Fantasy Football: 5 Most Unclear Running Back Situations for 2025 (Cowboys, Chiefs, Giants & More)

Unclear Running Back Situations for 2025

This episode of FFT Express breaks down the five most chaotic running back situations heading into the 2025 NFL season, offering insights for fantasy football players.

New York Giants Backfield Uncertainty

• 🏈 The Giants' backfield is ranked fifth in uncertainty, featuring young running backs Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cameron Skattebo.
• 💡 Tracy, a late draft pick, showed promise as a rusher but struggled with fumbles, while Skattebo is considered potentially better in both rushing and receiving.
• 📊 Projections show similar carry numbers but a significant difference in targets (49 for Tracy vs. 22 for Skattebo), suggesting a potential split that could make the backfield difficult to navigate for fantasy managers.
• ⚠️ The coaching staff's need to win this year adds pressure to the situation, but the uncertainty may lead fantasy players to avoid this backfield altogether.

Kansas City Chiefs Crowded RB Room

• 🏈 The Chiefs' running back situation is ranked fourth, with Isiah Pacheco facing competition despite previous expectations.
• ⚠️ Pacheco's performance dipped at the end of last season after a leg injury, and his career sample size as a featured back is limited.
• 🤝 The Chiefs have added Kareem Hunt, who was effective last year, and Elijah Mitchell, known for his efficiency when healthy.
• 🎯 There's also chatter about rookie Brashard Smith potentially filling the Jerick McKinnon role, suggesting a committee approach where Pacheco leads, Hunt handles short yardage, and Smith excels on passing downs.
• 🤔 Despite the competition, the upside of the Chiefs' offense makes it hard to ignore, though fantasy managers may end up with none of these backs.

New England Patriots RB Battle

• 🏈 The third most unclear situation is in New England, with Rhamondre Stevenson and rookie TreVeyon Henderson.
• 🎯 Stevenson has shown flashes of talent and received significant targets in the past, while Henderson is viewed as a potential three-down back with good pass-protection skills.
• 📊 The ideal scenario for fantasy managers would be Stevenson handling early-down work and Henderson dominating passing downs, but there's a chance Henderson could take over the lead role entirely.

Jacksonville Jaguars RB Conundrum

• 🏈 The Jaguars' backfield is ranked second in uncertainty, featuring Travis Etienne, Tank Bigsby, and Bhayshul Tuten.
• ⚠️ Etienne is reportedly not a favorite of the new coaching staff, and Bigsby showed promise as a rusher last year.
• 🎯 Tuten, a day-three pick, has the potential to emerge as the lead back by mid-season, but also carries the risk of being a fantasy irrelevant pick.
• 📉 The uncertainty surrounding Etienne's role and the potential emergence of Bigsby or Tuten makes this a backfield to monitor closely.

Dallas Cowboys' Deep RB Depth Chart

• 🏈 The Cowboys' backfield is considered the most unclear situation heading into the season.
• ❓ The team has a crowded depth chart including Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, rookie Jaydon Blue, Duce Vaughn, and Efioma Mafa.
• 🎯 While Javonte Williams is currently favored, the sheer number of backs and the lack of a clear standout starter create significant fantasy uncertainty.
• 📉 Despite the competition, these backs are available cheaply, but the situation lacks a clear bell-cow, making it a risky proposition for fantasy managers.