For as many running backs as you think you need in dynasty leagues, add two or three. I’d say things change so much on a yearly basis, but sometimes things are drastically different over the course of a month. There’s no easy way to do this, but stay true to your player rankings and thought process. Building a successful dynasty team is a process. You can find value across all age and career tiers, and balance is key. To help you do so, let’s take a look at our dynasty running back rankings.
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Dynasty Running Back Strategy
Embrace the Fluctuation
We know it’s going to happen. Things change, and they change fast. The changes flow through early and often, and they are ongoing. Regardless of what format you play, it seems like there’s a different running back touted each week atop waiver wire rankings. Here today and maybe gone in four weeks might be the best way to put it. The problem, though, is sometimes those four weeks turn into the rest of the season and a second-round ADP the following season. Here’s looking at you Bucky Irving.
Be prepared for your rankings to change based on what takes place each week. However, you also need to trust the process and be realistic about what you are looking to accomplish.
Focus on Utilization
While talent ultimately wins out, you need to be on the field to take advantage of it. Whether it’s current or future utilization, that has to be what drives your thought process on actions. In the long term, it’s talent, but for now, the value is going to follow the utilization.
Look for Pass Catching Ability
The better a running back is in the receiving game, the more likely they’ll see the field. More importantly, the more likely they’ll pick up fantasy production. Being able to catch passes and rack up yards through the air only increases a running back’s fantasy upside.
Don’t Ignore Veterans
In fantasy football, and especially in dynasty leagues, everyone is always looking towards the next best thing. I get it, you want to be the first one to grab Irving. Kudos to you if you nab the best rookie in the upcoming season. Obviously, youth prevails, but veterans shouldn’t be ignored. Production counts just the same regardless of the age of the player. There’s no reason why you can’t supplement the upside of young and exciting options (the future of your team) with the dependable, boring, veteran to be competitive. Based on the age, the price is generally favorable as well.
Know Your Build
What are you after here? Is it a championship in the current year? Trying to build to being a playoff contender? Starting from 12th place to build the next championship contender?
Where you characterize yourself within the above dictates which running backs to target.
Dynasty Running Back Notes
RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
There was some drama, albeit manufactured, when the Denver Broncos’ depth chart came out earlier in August. While RJ Harvey was listed fifth among running backs, it’s not what’s taking place on the practice field. Out there, Harvey is only running behind veteran JK Dobbins.
By the end of the season, and certainly moving forward into next season, I’d expect to see Harvey in the number one spot. And from a dynasty perspective, that’s ultimately what we’re after.
In three years at Central Florida, Harvey averaged an insane 6.6 yards per carry, gaining 3,789 yards on the ground. Perhaps more importantly, Harvey scored 43 touchdowns on 38 carries. He’s also proficient as a receiver, catching 61 of 79 targets for 720 yards and five touchdowns. Between the well-rounded skill set and explosiveness, Harvey’s in position to take control of Denver’s backfield.
Tyrone Tracy, New York Giants
Between the departure of Saquon Barkley and the acquisition of Devin Singletary, Tyrone Tracy slipped right in as a late-round draft choice. It didn’t take him long to take control of the Giants’ backfield, and I’d expect that to continue this season. This is regardless of the buzz Cameron Skattebo has generated as well.
Tracy stands out to me as an underappreciated running back. And that’s just what we want to target from a dynasty perspective. It wasn’t a great offensive situation for Tracy last year, but he still surpassed the 1,000-yard mark with 1,123. The biggest problem is ball security, as he fumbled five times last year. If Tracy gets past that, we should be in good shape moving forward.
As a rookie, he gained 839 yards on the ground with five touchdowns while catching 38 passes for 284 yards. With a broken tackle rate of 16.1%, Tracy was able to make things happen. As the Giants improve this season, things should be even better for Tracy.
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
The focus in Arizona, and rightfully so, is on James Conner. As a rookie, Trey Benson didn’t do much last season, but the package is there. Benson has the speed and size to make things happen. Perhaps more importantly, he’s entering 2025 healthy.
