7 Backup Running Backs Who Might Be Better Than the Starter

Reggie Bush, San Francisco 49ers

Reggie Bush and Carlos Hyde played on different teams last season, but Bush might be the better back in San Francisco this year.

Bush ran the ball 76 times last year and secured a Rushing NEP of -3.92. Hyde saw 83 carries and managed to lose 7.27 points. Bush lacked the Success Rate (36.84%) that Hyde showed (44.58%), but the positive plays Hyde made didn't lead to much success for the 49ers.

There's a big discrepancy in receiving, of course. Hyde caught just 12 passes last year but actually managed to lose points with them (his Reception NEP was -0.68). Negative Rushing NEP scores are understandable because rushing is an inefficient way to add points, but among the 82 backs who caught at least 10 passes last season, only Hyde and Mark Ingram (-2.77) secured negative Reception NEP scores.

Bush earned a Reception NEP of 13.57 on 40 receptions.

It's not that Bush is certainly the best runner, but given Hyde's Total NEP (-7.94), he might not be the sure thing that can keep Bush second on the depth chart all season.