It’s officially rookie season, so naturally, all eyes are on the new crop of players. While everyone is paying attention to the young kids, you might be able to get some good discounts on veterans
If you can add some of these players for cheap, your team could dominate this year. That’s all that matters. Sure, rookies are fun, but points are better. Here are some running backs I’m targeting and why.
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
- DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers
Dynasty Running Back Trade Targets
Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)
Finishing as the RB16 in PPR scoring in 2024 didn’t help Breece Hall’s value. He played in 16 games, but Chuba Hubbard outscored him by less than a point. Chuba Hubbard. Oof. I know quite a few Hall managers were already on the fence heading into last season after he returned from a nasty injury. They might be entirely out now that he’s dropped to RB9 in dynasty expert consensus rankings (ECR). But is being out on him the right move?
I think Hall and the Jets come back with a vengeance in 2025. They hired Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and parted ways with drama-bomb Aaron Rodgers this offseason. Then they reunited stud wide receiver Garrett Wilson with his college quarterback in Justin Fields. Then the Jets spent their first two picks on a tackle and a tight end. All of this could bode very well for Hall as well as your fantasy team if you can add him at a discount.
Derrick Henry (RB – BAL)
The ageless wonder is currently RB17 in dynasty ECR after finishing as the RB4 in PPR scoring last year. That said, Derrick Henry officially turned 31 in January, and as ageless as he’s been thus far, age comes for us all.
I’m not sure this is the year we see it come for Henry, though. The Ravens were a solid team last year and didn’t lose anyone of note. This makes me think Henry can run it back for at least one more year. If you’re contending, he’s worth a price check, at the very least.
D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI)
New Bears head coach Ben Johnson is blamed for being the one who traded D’Andre Swift after they drafted Jahmyr Gibbs, but I’m not so sure. I think they took Gibbs as a luxury, which then made moving Swift possible.
Now that Johnson is back with Swift in Chicago, and they didn’t sign or draft anyone early at the position, Swift is the guy. Rookie back Kyle Monangai could be a fun change-of-pace runner, but I’m adding Swift wherever I can at his current price.
James Conner (RB – ARI)
This year looks like rinse and repeat for James Conner in Arizona. He finished 2024 as the RB11 but is currently ranked as the dynasty RB30. This is largely due to his age since he turns 30 before the season starts.
Unlike Henry, I wouldn’t call Conner an ageless wonder. However, he’s been fairly consistent, playing in at least 10 games each season of his eight-year career thus far. His RB30 price seems like a steal for a contending team light at running back and is worth adding.
Isaac Guerendo (RB – SF)
Speaking of age, the 49ers’ current starting running back is Christian McCaffrey, whose best days are likely behind him. Behind him on the depth chart is Isaac Guerendo, who played well last year in limited time.
Jordan Mason finished with more carries, yards and fantasy points, but isn’t on the team any longer. This opens the door for Guerendo to be the clear second option behind a very shaky McCaffrey. His RB45 ECR for dynasty makes him a very attractive flier for your bench that won’t break the bank.
Trevor Etienne (RB – CAR)
Everyone’s talking about the rookies, and rightly so, but it’s hard to find value at running back for now. The aforementioned Chubba Hubbard leads the Carolina backfield, and the team added Rico Dowdle in free agency.
They also added Travis Etienne‘s younger brother in the fourth round. Trevor Etienne is the RB64 in dynasty ECR, which is almost free. He’s going in the later rounds of rookie drafts. Etienne is my favorite late-round back at the moment because his path to relevancy is one of the shortest in this class.
Nick Chubb (RB – FA)
After seven years in Cleveland, Nick Chubb is looking for a new team. While he might not have a team to report to yet, I’m almost certain that he will eventually. He is one of those players who just doesn’t know how to give up.
Anyone who’s seen Chubb’s social media posts can agree. This is obviously why he’s ranked as the RB65 in dynasty ECR, but don’t let that fool you. I’m adding Chubb off the waiver wire in shallower leagues and trading late-round rookie picks for him in others. He’ll land somewhere, and I think he could prove to be worthy of a Flex spot down the stretch.
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Andrew Hall is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Andrew, check out his profile and follow him @AndrewHallFF.
