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 Breakouts: Running Backs
Which one player inside the top 35 of our half-PPR consensus RB rankings has the greatest return on investment potential in 2025??
Omarion Hampton (LAC)
“Omarion Hampton has RB1 upside inside the Chargers’ offense. While the presence of Najee Harris is notable, Harris’s eye injury and lack of efficiency during his NFL career make him vulnerable to a reduced role in Los Angeles. Hampton was arguably the most talented RB in the 2025 NFL Draft class and joins a team ranked in the top half of the NFL in rushing volume.”
– Jaime Eisner (The Draft Network)
“If it’s ROI you’re after, Omarion Hampton should be your draft day target. Not only is his direct competition in Najee Harris still recovering from a “superficial eye injury” that his team hopes will heal by Week 1, but he’s also a 1st round RB going as the RB18 overall. Hampton may not have the profile fellow rookie Ashton Jeanty does (few do), but he’s in a better offense behind one of the league’s best offensive lines in a scheme that wants to run the ball a ton. I was already banking on Hampton taking over the Chargers’ backfield by midseason. With Najee missing valuable camp time on a new squad, I’m smashing the draft button in the late 3rd at his current ADP. It’s likely we’re looking at a top-12 RB with upside for more.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
“The Chargers spent a 1st round pick to select Omarion Hampton, the current RB18 in the ECR, and they plan to use him. Justin Herbert had the fewest passing yards in his career over the course of a 17-game season in 2024, and there are no signs that will change much. Also, consider that the Chargers are currently without Najee Harris, who is on the NFI List for the foreseeable future. Even with known RB-committee guru Greg Roman as the OC in LA, there is every shot that if Najee does not start on time, he comes back as a backup to Hampton. RB18 is an excellent price to pay for a player that could finish 2025 as a locked and loaded RB1.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Chase Brown (CIN)
“Chase Brown could offer fantasy players the greatest return on investment of any running back in the top 12. While the Bengals did their homework on the rookie running back draft class, they waited until the sixth round to draft Tahj Brooks. Therefore, Brown will have a featured role again in 2025. Last year, the former Illinois star was the RB6 from Week 4 through Week 17, averaging 20.3 touches for 94.4 scrimmage yards and 16.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game as the starter. Furthermore, Brown was a factor in the passing game, averaging 4.5 targets per game over his final 13 games, posting the same route participation rate (46.6%) as Jahmyr Gibbs and a higher target per route run rate (20% vs. 15%) than Saquon Barkley last season (per Fantasy Points Data). He has top-five upside. Yet, his ranking suggests fantasy players can draft him on the 2/3 turn.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Chase Brown is a player who could ultimately end up moving into round 2 in ADP over the next month. The Bengals didn’t add much depth at running back, only selecting Tahj Brooks in the sixth round. While Brooks was highly productive at Texas Tech-posting back-to-back 1,500-yard rushing seasons-he’s still a late-round rookie. After a slow start in Weeks 1-3, Brown faced minimal competition for touches. From Week 4 onward, he ranked as the RB6 in points per game (half-PPR scoring). Currently being drafted as the RB11, Brown is priced closer to his floor (RB12 in PPG last year) than his ceiling, which I believe could be in the top-five RB range this season.”
– Brady Auer (BA Sports Podcast)
Kaleb Johnson (PIT)
“The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the best, if not the best-run organizations in sports. So, when they selected Kaleb Johnson in the 3rd round of the NFL Draft, fantasy owners turned their heads and noticed. He is replacing Najee Harris, who had over 1,000 (not too efficient) yards the last four years in Pittsburgh, and his only competition for carries will be Jaylen Warren, who was unable to unseat Harris the last few years. He is being drafted as an RB3 (RB#27/#69 overall). He will reward teams with the potential to be an RB1 due to his power and speed, which will be featured in Arthur Smith’s outside zone running scheme.”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
“For me, it’s Kaleb Johnson in Pittsburgh. His RB26 ranking is bonkers to me. Jaylen Warren is there, but I don’t think he poses that much of a threat to Johnson’s workload. Pittsburgh is a team in disarray, with Aaron Rodgers throwing to DK Metcalf this year. They’re also a team that tends to lean on their running game, and with Head Coach Mike Tomlin potentially playing for his future, I expect Johnson to finish as a top-12 RB this season.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)
RJ Harvey (DEN)
“R.J. Harvey at an RB2 price tag remains a buy for me in every format. 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.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
Breece Hall (NYJ)
“The only thing missing for Breece Hall is consistency. 133 receptions over the last 2 seasons. A Top 5 breakaway run rate in his first 2 seasons. 3+ yco/a throughout his 3-year career. We’ve seen the Jets make a massive commitment to improving their o-line; the unit is being called a strength for the first time in a decade, according to Justin Fried. Justin Fields led the league in check-down rate in 2024, according to Fantasy Points Data. Breece is being drafted at RB13. In his final season before seeking a new contract, Breece has an opportunity to put it all together, culminating in a Top 3 fantasy finish.”
– Seth Miller (Crossroads Fantasy Football)
James Conner (ARI)
“James Conner finished 2024 as RB11. He hasn’t finished lower than RB22 in his last five seasons, so you’re able to draft him at his floor and, barring health, guaranteed at the very least low-end RB2 production. Conner also comes with the added benefit of being able to draft his handcuff, Trey Benson, very late, making it easy to lock up the Arizona backfield.”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)
Isiah Pacheco (KC)
“I am expecting a rebound season from Isiah Pacheco. We have to look at the signals from the Kansas City front office. They didn’t bring in any major or notable competition for him at RB, which indicates that they have a lot of confidence that a healthy Pacheco can bounce back in 2025.”
– Scott Engel (RotoBaller)
Christian McCaffrey (SF)
“He’s no sleeper, but it has to be Christian McCaffrey, right? We’re getting an injury discount, and he could easily finish as the overall RB1 if he stays healthy. Since coming to San Francisco in a midseason deal in 2022, McCaffrey has averaged 19.8 touches, 115.5 yards from scrimmage and 1.0 touchdowns per game with the 49ers. Kyle Shanahan’s system is extremely RB-friendly, and Shanny loves feeding CMC the ball. This isn’t necessarily an endorsement, however. McCaffrey is 29 now, and the injury risk is undeniable – he’s played fewer than eight games in three of the last five years.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
TreVeyon Henderson (NE)
“I’ll go to TreVeyon Henderson as a bit of a price shot to work to a split equity and eventually become the No. 1 over Stevenson in NE. Ball security issues plagued Stevenson last year (seven fumbles). The contract that he signed won’t save his reps with Vrabel calling the shots.”
– Mike Harmon (Swollen Dome)
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