There is nothing like the feeling of being able to start two great running backs. Of course every team wants a pair of Stud RBs, and many are able to grab two of the following backs:

• LaDainian Tomlinson
• Ricky Williams
• Priest Holmes
• Clinton Portis
• Marshall Faulk
• Shaun Alexander
• Deuce McAllister
• Edgerrin James
• Travis Henry
• Ahman Green
• Tiki Barber
• Fred Taylor
• Jamal Lewis
• Corey Dillon
• Charlie Garner
• Stephen Davis
• William Green
• Curtis Martin
• Eddie George

If you have two of these Stud RBs, you're going to start them every week (except for their bye weeks). The big question is which backups will have the most success during those bye weeks. Let's find out.

The following backs are available after the end of the fourth round:

• Emmitt Smith
• Marcel Shipp
• Warrick Dunn
• T.J. Duckett
• Anthony Thomas
• Jamel White
• Stacey Mack
• Onterrio Smith
• Moe Williams
• Antowain Smith
• Kevin Faulk
• Zack Crockett
• Duce Staley
• Correll Buckhalter
• Amos Zereoue
• Jerome Bettis
• Garrison Hearst
• Mike Alstott
• Ladell Betts

Any combination of two or more of them would make a good group of backup RBs for your pair of Stud RBs. However, some of these backups just 'fit' better with certain Stud RBs. The table below show the four to seven RBs with the most favorable opponent for each pair of Stud RBs.

• A brief explanation of the table:
  • Schedule values were found here.
  • The possible backups are ranked in order starting with the easiest SOS for the bye weeks of each pair of Stud RBs

    For example, in weeks four and six, Garrison Hearst's opponents are expected to allow an average of 22.3 fantasy points to RBs, Zack Crockett's opponents are expected to allow an average of 20.2 fantasy points to RBs, and so on.

If you are able to secure a pair of Stud RBs, this table will help you target quality backups. If you grab a couple of them in your draft, you should be secure for the season.