The NFL offseason is officially in the swing of things and many rosters will be shaken up heading into next season impacting the fantasy football landscape. Below are when the current franchise tag and free agent period windows start where you should expect more news to start dropping on where players will be ending up in 2025.
- Franchise tag window opens: Feb. 18
- Franchise tag window closes:Â March 4
- NFL legal tampering begins:Â March 10
- NFLÂ free agency, new league year:Â March 12
Free agency always has a major impact on the fantasy football landscape and we saw multiple free-agent running backs have monster seasons on new teams. While this running back class does not have as much high-end talent, there are still some important players who could be switching teams this offseason. Below I broke down the best fit for the top free agents where they could flourish in fantasy football.
Top Free Agent Running Backs
Aaron Jones
Former Team: Minnesota Vikings
Best Fit: Minnesota Vikings
Summary: Aaron Jones returning to the Minnesota Vikings in 2025 would be the best-case scenario for both sides. Jones had a career season in Minnesota having his highest total yardage (1546) and scoring 7 touchdowns resulting in 14.2 points per game. Jones’ versatility allowed him to serve as the bell cow back for the first time in his career, complementing the passing attack led by Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. With J.J. McCarthy taking over in 2025, having a veteran like Jones leading the backfield with take pressure off of the second-year quarterback. If he stays healthy, he will be in line for another productive season in Minnesota.
Najee Harris
Former Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Best Fit: Las Vegas Raiders
Summary: Najee Harris is one of the more frustrating backs in the NFL for fantasy managers after never living up to his production from his rookie year. Despite him only scoring 12 points per game this season, he had his fourth straight 1000-yard season and is capable of handling a heavy workload. Harris would be a great fit in Las Vegas as they look to bring in a new quarterback and are in desperate need of consistency in the run game. He could provide the consistency they need playing a majority of snaps and bring in a more explosive change of pace back. If Harris winds up heading to the Raiders it would be the best-case scenario for his fantasy stock in 2025.
J.K. Dobbins
Former Team: Los Angeles Chargers
Best Fit: Los Angeles Chargers
Summary: J.K. Dobbins returned from injury leading to a career season in his first year with the Chargers. Dobbins averaged 14.8 points per game and was able to excel in the Chargers’ run-heavy scheme under Jim Harbaugh. Adding depth behind Dobbins, such as a strong rookie or veteran presence, would allow him to remain healthy and effective throughout the season. Dobbins has already proven his worth in L.A., and with Harbaugh’s system likely to evolve further, the backfield could become even more productive in 2025. Dobbins has the opportunity to build on his success and potentially have the best season of his career as the centerpiece of a retooled Chargers offense.
Rico Dowdle
Former Team: Dallas Cowboys
Best Fit: Dallas Cowboys
Summary: Rico Dowdle was finally able to take over the Cowboys backfield towards the end of the season and it resulted in four 100-yard rushing performances in his last six games. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer has run a ton of inside zone concepts under center between his different stops as the offensive coordinator, a play that Dowdle graded out as one of the best backs in the league. If Jerry Jones is smart, he would resign Dowdle on a cheap contract instead of investing an early pick on a running back in the draft. Dowdle will likely be in for an RB2 finish if he is the Cowboys lead back in 2025.
Nick Chubb
Former Team: Cleveland Browns
Best Fit: Chicago Bears
Summary: Nick Chubb returned from injury and was not productive finishing with a career-low 7.9 points per game. While we see many running backs recover from ACL injuries better in their second year removed from the injury, Chubb is approaching 30 and has had multiple ACL injuries. At this point in his career, he would be most productive in a running back committee. There is one team that sticks out more than others when it comes to Chubb, and it is the Chicago Bears. We have seen running backs like David Montgomery and Jamaal Williams have monster touchdown numbers in Ben Johnson’s offense despite limited touches. Chubb could be a steal in fantasy football if he lands in Chicago.
Other Notable Free Agent Running Backs
Jaylen Warren
Former Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
Best Fit: Pittsburgh Steelers
Javonte Williams
Former Team: Denver Broncos
Best Fit: Pittsburgh Steelers
Kareem Hunt
Former Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Best Fit: Kansas City Chiefs
Raheem Mostert
Former Team: Miami Dolphins
Best Fit: Carolina Panthers
Ty Johnson
Former Team: Buffalo Bills
Best Fit: Buffalo Bills
Alexander Mattison
Former Team: Las Vegas Raiders
Best Fit: Denver Broncos
Ameer Abdullah
Former Team: Las Vegas Raiders
Best Fit: Las Vegas Raiders
Elijah Mitchell
Former Team: San Francisco 49ers
Best Fit: New Orleans Saints
Jordan Mason
Former Team: San Francisco 49ers
Best Fit: San Francisco 49ers