Every NFL team wants to find All-Pro players, game-changes who alter the shapes of seasons.
However, depth can be just as important in the NFL. Campaigns can be ruined when clubs forget to supplement their starters with backups capable of stepping in at a moment’s notice. Given how prominent injuries are around the league, teams who don’t consider making contingency plans are committing malpractice.
With that in mind, let’s identify the best backup player on every NFL roster. We’ve already ranked every No. 2 quarterback in the league, so we’ll stick with non-QBs today. Who are the NFL’s top reserves?
Every NFL Team’s Best Backup Player
Arizona Cardinals | WR Greg Dortch
“If he’s 6’3″, he’s a top-five receiver.”
That’s what Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray said about the 5’7″ Greg Dortch in June, calling the Arizona pass catcher “unguardable.” Dortch will compete for snaps and targets on a Cards receiving depth chart that includes new WRs Marvin Harrison Jr. and Zay Jones, holdover WR Michael Wilson, and TE Trey McBride.
Dortch, a 2019 undrafted free agent out of Wake Forest, hauled in 52 catches as recently as 2022. He’s stood out at Arizona’s training camp, seeing time in the slot and the backfield while also profiling as the team’s primary returner on special teams. Dortch might not be considered a Cardinals backup by the end of the summer.
Atlanta Falcons | RB Tyler Allgeier
Tyler Allgeier has already proven he’s an NFL-caliber starter by posting 1,035 yards and three scores in his 2022 rookie campaign. He played behind a solid Falcons offensive line but still ranked seventh in rushing yards over expectation per attempt, meaning he created more yards than a league-average back in the same offensive environment.
Allgeier received 204 total touches in 2023 after Atlanta used the No. 8 pick on fellow RB Bijan Robinson, but the gap between the two backs could widen next season. The Falcons can rest easy knowing they have a competent backup behind Robinson.
Baltimore Ravens | S Eddie Jackson
Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely has produced when forced to step in for Mark Andrews over the past several seasons, but he might be a de facto starter if Baltimore leans into more 12 personnel (two-TE) packages in 2024.
Eddie Jackson signed a one-year deal with the Ravens last week, joining the AFC North after seven seasons with the Bears. The 30-year-old started 100 games in Chicago, earning first-team All-Pro honors in 2018.
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Baltimore deployed plenty of three-safety looks in 2023, as Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams, and Geno Stone each played at least 700 snaps. Stone signed with the division-rival Bengals in March, but Jackson’s addition could allow Hamilton to stick in the roving, slot-based role that earned him an All-Pro nod last season.
Buffalo Bills | EDGE Dawuane Smoot
While Dawuane Smoot was still recovering from his Dec. 2022 Achilles tear last season, he was a consistent — if underrated — pass-rushing presence for the Jaguars from 2019 through his 2022 injury.
The Bills signed Smoot for $2.5 million this offseason, hoping he can provide pressure in an EDGE rotation that includes Gregory Rousseau, Von Miller, and A.J. Epenesa. Buffalo still has an above-average roster after their offseason purge, but the club’s depth is lacking, so they’ll need cost-effective additions like Smoot to step up.
Carolina Panthers | OT Yosh Nijman
Yosh Nijman played just 231 snaps in 2023 after starting 13 games for the Packers a year prior. However, he’s displayed competence at both tackle spots, an incredibly valuable skill in an OL-starved NFL.
The Panthers gave Nijman a two-year, $8 million deal this offseason to backup left tackle Ikem Ekwonu and right tackle Taylor Moton. While the latter is an iron man, Ekwonu regressed in 2023. If the one-time first-round pick continues to struggle on Bryce Young’s blindside, Nijman could see action.
Chicago Bears | RB Khalil Herbert
Khalil Herbert, 26, remains underrated as a pure runner. The 2021 sixth-round pick finished ninth in attempts per broken tackle (10.2) and 11th in yards after contact per attempt (2.1) in 2023, suggesting he can generate his own yardage.
The Bears signed free agent RB D’Andre Swift to a three-year deal in March, while 2023 fourth-round pick Roschon Johnson will also compete for snaps in Chicago’s backfield. Herbert might still be the most talented runner of the bunch; a trade could be his best path to playing time in 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals | S Jordan Battle
Jordan Battle became a starting Bengals safety by the end of his 2023 rookie campaign, usurping veteran Nick Scott to start alongside Dax Hill.
However, Cincinnati brought in veterans Geno Stone and Vonn Bell this spring to fill their safety gaps, reverting Battle to a reserve role. He could steadily take snaps away from Bell as the season progresses. Still, the Bengals probably want the veteran’s communication skills in the starting lineup as they try to prevent the explosive plays that wrecked last year.
