Finding the right fantasy football RB sleepers and breakout running backs can be the key to dominating your draft and winning your league. That’s why our collection of Featured Pros experts has put together this list of undervalued backs and potential league-winners for the 2025 season. From late-round steals who could deliver RB2 production to breakout running backs ready to become every-week starters, these expert picks are based on in-depth analysis of training camp buzz, preseason performance, and advanced stats. Whether you’re searching for fantasy football sleepers at RB, hunting for upside, or looking to lock in the next big breakout star, this list will give you the edge you need to build a championship roster.
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Fantasy Football Sleepers: Running Backs
Which sleeper candidate outside the top 35 in our half-PPR consensus RB rankings has the most “upside” relative to his draft cost?
Rachaad White (TB)
“I have my eye on Rachaad White, who is currently flying under the radar following the emergence of Bucky Irving. White finished last season as the RB26 in average fantasy points per game in half-PPR formats, besting players ranked above him this summer like Brian Robinson Jr., Travis Etienne Jr., Isiah Pacheco, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. “But what happened once Irving took over the majority of the backfield snaps?” Well, White was the RB26 in average points per game from Weeks 12-18 last season, too. He may not be a league-winner, but don’t be surprised if he finds his way into your weekly lineup often this season.”
– Jaime Eisner (The Draft Network)
Jordan Mason (MIN)
“Jordan Mason falls just outside the top 35 running backs in the consensus rankings, coming in at RB36. However, he is one of my favorite draft targets this season, especially when using a Hero-RB strategy because of his upside. Last year, Mason was the RB5 over the first month, averaging 17.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 16.9 or more in all but one contest. While the veteran struggled with injuries, Mason was outstanding when healthy. More importantly, he has a real chance to steal significant work from Aaron Jones in 2025. According to Fantasy Points Data, Mason had a better explosive run rate (7.8% vs. 3.5%) and missed forced tackle per attempt rate (22% vs. 11%) than Jones last season. Don’t be surprised if he starts as the No. 2 running back with a role at the goal line and quickly forces the Vikings to use a 50-50 split with Jones or possibly takes over as the starter.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Let’s go just outside the top 35 with Jordan Mason (RB36). When the Vikings traded for Mason in the offseason, they handed him a two-year deal that includes more than $7 million in guaranteed money. With Christian McCaffrey sidelined at the start of the 2024 season, Mason averaged 107.2 rushing yards for the 49ers over the first five games of the season (before getting hurt himself), 120.4 scrimmage yards per game, and 5.1 yards per carry. The Vikings upgraded their offensive line in free agency, and their running scheme uses a lot of outside zone, which is Mason’s bread and butter. It’s possible Mason splits work with Aaron Jones almost evenly, and Mason could smash if anything happened to the 30-year-old Jones, who hasn’t exactly been Mr. Durability.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
“Jordan Mason. The former 49ers running back is going to split touches with Aaron Jones in 2025, while potentially seizing the goal-line/red-zone role behind a revamped interior offensive line. Mason was fantastic last season, filling in for Christian McCaffrey. He ranked 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards (667) before his injury in Week 8.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Dylan Sampson (CLE)
“You absolutely have to reach on Dylan Sampson at RB57 right now. Sampson was an excellent prospect coming out this season, but he landed in a seemingly bad spot behind fellow rookie and college RB standout Quinshon Judkins in Cleveland. Now, with Judkins facing legal issues that are currently holding up his contract with the Browns, it’s down to Sampson and incumbent Jerome Ford to fight for meaningful touches. I’m always gonna bet on the rookie in a wide-open backfield. Now, it’s seemingly Sampson’s job to lose… and he’s also free in the last round of your drafts.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
Ray Davis (BUF)
“James Cook only missed one game last year, and Ray Davis had 23 touches and 152 yards in that outing. Davis had a relatively quiet rookie season in Cook’s shadow, but he has the skill set and offensive environment we love in fantasy football. If Cook has to miss any time, Davis has the build to be a three-down back. He can plow through defenders near the goal line and has shockingly soft hands in the open field. While his projectable volume for 2025 isn’t significant, the contingent upside in the event of a Cook injury makes him a priority late-round target.”
– Dave Kluge (Footballguys)
Tyjae Spears (TEN)
“Tyjae Spears. The third-year RB showed out in his solo start back in Week 17, rushing 20 times for 95 yards. He is more than capable of being a starting NFL running back, and is being overlooked as the 1B in the Titans’ 2025 backfield. Spears scored more red-zone TDs (5) than Tony Pollard (3) despite fewer than half the touches in the red zone (15 versus 33). Spears also ranked 4th in target rate (25%) among RBs. The Titans’ No. 2 RB is a strong pass catcher who’s had 82 receptions in his first two seasons. Titans head coach Brian Callahan has hinted at Spears playing a bigger role in 2025, something we would have seen last season had it not been for all the injuries. From Weeks 15-17, Spears was a top-5 fantasy RB to end the season for the Titans. With Pollard coming off so-so seasons of 300-plus touches (also, the third-worst-graded running back per PFF in the second half of the 2024 season), we could see Spears carve out major touches in Tennessee’s backfield.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“Tyjae Spears, the third-year running back out of Tennessee, has shown flashes of his explosive upside over the past two seasons. With Tony Pollard now 28 years old, new head coach Brian Callahan mentioned that the team could do a better job of splitting the workload more evenly between Pollard and Spears earlier this offseason. Spears holds more value in PPR and half-PPR formats due to his receiving upside, and he flashed some big games toward the end of last season. In the 3 games where he saw 50%+ of the snaps last year, he was RB5 in PPR points per game (Weeks 15 through 17). Currently going as RB42, I believe Spears has the potential to crack the top 30 running backs this year.”
