With the 2024 season in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look ahead. Before we get to the draft, we start a new league year and a free-agent frenzy. Ahead of that, I’ll be looking at five impact free agents—and a couple of honorable mentions—at each of the four big fantasy positions. Today, it’s a look at running backs.
No. 1: Najee Harris
2024 Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
About: Harris was a First-Round draft pick in 2021. He’s been remarkably consistent for the Steelers, though his best year was his rookie season, where he rushed for a career-high 1,200 yards and caught a career-high 74 passes. He hasn’t reached those numbers since, though he has gone for at least 1,000 yards in all four seasons. That led to the Steelers declining his fifth-year option, as Harris split the backfield work with Jaylen Warren again under first-year Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith.
He’s a free agent and likely the best of the free-agent running backs this year. The rumor is the Steelers want him back, which seems possible. He finished as RB20 in 2024 and figures to offer RB2 value. He’s still young, and there are plenty of teams in need of a running back. He remains an RB2 for me in dynasty rankings.
No. 2: Aaron Jones
2024 Team: Minnesota Vikings
About: After a long career with the Packers, Jones found himself on the open market in 2024. He signed with the rival Minnesota Vikings, finishing as RB14 for a team that finished 14-3. Yes, Jones is 30 years old, but he showed he still has skill. He rushed for 1,138 yards and five touchdowns, catching 51 passes. He also proved durable, appearing in all 17 games for the Vikings.
Jones is at the phase of his career where he likely won’t have long-term security, but he should get a decent contract and a decent chance to contribute for a running back-needy squad in 2025. That could make him a good option for your fantasy team. Still, he’s in the RB3 range because of his age and likely limited number of strong-producing years left.
No. 3: Javonte Williams
2024 Team: Denver Broncos
About: Williams was a strong dynasty candidate when he was drafted in 2021. He was part of the same class as Harris and Travis Etienne and seemed like a lock to contribute to a Broncos’ team in need of production.
In his rookie year, despite a time split, he rushed for 903 yards. He never got to that many yards again. In his second year, looking at a chance to explode, he suffered a knee injury. While he was the lead back in a committee for Sean Payton for the past two years, he never seemed to be featured. Despite that, he contributed as a rusher and receiver, catching 99 passes the past two years. In 2024, he finished as RB30, which showed his fantasy upside if given more consistent opportunities.
Now, he hits free agency and isn’t likely back with Denver. If you’re holding him in Dynasty, the hope is he lands somewhere he can be a featured back. He’s an RB3 for me, but I still believe he can produce a higher return in the right situation.
No. 4: J.K. Dobbins
2024 Team: Los Angeles Chargers
About: Dobbins was part of the backfield solution for the Chargers in 2024. He came over from the Ravens partly because of his familiarity with Greg Roman’s offensive scheme. But he came in as a big question. Dobbins appeared in 15 games as a rookie, showing a lot of promise. Due to a series of injuries, he appeared in just nine games in the three seasons following.
But he stepped up in 2024. He rushed for 905 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games. Now, he enters free agency. He showed some pop and had some good production. He may never reach the heights some thought when he was drafted, but he should be a decent part of a committee. Will that be back with the Chargers? Hard to say. But, for now, he’s a low-end RB3 for me.
No. 5: Nick Chubb
2024 Team: Cleveland Browns
About: Chubb has been a great producer at times, but he’s also dealt with a variety of injuries. In 2024, he came back from a second major knee injury. He ended the season injured again.
He enters free agency after appearing in just 10 games the past two seasons, rushing for just over 500 yards combined. He’s also approaching 30, which is typically something of a cliff for a running back. That makes him a tricky player to evaluate in fantasy. I think Chubb could still produce, but he’s likely best as part of a committee where he’s not carrying a big load. If you held on to Chubb, you likely saw his value plummet. He’s got the potential to be an RB4 and maybe a flex option in the right situation if he can get healthy, but he could also be a little more than a roster clogger. He’s a player to watch closely this off-season.
Honorable Mention: Jaylen Warren
About: What happens with Warren? He’s a restricted free agent expected to be tendered by the Steelers. We’ve seen some decent production, but he’s never really carried the load. If Harris leaves, could this be his year? It’s possible, but it feels like he’s destined to be a committee back. He’s an RB3 for me.
Honorable Mention: Rico Dowdle
About: Dowdle was barely on the radar this time last year. But he got an opportunity in Dallas, and he made the most of it. He ended up with more than 200 carries, rushing for 1,079 yards and catching 39 passes. Now he hits free agency. His production in 2024 was impressive, but it was a radical step up from anything previous in his career. He has some fantasy value, but where will he land? Will he get opportunities? It’s hard to imagine he lands anywhere as running-back poor as the 2024 Cowboys. For now, he’s a low-end RB4.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
