Finding the right running backs can make or break your fantasy football season, and in 2025, the margin for error is smaller than ever. Whether you’re drafting early-round studs or searching for mid-to-late-round gems, identifying the running backs who can truly swing a league is the key to building a championship roster. To help you make those crucial decisions, we’ve gathered insights from our collection of Featured Pros experts, who have analyzed every angle — from offensive schemes and depth charts to advanced metrics and historical trends.
Below, you’ll find the running backs our experts believe have the upside, opportunity, and talent to become true league-winners in 2025. These are the players who could outperform their average draft position (ADP) cost and carry your fantasy football team to the title.
- Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2025 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football League-Winning RBs to Target
What RB between RB6-RB20 in our consensus half-PPR RB ADP has the most league-winning upside?
De’Von Achane (MIA)
“De’Von Achane (RB7 in the ADP) joins Ashton Jeanty as the only running backs with an ADP outside the top five who can end the 2025 season as the overall RB1. The former Texas A&M star was the RB6 in 2024, averaging 15.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite playing nearly half the year without Tua Tagovailoa. However, Achane became a pass-catching star last season despite Jonnu Smith having a career year. The superstar averaged 4.6 receptions on 5.1 targets per game last season, leading all running backs in receptions (78), receiving yards (592), and touchdowns (six). More importantly, he averaged 19.5 fantasy points per game in the 11 contests Tagovailoa started. Achane would have been the RB3 over a 17-game pace with that 19.5 fantasy points per game average. Don’t be surprised if he ends the year as the overall QB1 if Tagovailoa manages to stay healthy.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“The last thing you want to do is take the wrong player at the top of your draft. De’Von Achane is exactly that player whose floor is insulated from every eventuality barring injury. This is a Miami team that excelled at every running game metric in ’23 and fell off to the bottom of the league in ’24. Even a slight bump in expected TDs combined with Achane’s 100+ targets at the RB position has him undervalued even as the consensus RB7.”
– Lou Brunson (Optimus Fantasy Football)
“De’Von Achane, ranked RB7 in half-PPR ADP, possesses the most league-winning upside due to his electrifying playmaking ability. His 7.8 yards-per-carry average as a rookie in 2023 showcased his potential to turn any touch into a game-changing play in Miami’s high-octane offense. Achane’s speed and agility, combined with his receiving skills, make him a dual-threat weapon, capable of racking up significant points through both rushing and passing production. However, his injury history, including a knee injury that limited him to 11 games in that rookie season, is helping to suppress his ADP by a few spots in a Miami system famous for its running backs getting banged up.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)
“De’Von Achane is the clear and obvious answer here. In 11 healthy games with Tua, he averaged 19.3 half-PPR points ( second only to Saquon) while commanding 87 targets and a 25.4% target share( both second among all RBs). That receiving workload gives him a strong weekly floor, but it’s his upside that makes him a contender to finish RB1. Last season, Achane delivered 12 RB2 or better weeks, including five top-3 finishes. With 111 vacated targets and a suspect secondary that could tilt Miami into a faster pace and more volume, Achane has a very real path to finishing as the RB1 overall.”
– James Emrick-Wilson (Armchair Scouting)
“De’Von Achane is THE guy you want if you’re trying to win your league. Last year, with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback, Achane averaged 22.6 fantasy points per game in PPR formats. That pace would have made him the overall RB1 for the season. And it’s not like he was a disappointment – he still finished as the RB5 overall. Currently going as the RB7 and often available outside of Round 1, Achane is the biggest steal in Round 2. I have him ranked as my RB4 and fully expect another top-5 RB fantasy finish.”