– Brady Auer (BA Sports Podcast)
J.K. Dobbins (DEN)
“J.K. Dobbins has had an arduous climb back to fantasy relevance after a string of brutal injuries. But now, in Denver, his blocking abilities give him an edge over the other running backs for the vaunted role as Sean Payton’s pass-catching back. Rookie RJ Harvey has speed and quickness that Dobbins does not. But his inefficiencies as a blocker could set Dobbins up for a lucrative role. Bo Nix hyper-targeted his running backs last year, and Dobbins is set for a career year through the air, making him very likely to outperform his ADP.”
– Dave Kluge (Footballguys)
“J.K. Dobbins burst back onto the fantasy scene last year after two injury-plagued seasons in Baltimore. He was asked to carry the load for the Chargers and did so to the tune of 195 carries for 905 yards and nine touchdowns in 13 games. The knock on him is that he can’t handle a full-season load. That makes his signing in Denver perfect, where he will share the backfield with rookie R.J. Harvey in a committee that is run by Sean Payton, who has shown that he can make two running backs very fantasy-relevant. He is being drafted as RB43, making him a fringe FLEX start, and could ease into the discussion as an RB2 if Payton can reproduce some of his New Orleans RB Magic!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
Cam Skattebo (NYG)
“The easy and correct answer here is Cam Skattebo. The Giants added Cam Skattebo to the backfield via the fourth round of the NFL Draft. He should be considered the early favorite to be the team’s workhorse after Tyrone Tracy’s inconsistent rookie season and the team shelving any thought of Devin Singletary as their leading back. Skattebo was a volume monster during his final season in college and a true three-down back. He ranked 21st in yards after contact per attempt and 11th in elusive rating while also sitting inside the top ten in receiving grade and yards per route run (per PFF). It could take some time for Skattebo to wrestle 70% of the snaps away from the other players in this backfield, but it does feel like the eventual reality. Skattebo is a strong RB3/flex who could easily vault into an every-week top 15 running back.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
Tank Bigsby (JAC) | Bhayshul Tuten (JAC)
“Maybe this is cheating a bit, but Tank Bigsby AND Bhayshul Tuten seem like outstanding fliers. Both currently outside the top-40 in the ECR, taking a shot on one or both of these guys to emerge in the Jacksonville backfield could prove to be wise. Liam Coen made his mark in Tampa last year as the OC, utilizing two running backs, Rashaad White and Bucky Irving, and he arrives in Jacksonville with three to choose from. Some will call for a bounce-back campaign from Travis Etienne, but the upside on both Bigsby and Tuten is too good to ignore at cost.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
“Early word out of Jaguars camp is that new head coach Liam Coen is making Tank Bigsby the focal point of the rushing attack, giving him the bulk of the first team carries. Bigsby is coming off a solid Sophomore campaign that saw him rush for 766 yards and seven touchdowns. At his current ADP (RB42), Bigsby could be the steal of fantasy drafts, especially in half and non-PPR leagues.”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)
Jerome Ford (CLE)
“Call me crazy, but there’s a world where Browns RB Jerome Ford is the running back you want to roster in Cleveland this year. His RB52 ranking means he’s free in later rounds of drafts, and you can grab him whenever you need to start filling your bench. He has RB1 upside if Quinshon Judkins misses time or stumbles out of the gate, so I’m fine paying his low price for his potential high reward.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)
Jarquez Hunter (LAR)
“The Rams’ backfield churns out Top 12 performances. We’ve been flattered by Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson. Even Ronnie Rivers gave us a Top 24 week. Blake Corum has yet to get that McVay touch. Kyren has been remarkably durable for his size and the load he takes on. I’ll be looking to make the cheapest bet that he can’t continue at such a torrid pace, and that means drafting Jarquez Hunter 15 spots after Blake Corum.”
– Seth Miller (Crossroads Fantasy Football)
Braelon Allen (NYJ)
“Braelon Allen could begin the season stealing goal-line work from Breece Hall, and there is the potential he may start to progressively see a larger workload in 2025. There have already been rumors that Hall is not “the guy” for the Jets and could be eventually moved out of the picture. Allen is a power runner with true TD promise.”
– Scott Engel (RotoBaller)
“Given the nebulous nature of information on Joe Mixon, former No. 1 candidate Nick Chubb seems the obvious response, complete with blinking letters. So, I’ll grab Braelon Allen in New York (54). Thunder/lightning or whatever term you want to put on it, he’ll supplement Hall’s work and likely see more RZ opportunities. The Jets will look to take the air out of the ball and grind games out. That means heavy run game.”
– Mike Harmon (Swollen Dome)
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