2025 Fantasy Football Week 5 Trade Value Chart: Running Backs

Fantasy Football Championships are won with trades.

Here, I continue a series previously captained by RSJ’s MOH in 2023 and 2024, and Jackson Barrett before him. In my version, I’ll be basing these trade value charts off the top-150 Rest Of Season Rankings of RSJ’s Wolf Of Roto Street, who finished 2nd of 172 experts in FantasyPros’ Multi-Year Draft Rankings. These charts adjust values for positional need to assign values based on a 1QB, 12-team, full PPR league, where generally quarterbacks are harder to trade for/away due to lack of positional need, unlike Superflex leagues.

Each week throughout the season, these values will be altered to reflect the player’s value for the rest of the season. Be sure to tune back each week throughout the season. We’ll be adjusting the chart, discussing risers & fallers, and pinpointing other backs of interest, and providing a refresher on optimal trade strategy.

The trade value chart for each position is linked below.

Fantasy Football Week 5 Trade Value Chart: Running Backs

Running Back Risers

Woody Marks was gradually getting more exposure the first few weeks of the season, and in week 4 versus the Titans, has looked to supplant Nick Chubb as the Texans’ lead back for the first time, and jumped from Wolf’s RB45 to RB25 rest-of-season. On only 56-percent of snaps, he worked 17 carries for a nice 69 yards and a score, catching 4-of-5 targets for 50 yards and another score.

Chubb has had time to get a stranglehold on the job and didn’t get it done, and though he probably won’t be fully phased out, Marks may have earned even more playing time with Sunday’s performance. And with Joe Mixon, the updates have remained the same: no timetable for a return with a vibe that things don’t look good for a debut this season.

Running Back Fallers

Along with Nick Chubb, another aging vet falling in value is Alvin Kamara, as a Saints offense run by Kellen Moore hasn’t equaled efficient production for the running back. His only TD was in week 1, and his week 4 struggles include 4 catches for a measley 2 yards. He finds himself out of Wolf’s RB2 range for the first time this season, ranking RB27 rest-of-season.

Other Running Backs Of Interest

We got a glimpse of what Kenneth Gainwell (noticeably not Kaleb Johnson) would look like in a Jaylen Warren-less Steelers offense, with Gainwell scoring twice on 19 carries, with 99 yards, and continued involvement in the passing game, catching all six targets for 35 yards. And, this was against a formidable Vikings defense, though the fact that it was played in Dublin, Ireland leaves the possibility traveling internationally played a role in how well each team was prepared. Because of that performance, Gainwell has made a solid argument for himself as one of the league’s best handcuffs, and debuts in Wolf’s top-150 as RB38.

Trade Strategy Reminders

Aim To Fill Holes On Your Roster, And Your Trade Partner’s

In general, trade offers that clearly help both teams’ overall value, not just your own, will make a trade partner more cooperative, but being mindful of depth concerns with all teams involved with a trade will only increase the chance of that cooperation. Be mindful not just of weak positional depth, but a surplus of positional depth, with all your league’s rosters. You might have a shortlist of players you’d love to be able to trade for, but if what you have to offer isn’t what your trade partner needs, your offers will likely fall on deaf ears. Say you’re weak at RB, and have a surplus at WR. Teams that are strong at RB, but weak at WR, are naturally more eager to haggle.

Never Mention The Words “But The Trade Calculator Says”

Charts and calculators are a reference that can help find ideal trades, but they’re not gospel, and trying to make your potential trade partner think otherwise could shut the door on negotiations real quick. Even if your charts/calculators show the trade offer to be in your league mate’s favor, they probably have tools and references of their own, and the next time “But the trade calculator says” changes someone’s mind, may be the first time.

Be Careful How Low-Ball Your Offers Are

Speaking of bad faith, a trade offer that is too clearly in your favor puts you in danger of potential trade partners shutting you out not just for that particular trade negotiation, but any future ones as well. It’s a great feeling to get those kind of lopsided trade deals, but the ones that are so bad they only go through 1-percent of the time likely aren’t worth hitting the send button to begin with. At their core, fantasy players aren’t complete masochists just want to have fun with it, and somebody sending them insulting offers isn’t fun.

Trade Value Chart: Running Backs

QB | RB | WR | TE