– Brady Auer (BA Sports Podcast)
“De’Von Achane wrapped up last season as the RB6, delivering ten RB1 weeks, including four top-3 finishes. He’s been outstanding in his first two years, scoring 11 touchdowns as a rookie and 12 in his second year. His receiving ability has been a huge boost to his fantasy value, with nine receiving touchdowns over two seasons, tying him for the league lead among running backs. Last year, he led all running backs in receptions, receiving yards, and tied for receiving scores. With Raheem Mostert no longer taking goal-line carries and Jonnu Smith’s trade freeing up over 100 targets, Achane is poised to take his game to the next level in 2025. Backed by a revamped Dolphins offensive line aiming to create more running lanes and protect Tua, Achane is ready for a bigger workload and a shot at becoming the top RB.”
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)
“I tried hard not to pick De’Von Achane here… but I didn’t try that hard. As the RB7 by ADP, Achane is by far the best bet of this group to finish as THE RB1 on the season. We all know the story of why Achane didn’t fully break out last season: Tua Tagovailoa got injured and the offense crumbled. To highlight this, Achane’s splits with Tua on the field and off the field last season were the difference between THE RB1 with .3 points more per game than RB1 Saquon Barkley and the RB41 at 8.7 ppg without Tua in the lineup. If Tua can stay healthy, the departure of Jonnu Smith also opens up a ton of underneath work that should funnel to Achane first. And, the Dolphins’ D continues to lose players to injury this offseason. It’s the perfect storm for Achane in 2025. All the Dolphins need is health and relatively effective play to turn elite fantasy potential into reality.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
“De’Von Achane has the most league-winning potential as a second-round pick in 2025. Because last season, he showed RB1 overall upside with Tua Tagovailoa healthy (11 games), averaging 22.6 PPG in full PPR and nearly 19 PPG in half-PPR. Those marks would have been good for RB1 or RB2 overall among RBs the last four seasons. The Dolphins RB has a top 5 fantasy football ceiling based on his explosive and three-down skill set. He finished second in routes run among RBs last year.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Kyren Williams (LAR)
“Kyren Williams is going criminally low this year, and that means everyone has a shot at rostering him. I don’t quite get why there’s such a dip in his ADP, but I’m taking advantage every chance I get. After going in the second round last year, the drop to the third round gives even the first overall pick a chance to land him on the way back. The fact that you could realistically start a draft with Ja’Marr Chase and Kyren Williams is absolutely bonkers. We played this game last year, too. People worried Corum would cut into his workload, and all Kyren did was get better in Year 2 as the starter.”
– Josh Hall (IDP Army)
“Kyren Williams has been Sean McVay’s bell-cow running back the last two years, turning those seasons into a #6 & #7 finish with over 1,100 yds and 12+TDs, and that is only on the ground. He is going into his fourth season without any major competition (rookie Jarquez Hunter may take some passing work, but Williams only averaged 33 receptions). Also helping Williams, the Rams added Davante Adams to the offense, which will spread out the defense more and open up more holes for Williams to run through. As the RB12, Williams will make owners who waited on running back and drafted him very happy and lead them to a league championship (and will earn himself a nice 2nd contract)!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
“Sometimes fantasy managers think too much (or not enough?). Kyren Williams has spent two seasons starting. He finished them second and eighth among RBs in half-PPR points per game. Now he’s 12th in ADP. I might worry about that drop from second to eighth, but only Williams and Saquon Barkley landed among the league’s top 4 in opportunity share each of the past two seasons (adjusted for games missed). So what’s the concern here? That the Rams suddenly hate the way Williams scores his TDs and instead give the ball to Blake Corum or a fourth-round rookie? (I refuse to use his name cuz you’re already overdrafting him.) Worried about Matthew Stafford? The Jimmy Garoppolo Rams would probably need the backfield even more. What if a healthy Stafford pilots more passing volume with Davante Adams and a healthy Puka Nacua? Great! Sounds like a more dynamic offense with more scoring chances. Williams’ ADP bakes in the minor risk while underrating his ceiling.”
