Fantasy Football 2025: 5 Running Backs to Avoid

Fantasy Football Busts 2025

Introduction

As we head into the 2025 fantasy football season, it’s crucial to identify which players carry more risk than reward. While many focus on sleepers and breakout candidates, knowing which running backs to avoid is just as important. Today, we’re diving into five running backs you should steer clear of in your fantasy drafts.

These players come with concerns related to age, injury history, declining production, or team situation. Stay until the end because the last name on this list could be a shocking boom-or-bust candidate!

1. Aaron Jones (RB – Minnesota Vikings)

Why You Should Avoid Him

• Age & Mileage: Entering his ninth season at 30 years old, Jones is past his prime.
• Injury Concerns: He has missed multiple games in recent seasons, making him unreliable.
• Crowded Backfield: The Vikings added Jordan Mason and Ty Chandler, cutting into his workload.
• Declining Efficiency: Despite finishing as RB15 last year with 1,138 yards, his touchdown numbers and efficiency have dipped.

Verdict:

Aaron Jones is no longer a league-winning back. With a younger, fresher competition in Minnesota, he’s a risky pick in 2025 fantasy football drafts. Don’t settle for less! If you are drafing Jones, you are settling for medicore RB play.

2. Jonathan Taylor (RB – Indianapolis Colts)

Why You Should Avoid Him

• Injury History: Played just 11 games in 2022, 10 in 2023, and 14 in 2024.
• Team Uncertainty: The Colts have struggled to maintain an elite offense.
• Declining Performance: While he posted solid numbers in 2024 (1,400 yards, 303 attempts), he’s far removed from his elite 2021 season.
• Quarterback Play: With either Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson leading the Colts, the offense could be inconsistent.

Verdict:

Taylor is still talented, but his durability concerns and questionable offensive situation make him an overpriced risk in fantasy drafts. I don’t trust this offense as it needs to figure out it’s identity. Taylor has hit is stride years ago, and I don’t expect a massive ceiling. Thae being said, the way that it sits now, he is primed for a ton of vaolume. If he stays on the field.

3. Christian McCaffrey (RB – San Francisco 49ers)

Why You Should Avoid Him

• Injury Risk: Played only 10 games combined in 2020-2021 before bouncing back.
• Workload Concerns: The 49ers may limit his usage to keep him fresh.
• Post-Peak Years: At 29 years old, McCaffrey’s best years could be behind him.
• Potential Decline: After a monster 2024 season, he could be overworked, increasing his bust potential.

Verdict:

CMC has been an elite fantasy option, but history tells us that high-usage running backs in their late 20s are prone to decline. He’s too risky for a top pick. His besst days are far behind him and I am not expecting anything special out of CMC for 2025 or ever!

4. Chuba Hubbard (RB – Carolina Panthers)

Why You Should Avoid Him

• Committee Backfield: Carolina added Rico Dowdle and drafted Jonathan Brooks, reducing his volume.
• Lack of Consistency: Outside of 2024’s 1,195-yard season, he’s been largely ineffective.
• Panthers’ Offensive Struggles: Bryce Young still has a lot to prove as a quarterback.
• Overvalued in Drafts: Currently ranked as RB17, there are better options with more upside.

Verdict:

Hubbard is a mid-tier back in a struggling offense. With more competition in the backfield, he’s not worth the risk in 2025.

5. Chase Brown (RB – Cincinnati Bengals)

Why You Should Avoid Him

• Team May Draft Another RB: As a former fifth-round pick, Brown may not be a long-term solution.
• Crowded Backfield: The Bengals brought in Samaje Perine, who could cut into his workload.
• High Draft Cost: If the Bengals don’t draft an RB, Brown will likely go as a high-end RB1, making him expensive.
• Boom or Bust Potential: If given the full workload, he could be productive, but there’s a high risk of Cincinnati adding competition.

Verdict:

While Brown has shown flashes, the uncertainty around his role makes him a high-risk pick in fantasy drafts.

Conclusion

As you prepare for your 2025 fantasy football draft, keep these five running backs in mind. While they all have some level of talent and production history, the risk outweighs the reward for each of them.

Final Recap – Running Backs to Avoid:

• Aaron Jones (Minnesota Vikings)
• Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts)
• Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers)
• Chuba Hubbard (Carolina Panthers)
• Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals)

Remember, winning your fantasy league isn’t just about drafting stars—it’s about avoiding busts. Stay smart, stay strategic, and dominate your 2025 fantasy football season!

Want More Fantasy Football 2025 Advice?

• Subscribe to my podcast for daily fantasy insights.
• Pre-order my 16-Round Draft Solution for expert fantasy football strategies.
• Drop a Comment: Which running backs are you avoiding in 2025?

Fantasy football season is just around the corner—let’s get ready to win!