Cleveland Browns | OT Dawand Jones
Injuries decimated the Browns’ offensive tackle room in 2023, forcing fourth-round rookie Dawand Jones into the starting lineup after Jedrick Wills Jr. and Jack Conklin went down. Jones eventually suffered his own season-ending injury, but he stood out in his first nine NFL starts at right tackle.
According to TruMedia, 70 OTs played at least 300 pass-blocking snaps last season. Jones’ 2.42% pressure rate ranked 32nd, a respectable finish for a mid-round pick making his pro debut. The Jaguars’ Anton Harrison was the only other rookie tackle who ranked among the top half of the NFL in pressure rate.
Wills and Conklin are on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list to begin training camp, giving Jones more time with Cleveland’s first-team offense.
Dallas Cowboys | S Markquese Bell
Although Markquese Bell was a pleasant surprise as a linebacker in Dan Quinn’s 2023 Cowboys defense, Dallas is moving him back to safety — the position he played in college — under new DC Mike Zimmer.
Quinn deployed Big Nickel packages with regularity. If Zimmer uses the same approach, Bell is the Cowboys’ best candidate to replace Jayron Kearse while playing alongside Malik Hooker and Donovan Wilson. Speculatively, Bell could again moonlight as a linebacker in 2024, if only because Dallas has depth issues up the middle.
Denver Broncos | TE Greg Dulcich
Greg Dulcich has flashed nearly every time he’s been on the field for the Broncos over the past two seasons. However, the 2022 third-round TE’s career has been defined more by health questions than production. Repeated hamstring injuries have limited Dulcich to 12 games in Denver, but the arrow is pointing up in training camp.
Dulcich is finally healthy and has earned rave reviews during the Broncos’ practice sessions. While he may have to compete with blocking TE — and Sean Payton favorite — Adam Trautman for snaps, Dulcich is a genuine receiving threat on a team that needs weapons for rookie QB Bo Nix.
Detroit Lions | CB Amik Robertson
The Lions overhauled their cornerback room this offseason, acquiring Carlton Davis from the Buccaneers before selecting Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the first two rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Davis and Arnold are expected to start on the outside, so Amik Robertson — who signed a two-year, $8 million deal with Detroit after four seasons in Las Vegas — is competing for time in the slot.
The only problem? Hybrid Lions defensive back Brian Branch is a slot maven and figures to regularly play on the inside, potentially leaving Robertson as an overqualified backup.
Green Bay Packers | WR Dontayvion Wicks
Dontayvion Wicks is competing with fellow Packers receivers Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson for Jordan Love’s targets, but the second-year pass catcher could be in line for a breakout campaign.
Wicks was one of five 2023 rookie WRs to post at least two yards per route run, along with Puka Nacua, Rashee Rice, Tank Dell, and Reed. While Wicks played fewer than 50% of Green Bay’s snaps and only caught 39 passes, the fifth-round selection made them count. He finished seventh league-wide in EPA per target (0.52), ranking in the same ballpark as All-Pros like George Kittle (0.58) and CeeDee Lamb (0.54).
Houston Texans | WR Noah Brown
Fantasy football managers often draft “handcuff” RBs, clear-cut backups who would shine if the starter in front of them went down. While that concept isn’t usually applied to wide receivers, Noah Brown might have fantasy players rethinking that in 2024.
Brown shined whenever given the opportunity last season. He posted back-to-back 150+ yard games in Weeks 8 and 9 before suffering an injury, then put up an 8-82-1 line in a narrow win against the Titans in Week 14.
Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs, and Tank Dell might give Houston the NFL’s best WR trio, and Brown is arguably the league’s top WR4.
Indianapolis Colts | S Rodney Thomas
Rodney Thomas started 25 games for the Colts over the past two seasons, but he might be demoted to a backup in 2024.
Nick Cross, drafted four rounds ahead of Thomas in 2022, took Indy’s first-team free safety reps at OTAs, minicamp, and training camp. The Indianapolis Star’s Nate Atkins reported that the Colts “are hoping” Cross wins the starting job this summer, which would turn Thomas into a reserve option.
Jacksonville Jaguars | OT Walker Little
Although 2021 second-round pick Walker Little started 11 games at tackle and guard last season, he may not have a job along the Jaguars’ offensive line in 2024. Cam Robinson remains the favorite to hold down Trevor Lawrence’s blindside, but Little could unseat him with a strong training camp performance.
“I think both guys are in a sense battling for their careers as Jaguars,” Jags OL coach Phil Rauscher said this month. “Overall, they’re putting themselves in a position right now for the next four, five weeks to make the decision for us. At the end of the day, the cream will rise to the top.”
Kansas City Chiefs | Loser of CB2 Battle
The Chiefs are considering all options to replace L’Jarius Sneed, whom Kansas City franchised before trading to the Titans this offseason. First-team All-Pro Trent McDuffie will start on the perimeter, while second-year DB Chamarri Conner looks like the favorite for slot duties in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense.
