Hey Razzballers, it’s me again, giving you my favorite running back dynasty trade targets. You can find my favorite WR dynasty trade targets here. Remember, the key to winning in dynasty is identifying value before your league mates do. There’s a method to the madness. Right now we’re in one of the best buying windows of the offseason, the lull between OTAs and training camp, when trade markets tend to cool, and managers may become more willing to deal. That’s where savvy dynasty players can capitalize.
I will highlight running backs whose current trade value doesn’t match their long-term ceiling, making them ideal buy-now targets before the dynasty market catches up. Even if you don’t land a deal today, these conversations are valuable. They give you a pulse on how your league values its players and help lay the groundwork for trades later in the season. Fire up those trade offers! What’s the worst that can happen?
Rebuilding Rosters
Kyle Monangai: Monangai quietly finished as the RB30 while flirting with 1,000 all-purpose yards as a rookie. There’s plenty of room for growth as Chicago’s RB2 under Ben Johnson, especially with D’Andre Swift entering the final year of his contract. If Monangai proves he’s more than just a complementary back, he could position himself for a featured RB1 role as early as 2027.
Blake Corum: The hardest-working RB2 in football. If you know, you know. While Corum never eclipsed a 50% snap share with the Rams, he logged double-digit carries in four of the final five regular-season games. Reports of a potential 50/50 backfield split should have dynasty managers paying attention.
RJ Harvey: I’ll admit Harvey wasn’t the most efficient runner as a rookie, but an RB21 finish in PPR formats deserves respect. He also ranked eighth among running backs in targets. With Bo Nix recovering from a fractured ankle, Denver could lean even more heavily on the short passing game. Nix led the NFL in throws behind the line of scrimmage and passes traveling 0-9 yards downfield in 2025. Check (downs), please!
Win-Now Contenders
Derrick Henry: The oldest elite running back in fantasy still has plenty left in the tank after posting back-to-back 16-touchdown rushing seasons in Baltimore. New coaching staff? Doesn’t matter much for contenders. Henry has finished as RB7 and RB3 with the Ravens and remains one of the safest bets for volume and touchdowns.
Tony Pollard: Pollard enters his age-29 season after finishing as the RB24 and is playing in the final year of his contract. Tennessee’s offense appears to be trending upward, giving him another opportunity for heavy volume. His dynasty value beyond 2026 is uncertain, but contenders shouldn’t be worried about 2027.
David Montgomery: Montgomery signed a two-year deal with Houston and enters a backfield with minimal competition. Remember, Joe Mixon was one of 10 RBs to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns in Houston’s offense in 2024. Montgomery is in position to provide immediate RB2 production.
Long-Term Contenders
Breece Hall: Hall remains under contract with the Jets through his age-27 season after signing a three-year extension. Surrounded by explosive playmakers, Hall is still just a quality quarterback away from re-entering the conversation as a top-10 dynasty running back over the next several seasons.
Quinshon Judkins: Judkins was the only running back under the age of 23 to record five games with at least 20 rushing attempts during the 2025 season. His recent ankle injury may create an intriguing buy-low opportunity. Like Hall, he’s attached to a young, talented offense that needs stability at quarterback.
Javonte Williams: Williams revived his career in Dallas with an RB11 finish in 2025 and was rewarded with a new three-year contract. At just 26 years old, he’s entering the prime of his career in one of the league’s better offensive environments. Dallas paid him to be the featured back.
Bargain Shopping
Jonathan Brooks: Brooks is finally healthy and still carries the second-round draft capital invested in him by the current Panthers regime. Carolina allowed Rico Dowdle to leave in free agency, signaling confidence that Brooks can seize a significant role. His ceiling could mirror Dowdle’s 2025 production with 1,000 rushing yards and nearly 300 receiving yards.
Rico Dowdle: A reunion with Mike McCarthy in Pittsburgh isn’t a bad outcome. During his final season under McCarthy in Dallas, Dowdle surpassed 1,300 all-purpose yards while scoring five touchdowns. Jaylen Warren could slide into a Kenneth Gainwell-type receiving role, leaving Dowdle with the opportunity to handle the early-down workload.
Zach Charbonnet: Charbonnet was one of just 25 running backs to eclipse 200 touches in 2025 despite sharing the backfield with Kenneth Walker, who also exceeded 250 touches. Entering a contract year and recovering from his ACL injury at age 25, Charbonnet has every reason to give it his all. If he re-signs in Seattle or lands in a favorable situation, his dynasty value could rise significantly.
Window Shopping
TreVeyon Henderson: Everyone is searching for the next Jahmyr Gibbs, and Henderson certainly has the explosiveness to fit the mold. The question is whether his coaching staff is ready to unleash him. Are you willing to pay today’s price for tomorrow’s potential, or do you believe Year 2 brings the workload we’ve all been waiting for?
James Cook: Cook is locked into one of the NFL’s best offensive environments through 2029, and I still don’t think we’ve seen his ceiling. At just 26 years old, he’s finished as RB11, RB8, and RB6 over the past three seasons. A top-five finish is well within reach, yet he’s rarely valued as a top-five dynasty running back. That’s an inefficiency worth exploiting.
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Cheers!
