Five Running Backs To Buy In Dynasty Fantasy Football Leagues

January 30, 2025

Which running backs should managers buy in dynasty fantasy football leagues? Joey Pollizze looks at five running backs who you should be buying in the 2025 offseason in dynasty.

The great thing about competing in dynasty fantasy football leagues is that managers can make moves all offseason. Whether you are trying to compete in 2025 or entering a rebuild, making different trades in the coming months is almost a must. That's the single best way to upgrade your team for the future. 

In this article, we will look at five running backs fantasy managers should be buying in dynasty fantasy football leagues. Some of these running backs should only be acquired by contending teams, while others should be added by both contending and rebuilding teams. 

So, which five running backs should fantasy managers buy in dynasty leagues this offseason? Let's dive in and find out.

RB Chuba Hubbard

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard broke out during the 2024-25 season. He ran for a career-high 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns while finishing as the RB14 in fantasy PPR formats. Hubbard was a consistent fantasy option for most of the year and benefited from Jonathon Brooks' slow recovery back from an ACL injury. 

He averaged 16.1 PPR fantasy points per game this past year and scored above 20 PPR fantasy points in four of his final seven games. Now, he is expected to lead this Carolina backfield once again, as Brooks will miss the entire 2025 season due to another torn ACL. As a result, he is someone dynasty managers should be looking to buy this offseason. 

Highest % of carries with 3+ yards after contact in 2024 (min. 150 carries):

1. Rico Dowdle (51%)
2. Bucky Irving (48.8%)
3. Derrick Henry (48.6%)
4. Chuba Hubbard (48.4%)
...
28. De'Von Achane (35%)
29. D'Andre Swift (34%)
30. James Cook (32%)
31. Jonathan Taylor (31%)

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) January 17, 2025

Hubbard just got a nice contract extension from the team, and running backs thrive in head coach Dave Canales' system. When Canales was in Tampa Bay, he helped Rachaad White finish as the RB4 in PPR formats. Given that Carolina has also built a solid offensive line, the 25-year-old running back should continue to put up solid fantasy numbers in the coming years. 

Even when Brooks does return in 2026, Hubbard should still see plenty of opportunities in this backfield. So, he should be a top trade candidate for several dynasty teams this offseason. He'll likely finish as a top-15 running back again this upcoming season, and his RB15 value on KeepTradeCut (KTC) feels low. 

RB Joe Mixon 

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon was a fantasy superstar in his first year with the team. He averaged 17.2 PPR fantasy points per game and rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns. Mixon also scored above 21 PPR fantasy points in six of his first 10 games.

Now, most dynasty managers might not want to trade for Mixon this offseason. He will turn 29 years old in July and likely only has a couple of years left before the wheels fall off. However, if you are a contending team, trading for the veteran running back could be a league-winning move in 2025. 

He is the clear RB1 in the Houston offense and has finished as a top-13 fantasy running back in half PPR formats in six of the past seven years. Trading for him also won't cost dynasty managers a ton of future picks. With an RB18 value on KTC, it would probably only cost a second- and a third-round pick to acquire him. That seems like a great price for any contending team. 

RB Kenneth Walker III 

The biggest concern for Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III is his injury history. Walker has never played a full season in his three-year career and only played in 11 games last year. The 24-year-old missed two games due to an abdomen injury, two games due to a calf injury, and another two games due to an ankle injury. 

However, when healthy, he has always been one of the better fantasy options at the position. He averaged 16.5 PPR fantasy points in his 11 games last season and finished as a top-15 fantasy running back in six of his first nine games of the year. As a result, Walker is someone dynasty managers should be trading for this offseason.

He won't turn 25 years old until October, and having Klint Kubiak as his offensive coordinator could help him put up career numbers in 2025. As the Saints offensive coordinator last year, Kubiak was a big reason why Alvin Kamara averaged 19 PPR fantasy points per game. 

Here is a play from #Seahawks OC Klint Kubiak playbook:

Who will run in this concept? Kenneth Walker or Zach Charbonnet?

h/t: @alexcastrofilho pic.twitter.com/qZU7Q5coSh

— HawkMania (@hawkmania4) January 29, 2025

That's why Walker should be a top trade target in dynasty leagues for all teams this offseason. He is still young and will continue to be heavily featured in Seattle's offense. The Seahawks back currently has an RB12 value on KTC.

RB Isiah Pacheco 

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco's dynasty value is way down following his poor 2024-25 season. Pacheco has an RB21 value on KTC, and it might only take a couple of second-round picks to acquire him this offseason. That seems like a bargain for both contending and rebuilding teams. 

When Pacheco returned from his leg injury in Week 13, every fantasy manager expected him to look like his former self. But that was never going to be the case. The Chiefs running back was coming off a broken fibula and reportedly needed screws in his leg during surgery. As a result, it's not a shock that he averaged only five PPR fantasy points in his final five regular-season games. 

A similar thing occurred with Tony Pollard a few years ago. He broke his fibula during the 2022 playoffs and struggled as a runner the following year. He averaged a career-low 3.99 yards per carry and didn't have the same burst on the ground. However, Pollard did return to form this past season with the Titans. 

Therefore, dynasty managers should expect Pacheco to be more efficient on the ground next season. Given that he will also be only 26 years old next season and plays on one of the best offenses, he is my favorite running back to trade for this offseason. Just one season ago, he finished as the RB15 in PPR formats. 

RB Josh Jacobs

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is coming off one of his strongest seasons on the ground. He ran for 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns in his first year with the Packers and finished as the RB6 in PPR formats. Jacobs also averaged 20.1 PPR fantasy points in his final 11 games of the regular season. 

As a result, Jacobs should be a prime target for contending teams this offseason. He might be turning 27 years old in a couple of weeks, but the veteran showed no signs of slowing down last year. His 1,329 rush yards were the second most of his career, and his 15 rushing touchdowns were a career-high. 

Josh Jacobs confirmed STRONG pic.twitter.com/fORemLJWIf

— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2024

Now, trading for Jacobs is likely going to be expensive. He was a top-6 fantasy running back this past year and his value on KTC currently sits at RB10. But sometimes, it's worth paying up for a veteran running back with a proven track record. The three-time Pro Bowler also still has a few years of dominance left in him. 

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