– Matt Schauf (Draft Sharks)
Omarion Hampton (LAC)
“Omarion Hampton is the mid-round sledgehammer with league-winning juice in half-PPR formats. With Najee Harris recovering from an eye injury and currently on the NFI list, Hampton has a real shot to open the season as the Chargers’ lead back. He combines elite college production with prototypical size and sub-4.5 speed, plus he’s flashing goal-line dominance in camp. Locked into early down work with sneaky receiving upside, Hampton profiles as a true every-week RB2 with RB1 ceiling. At RB15 cost, he’s the perfect pivot for managers fading the position early and hunting high-touch volume backs.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)
“Omarion Hampton isn’t the fastest RB and he’s not the most elusive, but “The Hammer” is a battering ram who consistently bounces off would-be tacklers. And unlike many RBs, Omarion has the ability to be one of the few workhorse backs in the league with his build and his prowess to catch passes. Jim Harbaugh called Hampton a four-down RB. In addition, Omarion has a very good offensive line blocking for him. Hampton could be the guy who starts off under the radar in fantasy leagues, but by later in the year, could very well be leading shrewd drafters to titles. Ringo’s comp- Hampton reminds me of former Steelers’ all-pro RB Barry Foster.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
“After being drafted in the first round of the NFL draft, the biggest factor holding back Omarion Hampton’s ADP was the presence of Najee Harris, who suffered a firework-related eye injury on July 4. A month has since passed, and Najee’s recovery has only progressed to walking laps around the field. Hampton appears to be the week 1 starter, and once he gets the job, it is unlikely he will lose it. Last season, we saw J.K. Dobbins finish as the RB17 in points per game in this offense. Questions remain about potential pass game usage for Hampton, but his combination of talent and opportunity appears to be drastically underpriced.”
– Charlie Sisian (The Fantasy DC)
Jonathan Taylor (IND)
“Jonathan Taylor isn’t as underappreciated as he was earlier in the offseason, but he’s still not receiving enough love. Taylor remains one of the few bellcow backs in the league and went scorched earth on opponents late in 2024. Only Jahmyr Gibbs averaged more Half PPR PPG than Taylor over the last five weeks of the season. At and ADP of RB10, Taylor holds league-winning upside.”
– Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)
James Conner (ARI)
“If you whiffed at RB early and are stuck wondering, ‘Is this guy even going to play?’ James Conner is your safety net. He’s as Ol’ Reliable as it gets and won’t leave your lineup empty-handed. The best part? The Cardinals can’t run QB sneaks with Kyler Murray inside the 3-yard line, unless they want to see him turned into a pancake. That means automatic James Conner TDs and a weekly floor you can count on. He’s boring, dependable, and exactly what your RB rotation needs in order to compete for a Championship.”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)
“The easy choice is someone closer to RB6 than RB20, but I love a difficult path. RB19 is James Conner, and I think he could be the best value in your draft at any position. And an ADP of 46 overall means he’s going in the late fourth round on average. That’s crazy to me. The only competition for touches is Trey Benson and Michael Carter, the same as last year when Conner got 1,094 yards on 236 carries. I fully expect the Cardinals to be better this year, which should translate to Conner getting more quality touches to go along with the quantity he’s already locked into receiving. Sign me up.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)
Ashton Jeanty (LV)
“Is it cheating to pick exactly the RB6 in ADP, Ashton Jeanty? Maybe, but it’s also simply the right answer. I would even argue that Jeanty has more upside than most of the backs above him, too. He is a truly generational prospect, with the potential to be a difference-maker both on the ground and through the air. In a backfield with absolutely no competition, the sky is the limit for his debut NFL season.”
– Ted Chmyz (Fantasy SP)
“It has to be Ashton Jeanty at RB6. He’s an extraordinary prospect, somewhere on or near the Saquon Barkley/Bijan Robinson level. Jeanty has it all: speed, vision, pass-catching ability, and almost unfathomable contact balance. Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly likes to operate at a fast pace, and he doesn’t mind force-feeding his RBs. In Kelly’s first year in Philly, LeSean McCoy led the league in carries with 314 and in rushing yards with 1,607. The next year, McCoy had 312 carries for 1,319 yards. I’m giddy about Jeanty’s rookie-year outlook.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
“It feels like the easy answer, but Ashton Jeanty is the guy here. Elite-level rookie prospect with the college numbers to back up the physical tools. We know Pete Carroll loves to run the ball, and Chip Kelly will also use players in any number of ways. The Raiders addressed the line, bringing in a couple of veterans and drafting a couple of potential starters, and they have a real QB. All great things for the versatile Jeanty.”
