You’ve heard the talk. People say the running back position is dead in dynasty. They tell you to "Zero RB" your way to a title because backs are just disposable tissues.
Honestly? They're mostly wrong.
While the "life expectancy" of an NFL rusher is shorter than ever, the 2024 season proved that having a true hammer like Saquon Barkley or Bijan Robinson is still the fastest way to a trophy. But as we look at dynasty rb rankings 2025, things feel... different. We’ve got a massive influx of rookie talent from the 2025 class that has absolutely nuked the old consensus. Some veterans are hanging on by a thread, while a few "young" stars are already starting to feel like yesterday's news.
The Big Three: A Tier of Their Own
If you don’t have one of these guys, you’re basically chasing ghosts.
Bijan Robinson remains the gold standard. After finally being freed from the shackles of Arthur Smith's "creative" usage in 2023, Bijan went nuclear in 2024 with 1,881 total yards. He's only 23. He catches everything. He's the closest thing we have to a "safe" asset in a volatile market.
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Then there’s Jahmyr Gibbs. Some people worry about David Montgomery stealing goal-line carries, but who cares? Gibbs is a human highlight reel. He averaged over 5 yards per carry and proved he can handle a workhorse load when called upon. In PPR leagues, his receiving floor makes him almost impossible to move in trades unless someone is offering you a king’s ransom.
The new kid on the block is Ashton Jeanty. The Raiders took him 6th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, and the hype is real. Even with a subpar offensive line in Las Vegas, Jeanty's contact balance is world-class. He’s already being valued as a top-three dynasty back because his college profile—2,700 total yards in his final year at Boise State—is statistically historic. If you’re rebuilding, he’s the guy you want to build around.
Dynasty RB Rankings 2025: The Mid-Tier Mud
The "B-Tier" is where leagues are won or lost. It’s also where the most misinformation lives.
- Breece Hall: I’m seeing Breece slide in some spots, and I think it’s a mistake. Yes, the Jets are a mess. Yes, he’s in a contract year and wants out. But the talent hasn’t vanished. If he lands in a better environment in 2026, he’ll jump right back into the elite tier.
- Omarion Hampton: Jim Harbaugh got his guy. Hampton landed with the Chargers, and while he’s splitting reps with Najee Harris right now, everyone knows what’s coming. By 2026, he’s the undisputed lead dog in a run-heavy system. He’s a "buy now" before the price becomes unattainable.
- De'Von Achane: He's the ultimate "risk vs. reward" play. He averages 20+ points when he's on the field, but he’s basically a Ferrari that spends every third week in the shop. If you’re a contender, keep him. If you’re looking two years out, he might be the best "sell high" candidate on the market.
The Rookie Reality Check
The 2025 class was hyped as the "saviors" of the position, but the first half of the season was a bit of a cold shower. TreVeyon Henderson started slow in New England but eventually began to outshine Rhamondre Stevenson. Meanwhile, Quinshon Judkins is dealing with a murky situation in Cleveland that includes potential league discipline and a bad offense.
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Don't panic.
Running backs often take time to adjust to NFL blitz pickups and pass protection. If a manager in your league is frustrated that Kaleb Johnson isn't Alvin Kamara yet, send an offer. The talent didn't just disappear because they had a few bad weeks in September.
Why Saquon and CMC Are Breaking the System
Age used to be a death sentence. Now? It’s a discount.
Saquon Barkley just put up 2,000 yards in Philly. He’s 28, which usually means "sell for a 2nd rounder," but he looks faster than he did three years ago. If you are trying to win a championship in 2025 or 2026, Saquon is arguably a better asset than most of the rookies.
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Then we have the Christian McCaffrey conundrum. He missed most of 2024. He’s 29. The wheels have to fall off eventually, right? Maybe. But his PPG (Points Per Game) is still so much higher than the field that he remains a Tier 1 talent for "win-now" teams. Just don't expect to get three first-rounders for him anymore. His value is strictly in the points he puts in your lineup, not his trade equity.
Strategy: How to Value These Assets Today
Stop looking at rankings as a rigid list of 1 to 50. Dynasty is about windows.
If your team is young and struggling, you should be shopping veterans like Joe Mixon or Alvin Kamara (who is somehow still elite at 30) for guys like Bucky Irving or future 2026 picks. Bucky, by the way, is a massive riser. His efficiency in Tampa has made Rachaad White almost irrelevant in that backfield.
If you’re a contender, do the opposite. Everyone is obsessed with "age-adjusted value." Use that to your advantage. Go get Jonathan Taylor. People forget he’s only 26 and is still the engine of that Indy offense. He’s scored 27 touchdowns in his last 21 games. That’s elite production you can usually get for a mid-tier wide receiver because managers are scared of his "injury history."
The Next Steps for Your Roster
Inventory your "Point-to-Value" ratio. Look at your RBs and ask: Is this player's trade value higher than the points they actually provide?
- Check the 2026 Pick Value: The 2026 RB class is already looking deep. If you can move a "steady" but Boring RB like James Cook for a 2026 mid-1st and a younger upside play, do it.
- Stash the Backups: Guys like RJ Harvey in Denver and Bhayshul Tuten in Jacksonville are one injury or one free-agency departure away from being top-20 starters.
- Monitor the Raiders' OL: If Vegas invests in the draft or free agency to help Ashton Jeanty, he becomes the overall RB1 in dynasty by this time next year.
The market is moving fast. Don't get left behind holding a roster of aging "maybe" players while the rest of your league gets younger and more explosive.