Fantasy Football RBs: RJ Harvey, D’Andre Swift, Breece Hall

When it comes to fantasy football, few topics spark more debate than the most polarizing players – those whose values vary wildly from one expert to another. These are the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers and tight ends that divide rankings, dominate draft-day discussions and often determine whether you’re a contender or pretender.

In this article, we asked our collection of Featured Pros to weigh in on players at the running back position with a high standard deviation, meaning analysts are all over the board in how they rank them. Whether it’s a breakout candidate you should be targeting or a risky pick to fade, our experts share who they’re significantly higher or lower on and why. Let’s dive into the most hotly debated names ahead of the 2025 fantasy football season.

Polarizing Fantasy Football Players: Draft or Pass?

Who is one running back with a high standard deviation you are higher or lower on and why?

RJ Harvey (RB – DEN)

“The expert consensus rankings (ECR) have it wrong on RJ Harvey, who is just the consensus RB27. I know J.K. Dobbins just inked a deal in Denver, and I am also aware that Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin still exist. I just don’t care. While his average draft position (ADP) of RB19 is a little rich, I’m still willing to pay up for Harvey given his opportunity in a Sean Payton/Bo Nix-led offense.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)

“Please, I beg you. Do not be deterred by the Broncos signing J.K. Dobbins, like many others will be, I am sure. RJ Harvey will still be the guy to have in the Broncos’ backfield. Currently, the RB27 in the ECR and my RB21, Harvey is simply too good to ignore in what will be a prime spot for fantasy production. It is hard to believe Harvey will lose high-leverage work to Dobbins. We have seen a situation like this before involving Sean Payton, with some fantasy managers disregarding Alvin Kamara because of Mark Ingram. How did that turn out? Snap up every single share of Harvey while you can, before it is too late.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

“The expert rankings already have RJ Harvey lower than his projected ADP because we analysts tend not to get caught up in rookie fever to the same extent as the general public. That’s not the case with me when it comes to Harvey. While everyone will panic due to the J.K. Dobbins signing and assume Harvey will be the No. 2 RB, I see this as a prime opportunity to get Harvey at a better draft price. Sean Payton identified Harvey as “his guy” on draft day due to his skill set. Dobbins will certainly have a role early on, but even if he manages to make it through the end of the year without getting injured, the job will be Harvey’s come fantasy playoff time.”
– Pierre Camus (Fantasy Endgame)

D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI)

“D’Andre Swift fits the classic “dead zone RB” mold — a projected volume play with an RB2 ceiling. He finished as the RB23 in points per game last year, but it was an empty workload propped up by opportunity, not efficiency. From Week 9 on, he was the RB32 in points per game and dead last in rushing yards over expectation per attempt. He now reunites with Bears head coach Ben Johnson — the same coach who phased him out in Detroit back in 2022. Despite no clear threat to his touches, Swift’s inefficiency last season (career low in yards per carry) makes him a low-ceiling RB2 fantasy managers should be cautious of over-drafting in 2025.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)

“Breece Hall is still being valued pretty high for a running back who is no longer a bell-cow back. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has hinted at a committee, possibly as large as three backs, comprising of Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. We’ll see if that turns out to be the case, but one thing is for certain: Breece Hall has had a difficult time staying healthy. Last season, Hall once again struggled with injuries, which limited his effectiveness. In addition, it’s hard to imagine Hall’s reception total going up without Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. Justin Fields is younger and faster, and much more likely to take off and run when there is pressure rather than dumping off a pass to his back in the flat. Hall seems risky in 2025, with his current consensus ranking hovering near RB13 given the aforementioned concerns.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)