– Brandon ‘B_Don’ Myers (Razzball)
Chase Brown (CIN)
“There perhaps may not be a bigger winner of the offseason as a whole than Chase Brown. The Bengals’ RB1 did not have any real threat to his snaps introduced via a Bengals signing or draft pick, just Samaje Perine was brought back, and Zack Moss was released outright after only a year as a Bengal. This means Brown will enter 2025 as the unquestioned number one back for one of the best offenses in the game, and that is a person every single fantasy manager should be targeting. Currently, the RB11 in half-PPR, Brown has top-3 upside in 2025 and league-winner written all over him.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Alvin Kamara (NO)
“Alvin Kamara may be old, but you don’t need to teach this old dog new tricks. The New Orleans Saints are deprived of talented players, forcing the offense to run through this aging running back. He will still be a force in the receiving game and give this lackluster quarterback room a chance to survive the oncoming onslaught of pass rushers.”
– Joe Pepe (Beyond The Gridiron)
Kenneth Walker III (SEA)
“The easy and correct answer here is Kenneth Walker. It will fly under the radar that Walker was the RB12 in fantasy points per game last season. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by injuries, but if Walker can stay healthy in 2025, he could finally put it all together with a top-five running back season. Walker proved last year that not only is he still one of the best pure rushing talents in the league, but he is also a true three-down back with passing-catching chops. Among 45 qualifying backs, Walker ranked third in first downs per route run, sixth in target per route run rate, and sixth in receiving yards per game (per Fantasy Points Data). Add all of that on top of leading the NFL in missed tackles forced per attempt and ranking tenth in yards after contact per attempt, and Walker could be a league-winner in 2025.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
What RB outside the top 20 in our consensus half-PPR RB ADP has the most league-winning upside?
D’Andre Swift (CHI)
“D’Andre Swift is the perfect post-top-20 target for Zero RB drafters. Assuming this Bears offensive line even slightly improved (and they did), Swift is in for a healthy workload. He hasn’t logged an RB1 season yet… but he’s got everything in place to do it now. If Caleb Williams can jumpstart this passing game even a little, Swift could finally get the space he needs to break out. The Bears haven’t exactly been known for a strong running attack in recent years. But with a real offensive structure, a dynamic rookie QB, and minimal backfield competition, Swift could easily outperform his ADP.”
– Josh Hall (IDP Army)
“I understand the hesitation with drafting D’Andre Swift this year. Roschon Johnson is supposed to take the next step in his development, and Swift is frequently being drafted as an RB3. However, Swift is only 26 years old and not nearly washed up yet. He’s primed to disprove the naysayers in Head Coach Ben Johnson’s exciting new offense. If he plays up to his potential, he’ll be a steal in the Top 60.”
– Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)
“My deeper selection is D’Andre Swift at RB24 in ADP. In half-PPR or PPR leagues, catches and targets matter a lot, and Swift got 42 catches on 52 targets last year on a very bumpy Bears offense. This year, he gets Ben Johnson calling the plays, which is quite the boost. I think Swift will be used in the Jahmyr Gibbs role, which should see a ton of new volume. If he can finish as RB19 without that offense, I think RB12 is firmly in the range of outcomes for Swift with Johnson this year. I love grabbing him as my RB in any format that rewards pass catching.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)
“D’Andre Swift is the running back just outside the top 20 consensus (currently going as RB24) that I believe has the most league-winning upside. He’s never finished below RB21 in a season, so he’s being drafted below his floor – and in Ben Johnson’s offense, he could easily push into the top 15-20 range. I expect him to take on the Jahmyr Gibbs role, and with Johnson’s play-calling, Swift will be put in a position to succeed. At a low 5th-6th round cost, he has a real shot to deliver RB1 production.”
