5 Dynasty Buys Under 25 - RB Edition
Chew highlights 5 running backs under 25 that you should be buying this dynasty offseason.
Age is a crucial factor to building a formidable dynasty roster for the long haul. The younger players that still have something to prove are often the most polarizing as dynasty managers draw their figurative lines in the sand.
Running backs have the shortest shelf life of the fantasy relevant positions. Fantasy rosters are already sensitive to the fragility of the running back position but it is amplified in dynasty with an ageless wonder like Derrick Henry a rarity. In this article I highlight five running backs under 25 that could be on the rise in dynasty.
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*Qualifying running backs are under 25 years old by the beginning of the 2025 NFL season and outside the Top-24 in RB fantasy points per game in 2024. Dynasty trades sources from Dynasty Daddy.
Zach Charbonnet (RB-29 — 11.0 ppg — 24 years old)
2024 Stats: [135 rushes - 569 yds - 8 TDs] - [42 catches / 47 targets - 308 yds - 1 TD]
Charbonnet entered the Seattle backfield alongside Kenneth Walker in 2023 and served as the clear second option, though still garnering nearly 150 touches. Through two seasons Charbonnet’s best ability has been availability, which came in handy in 2024 when Walker missed a combined six games due to injury. Another boon for Charbonnet’s fantasy production in 2024 was his increased usage inside the 5-yard line which helped to boost his TD-production.
There is uncertainty around the Seahawks offense in 2025 with the offensive coordinator position currently unfilled. Walker enters the final year of his rookie contract and another injury-riddled season could have Seattle looking to make Charbonnet the lead of the committee backfield in 2026. With a deep running back rookie class entering the fold in 2025, a stable back like Charbonnet could provide dynasty depth at a reasonable cost.
Dynasty Trades to acquire Zach Charbonnet:
Zach Charbonnet + Rashee Rice ←→ Garrett Wilson + ‘25 3.06 3rd rd pick
Zach Charbonnet + ‘25 2.02 pick ←→ Jerry Jeudy + ‘25 3.09 pick + ‘25 4.10 pick
Zach Charbonnet ←→ ‘26 2nd rd pick
Tyjae Spears (RB-35 — 9.5 ppg — 24 years old)
2024 Stats: [85 rushes - 312 yds - 4 TDs] - [30 catches / 33 targets - 224 yds - 1 TD]
Spears is doing with one ACL what many cannot do with two! The former member of the Green Wave has seen his fantasy production capped by a well-paid Tony Pollard and a porous offensive line. But when given the opportunity Spears has paired his home run speed with his pass-catching upside to serve as dependable dynasty depth.
The Titans enter the 2025 NFL Draft with the first overall pick and, hopefully, a focus on truly improving that offensive line. Spears should resume his complimentary role with Pollard in 2025, but much like Charbonnet, Spears is more than simply just a handcuff. The Titans have a number of other holes to fill, specifically on their offense. So Spears is a buy in dynasty as we’ve already seen his floor playing behind Pollard, with a so-so quarterback, and behind a lackluster offensive line. For Spears, that’s just called a Sunday afternoon.
Dynasty Trades to acquire Tyjae Spears:
Tyjae Spears ←→ Kendre Miller + Cedric Tillman
Tyjae Spears + ‘25 3rd rd pick + ‘26 4th rd pick ←→ Adonai Mitchell + ‘27 2nd pick
Tyjae Spears ←→ ‘25 2.09 pick
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB 67 — 3.2 ppg — 24 years old)
2024 Stats: [35 rushes - 173 yds - 2 TDs] - [1 catches / 1 targets - 12 yds]
I have a soft spot for Rodriguez and his punishing run style. Rodriguez enters the 2025 offseason as an exclusive rights free agent with the Commanders and could very well return there. And returning to such a high-powered offense would offer the former Wildcat the chance to fill in for Brian Robinson Jr when necessary. Regardless of his jersey in 2025, his skillset offers the ability to join any backfield and fill a role when called upon.
Every season is filled with depth running backs that have a week or two of fantasy relevancy. This is the “get your guy” and Rodriguez is that for me. To highlight the minimal dynasty investment, there was only one trade on dynasty-daddy within the last 30 days from this article. Needless to say, if you have a depth running back like Rodriguez that cost you nothing in dynasty then go get him!
Dynasty Trades to acquire Chris Rodriguez Jr. (used trade calculator):
Chris Rodriguez Jr. ←→ ‘27 4th rd pick
Chris Rodriguez Jr. ←→ Treylon Burks
Chris Rodriguez Jr. ←→ Juju Smith-Schuster
MarShawn Lloyd (RB-88 — 2.8 ppg — 24 years old)
2024 Stats: [6 rushes - 15 yds] - [1 catches / 1 targets - 3 yds]
Lloyd was my third running back in the 2024 rookie class, with comparables of Devonta Freeman and Khalil Herbert. A strong, compact frame with good burst is exactly what Lloyd displayed during his collegiate career. And unfortunately Lloyd had his rookie season robbed by a litany of injuries, including appendicitis (I know that pain)!
Josh Jacobs is the undoubted leader in the Green Bay backfield and throughout his career he has shown to be able to handle a heavy workload with ease. But to keep the soon-to-be 27 year old running back fresh, Lloyd would be a great compliment to Jacobs in 2025. The reason to buy Lloyd in dynasty is for his home run play ability and opportunity to fill in for Jacobs in a high end offense.
Dynasty Trades to acquire MarShawn Lloyd:
MarShawn Lloyd ←→ ‘25 4.02 pick
MarShawn Lloyd + ‘25 2nd rd pick ←→ Aaron Jones
MarShawn Lloyd + ‘25 3rd rd pick ←→ Kendre Miller
Will Shipley (RB-93 — 0.9 ppg — 23 years old)
2024 Stats: [30 rushes - 82 yds] - [4 catches / 4 targets - 35 yds]
Shipley slotted in as my tenth running back in the 2024 rookie class, with comparables of Aaron Jones and Evan Hull. The former Tiger wins with his speed and his pass catching prowess and there is a lot to like playing on the Eagles. In 2024, there was not much runway with Saquon Barkley handling the lion’s share of the touches and Kenneth Gainwell already a trusted name. Shipley’s only real look was in Week 18 where he saw a 50% snap share and turned 14 touches into almost 70 total yards.
Heading into the 2025 season Shipley has a chance to slot in as the secondary back behind Barkley with Gainwell becoming an unrestricted free agent. Shipley’s touches will be capped by one of the most dynamic running backs of this era but any running back in this offense has value. In dynasty it is worthwhile to buy cheap on running backs like Shipley in case of sporadic boosts in opportunity.
Dynasty Trades to acquire Will Shipley:
Will Shipley ←→ ‘25 4.08 pick
Will Shipley + ‘25 3rd rd pick ←→ Dontayvion Wicks
Will Shipley + Rashod Bateman + ‘25 3.08 pick ←→ Marvin Mims Jr. + ‘25 3.04 pick
So you lasted 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!