Running back rankings for Wild Card Round fantasy football

We rank out all the running backs playing in the Wild Card round as you prepare for playoff fantasy football.

The 2025 NFL Playoffs are upon us! The Wild Card round gets underway on Saturday with the first of six games through Monday evening. 12 teams open the playoffs with the Chiefs and Lions getting a bye through the first round.

The start of the playoffs means playoff fantasy football has arrived. There are playoff-long fantasy games like traditional fantasy football, and of course daily fantasy football contests throughout each round.

While the bye means we won’t see Jahmyr Gibbs or the host of Chiefs running backs, we’ll get the best of the bunch this weekend. Saquon Barkley looks to continue a season of dominance with his second playoff appearance, while Derrick Henry is back in the playoffs for the first time in three years. Expectations are high for both players.

The weekend opens with JK Dobbins looking to culminate his healthiest season in four years with a shot at a struggling Texans squad. We also have several matchups featuring committee approaches that will make for difficult decisions. The Steelers have bounced between Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, while the Broncos have given work to Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, and Javonte Williams.

Injuries to monitor

JK Dobbins/Gus Edwards, Chargers — Both Chargers running backs showed up as limited on the practice report this week due to ankle injuries. Dobbins played in Week 18 and this is a new listing for him. Edwards injured the ankle in Week 16 and has not played since. Dobbins seems more likely to be active, but keep an eye out for game-day news. If one or both of these backs is unable to play on Saturday, Hassan Haskins would move up the depth chart.

Bucky Irving, Buccaneers — Irving has been dealing with shoulder and shin issues since last week. However, he is getting full workouts in this week, so this should not be an issue. He remains a strong start over Rachaad White barring any kind of setback.

DFS value plays

Austin Ekeler is back after spending five weeks on injured reserve. He’s the No. 2 behind Brian Robinson, but if Commanders-Bucs turns into a shootout, he could be very busy in the passing game. He finished the regular season with 35 receptions and with PPR scoring, he’s got some upside Robinson might not have.

The Broncos ground game is a committee approach, but Jamal McLaughlin is currently leading the way. He’s not the most effective running back, but the Broncos’ best chance at an upset in Buffalo likely will require keeping the Bills offense off the field.

Hassan Haskins is an intriguing long-shot option with the injuries to Dobbins and Edwards. He’s one of the cheapest options and there is some upside. It’s a boom or bust play, but worth at least thinking about in the Chargers run game.