– Brady Auer (BA Sports Podcast)
“We keep sleeping on D’Andre Swift for some reason. He has a past with his new coach, Ben Johnson. He also shares the running back room with a lack of talent in Chicago. Swift should become a volume back within the offense, and volume is king at the running back position.”
– Joe Pepe (Beyond The Gridiron)
Jordan Mason (MIN)
“Jordan Mason (RB36 in the ADP) is one of my favorite draft targets this season, especially when using a Hero-RB strategy because of his league-winning upside. Last year, he 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)
“Among running backs outside the top 20 in half-PPR ADP, Jordan Mason (RB35) has the most league-winning upside due to his potential to seize a significant role in Minnesota’s high-powered offense. Last season, Mason had three top RB10 or higher finishes over the first month, showcasing his ability to produce RB1 numbers when given opportunities. His superior explosive run rate and forced missed tackle rate suggest he could overtake Jones for goal-line and early-down work. If Mason secures a 50-50 split or emerges as the starter, his efficiency in a top-tier offence could deliver elite production.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)
“The latest from Minnesota is that the Vikings see Jordan Mason as a three-down back, potentially sharing the backfield workload evenly with Aaron Jones. Mason showcased his ability to lead last season when Christian McCaffrey‘s injury gave him the chance to shine, rushing for over 100 yards in three of the first four games. He averaged 14.8 PPR points per game over the first seven weeks, ranking as the RB9. Head coach Kevin O’Connell has emphasized since last season that he wants to scale back Jones’ workload due to age and injury concerns. While Jones remains an effective receiver out of the backfield, he can no longer handle a full workload. Mason retains flex appeal with standalone value as he addresses the Vikings’ short-yardage struggles and builds on his impressive production from last year. If Jones misses time, Mason would become the team’s RB1 and league-winning upside in your fantasy lineups.”
– Dennis Sosic (Fantasy Six Pack)
TreVeyon Henderson (NE)
“TreVeyon Henderson is gaining serious traction in fantasy football drafts with potential to take over the Patriots’ backfield by midseason. New England landed a home-run hitter with 4.43 speed and soft hands, and he’s already carving out third-down work behind Rhamondre Stevenson. If Stevenson’s durability issues flare up, Henderson’s blend of explosion and pass-blocking excellence makes him a seamless plug-and-play in a scheme built for zone breaks and screen game darts. Coaches love his maturity, and the reps he’s stacking early could pay dividends by October. Henderson may be RB23 by ADP, but he’s pacing like a top 15 finisher if the volume finds him.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)
“Maybe I’ve got rookie fever, but I can’t stop drafting TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson brings legit 4.4 speed, averaged 11.1 yards per catch at Ohio State, and never fumbled on over 650 touches. That’s exactly the type of explosive, sure-handed weapon Josh McDaniels loves to feature in the passing game. Case and point, at practice today (8/4), he caught two touchdowns from Drake Maye down the sideline and then added five more receptions, three receiving scores, and a rushing TD during red zone work, per Patriots Beat writer Mark Daniels. Rhamondre Stevenson should still handle early-down work in a David Montgomery-esque role. If Henderson can carve out a Jahmyr Gibbs-type role, he can be a league winner as a rookie.”
– James Emrick-Wilson (Armchair Scouting)
“I don’t have this RB much higher in my rankings vs ADP, but if we’re talking about league-winning upside, give me TreVeyon Henderson. Sure, it’s the Patriots, and they’ve always split work among RBs, but Mike Vrabel has not. Once upon a time, there were high hopes for Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. However, Rhamondre was a plodder as a prospect, and a few injuries later, the speed and quickness don’t seem the same, and on top of that, he has yet to play a full season. Gibson didn’t have a position coming out of college, and he still doesn’t. Treyveon is fast, he can catch passes, and most importantly for a rookie RB, he can pass block.”
