6 Fantasy Football Late-Round Lottery Tickets to Draft

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 League-Winning RBs to Target

What RB outside the top 20 in our consensus half-PPR RB ADP has the most league-winning upside?

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)

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)

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)