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2026 NFL backfield

Detroit Lions running backs

The current roster, the published replacement plan and the production behind each player’s role.

The published backfield plan

Published starter

Jahmyr Gibbs

Preferred handcuff

Sione Vaki

Vaki is listed as RB2 on the Week 1 chart.

Committee uncertainty: an absence could spread work across several backs.

View Jahmyr Gibbs’s handcuff breakdown

Week 1 analysis published .

How the work could change

Detroit’s Sept. 9 Week 1 depth chart lists Jahmyr Gibbs first, Sione Vaki second and Jacob Saylors third. Vaki is the evidence-backed replacement, though Saylors handles return work and could share touches.

Detroit’s Sept. 9 Week 1 depth chart lists Jahmyr Gibbs first, Sione Vaki second and Jacob Saylors third. Vaki is the evidence-backed replacement, though Saylors handles return work and could share touches.

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The full backfield depth chart

Every running back and fullback assigned to Detroit Lions, including reserve and practice-squad entries. Chart order and replacement opportunity answer different questions: a passing-down specialist can sit ahead of the back most likely to inherit the carries.

Source: nflverse depth-chart feed · Feed dated Thu, Sep 10, 8:01 AM EDT. Equal ranks are ties. Unlisted backs are not assigned an invented rank. FB ranks are separate from RB ranks.

Detroit Lions full running back depth chart
Feed orderPlayerScouting roleDraft investmentRoster status
RB1
Jahmyr GibbsPublished starter		Three-down back2023 · Round 1 · Pick 12active
RB2
Sione VakiPublished handcuff		Change-of-pace back2024 · Round 4 · Pick 132active
RB3
Jacob Saylors		Early-down runner2023 · Undraftedactive
RB4
Isiah Pacheco		Early-down runner2022 · Round 7 · Pick 251injured reserve
Unlisted
Jabari Small		Role under reviewDraft history unavailablepractice squad
Unlisted
Justin Jackson		Role under review2018 · Round 7 · Pick 251activeAssignment needs review

Every back: role, upside and obstacles

The player assessments below explain the skills that could earn work and the assignments that might go to someone else. Role labels describe scouting assessments; they are not confirmed snap shares. “Three-down” means a skill set for rushing and passing situations, not a guarantee of every down.

RB1 · Three-down back

Jahmyr Gibbs

Age 24 · 4 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Elite, explosive dual-threat back and the engine of Detroit's offense. Handles all three downs, and with Pacheco on IR the Lions plan to lean on him more than ever. Durable through two straight full seasons.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

He is the starter in the dated board above. For fantasy purposes, the question is how much of the rushing and passing work he keeps when the whole room is available.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A starter can still lose third downs, short-yardage work or change-of-pace touches to specialists. His role assessment describes the skill set, not a guarantee that every assignment stays with him.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2023 · Round 1 · Pick 12

Drafted by DET; not necessarily his current team.

Early-round investment is part of his prospect pedigree and may support a chance to develop. It does not guarantee the next workload, especially after a team change.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 17 recorded games include 243 carries and 77 receptions on 94 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB2 · Change-of-pace back

Sione Vaki

Age 25 · 3 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Converted safety and special-teams ace used as a change-of-pace runner. Dan Campbell has explicitly called the RB2 job 'by committee,' so Vaki would split work rather than take over if Gibbs went down.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

The dated board selects him as the preferred replacement behind Jahmyr Gibbs. That is a projection of the replacement role, not a promise that he gets every touch.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Jahmyr Gibbs. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A change-of-pace role can create useful touches in a limited package. It does not automatically transfer to the starter’s workload; another back may fit the early-down or short-yardage assignment better.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2024 · Round 4 · Pick 132

Drafted by DET; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 8 recorded games include 1 carries and 0 receptions on 0 targets. Receiving volume is not established by these records. Do not read that as proof he cannot catch or protect the quarterback.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB3 · Early-down runner

Jacob Saylors

Age 26 · 2 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Preseason standout who made the roster on merit — team-high 187 rush yds on 31 carries at 6.0 a pop. Shares the committee behind Gibbs with Vaki; the better pure runner of the two but with essentially no regular-season sample.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Jahmyr Gibbs. The dated board currently prefers Sione Vaki for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Jahmyr Gibbs, Sione Vaki. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2023 · Undrafted

He entered without draft investment. That says how he arrived, not what he can become; current usage and coaching trust carry more weight now.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 11 recorded games include 2 carries and 0 receptions on 0 targets. Receiving volume is not established by these records. Do not read that as proof he cannot catch or protect the quarterback.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

Player research sources

RB4 · Early-down runner

Isiah Pacheco

Age 27 · 5 years of NFL experience · injured reserve

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Capable in saved assessmentPass protection: Positive assessment
Saved scouting assessment — source review needed

Proven downhill NFL starter who signed on as Gibbs insurance and was widely tabbed the league's best handcuff — but a knee and then a back injury have him on IR before Week 1. If he gets healthy he is the one back in the room who could carry a true lead workload.

