The Importance of Preparing for the Dynasty Football Offseason

The fantasy football offseason has arrived, but for redraft managers, it’s a time to rest and reset. However, for dynasty managers, there is no true offseason. They must remain vigilant and proactive in improving their rosters at all times. Even if your league isn’t open for transactions, it’s always beneficial to analyze your league mates’ rosters and plan what you’ll do once trades become possible.

Running back is often one of the most challenging positions to maintain in a dynasty league due to its relatively short longevity compared to other positions like quarterbacks and wide receivers. This means that sometimes, you have to be aggressive in your attempts to add talent to your team.

Here are five running backs you should consider acquiring in dynasty leagues right now. These players can be added without having to completely overhaul your roster.

Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs

Brashard Smith was expected to make an impact in 2025, but I believe he will truly shine in 2026. Expecting him to be an immediate NFL running back after just one season of playing the position in college was too much to ask. A team like the Chiefs, which is consistently a contender, doesn’t have the patience to develop a raw rookie like Smith.

However, it’s worth noting that with the Chiefs now out of playoff contention, Smith saw four targets against the Broncos on Christmas Day. While he may not be an immediate starter, I believe he could become a valuable receiving back for a healthy Patrick Mahomes in the future.

My hope for this offseason in Kansas City is that the team lets its two free-agent running backs, Kareem Hunt and Isiah Pacheco, walk. Ideally, the team would draft Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love in the first round, giving Smith a chance to thrive in a more supportive environment.

Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals

Trey Benson had some impressive performances in his first four games of the season before a meniscus tear ended his year early. He attempted to return later in the season but suffered a setback during practice. Despite this, Benson showed promise in college with his explosive ability to run between the tackles and absorb contact.

Multiple knee injuries are a risk, but many still believe in Benson’s potential. With Emari Demercado and Zonovan Knight hitting free agency and the Cardinals having the opportunity to save $8 million by moving on from James Conner, there’s a chance that a healthy Benson could play a key role in 2026.

Arizona won’t start the year with him as the clear lead back, but he should be in the mix for snaps. If you can get Benson for an early second-round pick, it might be worth the risk, even though the lingering knee injury is concerning.

Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons

Tyler Allgeier has shown flashes of greatness in Atlanta, but his production is limited by Bijan Robinson being ahead of him in the pecking order. However, Allgeier is a free agent this offseason and should have several suitors.

Despite Robinson’s presence, Allgeier is expected to surpass 500 rushing yards in Week 18 and has found the end zone eight times on the ground. He may not be a significant contributor in the passing game, but he can handle the pressure of an early down workload.

Where Allgeier ends up will determine his fantasy value. He could land in a running back committee or potentially secure a lead-back role in a team like Dallas or Minnesota. Either way, his dynasty price could soar if he lands in the right spot.

Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers

I’m not sure if Kaleb Johnson is a good football player, but he’s definitely better than 99.9% of all football players in the world. However, relative to the rest of the NFL, it’s still a mystery.

What I do know is that Johnson was a third-round pick who looked very good in college. The Steelers are unlikely to give up on him, even if he enters the final week of the NFL season with only 28 carries for 69 yards and has been a healthy scratch the past two weeks.

Johnson wasn’t ready for an NFL workload as a rookie, but that doesn’t mean he should be written off forever. With Kenneth Gainwell set to hit free agency, Johnson has a shot to earn minutes as the primary backup to Jaylen Warren next year.

The biggest reason to buy him is that he should come at a major discount. You can probably get him via trade for a late second-round pick, making him a worthwhile risk given the weak 2026 rookie running back class.

Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers

Do you think Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard are extremely good running backs, or do you think the Panthers have built an offense that puts its running backs in the best spots possible? It’s a hard question to answer, but if you lean toward the latter, then you should consider adding Jonathon Brooks this offseason.

Injuries have plagued Brooks so far, as he’s suffered ACL tears twice. His first injury led to a delayed start to his NFL career, and the second cost him his entire second season. Out of a possible 34 regular-season games since being drafted in 2024, Brooks has played in just three, totaling nine carries for 22 yards.

While there’s a chance that these injuries have ruined any chance of Brooks being a productive NFL player, that’s already priced into his value. You can get Brooks for a rookie third-round pick, which is a gamble anyway, so why not use it to grab someone with high-end talent on a team that seems built for strong running back performances?