Joshua Williams, Jaylen Watson, and Nazeeh Johnson — all 2022 draft picks — will compete for K.C.’s other outside CB job. Watson is on the PUP list, while Johnson has never played a defensive snap in his career and missed last season after tearing his ACL.
The Chiefs could theoretically use a cornerback rotation instead of deciding on a sole starter. Either way, Spags has plenty of options.
Las Vegas Raiders | DL Tyree Wilson
Because he was the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, it might be tempting to look at Tyree Wilson’s rookie year stats — 3.5 sacks and eight QB hits — and call him a potential bust.
However, the Texas Tech product looked much better after the Raiders started playing him at defensive tackle near the end of the season. Fifteen of Wilson’s 24 pressures came after Las Vegas moved him to the interior in Week 14.
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He might not be twitchy enough to dominate as an edge rusher, but Wilson’s size and power will work on the inside. A Raiders D-line that goes Maxx Crosby-Christian Wilkins-Wilson-Malcolm Koonce could be frightening.
Los Angeles Chargers | EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu
The Chargers’ front office found contract solutions to retain veteran pass rushers Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack this offseason. Now, the onus is on Los Angeles’ coaching staff to ensure those aging defenders don’t block second-year EDGE Tuli Tuipulotu’s progress in 2024.
Among 2023 rookies, Tuipulotu’s 51 pressures trailed only Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr.’s 59. He was also outstanding against the run, finishing second to Kobie Turner in defensive stops (plays that result in negative EPA for the offense), per TruMedia and PFF.
Los Angeles Rams | OL Joe Noteboom
Joe Noteboom has started at every OL position except for center over the past six years, but he’ll be a backup for the Rams again in 2024. Los Angeles is set at tackle with Alaric Jackson and Rob Havenstein, while free agent addition Jonah Jackson joins Kevin Dotson to form one of the league’s best guard tandems.
Boasting a capable sixth lineman like Noteboom isn’t the worst idea in the world, especially for a contender like the Rams. Still, it’s worth wondering whether OT-needy teams like the Patriots or Commanders will give L.A. a call about Noteboom later this summer.
Miami Dolphins | RB De’Von Achane
Yes, De’Von Achane is technically a backup to Raheem Mostert in Miami, even if the younger back is going five rounds ahead of the veteran in fantasy drafts. Mostert is 32 but tied Christian McCaffrey for the NFL lead with 21 touchdowns last season, so let’s give him his due.
Still, Achane’s game-breaking speed and agility are tantalizing, and the 2023 second-round pick is expected to play a significant role in Mike McDaniels’ Dolphins offense. The Texas A&M product lapped the field in rushing yards over expectation per attempt, finishing with more than double the production of second-place McCaffrey. Achane was the only RB who accounted for more than half his total yardage on 15+ yard runs, per TruMedia.
Minnesota Vikings | G Dalton Risner
Dalton Risner started 11 games for the Vikings in 2023, but the veteran guard might be a backup in 2024.
Alec Lewis of The Athletic reported this week that Blake Brandel appears to be Minnesota’s “preferred candidate” for its left guard job. Brandel, a 2021 UDFA, took first-team LG reps at training camp while Risner handled second-team RG snaps. Risner “has never played right guard in his life,” per Judd Zulgad of Vikings Wire, but he’ll be valuable depth if he can handle interior spots.
New England Patriots | RB Antonio Gibson
Antonio Gibson’s rushing role with the Commanders dwindled last season as Brian Robinson Jr. took on more of the club’s workload. But Gibson could find new life with the Patriots after inking a three-year, $11.25 million deal in March.
New England needs all the weapons it can find. Gibson won’t play a full complement of snaps behind Rhamondre Stevenson but should be able to work as a pass-catching threat. He played receiver at Memphis, posted a career-high 59 targets and 48 receptions in 2023, and has managed at least 35 catches in every season of his career.
New Orleans Saints | EDGE Chase Young
Salary-cap concerns create depth issues, and the Saints have both heading into next season. However, while New Orleans could use more options at receiver, along the defensive line, and in the secondary, the club already has a solid defensive end depth chart.
Chase Young signed a one-year deal this offseason and will work as the Saints’ EDGE3 behind Cameron Jordan and Carl Granderson. The 2020 No. 2 overall pick was cleared for training camp after undergoing offseason neck surgery. Young posted 5.4 pressures per game with the Commanders but struggled and faced effort questions after being traded to the 49ers.
New York Giants | EDGE Azeez Ojulari
The Giants have one of the NFL’s worst rosters heading into the 2024 season. Depth isn’t easy to find on New York’s 53.
