Buy These Discount Running Backs in Dynasty

Chew spotlights six valuable Running Backs to buy in dynasty for 2025 production.

For most dynasty managers, the running back is the last position to upgrade when in pursuit of a fantasy championship. This is due in part to the fragility of the position as well as its shorter shelf life in relation to the other fantasy-relevant positions. With those concerns in mind, it is wise to pick up running backs at a discount in the offseason while rookie fever is still in the air. The six running backs below are projected to be starters or at least 1B options in their respective backfields despite their lack of dynasty allure. Let's dive into these players and some trades I endorse for acquiring them in dynasty.

*Rankings based on running backs ranked outside the top-24 per KeepTradeCut. Trades sourced from Dynasty-Daddy and based on: Quarterbacks (2); Scoring Format (1); Tight End Premium (0-0.5); Team Count (10-12); Starter Count (8-11).

ISIAH PACHECO (KC)

Current Ranking: RB-27 (RB-26: Zach Charbonnet & RB-28: D’Andre Swift)

The former seventh round pick out of Rutgers is coming off a down season in 2024 due primarily to a broken leg in Week 2. The rest of the running back room is an interesting mix of what was (Kareem Hunt & Elijah Mitchell) and what could be (Brashard Smith). Despite Hunt covering for Pacheco during his injury hiatus, this is still Pacheco’s backfield.

Pachecho is currently ranked amongst the back end of starters and top end of backups and it is criminal. I am not expecting a top-12 finish but Pacheco finished as the RB-15 overall in 2023 and i think another top-20 finish is chalk. And I am bullish on the Chiefs’ offense continuing to put Pacheco in position to eclipse his career-best seven touchdowns from 2023. Here are a few trades I would make to acquire Pacheco.

Dynasty Trades to BUY:

Isiah Pacheco +’26 3rd round pick ←→ Trey Benson + ‘27 2nd round pick

Isiah Pacheco ←→ Tyjae Spears + Isaac TeSlaa

Isiah Pacheco + A.J. Brown ←→ ‘26 1st round pick

BRIAN ROBINSON (WAS)

Current Ranking: RB-30 (RB-29: Trey Benson & RB-31: James Conner)

Brian Robinson is entering a contract year in 2025 on an up-and-coming offense in Washington. In terms of how he get his fantasy production, Robinson is a slightly more efficient Najee Harris. The fantasy production is volume dependent and there is some receiving production but nothing noteworthy. But in a backfield shared with an aging Austin Ekeler and rookie seventh-rounder Jacory Croskey-Merritt, I fully expect Robinson to be the overall touch leader in D.C.

Robinson is currently ranked at his floor, with volume and touchdown upside to push him into top-24 territory. While this is not a dramatic jump, getting a starting running back on a high scoring offense is always a good dart throw. So, whether you are tiering down from a higher scoring running back or looking for a sweetener to a bigger deal, consider trading for Robinson in dynasty!

Dynasty Trades to BUY:

Brian Robinson + Keon Coleman + ‘26 1st round pick ←→ Joe Mixon + ‘26 3rd round pick

Brian Robinson + Calvin Ridley ←→ ‘26 2nd round pick + ‘26 3rd round pick

Brian Robinson + Kyler Murray ←→ Jaxson Dart + Emeka Egbuka

JAMES CONNER (ARI)

Current Ranking: RB-31 (RB-30: Brian Robinson & RB-32: Tyrone Tracy)

It is not common to recommend a 30 year old but here we are. Trey Benson simply could not usurp the elder statesman in James Conner as the latter was just too effective. I anticipate we are in store for a similar story in 2025 with Conner getting another 200+ touches and 8+ touchdowns. He may not be able to maintain his physical running style for more than another two years but at this cost you can capture his upside.

I have realized I do not have the same age-based hesitation with running backs as most other dynasty managers but it is relative to their value. Would I rather have a running back capable of one or two more top-15 seasons or a running back that has more question marks but is younger? As long as the price is right, I am going with the former and here are a few trades I endorse to acquire Conner.