– Brandon ‘B_Don’ Myers (Razzball)
“Everything coming out of Patriots camp right now revolves around how special TreVeyon Henderson looks. Yes, he has Rhamondre Stevenson there as well, but Mike Vrabel did not bring Henderson in just to be an understudy. He is there to take this job over, and in an offense that lacked true difference makers in 2025, Henderson could be exactly the kind of fresh air that the Patriots, and Drake Maye, have been looking for. The current RB23 in half-PPR, Henderson is a fantastic target in the middle of drafts for those looking for someone with unlimited potential in 2025.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Nick Chubb (HOU)
“We get to go all the way to RB46 for one, Mr. Nick Chubb. A horrendous Cleveland OL and offense masked what was a triumphant return to form for Chubb in ’24. While Houston’s OL doesn’t look great, they’re moving to a gap scheme that favors Chubb’s running style, and they brought in a couple of OL who specialize in it. What’s more, Joe Mixon is hurt, and the Texans are being dodgy about it. Remember Christian McCaffrey in ’24? Head Coach DeMeco Ryans comes from that same San Francisco background. I expect Chubb to be The Man more than not in that Texans backfield.”
– Lou Brunson (Optimus Fantasy Football)
Tyjae Spears (TEN)
“Tyjae Spears is quietly turning into a bigger, faster version of Darren Sproles. The Titans need his explosive playmaking on the field, especially with Tony Pollard looking like a worn-down veteran. When Tennessee falls behind, and they will, it’s “Hit Me Baby One More Time” as Spears racks up cheap PPR points like it’s choreographed. Screens, dump-offs, broken plays, he thrives in chaos. Draft him late and let him dance his way to league-winning value.”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)
Javonte Williams (DAL)
“I am not sure why fantasy owners are sleeping on Javonte Williams…okay, I am, but they shouldn’t be. Williams is an extremely talented running back who had a devastating knee injury that has pretty much derailed his last three seasons. This off-season, he signed with the Cowboys, an extremely high-powered offense, noted that he finally feels fully recovered from the injury, and is getting “a lot” of the first-team reps in training camp. He has shown he can be a threat out of the backfield with 43+ receptions in each of his three “healthy” seasons. If he can parlay his receiving ability with a return to his rookie form on the ground (203/903/4), he will make teams who waited on running backs (Williams is currently RB36) in the draft extremely happy and could lead them to the playoffs and a fantasy championship!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
RJ Harvey (DEN)
“Ignoring injury-contingent upside, I’m going to go with another rookie in RJ Harvey. The Broncos’ backfield ranked 12th in the NFL in expected Half-PPR points last season, and their offense should only be better in year two for Bo Nix. Veteran J.K. Dobbins will probably be involved, but it’s not outside the range of outcomes that the 60th overall pick consolidates the vast majority of the valuable work in Sean Payton’s offense. We don’t know Harvey’s true talent level yet, but we do know that he is an explosive athlete and a capable pass-catcher, two keys to an elite upside season.”
– Ted Chmyz (Fantasy SP)
“Tough call, but I’ll cast a vote for RJ Harvey. Historically, RBs in Sean Payton’s offenses have generated immense fantasy value, even though it’s often a two-way backfield. Harvey could cede some work to J.K. Dobbins and still smash. He’s a good pass catcher, he’ll be operating behind one of the better offensive lines in the league, and the Broncos should have no trouble scoring touchdowns this year.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
“If we are strictly talking league-winning upside, it is tough to beat what RJ Harvey could be in fantasy this year, particularly in the 2nd half of the season. Generally speaking, in order to be a league-winning back, you need to catch passes, something coach Sean Payton has provided throughout his career. I expect Harvey to have a slower start to the season, splitting time with J.K. Dobbins. Following the bye week, however, we often see rookies get more involved, which would put Harvey in a prime position heading into the fantasy playoffs. Additionally, Dobbins has an extensive injury history, and should he go down, Harvey should be expected to immediately handle a heavy workload.”