Scouting assessment saved Thu, Sep 10, 5:29 PM EDT. Underlying citations lack publication dates; treat team-role and injury statements as historical notes pending review.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Jahmyr Gibbs. The dated board currently prefers Sione Vaki for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Ahead on the feed’s RB chart: Jahmyr Gibbs, Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors. Their roles and availability shape how much work could open up.

Why the work could go elsewhere

An early-down profile offers a path to carries between the tackles. A receiving or protection specialist could still handle third downs, limiting a full-workload takeover.

The saved assessment credits his pass protection, which can help a back earn passing-down trust. It does not guarantee a three-down assignment.

Draft investment

2022 · Round 7 · Pick 251

Drafted by KC; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

In 2025, his 13 recorded games include 118 carries and 19 receptions on 26 targets. He has recorded work both on the ground and in the passing game; those totals alone do not establish pass-protection ability or a three-down role.

His roster feed status is injured reserve. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Jabari Small

Age 25 · 1 years of NFL experience · practice squad

Back to depth chart
Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Jabari Small is a second-year player listed by DET at RB, from Tennessee. The official roster lists him at 5-11 and 208 pounds.

Research checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT. Undated biographies support background facts, not a current workload promise.

Path to more work

A practice-squad place keeps him available for development and possible elevation. Any offensive work would depend on an active-roster opening and a team decision to use him in the backfield.

Why the work could go elsewhere

The official roster verifies his current reserve placement and basic background but does not establish backfield rank, pass protection, a three-down role or a projected touch share.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

Draft history unavailable

A verified draft record is not available here. Missing data does not mean he went undrafted.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

His roster feed status is practice squad. He needs the relevant roster or availability change before this becomes an immediate pickup opportunity.

Player research sources

Unlisted · Role under review

Justin Jackson

Age 30 · 6 years of NFL experience · active

Back to depth chart

The Detroit Lions official roster page did not corroborate this roster-feed assignment when checked. The assignment needs review. Official roster checked Fri, Sep 11, 12:01 PM EDT.

Three-down outlook: Not establishedPass protection: Not established

Individual scouting research is pending. The recorded workload and draft history below provide the available context.

Path to more work

His path begins with an opening behind Jahmyr Gibbs. The dated board currently prefers Sione Vaki for the lead replacement role. Being next on a depth chart would not by itself guarantee the carries, third downs and goal-line work.

Why the work could go elsewhere

A clear role assessment is not available. Rushing experience, receiving usage and protection responsibilities need checking before treating him as a direct replacement.

Pass protection has not been established in the saved assessment. Missing information is not evidence that he cannot do it.

Draft investment

2018 · Round 7 · Pick 251

Drafted by LAC; not necessarily his current team.

A later-round selection describes his entry point. It does not rule out a lead role; demonstrated production and a trusted assignment matter more than draft position alone.

Draft record source

What the recorded workload tells us

No recorded NFL regular-season production is available in the two seasons shown. That is an evidence gap, not a zero or a judgment of his ability.

Confirm the latest game-day designation. General active-roster status does not certify that he will dress or receive work.

The production behind the names

2025 regular season. Recorded production, not a projection. A missing stat line is not a zero.

Player comparison for the 2025 regular season
PlayerGames with statsCarriesReceptionsTotal yardsPPR / game
Jahmyr Gibbs
1724377183921.6
Sione Vaki
81040.1
Isiah Pacheco
13118195636.7
Jabari Small
—————
Jacob Saylors
1120110.1
Justin Jackson
—————
Jahmyr Gibbs: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 1323 touches
Wk 1419 touches
Wk 1517 touches
Wk 1617 touches
Wk 1719 touches
Wk 1822 touches
Sione Vaki: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 101 touches
Wk 130 touches
Wk 140 touches
Wk 150 touches
Wk 170 touches
Wk 180 touches
Isiah Pacheco: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 812 touches
Wk 135 touches
Wk 149 touches
Wk 1511 touches
Wk 1614 touches
Wk 179 touches
Jacob Saylors: recent touches

Carries + receptions, last 6 recorded games in 2025

Wk 70 touches
Wk 90 touches
Wk 110 touches
Wk 120 touches
Wk 140 touches
Wk 160 touches

Totals include all teams played for that season. Per-game averages use games with recorded stats. Source: nflverse player statistics.

Evidence behind the backfield analysis

Compare your next bench move

A handcuff is an opportunity to hold, not a projected starter for this week. Compare the room with other teams, then choose a game window that fits your league’s rules.

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