Off-Season Movement: 2025 Running Back Landscape, Part Two

JK Dobbins | Credit: Kirby Lee

Ryan McDowell Posted On February 6, 2025

Each off-season, I track team needs and the players most likely to fill those needs in a chart like this. In the coming weeks and months, NFL teams will have multiple opportunities to fill those holes, namely the March free agency period and April’s NFL Draft.

In this series, I’ll go position-by-position looking at teams in need, along with the veterans and rookies who could eventually fill the blanks on the chart below.

This year, there are a ton of running back-needy teams, but the free agent crop is lacking. That means one-third of the league, or more, will be chasing rookie running backs in the second and third round of the NFL Draft. With a stacked rookie class and a ton of teams with needs, the dynasty value of the running back position will see some massive shifts this off-season.

In the first part of our look at the offseason running back landscape, we examined teams that have, or may have, a need at the running back position this offseason. Now it’s time to find some players to fill those gaps.

FREE AGENTS

Najee Harris

By many measures, Najee Harris has been among the most successful and consistent backs of the past four years. The former first-rounder has gone for at least 1,000 yards and six scores on the ground in each of the past four seasons. While the steady production has been there, the game-breaking upside has not and that was enough for the Steelers to decline their option last off-season. A virtual lock to be gone from Pittsburgh, Harris will hit the open market for the first time. I have a feeling some NFL team will surprise fantasy managers with the commitment made to Harris. He should clearly be viewed as the top free agent back in this class.

Aaron Jones

A year ago, the Packers cut their longtime starting back Aaron Jones only to see him bolt to the division-rival Vikings, signing a one-year deal. As Minnesota’s starting back, Jones had another productive season, averaging 14.2 fantasy points per game and finishing as the RB15 on the season. Although Jones was able to play every game this past season, he did begin showing signs of slowing down later in the year as the Vikes began to mix Cam Akers more into the backfield. Jones certainly showed enough in 2024 to find a job this off-season, but his days as a lead-back could be over. Jones has been outside of the top-24 dynasty backs, based on our monthly dynasty ADP data, since the beginning of the 2023 campaign.

Nick Chubb

There is a lot to like about veteran back Nick Chubb, but unfortunately, most of the positives are now a thing of the past. Not only is Chubb coming off that nasty leg injury early in the 2023 season but he is now 29 years old and the Browns are seemingly ready to part ways with their former star. Chub showed some flashes in the second half of the 2024 season but he was clearly not the same back we saw prior to his injury. Chubb will land a committee role with some team but in dynasty leagues, I’d attempt to sell based on Chubb’s name value. Unfortunately, his current ADP of RB55 and 172 overall are new career-low marks.

Javonte Williams

Speaking of never the same post-injury, that’s sadly the case for Javonte Williams. Some hoped for a major bounce back in 2024, but instead, Williams seemingly squandered his last shot in Denver as the backfield turned into a three-man committee, alongside Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime. Now, Williams enters free agency and local beat writers are already confirming what most expected, Williams won’t be back. With the injury history and subpar on-field performance in 2024, the outlook is rough for Williams. His current ADP of 143 overall is a new career-worst for the former second-rounder.

JK Dobbins

What JK Dobbins did in 2024 was so impressive. After another major leg injury early in the 2023 season, it wouldn’t have been a surprise if we never saw Dobbins in the league again. Instead, Dobbins returned to the field and served as the Chargers’ top back for much of the season. Even better, Dobbins set new career highs with 905 rushing yards, 32 receptions, 153 receiving yards, and 191.8 fantasy points. Recently turning 26 years old, Dobbins will land a new job if he’s no longer welcome in Los Angeles, but dynasty managers won’t forget his ugly injury history, which will always hang over his dynasty value.

Other Free Agents to Follow: Kareem Hunt, Rico Dowdle, Cam Akers, Kenneth Gainwell, Jordan Mason (RFA), Jaylen Warren (RFA)