After more than 10 years in financial services, here's what I learned about insurance: You don't think much about it until you need it, and then you're glad it's there. This concept works the same way in fantasy football. Injuries happen, roles change and a backup you stashed in August can end up winning you matchups in November.
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Using a couple of bench spots on talented backups who are one injury away from a starter's workload is a smart way to build your roster. Last season, Rico Dowdle was an excellent example. He filled in brilliantly while Chuba Hubbard was sidelined for multiple weeks, scoring at least 30 fantasy points in consecutive games in Weeks 5 and 6. Dowdle finished as the RB10 from Week 5 onward despite being drafted in only 8.3% of ESPN leagues.
None of the running backs below belong in your Week 1 lineup but each could become valuable as the season unfolds. Whether you're protecting an early-round pick or simply adding upside to your bench, here are my rankings for 11 insurance backs to consider on draft day.
1. Kenny Gainwell, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gainwell showed last season what he can do when given enough work. He has had at least 14 touches in a game 10 times in his career and averaged 18.6 fantasy points in those situations. Bucky Irving sat out seven games last season and struggled with efficiency, and Tampa Bay's decision to sign Gainwell suggests he will have a role. Our projections have Irving at 281 touches and Gainwell at 170. Gainwell should have stand-alone value in deeper formats and could push into RB1 territory if Irving misses time, given his ability as both a runner and receiver behind a Buccaneers offensive line that could be one of the league's best in 2026.
2. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams: Corum spent his first two seasons as the backup to Kyren Williams, but he also is an insurance back with league-winning upside in Sean McVay's elite offense that led the league in total yards and points last season. The Rams' backfield is projected to be close to a 60/40 split between Williams and Corum, respectively. Corum averaged an impressive 5.1 yards per carry on 145 attempts last season behind an O-line that finished second in run block win rate and should remain one of the league's best in 2026. The beauty of McVay's scheme is that Williams and Corum are interchangeable. Corum is on the flex radar in deeper formats and would move into the RB1 conversation if Williams sits out.