Training camp is here, and while beat writers chase storylines about who looks “slimmed down” or is “moving well,” fantasy football managers are stuck trying to decipher the depth chart riddles that will shape our drafts. Today, we’re focusing on the running back rooms that are truly up for grabs — where talent, touches and trust haven’t sorted themselves out yet.
Pat Fitzmaurice and Derek Brown (DBro) joined Seth Woolcock to tackle six of the messiest backfields in the league. Here’s how they’re attacking them, and where the value might be hiding.
- Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2025 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Jacksonville Jaguars: Can Travis Etienne Hold On?
Travis Etienne is clinging to RB1 memories, but he may be fading into the background. The Jaguars brought in new head coach Liam Coen and loaded up the depth chart behind Etienne with Tank Bigsby, explosive rookie Bhayshul Tuten and pass-catching rookie LeQuint Allen.
Pat Fitzmaurice sees Etienne as a tolerable gamble at cost. His price has dropped to the eighth/ninth round range in FantasyPros’ expert consensus rankings (ECR). “He’s only two years removed from averaging 20 PPR points per game through the first half of 2023,” Fitzmaurice notes. The hope? A new wide-zone scheme could suit his skillset better than last year’s setup, when Etienne posted a grim -0.28 rushing yards over expected per carry.
DBro isn’t buying it. “I’m firmly out,” he said, citing Etienne’s declining efficiency, poor pass protection and overblown receiving value. “If Bhayshul Tuten and Tank Bigsby hit the ground running, I don’t even know if Etienne’s on the roster Week 1.”
DBro’s Jaguars running back room hierarchy:
- Bhayshul Tuten (elite traits, fumble issues aside)
- Tank Bigsby (early-downs role only)
- Travis Etienne (off the roster?)
- LeQuint Allen (deep sleeper in PPR formats)
Verdict: Etienne’s value has dropped, but the committee risk is real. Tuten is the upside dart throw here.
Dallas Cowboys: Javonte’s Shot to Shine?
Dallas enters 2025 with a motley crew of backfield options: Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders and rookie Jaydon Blue. It might be Williams’ last stand.
DBro has pivoted hard on this group. Initially avoiding it, he now finds himself “above market” on Williams, noting he was an efficient tackle-breaker before hitting a wall midseason in 2024. “What if we get the first eight weeks of Javonte for the whole season?” he asks. “That could be this year’s J.K. Dobbins story.”
As for the rest:
- Jaydon Blue’s work ethic is a question mark already flagged by scouts.
- Miles Sanders is a non-factor (“those numbers aren’t even backup-worthy”).
- Fitzmaurice has Williams at RB30, ahead of most premium backups.
X-Factor: Williams’ pass protection might earn him the full passing-down role in an offense expected to be in the top 10 in pass attempts.
Verdict: Williams is a bounce-back candidate with a clear opportunity. Blue is a late-round flier, but tread lightly.
Cleveland Browns: Judkins in Limbo; Chaos Reigns
This one’s messy, and not just on the field.
Quinshon Judkins is still unsigned after an offseason arrest. That’s opened the door for Jerome Ford and rookie Dylan Sampson, but it’s far from a clear-cut situation.
Fitzmaurice remains intrigued by Sampson, calling him “explosive, agile and better than his testing numbers.” But even he admits this is a tough call for drafters. “I’m not touching Judkins until we get clarity,” he said, slotting him in the RB30s for now.
DBro isn’t having it. “Avoid the whole room,” he said bluntly. Cleveland doesn’t profile as a high-scoring offense, and Ford/Sampson could be stuck in a timeshare, if Judkins even plays. “Three guys splitting touches on a bad offense? Pass.”
Verdict: Unless you’re taking a last-round swing on Ford or Sampson, let someone else deal with this messy situation.
New York Giants: Skattebo Season?
Cam Skattebo might not be a household name yet, but he could be the biggest riser out of this group by midseason.
DBRo is all in: “Draft all the Cam Skattebo possible,” he declared. He’s betting that the Giants want a true workhorse, and Skattebo fits that mold. “They used more draft capital on him than Tyrone Tracy. He can handle volume, play all three downs and win this job.”
Fitzmaurice is slightly more measured but agrees that Skattebo has the edge. He sees a possible 60/40 split but believes the former Arizona State star has the higher-value touches, especially at the goal line.
Don’t forget that Tracy fumbled too often and underwhelmed as a pass-catcher in 2024. Devin Singletary is barely hanging on.
Verdict: Skattebo is the bet here. Top-20 upside if he claims the job by Week 4.
Kansas City Chiefs: One-Man Show or RBBC?
Isiah Pacheco was RB14 in points per game last year despite a broken fibula that sidelined him for 10 games. Now healthy, he’s priced as an RB3 in most drafts.
Fitzmaurice sees that as a buying opportunity: “He’s the best back on the roster, and it’s a high-value offense. If he’s even 90% of what he was, he’s worth it at cost.”
DBro’s more skeptical. He’s projecting a committee with Pacheco as the early-down hammer and seventh-round rookie Brashard Smith filling the Jerick McKinnon pass-catching role. “I’m drafting Smith with the last pick in every league. He has standalone value and a path to more if Pacheco gets hurt.”
Key Stat: Pacheco has never topped 0.86 yards per route run in his career — not elite in the passing game.
Verdict: Pacheco is fine as a mid-round RB2/RB3, but Smith is the sneaky stash with McKinnon-esque upside.
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