C2C RBs To Avoid in 2025
A few RBs I would pass on at ADP for better options!
Sometimes the best way to avoid losing the college side in C2C leagues is by setting up a drafted team that avoids the biggest risks at ADP costs. Today I want to share some running backs I believe may be better to avoid at cost with a case why and some alternatives that are going afterwards in the ranks. ADP will be in parentheses as the running back position they are going in ADP. The alternatives will be guys I can find only after the names I discuss for some idea of other options in similar ranges.
Nathaniel Frazier, Georgia (03)
A pick this high needs to be a hit; people are picking Frazier more based on helmet scouting than an actual evaluation of his freshman year. His receiving ability was below average with a negative ADOT and very little yards for twelve catches. With the rushing department, he did not excel in consistently missing tackles or creating big runs. Teams will prioritize stopping the run early while not fearing Stockton so the team will need to make sure he is running efficiently. And lastly, Georgia has not given a large workload to a running back under Kirby Smart which may continue if Frazier is still a liability with fumbles.
Alternative options:
Darius Taylor (Minnesota)
Justice Haynes (Michigan)
Caden Durham (LSU)
Kaytron Allen, Penn State (13)
Nick Singleton is the superior option so if someone is going for Kaytron Allen as RB13 in ADP, that is a massive reach. Sharing a workload beside Singleton will still allow opportunities for Allen. However, he is a minimal PPR upside guy because he does not do much receiving work. As a grinder in the run game, it also is tough to trust him when he had seven games in the regular season averaging under 4 yards per carry. I rather shoot for other backfields here with a chance at the RB1 of the teams and more receiving potential.
Alternative options:
Ahmad Hardy (Missouri): RB1, Mizzou run scheme is solid, extra eligibility
Gideon Davidson (Clemson): true FR that can be RB1 of Clemson, receiving upside in high school, ACC better than B1G for opponents
Wayshawn Parker (Utah): Will be the top guy, Utah prioritizes run game with top tier OL in 2025, RBs got more targets from Dampier than normal running QBs
Jaydn Ott, Oklahoma (14)
Ott currently sits ranked as RB14 heading into this season, and there are a lot of ways that can backfire for people. The alternatives mentioned here and above for Kaytron Allen can all be mixed together for other options as well so keep this in mind. With Ott, we know he is coming off injury. That first year back could be less than 100% for him. Mateer targeted his running backs a whole 7.6% in 2024. This is not uncommon for running QBs. Mateer also outpaced all his RBs in carries by playing hero ball which could continue for Oklahoma. Mateer will also steal goal line rushes and touchdowns. The other big factor Ott will need to handle is the RB backfield will also include guys looking for touches with Javonte Barnes, Taylor Tatum, and Xavier Robinson all back.
Alternative options:
James Peoples (Ohio State): lots of talk about next man up, new QB so run sets up a better pocket for QB, more receiving talent known than Bo Jackson
Desmond Reid (Pitt): easier schedule, dominant workload, RB1 CFF potential
Bryson Washington (Baylor): Big 12 schedule favorable, big second half 2024, big producer as lead Big 12 contender
Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest (32)
Claiborne could be great for a CFF approach for just 2025. In C2C leagues, Claiborne offers a little more risk as he managed to break the trend at Wake Forest. Wake Forest returns as one of the weakest teams in the country for P4 quality offenses. We only have the one big year of 2024 so there is risky of an anomaly here. Claiborne does not have great career numbers in missed tackles or big runs. He will need to do it all himself again so a drop in effectiveness or less TD luck could drop the upside. He looks like a decent athlete so there is some NFL potential, but remember he came back for senior year so the NFL may not be as high on him without a monster final year too. Repeating his success with a brand new offense depth chart (OL only returns one lineman from last year with double digit snap count) that needs time to gel could be tough. Go for some of these younger guys here or Hankerson who has a softer schedule for production.
Alternative options:
Jordan Lyle
LJ Martin
Anthony Hankerson
Carson Hansen, Iowa State (42)
Hansen and Sama both played full season and counter each other. Their attempts were even spaced closely. Hansen got all the touchdowns which is nice but was at a crazy rate that may be harder to repeat in 2025. Sama will try to regain a role too so the light workload for Hansen of not even 11 rushes/game is going to be tough to trust weekly. Neither guy is really great for Becht as a receiver either so that could continue in 2025 with Chase Sowell, Xavier Townsend,
Alternative options:
Aneyas Williams
Braylen Russell
Hollywood Smothers
Davion Gause, North Carolina (56)
You may see me say something similar next guy, but people are chasing after Gause because of Omarion Hampton blinders. While this shows RB56 in ADP, I have seen him routinely in chats going top 35 at the position. North Carolina returns very little as Bill Belichick builds his program with the idea of no loyalty to old year. Gause will have favor with the OC returning, but he was inefficient as a true freshman. He does not offer a ton in the receiving game to date. While he broke a few plays for bigger gains, that may be harder to do on his own with a new OL being created this year. We also do not have a great sample size as his only substantial game came against Charolette. Lopez will pull some pressure off as a runner, but his profile still shows Gause may be the second best RB on the team after the staff got Jaylen McGill to reclassify up and join the team for 2025. That is just the production side; he is very much not a NFL level athlete either so a narrow window similar to the next guy.
Alternative options:
Emmett Johnson (Nebraska): bigger flash to end the year, less turnover for shot to be RB1, receiving upside
DeSean Bishop (Tennessee): could be RB1 of a very strong run game
Kaden Feagin (Illinois): easy schedule for playoff run, athlete, all-around skill set when healthy
Kamari Moulton, Iowa (62)
Kaleb Johnson chasing is going to bite a lot of people who are betting on Moulton in 2025. Iowa loses two starters to the draft and two additional role players who both started a few games and logged 150+ snaps each. Iowa ranks as one of the lowest P4 teams in returning production so it will take time to gel. Mark Gronowski may be a QB upgrade, but teams will apply pressure until he and some receivers (or tight ends) step up to support not loading the box. Moulton is also a smaller build than Johnson was so I am not sure how the team may look to use him in volume of touches. He did flash in the bowl game, but there is load management risk with new year even if this cost is more managable. Moulton also enters year 3 with 1 catch to his name. Even dating back to high school as a junior, Moulton has 17 catches since 2021. That combo means we need a high volume rusher with TD luck when the new QB can run it in too. The names I added after this are ridiculous for more upside or intrigue.
Alternative options:
Bryson Donelson (Fresno State): no clue how he goes after RB62; G5 CMC ceiling, big workload for his team, coach focuses on the run game
Waymond Jordan (USC): JUCO transfer with coach who has made Rhamondre, Marshawn Lloyd, and Woody Marks, better offense potential, same unknown receiver
Jaylen McGill (North Carolina): case for RB1 workload with new HC, OC used Hampton as versatile playmaker which he offers over Gause, better HS career