicamp and setting himself up to hit the ground running at the onset of the 2025 campaign. The 5'8", 205-pounder may not become a feature back right away—if ever—at the NFL level, but he's going to be a critical piece of the rotation and will have a tangible impact as a rookie.

Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers

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With Najee Harris exiting along with Russell Wilson, Justin Fields and George Pickens, the Pittsburgh Steelers will likely turn to Jaylen Warren—one of the few incumbent skill position players who remained for 2025—to take over the backfield.

While Warren fared well working in a relatively equal timeshare with Harris, it’s unlikely the 26-year-old will break out as a star despite the promotion. It seems more probable Warren will continue to split snaps, this time with rookie Kaleb Johnson.

Johnson was taken in the third round with the No. 83 overall pick. The Iowa product had a sensational conclusion to his college career, racking up 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns on 240 carries in 2024 alone. The Hawkeyes utilized him in the passing game as well, resulting in 188 yards and two scores on 22 receptions last season.

Johnson will have some competition for backup duties in Kenneth Gainwell and Cordarrelle Patterson, but these veterans will likely be utilized more on passing downs and special teams.

It's possible Johnson even pushes Warren for the lion's share of snaps as the season wears on.

Johnson has three-down potential due to his size—he measured in at a sturdy 6'1", 224 pounds at the combine—and unique blend of power and finesse.

It’s far too early to predict just how successful he'll be at the NFL level, but Johnson's unique toolkit and build could allow him to become the first true star in Pittsburgh's backfield since Le'Veon Bell's heyday.

Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins

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The Miami Dolphins added an exciting talent in Jaylen Wright during the fourth round of last year's draft. While the pick didn't pay immediate dividends, the dynamic playmaker could see far more action in 2025.

The 22-year-old was active for 15 games as a rookie but only logged 68 totes for 249 yards in those contests. It was a far cry from the 1,013 yards and four scores he amassed on just 137 carries during his final collegiate season at Tennessee.

While the former Volunteer struggled to showcase his blazing speed and athleticism, a lack of cohesiveness and skill in the offensive trenches—the Dolphins rated a lowly No. 27 in PFSN’s end-of-season O-line rankings—and a crowded backfield led by De'Von Achane and Raheem Mostert didn't allow Wright much opportunity to find his footing.

With Mostert's offseason departure and an offensive line overhaul that includes the addition of second-round pick Jonah Savaiinaea, the door is now open for Wright to break through as a sophomore.

Achane will almost certainly continue in his role as the starter, but Wright looks like the favorite to beat out a list of potential RB2s that includes veteran signing Alexander Mattison and sixth-rounder Ollie Gordon II.

Head coach Mike McDaniel confirmed as much, telling reporters at the combine that the coaching staff has "high expectations" for the Achane-Wright platoon and noted that both will be involved in both the ground and passing attacks.

With Wright likely to assume the lion's share of the touches Mostert has vacated—a respectable 338 over the last two seasons combined—he should put himself on the map in 2025.