Top 10 Dynasty RB Rankings 2025 | Must-Have Running Backs
Once upon a time, the running back used to be the backbone of many fantasy football teams and Dynasty RB Rankings were the go-to source to help you dominate your draft. Very rarely were wide receivers selected in the first round of fantasy drafts. Well, times have certainly changed.
For the last little while, many fantasy managers prefer to build their teams around wide receivers. The zero running back and hero running back theories have become the norm in the fantasy football community.
Regardless, in the majority of leagues, you will still need to start a minimum of two running backs.
Dynasty RB Rankings 2025
In this article, I’ll be taking a way too early look at who the top ten running backs will be in dynasty fantasy football leagues for 2025.
10 – Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers)
Christian McCaffrey will be 29 years old entering the 2025 season. How many elite seasons if any will he have left?
The upcoming 2024 season will be telling for McCaffrey’s future and dynasty ranking. Will he have another super productive season and be a top-tier RB1 or will injuries be a factor?
If he has a fantastic season, that will just add a lot of tread to McCaffreys’s already worn-down tires. If he doesn’t, it means he sustained another injury or two to go along with his previous ones.
Father time is coming for McCaffrey. It’s not a question of if but rather when.
9 – Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles)
Like McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley is getting up there in age. When the 2025 season starts, Barkley will be closer to 29 than 28 years of age. The cliff is nigh for Barkley.
As well, the 2024 season with his new team the Philadelphia Eagles will determine a lot for Barkley’s value in 2025. Will Hurts dominate the red zone rushing touchdowns, severely limiting Barkley’s upside? Or will Barkley have a career year behind one of the best offensive lines in the league? Only time will tell.
8 – Trey Benson (Arizona Cardinals)
Trey Benson was an early third-round selection by the Cardinals, and the second back drafted in the 2024 NFL Draft. Only Jonathan Brooks was selected before Benson (notice how Brooks isn’t on this list)
Benson’s workload is expected to be minimal this year, as James Conner is the incumbent starter. However, Conner’s contract expires at the end of the upcoming season, leaving the Cardinals backfield to Benson all by himself for 2025.
7 – Travis Etienne (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Last year was a tale of two seasons for Travis Etienne. From Weeks 1-8, he was the RB2. However, he was the RB15 from Weeks 10-17.
The 25-year-old will be entering his fifth season in 2025. Keep in mind, that Etienne missed his entire rookie season in 2021 due to a lisfranc injury he suffered during the preseason. Etienne is one player on this list whose upcoming season can drastically alter his ranking from possibly moving up a spot or two to being removed from the top 10.
6 – Isiah Pacheco (Kansas City Chiefs)
I was hesitant to put a 7th-round pick this high on the list. However, the Kansas City Chiefs clearly have faith in Isiah Pacheco in 2024, as they only brought back first-round disappointment Clyde Edwards-Helaire and did not draft a running back in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Everything is lining up for Pacheco to have a monster season, and possibly be a top 5 running back this season.
Pacheco will be 26 in 2025, and entering the prime of his career with superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and offensive genius head coach Andy Reid.
5 – De’Von Achane (Miami Dolphins)
De’Von Achane broke onto the fantasy scene last year with a bang. If we remove the 2 games where he had a combined four touches, Achane averaged an outstanding 21.8 fantasy points per game – only behind Christian McCaffrey.
Achane will be turning 24 in 2025 and will most likely not have to worry about Raheem Mostert, as the 32-year-old is a free agent at the end of this season. The Dolphins did draft Mostert’s replacement this year in Jaylen Wright, but Achane will still be in line for 14-18 touches per week.
4 – Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts)
The last two years have been an injury nightmare for Jonathan Taylor. He has missed a total of 12 games during that span. The last time we saw the 25-year-old fully healthy was in 2021 when he finished as the RB1 with an average of 22.5 fantasy points per game.
A healthy Anthony Richardson along with his rushing ability and the opposing defense worrying about him fleeing the pocket, should open up a lot of running lanes and scoring opportunities for Taylor.
3 – Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions)
The Jahmyr Gibbs’ splits with and without teammate David Montgomery are a little concerning. With Montgomery, Gibbs averaged 14.1 touches and 73.1 yards per game versus 23.7 touches and 132.3 yards without Montgomery in the lineup. Even with these splits, Gibbs still finished as the RB8 of the year.
Unfortunately, Montgomery isn’t going anywhere. He is signed with Detroit through the end of the 2025 season. More importantly, Montgomery could prevent Gibbs from entering the elite RB1 territory. However, his expected 14-18 touches a game are good enough for him to be just below the big two. When it comes to dynasty RB rankings, Montgomery is going a few rounds after Gibbs, but he should not be overlooked.
2 – Breece Hall (New York Jets)
I went back and forth between Breece Hall and Bijan Robinson in this spot for a while.
Hall ultimately got knocked down a spot due to already having a significant injury with his ACL tear in 2022, and the unknown with the Jets quarterback situation with Aaron Rodgers, let alone without him.
However, Hall showed last year how productive he can be with a horrible offense and quarterback play, by finishing as the RB4 overall. Excluding Week 18.
1 – Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons)
Breece Hall could be in the number one position instead, and not many would quibble about it. However, I prefer Bijan Robinson‘s offensive future environment to that of Hall’s.
Robinson is guaranteed to be playing with a competent quarterback for years to come, whether it be Kirk Cousins or Michael Penix Jr., and guaranteed to play at least half of his games in a controlled dome environment.
Finally, Robinson will turn 23 in January. More importantly, he should be a stud for dynasty fantasy football teams for the next three to five years.
Dynasty RB Rankings 2025: Final Thoughts
Dynasty RB rankings are crucial for long-term success in fantasy football leagues because they help managers identify running backs with sustained value over multiple seasons. Unlike redraft leagues, where the focus is on immediate performance, dynasty leagues require a forward-thinking approach to player evaluation.
Running backs are often a focal point of dynasty rosters due to their potential for high production. However, they can also be volatile due to factors like injuries and changing team dynamics. By understanding dynasty RB rankings, managers can make informed decisions about trades, draft picks, and roster management, ensuring they build a team that remains competitive for years to come. These dynasty RB rankings provide insights into players’ career trajectories, helping managers anticipate who will be foundational assets versus those whose value may decline.
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