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Dave Ventresca's top five running backs who could dethrone Bijan Robinson as the dynasty RB1 in 2025 dynasty football leagues. Jahmyr Gibbs, De'Von Achane, more.
As we enter the 2025 NFL season, dynasty rankings have begun to stabilize. Throughout the offseason, rankings can fluctuate significantly. This can be due to the slightest bit of breaking news or a major transaction.
One thing that has remained relatively steady this offseason is that Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has been consistently ranked as the near-unanimous dynasty RB1. It’s for good reason as he’s coming off a strong 2024 where he accumulated 1,887 scrimmage yards and scored 15 total touchdowns. There are, however, several running backs who could dethrone Robinson as the 2025 season unfolds.
Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football needs. Here are five running backs who could dethrone Bijan Robinson for the dynasty RB1 title.
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Jahmyr Gibbs - Detroit Lions
Gibbs broke out in a big way last year. He ran for 1,412 rushing yards on just 250 carries and scored 16 rushing touchdowns. He also posted a 52-517-4 line as a receiver. All told, Gibbs accumulated 1,929 scrimmage yards and scored 20 total touchdowns.
JAHMYR GIBBS 70 YARD TOUCHDOWN
pic.twitter.com/y0O0DzrJab— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) October 27, 2024
Gibbs actually outscored Robinson last year, and the two have produced very similarly since they entered the league in 2023. The two were also selected within four picks of each other in the 2023 NFL Draft, so there’s a strong case that Gibbs should already be ranked above Robinson.
However, dynasty gamers have consistently picked Robinson before Gibbs in startup drafts. If Gibbs has another monster season and outperforms Robinson again, that should be enough for gamers to make the switch.
Ashton Jeanty - Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas selected Jeanty sixth overall in the 2025 NFL draft. He is one of the best running back prospects to enter the league since Saquon Barkley. Jeanty ran for an absurd 2,601 rushing yards and scored 29 rushing touchdowns at Boise State last year.
ASHTON JEANTY 61-YARD TOUCHDOWN 🔥🔥
HIS 27TH RUSHING TOUCHDOWN ON THE SEASON 😱 pic.twitter.com/ureDEtgegv
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 24, 2024
Some critics will point out his lack of receiving work in 2024 as a reason he may not live up to the hype. However, Jeanty is a natural athlete and should have no issues catching passes at the next level. He will have an immediate impact on the Las Vegas Raiders and is in line for a massive workload right out of the gates.
The Raiders' offensive line is still a below-average unit, so this could prevent Jeanty from having the all-world rookie season needed to leapfrog Robinson. Even still, if Jeanty posts the type of rookie season many believe he will, then he could very well be the first running back taken in 2026 startup drafts.
De’Von Achane - Miami Dolphins
Achane's rushing efficiency declined in 2025 compared to 2024. This was always going to be the case after he averaged an incredible 7.8 yards per carry last year. However, while his efficiency declined, Achane received more carries and also saw increased work as a receiver. It led to a PPR RB5 finish.
"Achane with an A+ effort and a touchdown by Miami!" - Jim Nantz@MiamiDolphins are running away with this one pic.twitter.com/uCNa8kqkUk
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 23, 2024
Even though he finished as a top-5 back last year, Achane’s current dynasty FFPC (Fantasy Football Players Championship) ADP (Average Draft Position) of 26.31 overall has him going in the third round of startup drafts. Why he's falling to the third round of drafts is unknown, but this is a huge mistake.
DEVON ACHANE 67-YARD TD
THE DOLPHINS HAVE 70 POINTS.
📺: #DENvsMIA on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UQdQ05hqXN pic.twitter.com/bZOSLxVaoa— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2023
Perhaps managers are concerned because he has taken a step back in efficiency, and some of his advanced metrics have also declined. However, Miami’s offensive line was bad last year. Their run blocking was terrible, and that undoubtedly hurt Achane’s numbers.
The nice thing about Achane is that he has a safe floor thanks to his work as a pass catcher. His 78 receptions in 2024 led all running backs.
We should point out Miami has tried to shore up its line this offseason. Whether or not the changes they've made will work is completely up in the air, but even if those changes don't help, we already know Achane can be a top-5 back behind a poor offensive line.
If Miami’s offensive line improves and Achane gets more work as a rusher this year, then he can make a serious run to finish 2025 as the overall RB1. Depending on the type of year Robinson has in 2025, that type of season from Achane could be enough for some analysts to elevate him to the dynasty RB1 spot.
Breece Hall - New York Jets
This time last year, Hall was a unanimous top-3 dynasty back. Unfortunately, a poor 2024 season has caused him to fall in the rankings. KeepTradeCut, which crowdsources data from dynasty players to create rankings, currently has him ranked as the dynasty RB9.
The argument can be made that Hall was a bit overrated entering 2024. However, he still has big play potential and is a threat to score anytime he touches the ball.
BREECE HALL 50-YARD TOUCHDOWN ❄️ pic.twitter.com/y9g1jJsgC8
— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) January 7, 2024
We’ve gotten mixed signals from the new Jets regime on how they’ll deploy their running backs this year. Hall could be part of a committee, or he could be the team’s bellcow back.
Despite a down year in 2024, Hall is still the most talented back on the team and should command the bulk of the touches. He should also get a nice efficiency boost playing alongside Justin Fields. If the Jets' offense has improved, then there’s a chance 2025 is a career year for Hall.
He may not challenge Robinson for the number one spot, but Hall can re-climb dynasty rankings with a bounce-back season.
Bucky Irving - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Irving was one of the best stories from the 2024 season. He started the season as the team's backup running back, but would eventually take over the starting job.
Bucky. Irving. Is. A. Stud.
Touchdown for the rookie!!! pic.twitter.com/OmG9VW29Sv
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) December 23, 2024
Irving posted a 207-1122-8 line last year despite playing more than 60% of offensive snaps in just two games. That is remarkable when you think about it.
Things should be different this year, as Irving has clearly established himself as the better player over Rachaad White. White could still see some work as a pass-catcher, and that could ding Irving's upside a bit.
However, Irving also caught 47 passes for 392 receiving yards last year. He averaged more yards per reception than White and is arguably the better receiving back as well. It's entirely possible Irving further distances himself from White and completely takes over this backfield in 2025.
Admittedly, Irving is probably the least likely name on this list to challenge for the RB1 spot as he’s currently ranked as RotoBaller’s dynasty RB10. A jump nine spots up the rankings would be quite the leap and would require an unfathomable season from Irving.
Short of that, he probably doesn’t leapfrog Robinson. However, a big encore performance would help him further climb dynasty rankings, and he could push for a spot in the top five. We’ll have to see if that’s possible given that last year’s play caller, Liam Coen, is now the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach.
Either way, Irving is a fine young back and should be a strong contributor at the position for many more years.
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