PlayerProfiler is home to award-winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out! Below, Wyatt Bertolone looks at the Running Back Committees: 2025 Fantasy Football Impact.
There are few workhorse running backs in today’s NFL, which is tough for fantasy football. Figuring out the roles for each running back in a given backfield is vital to having fantasy football success. Today, I’ll discuss some of the most important backfields to dissect.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos’ backfield in 2024 left a lot to be desired. In true Sean Payton fashion, they had enviable roles in that they received plenty of opportunities, but they failed to give exciting production. With Javonte Williams moving on this offseason, we knew the Broncos were likely to add at least one player to the backfield. They started by drafting RJ Harvey in the second round of the NFL Draft, surprising many with how early they picked him. Then, recently, the Broncos added JK Dobbins to pair with Harvey.
Now we must figure out what kind of roles RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins will have. Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughin are still hanging around but are not expected to be relevant. Harvey is a highly athletic running back who excels working in space. He’s a good pass catcher, but struggles in pass protection. Dobbins, after multiple serious injuries, no longer has the athleticism he had when he entered the NFL. But, despite that, he shows he’s still capable of some explosive plays with the Chargers in 2024. He’s also a capable pass catcher, and while not a good pass blocker, he’s better than Harvey at this time.
RJ Harvey’s Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
It may seem like a non-answer, but this is a backfield that, in general, you should want to be invested in. Sean Payton’s backfields are goldmines. The split between RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins should start close to even, with an edge to Harvey, who can take more as the season continues. Both should be involved in the passing game as well. Lastly, they have a serious injury contingent upside with each other. Dobbins’ signing has reduced Harvey’s cost, making him more attractive, while Dobbins is now being appropriately drafted next to the other top RB2s. Just draft ’em.
Jacksonville Jaguars
If you looked up “muddy” in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of the Jaguars’ backfield. In 2024, we saw Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby have clearly defined roles in a near 50/50 split. Bigsby is the clear grinder, and Etienne is the space back and pass catcher. They had some success, but nothing impressive. This offseason brought a new coaching staff with Liam Coen coming to town, who produced one of the productive backfields in 2024 with the Buccaneers. Then, in the NFL Draft, the Jaguars drafted Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round, who was specifically targeted by the new staff.
Bhayshul Tuten is explosiveness personified. He’s a compact running back who can score on any play as both a rusher and receiver. Unfortunately, ball security is a serious issue for him, which we know coaches hate. With Tuten added, we have a true three-player battle happening. Etienne and Tuten can be used in all aspects of the position, while Bigsby is a pure rusher. But, it could be argued that Bigsby is the best pure rusher of the three at this time.
Bhayshul Tuten’s Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
We want to be invested in Liam Coen’s backfield. All three of Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, and Bhayshul Tuten get drafted relatively close to each other, making it so a decision between them is necessary. I’m ignoring Bigsby. We want pass catchers in fantasy football. After that, though, I want exposure to both Etienne and Tuten. Etienne brings pedigree and is the safest option to have a relevant role. Tuten represents the highest potential upside.
Houston Texans
In 2024, with new running back Joe Mixon on the roster, it was easy to project the Texans’ backfield week to week. Mixon was a workhorse. In his 14 games, Mixon had nearly 300 opportunities and over 1,300 total yards. Mixon was one of the best values available in 2024. While he was healthy, the other running backs on the roster contributed little. However, 2025 may bring change to Mixon’s projection. First, Woody Marks, who brings great pass-catching skills, was drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Then, with Mixon nursing an ankle injury, the Texans signed Nick Chubb to a small contract.
Woody Marks projects to be a third-down back in the NFL. He needs to become a better pass blocker to steal opportunities from Joe Mixon. It’s possible but not likely. After returning from his second devastating knee injury, Nick Chubb looked like a shell of his former self. The hope is that with another year removed from the injury, Chubb can at least look similar to how he did in the past. But Chubb is entering his age-30 season. Returning to anything close to his former self at this age after what he’s been through is unlikely.
Joe Mixon’s Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
This is Joe Mixon‘s backfield. Nick Chubb is insurance for Mixon. He is familiar with the running scheme the Texans plan to have, and they were lacking depth. Woody Marks can help in the passing game, but he’s not going to take many meaningful touches from Mixon. At his current cost, Mixon is a clear target. He still projects to have a large workload in the Texans’ offense. Even if he continues to have middling efficiency, he’ll be a value.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have been doing their backfield shopping at the thrift store as of late. In 2024, their plan was Ezekiel Elliott (who was clearly dusty and did little) and Rico Dowdle (who stepped up admirably). They then let Dowdle walk during free agency to replace him with Javonte Williams, as well as Miles Sanders, on cheap contracts. Finally, in the NFL Draft, the Cowboys drafted Jaydon Blue in the fifth round, creating a camp battle between the three of them.
Javonte Williams spent 2024 soaking up opportunities in Denver but doing little with them. Since suffering a terrible knee injury in his second year, Williams has struggled to be effective. The Eagles let Miles Sanders walk when his rookie contract ended, and he followed it up by signing a lucrative contract with the Panthers. However, Sanders quickly lost his job to Chuba Hubbard. Sanders doesn’t inspire hope, but luckily for him, neither does Williams. Jaydon Blue, on the other hand, presents an unknown upside. Blue is lightning fast and a good pass catcher. Unfortunately, though, Blue is on the smaller side and never handled much of a workload in college.
Jaydon Blue’s Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
This could be a backfield that doesn’t produce any running backs that we care about. It’s the most likely possibility. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders offer little hope. Jaydon Blue could be a good pass catcher in the NFL, but doesn’t project to earn enough opportunities to be a serious producer. When drafting many teams, I want to have some exposure to Blue since his explosiveness and pass-catching make him the most exciting of the bunch, but he’s not a target.
New England Patriots
In 2024, the Patriots rolled with their newly extended Rhamondre Stevenson and newly signed Antonio Gibson as their one-two punch. Stevenson led the duo, but both were involved in all aspects. Stevenson at times bordered on being benched due to ball security issues, but stayed as the lead back through the season. In the NFL Draft, the Patriots made a serious addition by drafting TreVeyon Henderson in the second round.
TreVeyon Henderson has long been considered a great prospect. Ever since he burst onto the college scene with over 1,500 total yards and 19 touchdowns as a true freshman at Ohio State, Henderson has been destined for the NFL. With his breakaway running ability and top-notch pass game skills, Henderson has immense potential. Rhamondre Stevenson projects to still have a serious role, though. Henderson is a back who shouldn’t be too overloaded with touches to help keep him healthy and ensure his playmaking explosiveness remains.
TreVeyon Henderson’s Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
At current costs, both TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson are worthwhile picks. But Henderson has true league-winning potential because of his pass-catching skills and breakaway ability. If something happened to either of them, they’d both be able to consolidate touches. But Henderson would have league-winning upside if it were Stevenson who got hurt. I’m aggressively drafting Henderson.
Put it All Together
There are great running backs throughout drafts. Correctly predicting who to select from these backfields will lead to fantasy football victories. Often, we want to focus on the young, athletic, pass-catching running backs who present the upside that others don’t.
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