Top 5 Dynasty Draft Values: Running Backs (Fantasy Football)

Startups. Startups. Startups. It is dynasty startup SZN! I know we all return to redraft fantasy football in the summer months, and the best ball streets are blazing, but this is also the time for dynasty startups. There are wonderful values to be had right now in startups, so let’s continue the discussion with the best values at the running back position.

Before you enter another dynasty fantasy football startup, read up on my top five running back values and run a handful of startup mock drafts with our fantasy football mock draft simulator. And check out my other top dynasty quarterback values to target.

Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Values: Running backs

Let’s dive into my best dynasty startup draft values among running backs.

R.J. Harvey (RB – DEN) l ADP: RB19, 71 overall

Yes, Harvey is a value in startups at RB19. He should be knocking on the RB1 door in dynasty over a swath of aging backs and others in contract years (Kyren Williams, James Cook, etc.). The runway is clear for a Harvey takeoff in year one. No, I’m not worried about Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, or J.K. Dobbins. Harvey has the talent to be a three-down stud. In each of his final two collegiate seasons, he ranked inside the top 20 in breakaway percentage and elusive rating (per PFF). He was also inside the top 36 in yards per route run in two of his final three collegiate campaigns. The upside of the passing game is immense, as he is playing for a coach in Sean Payton, who we KNOW will feature Harvey as a receiver. Over the last two years, Payton has ranked fifth and first in running back target share. Enjoy the value of Harvey in every startup.

Jarquez Hunter (RB – LAR) l ADP: RB48, 168.2 overall

Hunter is arbitrage Bhayshul Tuten in dynasty drafts. Hunter, like Tuten, finds himself possibly buried for 2025 behind two veterans, but he also possesses the talent and pathway to surpass one or maybe both of them in the running back pecking order. Kyren Williams is a free agent after this season. The Rams thought so much of Blake Corum‘s rookie season that they addressed running back again this year. Hunter is incredibly talented. Hunter has ranked inside the top 24 in yards after contact per attempt in each of the last three seasons while also sitting in the top 22 in breakaway percentage in two of three years (per PFF). Hunter offers the Rams an explosive element that neither Williams nor Corum has. Last year, among 46 qualifying backs, Williams ranked 44th in explosive run rate, 37th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 40th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Hunter is one of the best values in dynasty startups.

MarShawn Lloyd (RB – GB) l ADP: RB53, 178.7 overall

Nope. I’m not leaving. I’m not leaving the Lloyd truther train. Lloyd was dealt a crummy hand of cards in his first NFL season. Lloyd lost nearly his entire rookie season to injuries. First, he dealt with a hamstring strain during training camp and the preseason. That was followed by an ankle sprain in Week 2 and surgery to treat appendicitis after that. It was an unfortunate and insane runout for the former third-round pick out of USC. Don’t forget Lloyd is a ridiculously talented player who ranked 16th and 20th in yards after contact per attempt and fourth and 15th in elusive rating across his final two collegiate seasons (per PFF). The Packers didn’t add anyone to the backfield in the draft. Lloyd should be considered the favorite for the RB2/handcuff spot on the depth chart for Green Bay behind Josh Jacobs. Lloyd has the talent to cut into Jacobs’ workload this season. All he needs is his health to comply.

Tank Bigsby (RB – JAC) l ADP: RB58, 184.2 overall

Bigsby had an awesome sophomore season for Jacksonville, especially considering how his rookie season unfolded. He finished as the RB40 in fantasy points per game, with eight weeks as the RB36 or higher in weekly fantasy scoring. Bigsby wasn’t involved in the passing game, having only 12 targets last year. I don’t see that changing this season, so he’ll need to manufacture fantasy points on the early downs with his legs. He proved he can do that last season. Among 46 qualifying backs, he ranked 21st in explosive run rate and second-best in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Bigsby will have to fight Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten for playing time, but he has the raw talent to carve out a role in this offense in 2025. If Etienne is traded or proves he’s fully washed, this could be a backfield led by Bigsby and Tuten this season, with Bigsby doing the heavy lifting on early downs.

Brashard Smith (RB – KC) l ADP: RB67, 209 overall

Smith was another talented victim of this deep running back class. He dropped all the way to the seventh round of the NFL Draft, which was surprising. The Chiefs added him to their already overstocked backfield. The Chiefs are no strangers to allowing a seventh-round running back a legit shot at starting (hi, Isiah Pacheco), so we can’t say that Smith has zero shot. I was enamored with Smith’s receiving ability as a converted wide receiver, his lightning quickness, and his possible upside as a rusher for a player who is still getting acclimated to the position. Last year, Smith ranked 34th in breakaway percentage, second in receiving grade, and 22nd in yards per route run (per PFF). Smith’s skill set is different from every other back in this depth chart. He could easily carve out a stand-alone role as Kansas City’s new Jerick McKinnon, with the upside to be their every-down back if Pacheco proves unable to stay healthy again.

*All data utilized in this article courtesy of FantasyPros, Fantasy Points Data, Pro Football Focus and PlayerProfiler unless otherwise specified. All ADP cited per DLF May Superflex ADP.