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If you’re looking for the top NFL fantasy football running backs, check here. And if you want to know which backs will step forward this season, here’s the path to follow. But if you want to know the five fantasy football running backs who will lose the most touches in 2025, you’re in the right spot.
It’s not that you can’t draft these guys. In fact, they will give you good weeks. However, don’t expect them to deliver the value that some people are placing on them. And don’t expect them to be the bell cow for your championship run this season.
Of course, at the top of the list is a prime example of a guy people should draft. But he’s going to lose the most touches of any elite NFL back.
First, Barkley’s chance of getting injured this year is high. That’s what happens when you come off a season of 482 touches. That’s 378 in the regular season, and an additional 104 in the postseason.
The Eagles will not give him the ball that much this year. But there is a caveat. They will likely limit his touches in the first half of the season. But when push comes to shove down the stretch, look for him to get it more like last year. And that’s when the fantasy playoffs are in full swing.
Barkley is a player to be wary of, according to NFL.com.
“Call it Beware the Magical Season,” Marcas Grant wrote. “Call it The Curse of 370. I like to call it The 2K Conundrum. Before Barkley’s blow-up 2024 season, eight players had rushed for 2,000 in a single season. The following year, those players averaged 966 fewer rushing yards. Only two of the eight reached 1,300 rushing yards the next season. A 1,200-rushing-yard season from Barkley wouldn’t be a terrible thing. But it wouldn’t be worthy of a top-three fantasy pick.”
It’s not that Taylor doesn’t carry value. But he’s coming off a season where he carried 303 times in just 13 games. That’s massive usage, along with 18 receptions.
And there won’t be a plodding quarterback like Joe Flacco behind center for half of the games. It will be either Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones. And before you discount Jones carrying the ball, remember he ran 120 times in 2022 for the Giants, and 67 times in 10 games last year.
Yes, Taylor won’t get 300-plus attempts in 13 games this year. And he might not be nearly as good, according to Pro Football Focus.
“Taylor’s role was larger last season than in other recent seasons,” Nathan Jahnke wrote. “But the Colts brought in new backups for this season. They spent a fifth-round pick on D.J. Giddens and [added] veteran free agent Khalil Herbert. All three running backs are best suited for early-down work rather than on third downs. While Taylor’s work in short-yardage situations and at the...