One-time second-round edge rusher Azeez Ojulari has been injured or ineffective since his eight-sack rookie campaign, but there’s hope the Georgia product can turn things around in his contract year. He’s a pure backup now that the Giants acquired Brian Burns to rush the passer opposite Kayvon Thibodeaux, so Ojulari will have to maximize his opportunities.
New York Jets | OT Olu Fashanu
We tried to avoid rookies on our list of the NFL’s best backups, instead spotlighting players we’ve seen produce in some capacity in the pros.
But Olu Fashanu is a well-regarded prospect, the 11th overall pick in April’s draft, and arguably the league’s most critical reserve in 2023.
While the Jets added veteran offensive tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses, both blockers are 33 years old. Smith hasn’t played a full slate of games since 2015; Moses missed time with injuries at the end of last season.
It’s hard to envision a scenario where Fashanu doesn’t see ample snaps during his rookie campaign.
Philadelphia Eagles | EDGE Brandon Graham
Brandon Graham recently announced that 2024 will be his final NFL campaign. Graham, 36, is entering his 15th season in Philadelphia, making him the longest-tenured player in franchise history.
While Graham plays mostly early downs at this point in his career, he still makes his rushing opportunities count. Per TruMedia, he generated pressure on 20.7% of his third-down pass rushes, the 12th-best rate among edge defenders.
Pittsburgh Steelers | RB Jaylen Warren
Although Jaylen Warren is technically a backup to Najee Harris in Pittsburgh, the two RBs split snaps almost perfectly evenly. Harris handled 53% of the snaps and touched the ball 74 more times, but Warren was highly productive on his reps.
The one-time UDFA averaged 5.3 yards as a rusher but was more involved as a receiver. In 2023, Warren earned a target on 29.25% of his routes, third best among NFL running backs.
Both Warren and Harris are entering contract years. The Steelers declined Harris’ 2025 fifth-year option this summer, perhaps signaling a looming shift to a Warren-centric attack.
San Francisco 49ers | LB De’Vondre Campbell
NFL life can come at you quickly.
De’Vondre Campbell earned first-team All-Pro honors with the Packers in 2021, helping him secure a five-year, $50 million extension the following offseason. Injuries took a toll over the past two years, and while he was still productive, Campbell became a cap casualty in March 2024.
He’ll have a chance to shine in San Francisco, where LB Dre Greenlaw is on the PUP list while recovering from his Super Bowl Achilles tear. Campbell could thrive next to Fred Warner and subsequently earn a raise over his $5 million 49ers salary next spring.
Seattle Seahawks | RB Zach Charbonnet
Zach Charbonnet already has a case to be the Seahawks’ starting running back.
As Fantasy Life’s Ian Hartitz explored earlier this year, Charbonnet led fellow Seattle RB Kenneth Walker in critical metrics like yards over expected per carry (+0.18 vs. -0.13), explosive run rate (15% vs. 11%), and stuffed rate (17% vs. 21%) in 2023.
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Walker forced more missed tackles per carry, but Charbonnet has earned more opportunities after trailing Walker by 107 touches last season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | CB Bryce Hall
The Buccaneers are thin at corner after trading Carlton Davis to the Lions. Bryce Hall, who signed with Tampa Bay this offseason after four years with the Jets, could see snaps on the perimeter if new starter Zyon McCollum struggles.
Hall held his own in two starts for New York in 2023, picking off a pass against the Eagles in Week 6 while keeping A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith in check.
Tennessee Titans | RB Tyjae Spears
The Titans signed former Cowboys RB Tony Pollard to a three-year, $21 million deal in free agency, but first-year head coach Brian Callahan said last week that he views Pollard and fellow RB Tyjae Spears as co-starters.
“The fun part for me is: How are we going to deploy those guys?” Callahan said Wednesday. “Maybe they both play at the same time, maybe one gets hot and you let him run, maybe we just rotate back and forth. I don’t know what that’s going to look like yet. But they are both going to play quite a bit of football for us.”
PFN’s Kyle Soppe used TruMedia data to create Elusive Rating, a metric tracking the rate of a player’s carries with four-plus yards before contact or five-plus yards after contact, both of which are 90th-percentile outcomes. Spears (46%) ranked second among RBs in 2023, trailing only Achane.
Washington Commanders | RB Austin Ekeler
While it’s fair to wonder whether Austin Ekeler has anything left at age 29, we’re chalking up his disappointing 2023 campaign to injury issues rather than age questions.
Ekeler suffered a high-ankle sprain last September in the Chargers’ Week 1 game against the Dolphins. While high-ankle sprains are typically considered 4-to-6-week injuries, Ekeler sat out just three weeks before returning in Week 5. His abbreviated rest period and aggressive comeback may have hindered him the rest of the season.
Ekeler won’t be relied upon as a starter in Washington, where his limited reps behind Brian Robinson Jr. will keep him fresh and allow him to thrive as a backfield receiving option.
