Since the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft, incoming rookies have become the topic of conversation across the fantasy football industry. Much of the discussion has centered on their long-term potential for dynasty leagues, but redraft season is just around the corner.
Today, we will examine rookie running backs from a season-long fantasy football perspective. Here are three impact rookie running backs with the opportunity to contribute immediately.
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Impact Fantasy Football Rookie Running Backs
Ashton Jeanty (RB – LV)
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty, the consensus No. 1 overall prospect in dynasty rookie rankings, is the most likely rookie to contribute immediately. Jeanty is the most talented back in this class and has the easiest path to the league-winning volume we dream of.
The Raiders will want to get the most out of their investment after using the No. 6 overall pick on the former Boise State running back. Veterans Raheem Mostert, Sincere McCormick and Zamir White will compete for No. 2 RB duties, but Jeanty is expected to handle most of the workload this season.
That’s showing up in Jeanty’s early average draft position (ADP) in redraft formats. The rookie running back is currently being drafted as the RB4 (No. 7 overall) in the middle of round one. Players currently drafted behind him include Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey.
Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC)
After being selected with the No. 22 overall pick by the Los Angeles Chargers, former North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton received the next-highest draft capital in the class. His path to volume in his rookie season isn’t as straightforward as Jeanty’s, but the physical runner should get plenty of opportunities in Jim Harbaugh’s run-first offense.
The Chargers signed former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris this offseason, which could complicate things for Hampton early in the season. However, the Chargers didn’t invest their first-round draft pick on a backup running back. Eventually, Hampton will take over the 1A role, but fantasy football managers may have to be patient.
With an ADP of No. 44 overall, Hampton is being drafted ahead of 49ers tight end George Kittle, Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon and Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III. While that’s in his range of outcomes, it seems a bit expensive for my taste.
Quinshon Judkins (RB – CLE)
Rookie running back Quinshon Judkins will be an interesting case study this upcoming season. After being selected with the No. 36 overall selection, Judkins should receive immediate rushing volume in the Cleveland Browns’ backfield.
Judkins is a safe selection, but he may not have the upside of other running backs in this class. The Browns are expected to trot out one of the league’s worst offenses – severely limiting his touchdown upside – while he was never a high-volume receiver in his three collegiate seasons.
Despite these potential red flags, Judkins is reasonably priced at No. 64 overall in ADP, going ahead of players like Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin, Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy.
Other Fantasy Football Rookie Running Backs to Watch
New England running back TreVeyon Henderson is one of this class’s most explosive running backs. He could easily finish as the second-highest-scoring rookie running back this season, but he’ll compete with Rhamondre Stevenson.
Denver Broncos running back RJ Harvey (No. 60 overall) has the opportunity to lead Sean Payton’s backfield, but the team is currently flirting with veteran running back J.K. Dobbins. That’s not too threatening on paper, but another body in that backfield could muddy things in the short term.
Kaleb Johnson is a one-for-one replacement for Najee Harris in Pittsburgh’s backfield. He should command much of the early-down work, but Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell will likely poach most of the receptions out of the backfield.
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