Why This Offseason's Running Back Moves Could Transform Your Fantasy Roster

The NFL offseason is always filled with strategic decisions, but the running back market tells a particularly interesting story this year. The contracts teams are signing—or not signing—reveal their offensive priorities. More importantly for fantasy enthusiasts, these moves often signal where the real production is hiding. After years of uncertainty about whether to invest in elite backs, three signings stand out as potential game-changers for your lineup.

Javonte Williams and the Dallas Cowboys’ Offensive Reset

For the first time since 2016, the Dallas Cowboys are entering a season without Ezekiel Elliott anchoring their backfield. Tony Pollard has moved on, and this represents more than nostalgia—it’s a radical shift for a franchise that hasn’t maintained a top-10 rushing attack since 2022.

Enter Javonte Williams. The Cowboys signed him to a one-year, $3 million deal, making it the second-largest running back free agent contract this offseason (behind only Najee Harris’s deal with the Chargers). That investment alone suggests something: Dallas believes Williams can be the catalyst for a rushing renaissance.

Williams’ profile is intriguing. He’s only 25 years old, spent four seasons in Denver, and showed flashes of brilliance early. His rookie year in 2021 was particularly impressive—903 rushing yards while splitting carries with Melvin Gordon. But injuries and systemic offensive issues in Denver have masked what he’s truly capable of.

Here’s the setup that matters: Dallas now has a vertical passing threat scheme featuring Tony Pollard’s departure, paired with receivers like CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson. This is the kind of play-action friendly offense that Williams thrives in—a between-the-tackles runner in a scheme designed to keep defenses honest downfield. When the Cowboys last had a true bellcow back capable of this role, the team produced the best fantasy output from a running back group in the entire league. Williams in a contract year, with something to prove, could be that back.

D’Andre Swift’s Reunion That Changes Everything

The Chicago Bears kept D’Andre Swift despite offseason chatter suggesting otherwise. On the surface, that seems unremarkable. But the context matters enormously.

Swift signed a three-year, $24 million contract with the Bears and will enter his second Chicago season. Last year, he totaled 959 rushing yards and 386 receiving yards—solid, if unspectacular. However, the real story isn’t what happened; it’s what’s about to happen.

The Bears hired Ben Johnson as offensive coordinator, and Swift played under Johnson in 2022 with the Detroit Lions. That connection is everything. In that season, despite playing only 14 games as a secondary option behind Jamaal Williams, Swift averaged 5.5 yards per carry on 99 attempts. He caught 70 passes out of the backfield for 8.1 yards per reception and scored three additional touchdowns. With limited volume, he still finished 23rd among all running backs in fantasy points—the best efficiency for someone with his limited touches.

The Bears also upgraded their offensive line, adding Drew Dalman and additional depth to protect the pocket and establish the run. Johnson’s system is built on line dominance and creative backfield usage. If the Bears’ front five performs even close to expectations, Swift becomes a consistent point producer, especially as a receiver. This is the kind of scenario where contract stability and coaching continuity create hidden value.

Brian Robinson Jr.'s Unexpected Path to RB1 Status

The San Francisco 49ers acquired Brian Robinson Jr. from Washington for a sixth-round pick—a move that seemed minor until you consider the implications.

Robinson enters a peculiar situation. He’s insurance for Christian McCaffrey and third-string back Isaac Guerendo, but in Kyle Shanahan’s system, he’s actually much more than depth. He’s a legitimate running back in an elite run-first offense that just lost Jordan Mason.

Compare Robinson and Mason since 2022: Robinson leads in rushing attempts, receptions, and overall yardage, despite playing for a significantly worse offensive line. Robinson has 2,329 career yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground, plus 65 catches for 587 yards and 5 additional touchdowns as a receiver.

Now place that production profile in Shanahan’s system alongside Deebo Samuel’s departure. The 49ers are committing resources and offensive attention to this backfield. Robinson won’t be the primary back—McCaffrey’s health is too precious—but he’ll see enough volume to be one of the best RB2 options in this year’s draft, especially in later rounds where value accumulates.

What These Signings Mean for Your Strategy

The narrative this offseason suggested the NFL was devaluing running backs. But these three signings tell a different story: the right running back, in the right system, at the right time, is still a difference-maker. Tony Pollard’s absence in Dallas, Swift’s reconnection with creative playcalling, and Robinson’s landing in an elite run-focused scheme each demonstrate how opportunity matters more than market trends. For fantasy owners willing to dig deeper than headlines, these contractual decisions represent some of the clearest signals about where production is headed.