Dynasty Trades to BUY:

James Conner + ‘26 3rd round pick ←→ Jaydon Blue

James Conner ←→ Hollywood Brown + ‘27 4th round pick

James Conner + Darnell Mooney ←→ Jakobi Meyers

TYRONE TRACY (NYG)

Current Ranking: RB-32 (RB-31: James Conner & RB-33: Travis Etienne)

I know the Giants’ fanbase is already embracing rookie running back Cam Skattebo but let’s not forget about last year’s rookie standout Tyrone Tracy. Giants fans were likely brought back to days of Tiki Barber’s fumble issues with Tracy committing four fumbles in the last eight games. But as a converted wide receiver during his collegiate career, I trust Tracy is still learning the position and is poised to resume his lead role in an ascending offense.

Tracy is ranked amongst the aging starters (James Conner) and hopeful starters (Travis Etienne) as RB-32. I understand the caution, Tracy was a fifth round pick in 2024 and the Giants drafted Skattebo in the fourth round this year. While both have the receiving chops, Tracy is the more explosive option who has earned the starting role for 2025. As long as the ball security issues are a thing of the past, look for Tracy to at worst be the 1A in New York.

Dynasty Trades to BUY:

Tyrone Tracy + Chuba Hubbard ←→ James Cook + Quentin Johnston

Tyrone Tracy + Dak Prescott + ‘26 1st round pick ←→ Chase Brown + Justin Fields

Tyrone Tracy ←→ Dylan Sampson + ‘26 4th round pick

TONY POLLARD (TEN)

Current Ranking: RB-35 (RB-34: Bhayshul Tuten & RB-35: Jordan Mason)

Despite the concerns that Tyjae Spears would overtake Tony Pollard, the latter finished his first season in Tennessee out-touching Spears 2-to-1. Neither was particularly efficient on the ground but a paltry quarterback and offensive line did not do them any favors. Pollard only signed a three-year contract and the team has an out with minimal dead cap after the 2025 season; however, it was this regime that signed him. So Pollard has a few million reasons to show out in 2025 as he enters what is essentially a contract year in his aged-28 season with a new quarterback and improved offensive line.

Despite his taller, more slight frame when compared to most other three-down running backs, Pollard managed 300+ touches in each of his past two seasons as a starter. And the two running backs he is ranked amongst are rookie speedster Bhayshul Tuten and high-end handcuff Jordan Mason. I can appreciate Tuten’s upside in a Liam Coen-led offense and Mason’s value behind the aging Aaron Jones, but Pollard in this range is too good to pass up. At worst, Pollard is not resigned by the Titans and becomes the 1B option in what would likely be a better offense. So let’s take a look at a few trades to buy Pollard.

Dynasty Trades to BUY:

Tony Pollard + Chris Olave ←→ Xavier Worthy

Tony Pollard ←→ Trey Benson + Wan’Dale Robinson

Tony Pollard ←→ Jaylen Warren + Rashod Bateman + ‘26 4th round pick

JAVONTE WILLIAMS (DAL)

Current Ranking: RB-46 (RB-45: Braelon Allen & RB-47: Isaac Guerendo)

Javonte Williams joins the Cowboys in 2025 on a one year deal to lead the fourth-cheapest running back room from a cap standpoint. Excluding a lost season due to an ACL tear in Week 4 of 2022, Williams has only missed one game in his career and that durability will be his calling card in a so-so Dallas backfield. With a healthy Dak Prescott and improved CeeDee Lamb counterpart in George Pickens, the Cowboys offense should be making more redzone trips to give Williams a chance to beat his career high seven total touchdowns.

While I do have sincere concerns about Miles Sanders taking more of a role than many anticipate, that apprehension is baked into his ranking as the RB-46 in dynasty. Ranked above and below Williams are Braelon Allen and Isaac Guerendo, respectively. The value of Allen and Guerendo is primarily as a handcuff to bell cow running backs Breece Hall and Christian McCaffrey. So buying Williams in dynasty could only be a season-long investment but if it all works out he could parlay 2025 into another fantasy-friendly opportunity.

Dynasty Trades to BUY:

Javonte Williams + Tucker Kraft + ‘26 3rd round pick ←→ Dalton Kincaid

Javonte Williams ←→ ‘27 3rd round pick

Javonte Williams + Hollywood Brown ←→ D’Andre Swift

So you made it this long and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow dynasty degenerates I would greatly appreciate it!