Free Agency is all but wrapped up. Teams have shifted their focus to the draft. While there were some big names running back signings there are other free agent running backs that still have an impact. That impact is both for their real NFL team and also for your fantasy team. Each running back signing has an impact both positive and negative for someone. Let’s do a quick roundup on all the running back signings and who wins and who loses because of these signings.
Samaje Perine: Cincinnati Bengals
Winner- Samaje Perine (RB, Cin): Samaje Perine goes back to the team where he has had the most success. Clear third down back and potential backup to Chase Brown. Perine has the opportunity to be a weekly flex play on a high-powered offense.
Loser- Zack Moss (RB, Cin): This brings in another back to compete against. The loss of touches will hurt Zack Moss‘s fantasy production. Moss saw his efficiency drop last season and will struggle to find a role on this offense without an injury to someone in front of him on the depth chart.
Raheem Mostert: Las Vegas Raiders
Winner- Raheem Mostert (RB, LV): Raheem Mostert is just one season removed from a season where he finished as the RB5. Injuries held him back in 2024 but he now has a chance to have a significant role and a mentor. The Raiders are in flux. They traded for Geno Smith to be their quarterback. They lack pass-catching weapons outside of tight end Brock Bowers. The game plan looks to be run first. Mostert should be in the mix every week. If he can be half of what he was in 2023 then he will be an asset for your fantasy team.
Loser- Zamir White (RB, LV): Zamir White was inefficient last year and dealt with injuries. Mostert eats into his workload. This probably signals the Raiders will be drafting a running back sooner rather than later. Zamir White is entering his fourth season. He has yet to be more than a four-game surprise in 2023. White was a popular name last fantasy draft season. He will be a waiver wire player this season and better left there for your league mates to waste a pickup on.
Kenneth Gainwell: Pittsburgh Steelers
Winner- Kenneth Gainwell (RB, Pitt): Kenneth Gainwell was an afterthought to Saquon Barkley last year. He now goes to a team that has constantly rotated between two backs. The Pittsburgh Steelers have rotated Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren over the past two seasons. Gainwell and Warren have a similar build and archetype. That might decrease the rotation but it does allow them to be interchangeable. Being less role-specific opens up the playbook for both. Warren had 120 carries as the RB2 in the offense. Gainwell should be numbers similar to that which is a massive increase over what he was getting in Philadelphia.
Loser- Pittsburgh’s future QB: Neither Gainwell and Jaylen Warren graded well in pass blocking the past few years. The Steelers QBs were sacked the 10th most times last season. Its a clear issue that needs to be addressed. The Steelers are the last team without a starting quarterback currently. Their options are an aging veteran like Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson or a rookie. Not having a solid pass-blocking running back hurt their value. Whoever is under center Week 1 for the Steelers will be a low end quarterback for your fantasy team.
Kareem Hunt: Kansas City Chiefs
Winner- Kareem Hun (RB. KC): Sometimes you have to go back to beginning to find what you lost. That’s what happened for Kareem Hunt when he went back to the Kansas City Chiefs. Hunt had a good year even when Isiah Pacheco came back from injury. Hunt had one of his best season from a touchdown perspective in 2024. He should be able to continue that this year with the Chiefs. Hunt has sneaky flex play upside this season.
Loser- Isiah Pacheco (RB, KC): When Pacheco came back from injury in Week 13 he never fully took back his starting role. Could have been the team not wanting to give him too much too quick or could be that the Chiefs want to rotate running backs. His role in the offense moving forward needs to be monitored. If he continues to rotate with Hunt and possibly other then his value drops. He was Rb15 in 2023 in only 14 games. Plenty of fantasy mangers expected big things out of him. Some will chalk it up to the injuries but be wary that its more of a timeshare this season.
Miles Sanders: Dallas Cowboys
Winner- Miles Sanders (RB, Dal): 2024 was the worst year of Miles Sanders career. He looked slow and out of sorts. Signing with the Cowboys combined with Javonte Williams, Sanders has a chance to regain some of what got him the contract with the Carolina Panthers in 2023. He was an interesting name on the list of free agent running backs and will be an interesting name off waivers this season.
Loser- Rookie RBs :The Cowboys signing Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams means the likelihood of a high end running back goes to Dallas. If they do there will be too many mouths to feed. Its a big hit to what looked like a great landing spot for any rookie running back.
Khalil Herbert: Indianapolis Colts
Winner- Khalil Herbert (RB, Ind): Khalil Herbert gets a new lease on life in Indy. Being behind Jonathan Taylor provides a ton of opportunity. Taylor has only played one complete season in his five year career. The Colts have been committed to the run game since Shane Steichen has come to town and should continue that in 2025.
Loser- Anthony Richardson (QB, Ind): While we haven’t seen Herbert take on a role larger then 132 carries that is more then the second running back on the Colts last year. If Herbert sees his typical usage that means there should be less rushing upside for Anthony Richardson. On top of bringing in Daniel Jones to compete for the job, Richardson’s value is in serious trouble
AJ Dillon: Philadelphia Eagles
Winner- Will Shipley (RB, Phi): People have been high on Will Shipley since the Eagles drafted him last year. The issue for Shipley in his rookie year was he had a similar style to Kenneth Gainwell. It made it hard for Shipley to get on the field. With Gainwell gone and Dillon in, Shipley is the only back that fits his archetype. Shipley should see a similar workload to Gainwell and if he can find a role in the passing game then he might have sneaky flex play ability for your fantasy team.
Loser- AJ Dillon (RB, Phi): I was high on AJ Dillon heading into free agency. He is young, good sized and a potential touchdown vulture. He losses all that value signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. With Saquon Barkley as the lead back it takes away Dillons size advantage. With the tush push probably still in play Jalen Hurts will still get his goal line touchdowns.
Other Free Agent Running Back Signings
Ty Johnson- Buffalo Bills
Elijah Mitchell- Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Homer- Chicago Bears
Darrynton Evans- Buffalo Bills
Kene Nwangwu- New York Jets
Jeremy McNichols- Washington Commanders
Alexander Mattison- Miami Dolphins
Ronnie Rivers- Los Angeles Rams
Julius Chestnut- Tennessee Titans
Craig Reynold- Detroit Lions
Let us know who YOU think is the biggest winner and loser over at The Fantasy Advice Network.
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