Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

February 10, 2025 By  Fantasy NFL, dynasty

Running Backs to Target in Dynasty Leagues

Our next installment will deal with running backs whom we feel are good targets to acquire within dynasty leagues. The fantasy season is an ongoing process for dynasty owners; managers must constantly look to improve or tweak their rosters. Whether you are an existing or a potentially new owner looking to purchase an orphaned team. The keen owners will be looking to acquire players that others may be down on coming off an injury-plagued, disappointing season or have a good long-term outlook. We have identified two running backs that have to potential to produce their current ADP as the fantasy community enters the off-season.

Running Backs to Target in Dynasty Leagues

With Pittsburgh not picking up the final year of Najee Harris’ contract, it is still up in the air if the Steelers will resign him. Jaylen Warren is a running back who needs to be an early best-ball draft target and a dynasty target. Jaylen Warren is set up to be the Steeler’s RB1 potentially. As we dove into the last season’s statistics, from weeks 14 to 18, Warren began to take over as the leadback. During that stretch, Warren out-snapped Harris in five of those six games including a season-high 67% snap share in week 16. Harris did carry Warren 56-42 during that stretch but Warren saw 19 targets to Harris’ 11.

The Steelers will likely draft a running back in this April’s draft, but Warren will be the favorite to open the season as the lead back. Warren is only 26 years old and the RB1 in Arthur Smith’s run-oriented offense. He is a great bet to outperform his current RB33 dynasty ranking. The fantasy community is mostly down on the Steeler’s offense. A Keen dynasty owner will look to take advantage of the recency bias and scoop Warren up. Fantasy owners in any league type want to be ahead of the curve on a player. I would find the Warren owner and make him an offer.

Ray Davis Radar

Ray Davis needs to be a dynasty running back target for managers during the 2025 off-season. He is just 25, tied to current MVP  quarterback Josh Allen, and plays in the Bill’s ranked top-ten in 2024. James Cook will still enter the season as the Bill’s clear RB1 but that makes Davis a premier handcuff.

In 2024, Warren averaged nearly four yards per carry, 11.1 yards per reception, and had six total touchdowns. From weeks 15-18, Davis averaged about 9-10 touches a game and has the potential for massive upside should Cook get injured. Ty Johnson is still in the mix but he does not have the upside Davis possesses, evidenced by his RB113 ranking. Davis currently sits as the dynasty RB41 and will smash that ranking if he takes over as the Bills’ RB1. At a minimum, Davis should be a high-priority target for any James Cook owner. He represents a dynasty lottery ticket if on your roster in 2025.

Main Photo: Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

About Shawn Pettinati

Shawn Pettinati is a Sports Writer that brings 30 years of experience as a Physical Education Teacher, Basketball and Baseball Coach. In addition, he was a prior Basketball Director with the Charlotte Hornets, Hoops, and Clinics. Shawn is an avid sports enthusiast who uses his coaching background to bring authentic insight into his writing content.

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