Football
Fantasy Running Backs Catching Passes: Who Earns Targets?
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Fantasy football always has a few surprises. In years past, we’ve seen rookie wide receivers blow up, late-round player vastly outperform their Average Draft Position (ADP), and others. Fantasy running backs catching passes is important, can they earn targets?
Some recent debate has heated up in fantasy football about whether or not certain running backs are capable of being pass catchers. Fantasy running backs catching passes have always been a skeleton key to earning points, especially in PPR (Points Per Reception) leagues.
Earlier this offseason, I wrote an article highlighting running backs who earn targets at a high rate. Those running backs capable of receiving targets give fantasy teams a better floor as well as a ceiling.
I took a look at some players who are currently in training camp battles, who do not profile as pass-catching running backs. The running back’s pass-catching capabilities will determine those battles and the pecking order. Be sure to sign up today to get full access to all the tools available at BGFS!
Fantasy Football Running Back Recommendations – 7/30/2025 Fantasy Football: Consistency
RB Tank Bigsby JAX
The Jacksonville Jaguars have a new Head Coach, Liam Coen. Coen has been an Offensive Coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the L.A. Rams in recent seasons. With him taking over in Jacksonville, everyone is wondering what the running back position will look like. So far in training camp, it’s been Tank Bigsby taking the majority of the 1st team reps.
Bigsby’s biggest con to being the RB1 for the Jaguars is his perceived lack of pass-catching capability. He’s had 8 receptions on 16 targets through two years. In his favor, Bigsby ran for 766 yards with 7 rushing touchdowns last year. Bigsby’s 2.8 yards after contact tied with Derrick Henry for 1st among all running backs with over 100 carries. He’s got the skillset for 1st and 2nd down on lock.
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The question remains: can Bigsby be at least serviceable in the passing game? In college, Bigsby caught 62 passes over 3 seasons, including 30 in his final year at Auburn. Other running backs have come seemingly out of nowhere to have a breakout pass-catching campaign. Brian Robinson Jr. went from averaging 1 target per game in his rookie season to 2.87 targets per game in his second year. Henry went from averaging 1.06 targets per game in his first 3 seasons to 1.98 over the last 3 years.
Bigsby doesn’t need to average a ton of targets; he can get back to 2 per game like he did his last season at Auburn, and he’ll pay off. The biggest problem is overcoming the more complete running back in Travis Etienne. VERDICT: ADP at RB41 right now, I’ll take him late enough, but I’m not buying that he’s replaced Etienne as the RB1. Etienne is RB37, a little over a round before Bigsby, give me that discount.
RB Brian Robinson Jr. WAS
The Washington Commanders rose last season with the drafting of quarterback Jayden Daniels. Brian Robinson Jr. was a vital cog in their offense that scored 28.5 points per game (5th in the NFL). He will reprise his role as the RB1 in the offense this upcoming season.
The Commanders’ round 3 pick in 2022 entered the league with a listed weakness: “Hands are likely to disappoint as a pass-catcher,” according to NFL.com. He was targeted 12 times (9 receptions), confirming the assessment. Since then, though, Robinson has grown and adapted his game. With averages of 34 targets and 28 receptions over his last two seasons, he’s beefed that area up.
Despite Robinson’s increase in reception production, the fantasy community is still down on him. He is currently being drafted as RB30. The Commanders drafted Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the 7th round of this year’s NFL draft as direct competition. Labeled “Nearly a non-factor in the passing game during college career,” he’s gotten a lot of fantasy buzz in camp. The Commanders also feature elite pass-catching back Austin Ekeler.
Robinson was RB30 in points per game at 11.4 last season. Listed as the RB1, he has shown that he’s not a non-factor in the passing game recently. We want fantasy running backs catching passes; it’s where the points are. VERDICT: I won’t reach for Robinson, but being in a projected high-scoring offense as the lead back, he’s being drafted right around where I expect him to. Robinson can co-exist with Ekeler, and the shiny new toy won’t stop him.
RB Isiah Pacheco KC
The Kansas City Chiefs seem to fit in with the other teams I’ve mentioned, a high-scoring offense. They averaged 22.6 points per game, 15th in the NFL (middle of the pack). Drafted as RB26, Isiah Pacheco is listed as the RB1 for the team.
Pacheco’s NFL.com scouting report wasn’t good. “Below-average hand-eye coordination catching down the field,” and “Creativity after the catch is lacking.”. He had 49 targets and 44 receptions in his second season in 14 games. He had 30 targets and 25 catches in more games played (17 games) over his other two seasons.
The Chiefs acquired Elijah Mitchell this offseason and also drafted Brashard Smith (7th round). Mitchell doesn’t profile as a pass-catching back, but Smith does. The Chiefs will utilize Smith in receiving situations. A former receiver known for outstanding hands and ball skills, Smith can excel.
In 2022, the Chiefs had Jerick McKinnon, and they targeted him 71 times (56 receptions). Smith profiles as much closer to McKinnon than Pacheco. Pacheco’s second season was more of an outlier than the norm. VERDICT: On 1st and 2nd down, he’ll have to compete with Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell. Hunt or Smith will replace him on 3rd down. He’d have to drop a lot for me to click him in drafts.
Fantasy running backs catching the ball provide a ton of points. It’s a process, as some players can blossom into at least serviceable, while others just aren’t capable. Reach out on X and let me know who you think wins the above battles, @JKeasy! For even more consistency, click the banner above to buy the Consistency Guide by Bob Lung!
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