5 Fantasy Football Breakout Candidates: Running Backs (2025)

The 2025 fantasy football season is several months away. However, it’s never too early to start looking ahead to next year. While the NFL Draft class is loaded with several talented running back prospects, let’s not forget about the emerging stars in the league. Here are five early running back breakout candidates for the 2025 fantasy football season.

• 2025 NFL Draft Guide
• Dynasty Trade Value Chart
• Fantasy Football Trade Tools
• Fantasy Football Dynasty Rankings

Fantasy Football Breakout Candidates

Bucky Irving (TB)

Irving had an excellent finish to his rookie year. The former Oregon star was the RB6, averaging 16.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the final seven weeks of the regular season, totaling 12.3 or more in every contest except the one he left early with an injury. However, Irving could be even better in 2025 as the full-time starter. Don’t be surprised if he has a De’Von Achane-like sophomore breakout season. Both studs played well at times as rookies, while Achane finished as the RB6 in 2024.

Tank Bigsby (JAC)

Outside of Brian Thomas Jr., nothing went right for the Jaguars’ offense this season. However, Bigsby finished the year as the RB32, averaging 7.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. By comparison, Travis Etienne Jr. was the RB36, averaging 7.4 fantasy points per contest. More importantly, Bigsby had week-winning performances. He finished with more games totaling over 23.5 fantasy points (two) than Etienne had with more than 11 fantasy points (one). Jacksonville could trade Etienne this offseason in the final year of his rookie deal, likely making Bigsby the starter.

Ray Davis (BUF)

While James Cook will remain Buffalo’s clear-cut No. 1 running back, Davis could get more work next season. The rookie ended the year as the RB38, averaging 6.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While he was primarily Cook’s handcuff, Davis had several top-24 weekly finishes. More importantly, the rookie played well with an expanded workload, averaging 14.5 fantasy points per game in the three contests with double-digit rushing attempts, totaling at least 13.2 in every outing. Don’t be surprised if he has consistent flex value next season.

MarShawn Lloyd (GB)

Unfortunately, Lloyd’s rookie season was ruined by injuries. He played only one game, totaling seven touches for 18 scrimmage yards and 2.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per contest. However, the former USC star should be Josh Jacobs‘ backup next year. Meanwhile, Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks had that role in 2024, totaling 802 scrimmage yards and 7.7 fantasy points per game. Jacobs had 337 touches this season, the fifth-most in the NFL. The last time he had over 310 touches, the star running back struggled with injuries the following year.

Audric Estime (DEN)

Denver’s backfield was a nightmare for fantasy players this season. Javonte Williams led the way, finishing as the RB31, averaging 7.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, he was ineffective and is a free agent this offseason. Meanwhile, Estime finished the year playing well, averaging 8.1 fantasy points per game over the final three weeks, totaling 9.4 or more twice. While the Broncos will likely add an explosive runner during the NFL Draft, Estime could take over as the early downs back and become Sean Payton’s new Mark Ingram.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.