Dynasty Running Back Danger Rankings: Safe Tier
The NFL draft is rapidly approaching, and all anyone can talk about is this running back class. It has the rare combination of elite prospects, solid day-two options, and intriguing late-round fliers that allows it to be compared to the legendary 2017 class. These RBs also enter the league at an important time because many of the best backs are starting to get long in the tooth as NFL general managers and dynasty fantasy managers search for the next great crop of rushers.
With all the new talent set to enter the league soon, let’s look at the NFL’s current depth charts and assess the current backfields in danger of being usurped by younger talent in this year’s draft class and assess some value for the future.
A team unlikely to draft a running back means their current starter would rank low on this “danger scale,” while a team almost certain to draft a running back means their current back is very dangerous to own right now. We’ll go in reverse order, meaning these are some of the “safer” backs to own in dynasty leagues. Remember, this is not a ranking of the value of these backs, only their danger level. In short, the earlier you see a player’s name on this list, the less likely they are to lose value at the end of this month.
32) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB DET
A true league winner in 2024, Jahmyr Gibbs averaged 31.52 PPR points per game over the last four weeks of the season. He finished the year with 1,412 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns to go along with 52 receptions for 517 receiving yards and four more scores.
Gibbs is my dynasty RB1 and he’s incredibly insulated in this Detroit offense that seems committed to the Sonic and Knuckles duo of him and David Montgomery who was extended through the 2027 season.
It’s hard to always predict what the Lions will do on draft night, but one thing I’m confident of is they will not be taking a RB in the 2025 draft. Gibbs has shown he has fantasy-breaking upside with or without Montgomery in the lineup and that should continue for the foreseeable future.
31) Bijan Robinson, RB ATL
The other player who I’d entertain an argument for as the dynasty RB1 is Bijan Robinson who is fresh off of season with 365 touches, 1,887 scrimmage yards, and 15 touchdowns. Robinson was billed as a generational running back in the 2023 class and he’s lived up the expectations so far in his career.
Similar to Gibbs and Montgomery, the presence of Tyler Allgeier actually shields Bijan from the Falcons selecting another running back in the NFL draft. While Allgeier might siphon off 6 or 7 touches a game, he’s a known commodity that won’t impact Bijan too much over the course of a season.
Plus, Bijan Robinson is really good and the Falcons used the 8th overall pick on him so selecting another back just two years later would be insane.
30) Saquon Barkley, RB PHI
After rushing for 2,504 yards and becoming the 8th member of the 2,000 yard club, Saquon Barkley is viewed as one of the top dynasty running backs as well as the consensus RB1 in Underdog best ball tournaments.
The Eagles rewarded him handsomely with a new contract extension that will keep him in Philadelphia through most likely the 2027 season. While he is 28 years old, there seems to be no slowing down for Barkley. Plus, the signing of AJ Dillon makes it so the Eagles already have three RBs on the roster.
29) Chuba Hubbard, RB CAR
The first three players on this list are not surprising and could realistically be placed in any order, but the 29th RB on my danger list might be a bit of a shock. Chuba Hubbard was fantastic in 2024 and the Panthers extended him through the 2028 season effectively locking up their running back of the future.
While some may be concerned about the free agency signing of Rico Dowdle, I view that as merely a contingency plan at the RB2 position as they prepare to be without Jonathon Brooks for another season, and maybe for the rest of his career.
This team has invested so much at the RB position over the last two seasons that I’d be perplexed if they used another pick this season. Hubbard is very clearly the lead back in Carolina while Dowdle will be nothing more than a one-year deal to give him some relief.
28) Josh Jacobs, RB GB
The Packers were mocked last offseason for offering such a large contract to Josh Jacobs in free agency but he and the organization proved everyone wrong in 2024. Green Bay could get out of his contract after this season, but with modest cap numbers in 2026 and 2027 I fully expect him to be on the roster beyond just this season.
Plus, Green Bay already used a day-two pick on MarShawn Lloyd last year and still employs Emanuel Wilson as a depth piece. Below-average backups are an aging running back’s best friend; they’re competent enough to not need replacing while simultaneously never eating into your role. The Packers have too many other positions of need to select a running back in this upcoming draft to fight for the RB2 spot on the roster.
27) James Conner, RB ARI
The analysis for Arizona’s James Conner is remarkably similar to Josh Jacobs. Conner impressed this past season despite his increasing age, and the Cardinals gave him a two-year extension worth only $19 million which makes it incredibly likely he’s on the roster through the 2026 season.
The combination of Conner and 2024 third-round pick Trey Benson makes it incredibly unlikely that the Cardinals pick a RB this year. While Conner is safe from being usurped via the draft, I do think Benson will push for more playing time this season. Despite this, Conner still finds himself low on the danger list because we’re only focusing on the draft here!
26) Christian McCaffrey, RB SF
Christian McCaffrey has been an incredible and infuriating fantasy asset for nearly a decade. It seems like he only has two outcomes: finish as a top-three RB or miss the entire season. However, his age, growing injury risk, the Jordan Mason trade, and Kyle Shanahan’s proclivity for drafting running backs all combine to make it incredibly likely the 49ers add some competition to this room in a loaded class.
The key thing to notice is whether that selection comes on day two or day three. If it’s on day two then I’d start to get worried about the long-term future of CMC in San Francisco and would be deathly afraid if I’m an Isaac Guerendo manager. But if the selection is on day three then CMC managers can breath a sigh of relief and try to win one ore championship before McCaffrey turns 30.
25) Kenneth Walker, RB SEA
I’m a Kenneth Walker believer so I doubt the Seahawks draft another running back to compete with him, but I would have said the same thing two years ago and they still selected Zach Charbonnet. This is one of the best combinations of backs in the NFL and with all the holes along the offensive line the draft capital would be better spent beefing up the trenches.
However, it’s worth noting that Walker is entering the last year of his contract and it doesn’t seem like the organization is in any rush to resign him. It would make sense to try and lock up an extension now following an injury rather than waiting until after the season, but Seattle has made multiple puzzling decisions this offseason so I won’t give them too much credit.
Maybe they draft a running back to prepare for life post-Walker, but this RB room still feels pretty safe against a random second-round pick. Hopefully.
We’ll be back with the next installment in the next few days, focusing on the running backs who are in more danger of losing playing time or being replaced. Remember, this is going to get more and more dangerous as we move closer and closer to the top spot.
- 2025 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Profile: Ricky White, WR UNLV - April 11, 2025
- Dynasty Running Back Danger Rankings: Safe Tier - April 10, 2025
- 2025 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Profile: Kyle Monangai, RB Rutgers - April 4, 2025
