Fantasy football redraft leagues are well underway ahead of the 2025-26 NFL season. For fantasy managers looking to deploy the Zero RB strategy, prioritizing wide receivers with their early picks, or simply seeking value to build depth at the running back position in later rounds, this article spotlights four running backs to draft currently outside the Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) top 50.
Analyst Matt MacKay is here with his four favorite running backs available to draft below the ECR top 50. Follow him on X at Matt_MacKay_ for more fantasy football analysis to help build winning rosters in redraft leagues.
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Best Fantasy Football Running Backs Outside the ECR Top 50
Jaydon Blue (RB – Cowboys) – ECR 51
It’s a new regime in Dallas for 2025. Dak Prescott is back to full health, while former head coach Mike McCarthy has been replaced by previous OC Brian Schottenheimer. The Cowboys’ running back depth chart is also much different, including the arrival of fifth-round rookie, Jaydon Blue.
Blue was a stud for the Texas Longhorns during his career, especially in his junior year last season. He recorded 134 carries for 730 yards, averaging 5.4 YPC, while totaling 14 scrimmage touchdowns.
Blue is a versatile running back who has proven he’s an asset as a receiver out of the backfield. Measuring 5-9 and 196 pounds, he’s got a great blend of power and speed as a ball carrier.
He’s currently third on Dallas’ running back depth chart behind Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Both of those running backs were acquired via free agency and have more mileage than Blue, who split reps with Tre Wisner in Austin last season.
It may not take long for Blue to ascend into a meaningful role in Dallas’ backfield. He’s trending toward becoming a viable RB3 option with RB2 upside, depending on his usage as a receiver.
Bhayshul Tuten (RB – Jaguars) – ECR 53
The Jacksonville Jaguars also revamped their entire coaching staff this offseason, hiring former Tampa Bay OC Liam Coen as head coach. Coen was able to develop rookie RB Bucky Irving into the Buccaneers’ RB1 in a short amount of time.
Now, he’s got a fourth-round rookie running back, Bhayshul Tuten. He offers huge upside to strengthen the Jaguars’ pedestrian rushing attack from a year ago.
Tuten was a workhorse running back for Virginia Tech in 2024, logging 6.3 YPC and averaging over 100 rushing yards per game with the Hokies. He’s 5-9 and 210 pounds, leveraging his size and physicality to blast through defenders. Recorded 15 rushing touchdowns in 2024 and 29 total scrimmage touchdowns in two seasons at Virginia Tech.
Neither Travis Etienne Jr. or Tank Bigsby looked the part of an RB1 in 2024. Coen’s arrival could help resolve a lackluster rushing attack, which benefits Tuten. Fourth-round draft capital was used to acquire Tuten and he’s currently a quality blend of both running backs in front of him on the roster.
Prioritize Tuten in a Jaguars offense that could wind up funneling him touches, especially in the red zone.
Dylan Sampson (RB – Browns) – ECR 60
Speaking of workhorse running backs, Browns rookie Dylan Sampson could wind up being the team’s RB1 by October. The former Tennessee Volunteer recorded 258 carries for 1,491 yards and 22 rushing touchdowns in 2024.
Cleveland let Nick Chubb go, while Jerome Ford remains on the roster. Ford hasn’t been consistent with extensive opportunities in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. However, the Browns also elected to draft Quinshon Judkins out of Ohio State in the second round. It’s Judkins’ presence driving down Sampson’s stock in redraft leagues.
Sampson was drafted in the fourth round. He was the primary scorer for Tennessee in 2024 and has a ton of experience in big-game environments. Breakaway speed, evasiveness, and a physical running style should translate well in the NFL.
It may be a circus act in Cleveland during 2025, particularly with questions around the quarterback position. A great way to alleviate quarterback mediocrity is by feeding 15-25 touches to a proven commodity like Sampson.
Audric Estime (RB – Broncos) – ECR 72
The only non-rookie on my list of running backs to draft outside the ECR top 50 is Audric Estime. Head coach Sean Payton no longer has Javonte Williams on the roster, opening up more touches for Estime in the backfield.
He’s a bruiser in between the tackles. Yes, J.K. Dobbins is currently the RB1 in Denver after leaving the Los Angeles Chargers, followed by UCF second-round draft pick, RJ Harvey. However, Estime is being overlooked.
In 2024, Estime only hit 10 or more carries in two games. In games with five or more rush attempts, Estime averaged 5.3 YPC or more in three of those matchups.
We know Dobbins has an extensive injury history. Harvey could challenge for the RB1 role if Dobbins becomes unavailable, while Jaleel McLaughlin is more of a utility option than a primary running back to lean on.
Estime knows the Broncos’ system and has the size to punish defenders in goal-to-go situations. He’s a bulldozer that could take a big leap during his second season in the NFL.
Payton likes to establish the run to set up play-action passes, so Estime has a good opportunity to out-perform Dobbins and Harvey to generate potential RB3 production on a consistent basis.
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Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for BettingPros and FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.
