In 2024, there was plenty of debate over whether the running back dead zone existed as wide receivers were pushed heavily up draft boards. After a season in which running backs bounced back, they are now being drafted more aggressively than before, which begs the question… is the fantasy football running back dead zone back in best ball?
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Fantasy Football Dead Zone Running Backs to Draft in Best Ball
For those unfamiliar with the running back dead zone, it dates back to work done by Shawn Siegele (RotoViz), Ben Gretch (Stealing Signals) and Jack Miller (Establish The Run). Their work showed that taking running backs between rounds three and six typically worked out very poorly for fantasy football teams.
2025 Fantasy Football Dead Zone Running Backs
Currently, there are 15 running backs in the traditional dead zone rounds, based on Underdog’s average draft position (ADP). Who should you target and who should you fade?
| Name | Position | Team | ADP |
| Josh Jacobs | RB | GB | 25 |
| Chase Brown | RB | CIN | 30.2 |
| Kyren Williams | RB | LA | 33 |
| James Cook | RB | BUF | 41.6 |
| Omarion Hampton | RB | LAC | 44 |
| Breece Hall | RB | NYJ | 37.5 |
| Chuba Hubbard | RB | CAR | 56.8 |
| Kenneth Walker III | RB | SEA | 58.6 |
| Joe Mixon | RB | HOU | 51.2 |
| David Montgomery | RB | DET | 70.7 |
| TreVeyon Henderson | RB | NE | 63.4 |
| Alvin Kamara | RB | NO | 61.8 |
| RJ Harvey | RB | DEN | 54.9 |
| James Conner | RB | ARI | 67.9 |
| Quinshon Judkins | RB | CLE | 72.9 |
2025 Fantasy Football Dead Zone RBs to Draft
Josh Jacobs (RB – GB)
Perhaps one of the easier clicks in this zone, Josh Jacobs averaged 20.6 touches per game last year. He never saw fewer than 17 in a game after the team’s Week 10 bye. The Packers passed the ball at the third-lowest rate last year (49.3%). Even if that trends upward with Matthew Golden‘s arrival, there will still be plenty of work for Jacobs in 2025.
Verdict: Target
Chase Brown (RB – CIN)
Why is Chase Brown in the dead zone? From Week 9 onwards, Brown averaged 20.6 PPR points per game with 23.6 touches per game. Perhaps Zack Moss, Khalil Herbert or sixth-round rookie Tahj Brooks will eat into that volume slightly, but Brown has shown he’s an explosive player and has the trust of the team. In best ball, we want players who can score a ton and keep the pace up.
Verdict: Target
Kaleb Johnson (RB – PIT)
It felt like the perfect selection when the Steelers drafted Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Johnson isn’t a perfect back, but he has the size that Arthur Smith has typically craved in his offenses/
While Jaylen Warren is a fun player, we’ve never seen him control a backfield. Johnson should immediately have a solid role.
Verdict: Target
James Conner (RB – ARI)
The Cardinals signed James Conner to an extension after an impressive 2024 season, where he had his second consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season.
Conner has had at least eight touchdowns in each of the last three seasons and has consistently been a value for fantasy football. Trey Benson showed little in his rookie year. Conner should be able to keep control of this backfield.
Verdict: Target
Chuba Hubbard (RB – CAR)
Last year, Chuba Hubbard had eight top-12 weekly finishes and scored over 20 points on six occasions, making him one of the best value picks in 2024, with an ADP of 137.6.
Hubbard’s ADP is almost 80 spots higher now, and it becomes more of a conversation. The Panthers have a solid offensive line, and while the addition of Tetairoa McMillan could be seen as a negative, if this offense is more productive, then that could also benefit Hubbard.
Verdict: Target
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