– Charlie Sisian (The Fantasy DC)
“Let’s not make this difficult. The answer here has been and remains RJ Harvey. Harvey is set to explode in his rookie season. The runway is clear for takeoff. Sean Payton just put second-round capital behind a back that enters a room with Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, and J.K. Dobbins. No, I’m not worried about Estime or McLaughlin when they couldn’t carve out consistent roles last year with only the ghost of Javonte Williams standing in their way. Dobbins will assist Harvey on early downs so Denver doesn’t run their talented rookie into the ground, but I don’t project him taking away passing down work or high-leverage opportunities. It’s hard not to love a player like Harvey, who has ranked inside the top 20 among FBS running backs in each of the last two seasons in breakaway percentage and elusive rating (per PFF). Add in Payton’s running back usage, and Harvey looks primed to smash. Over the last two years, Payton has ranked fifth and first in running back target share. Harvey could finish as a top-shelf RB1 this season.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
Kaleb Johnson (PIT)
“Kaleb Johnson seems very cheap with his current ADP at RB 27. He’s got size (6’1″ 225 lbs.) and plays faster than his 4.57 forty time suggests. Despite the possibility that Kaleb might not be a big factor in the passing game, he’s still very talented. Maturity issues caused him to slip to day two, but he’s considered to be a first-round talent by many scouts. Ringo’s comp- Kaleb Johnson reminds me of former Chiefs’ all-pro RB Larry Johnson.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
“The Steelers are a dream fit for rookie RB Kaleb Johnson to deliver league-winning upside. The 6-foot-1 and 224-pound RB fits Arthur Smith’s scheme perfectly and has ample backfield touches to soak up in Pittsburgh. Smith’s offense feeds running backs, and with Najee Harris gone (nearly 300 touches vacated), Johnson will EAT once he climbs the depth chart. He led this entire rookie class in career dominator rating (33%) and posted 1,500+ yards, 21 TDs, and 6.4 YPC in 2024 (zero fumbles). The former Iowa Hawkeye running back is an ideal 1-2 punch with incumbent Jaylen Warren.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Isiah Pacheco (KC)
“Beyond the unique situation of Quinshon Judkins (with obvious upside if he gets on the field), I’m collecting lots of Isiah Pacheco. The fourth-year Chief was less than a full season into controlling backfield work when he broke a leg in Week 2 last year. I’m ignoring the post-injury production, because Andy Reid already told us Pacheco returned too early. Instead, I’ll look back at Pacheco’s RB15 finish in points per game in 2023 — the last time he was healthy. And I’ll look at how the Chiefs added only Elijah Mitchell and Brashard Smith this offseason, indicating they believe that Pacheco is back. Yes, I know he has shared first-team work with Kareem Hunt. But c’mon. Hunt delivered the fifth-worst rush yards over expectation per attempt last year, ranking right between Gus Edwards and Alexander Mattison. Hunt makes sense as a security blanket. But I’m happy to bet Pacheco pulls ahead during the season. Finally, the Chiefs look poised for a scoring rebound. The team finished seven of the past eight years among the top 9 in yards, but enters this year off two straight No. 15 ranks in scoring. A stronger, healthier WR corps — plus Pacheco’s return — raises the ceiling for the whole unit.”
– Matt Schauf (Draft Sharks)
Travis Etienne (JAC) | Tank Bigsby (JAC)
“It’s the Jaguars’ backs, both Travis Etienne (RB33) and Tank Bigsby (RB41). I’m not sure which one will be more valuable, but both have insane upside at their current ADP. On one hand, Etienne could reprise his workhorse-like role from two years ago and volume his way to a high-end RB2 finish. At the very least, his passing game usage should help him significantly surpass his ADP. On the other hand, the hype train for Bigsby is out of control. His ADP is sure to rise, but it’s unlikely to rise beyond his perceived value, which is a darkhorse RB1 candidate. Regardless, I’m betting on either and both of these backs this season. One could crush with contingent upside in play if the other were to go down, but both should be at least serviceable and flirt with RB2 production if they remain healthy and work together in an improved Jacksonville offense.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
