Dynasty Fantasy Football: Top NFL Quarterbacks And Running Backs To Target in Drafts (2025)

If you play dynasty fantasy football, then you know how difficult winning a dynasty title is. A lot more goes into it than a standard redraft league. Injuries happen, players disappoint, and finding viable replacements on waivers is a lot harder. Depth becomes very important.

Running backs are always in demand in dynasty leagues. We all know what having a stud back can mean to your team’s title hopes. In addition, owning an elite signal-caller can make up for other holes in your lineup. Today, we will examine several quarterbacks and running backs you should try and acquire to gain an edge over the rest of your league.

Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your dynasty fantasy football needs. Here are five quarterbacks and running backs you should buy in your dynasty fantasy football leagues.

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J.J. McCarthy, QB, Minnesota Vikings

McCarthy missed his entire rookie year after tearing his meniscus in training camp.

BREAKING: Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy is out for the 2024 season after undergoing a full meniscus repair this morning. (via @RapSheet, @TomPelissero) pic.twitter.com/GgpgfiNYRX

— NFL (@NFL) August 14, 2024

Following McCarthy’s injury, Sam Darnold became Minnesota’s de facto QB1 and had an incredible 2024. He threw for a career-high 4,319 yards and 35 passing touchdowns but came crashing down to earth in the season’s final two games.

Cobie Durant with a DIVING interception off Sam Darnold 🤯pic.twitter.com/jNUOzX5Nfq

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) January 14, 2025

Head coach Kevin O’Connell has not committed to Darnold remaining with the team in 2025 following Minnesota’s Wild Card loss to the Los Angeles Rams. That means McCarthy could be in line to take over as the starter.

There is some uncertainty surrounding McCarthy in the dynasty community since he missed his entire rookie season. However, this is still a quarterback with top-10 draft capital tied to a strong offensive coach and surrounded by an abundance of talent. This is as good of a situation as a first-time starting quarterback can enter.

Likely, the McCarthy owner in your league won’t move him for a discount if they waited out all of 2024, but there might be a manager who sees him as an expendable asset.

If you need a quarterback, it’s certainly worth kicking the tires on a McCarthy trade. He is currently the QB22 in RotoBaller’s dynasty rankings. If his 2025 is anything close to Darnold’s 2024, then this could be the ideal time to acquire last year’s 10th overall pick.

Michael Penix Jr., QB, Atlanta Falcons

Penix took over as the Falcons starter when Kirk Cousins struggled down the stretch. He only went 1-2 in three starts and threw three touchdown passes against three interceptions. While the stats don’t blow you away, there are reasons to be encouraged for the future.

Regular season @PFF passing grades for this year's rookie QB class ...

Michael Penix: 87.6
Jayden Daniels: 83.0
Bo Nix: 72.8
Drake Maye: 64.9
Caleb Williams: 62.9

— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) January 13, 2025

Penix also showcased a big arm and stepped up late in a game against the Washington Commanders with Atlanta’s season on the line.

Michael Penix Jr. to Kyle Pitts on 4th down!! pic.twitter.com/PGbIR4nICx

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 30, 2024

Atlanta will now have an entire offseason to craft an offense catered to his skill set. It will also give Penix time to develop chemistry with Drake London, Darnell Mooney, and the other Falcons skill players.

This situation is not quite as good as McCarthy’s, but things are set up well for Penix. He is an ideal trade target if you’re looking to tier down off someone like Kyler Murray or C.J. Stroud.

Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks

While his raw stats disappointed last year, Walker still posted some strong advanced metrics. Among 46 backs with 100+ carries, Walker finished first in missed tackles forced per attempt (MTF/ATT), per Fantasy Points Data Suite, third in PFF Elusive Rating, and fifth in PFF Rushing Grade.

In addition, the Michigan State product finished ninth in missed tackles forced (MTF), per Fantasy Points Data Suite, and 10th in yards after contact per attempt (YACO/ATT), per Fantasy Points Data Suite.

All aboard the K9 train 🚂 pic.twitter.com/dCv6sT9IWr

— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 8, 2024

This is still a highly talented player. Some of his efficiency metrics have not been great, but this can partially be attributed to Seattle’s poor offensive line play over the years. A bad offensive line can skew running back efficiency metrics, and a good line can help. Look no further than Saquon Barkley this past season for proof of that statement.

Walker received plenty of volume in 2024, even with a new coaching staff. He has dealt with nagging injuries during his career, and that could scare some owners.

Walker is one of the top buys at running back this offseason. He has posted strong advanced metrics in key areas and has a top-5 upside. The addition of new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak might be what unlocks the next level of Walker’s game in 2025.

Check in with the Walker manager in your league and work a deal to get him on your roster.

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers

Hubbard enjoyed a career year in 2024. He ran for a career-high 1,195 yards and scored 10 rushing touchdowns.

There goes Chuba Hubbard for a @Panthers touchdown! #KeepPounding

📺: #CARvsCHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/WHZzLWr0ox

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

His advanced metrics were also quite strong. Hubbard finished third in Next Gen Stats' rush yards over expected (RYOE) and fourth in rush yards over expected per attempt (RYOE/ATT). He was also PFF’s ninth-highest-graded rusher.

Jonathon Brooks, Carolina’s 2024 second-round pick, re-tore his ACL in December. He is unlikely to play in 2025. That means less competition for Hubbard in the Carolina backfield. The incoming rookie running back class is loaded with talent, so Hubbard has a major bullet to dodge there to remain Carolina’s unquestioned RB1.

However, the Panthers signed him to a contract extension last year, making him the sixth-highest-paid running back in the league. So, regardless of who Carolina adds this offseason, Hubbard should remain heavily involved in the team’s offense.

Tank Bigsby, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

After a highly disappointing rookie season in 2023, Bigsby showed signs of life in 2024. He ran for 766 yards and seven touchdowns in his sophomore season.

TANK BIGSBY STIFF ARMS HIS WAY TO A 65-YARD TD.

📺: #INDvsJAX on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/oVugPI0X5s

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

He looked the part of an NFL-caliber back and outshined incumbent starter Travis Etienne Jr. all year. Bigsby even finished higher than Etienne in Next Gen Stats' rush yards over expected (RYOE), PFF’s Rushing Grade, and PFF’s signature Elusive Rating. It was pretty clear Bigsby was Jacksonville’s best back in 2024.

The previous regime (Urban Meyer and Trent Baalke) that used a first-round pick to draft Etienne is gone. Liam Coen takes over as Jacksonville’s new head coach in 2025. It’s unclear who Coen will use as the team’s lead back, so Etienne is by no means a lock to lead the team in touches.

Bigsby outproduced Etienne last year, and if he does it again in 2025, Coen could hand the reins over to Bigsby, similar to what he did with Bucky Irving in Tampa Bay last year.

Bigsby is currently RotoBaller’s dynasty RB44. He needs to survive the NFL Draft, as there’s a chance Coen wants to handpick his own back from the loaded incoming running back class. Even with that risk, Bigsby is a great cheap option for managers needing a running back.

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