From a statistical standpoint, Benson didn’t do much last year. He carried the ball 63 times for 281 yards while catching six passes for another 59 yards. Most of that production came towards the end of the season when Conner started to show some cracks from a health perspective.
At this point, it’s unclear how much more Conner has left. More importantly, it’s clear that Benson is next up. He had a broken tackle rate of 20.6% last year while averaging three yards after contact. In the first preseason game, Benson carried the ball nine times for 29 yards while catching one pass for 20 yards. It’s clear that he’s the future of Arizona’s backfield. What’s unclear is whether it comes in 2025 or 2026.
Dynasty Running Back Rankings
| Rnk | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bijan Robinson | ATL |
| 2 | Jahmyr Gibbs | DET |
| 3 | Ashton Jeanty | LV |
| 4 | Saquon Barkley | PHI |
| 5 | Breece Hall | NYJ |
| 6 | Bucky Irving | TB |
| 7 | De'Von Achane | MIA |
| 8 | Jonathan Taylor | IND |
| 9 | James Cook | BUF |
| 10 | Kyren Williams | LAR |
| 11 | TreVeyon Henderson | NE |
| 12 | RJ Harvey | DEN |
| 13 | Omarion Hampton | LAC |
| 14 | Chase Brown | CIN |
| 15 | Josh Jacobs | GB |
| 16 | Derrick Henry | BAL |
| 17 | Christian McCaffrey | SF |
| 18 | Kenneth Walker | SEA |
| 19 | Chuba Hubbard | CAR |
| 20 | Tyrone Tracy | NYG |
| 21 | Trey Benson | ARI |
| 22 | Kaleb Johnson | PIT |
| 23 | Alvin Kamara | NO |
| 24 | Quinshon Judkins | CLE |
| 25 | David Montgomery | DET |
| 26 | Isiah Pacheco | KC |
| 27 | Jordan Mason | MIN |
| 28 | Zach Charbonnet | SEA |
| 29 | Joe Mixon | HOU |
| 30 | Tony Pollard | TEN |
| 31 | James Conner | ARI |
| 32 | Braelon Allen | NYJ |
| 33 | Brian Robinson | WAS |
| 34 | Tank Bigsby | JAX |
| 35 | Dylan Sampson | CLE |
| 36 | D'Andre Swift | CHI |
| 37 | Aaron Jones | MIN |
| 38 | Jaylen Warren | PIT |
| 39 | Tyjae Spears | TEN |
| 40 | Jaydon Blue | DAL |
| 41 | Travis Etienne | JAX |
| 42 | Ray Davis | BUF |
| 43 | Najee Harris | LAC |
| 44 | J.K. Dobbins | DEN |
| 45 | Jaylen Wright | MIA |
| 46 | Cam Skattebo | NYG |
| 47 | Blake Corum | LAR |
| 48 | Bhayshul Tuten | JAX |
| 49 | Isaac Guerendo | SF |
| 50 | Rachaad White | TB |
| 51 | Tyler Allgeier | ATL |
| 52 | Rhamondre Stevenson | NE |
| 53 | Javonte Williams | DAL |
| 54 | Jerome Ford | CLE |
| 55 | MarShawn Lloyd | GB |
| 56 | Rico Dowdle | CAR |
| 57 | Devin Neal | NO |
| 58 | Will Shipley | PHI |
| 59 | Jonathon Brooks | CAR |
| 60 | Austin Ekeler | WAS |
| 61 | Elijah Mitchell | KC |
| 62 | Trevor Etienne | CAR |
| 63 | Nick Chubb | HOU |
| 64 | Roschon Johnson | CHI |
| 65 | Kendre Miller | NO |
| 66 | Jaleel McLaughlin | DEN |
| 67 | Justice Hill | BAL |
| 68 | Sean Tucker | TB |
| 69 | Audric Estime | DEN |
| 70 | Isaiah Davis | NYJ |
| 71 | Jordan James | SF |
| 72 | DJ Giddens | IND |
| 73 | Woody Marks | HOU |
| 74 | Brashard Smith | KC |
| 75 | Ollie Gordon | MIA |
For more great fantasy football rankings and analysis, make sure to check out the 2025 FantraxHQ Fantasy Football Draft Kit!
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