The WR1 and in many cases the 1.01 overall entering the 2025 season is pretty clear with Ja’Marr Chase often being the first player off the board regardless of the format (outside of Super Flex). The same cannot be said about the running back position, with three players, Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, and Jahmyr Gibbs, all having a strong case to be selected as the RB1 in fantasy.
- Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2025 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Players to Target as Fantasy Football RB1 Overall
Bijan Robinson (RB – ATL)
- 2024 Finish: RB3
- 2025 Position Rank: RB1
Bijan Robinson was disappointing as a rookie, at least relative to expectations, often selected at the end of the first round and finishing as the RB9, barely cracking the top-10 at the position. His usage was frustrating under Arthur Smith, seeing only 210 carries, good for a 41.0% rushing share, compared to a 35.6% rush share on 186 carries for Tyler Allgeier. Once the Falcons finally cut ties with Smith, the backfield split was a lot different under new head coach Raheem Morris, with Robinson separating as the clear lead back. Robinson posted a 74.1% snap share and 61.4% rush share, trailing only Kyren Williams (80.1% snap share, 70.2% rush share) for second at the position in both categories. Although Allgeier didn’t completely go away, Robinson showed that he was more than capable of handling a heavy workload, finishing second in the NFL in touches (365) and third in rushing yards (1,456). As great as Robinson was, he took on a larger role and was even better with rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. taking over as the starter in the last three games, leading all backs with an 82.5% snap share while averaging:
- 26.3 opportunities (RB1)
- 24.7 touches (RB1)
- 22.3 rush attempts (RB1)
- 124.7 yards from scrimmage (RB2)
- 118 rushing yards (RB2)
- 2.0 touchdowns (RB1)
- 25.6 half PPR (RB1)/26.8 full PPR points (RB1)
Although it is a small sample size, Penix opening the 2025 season as the starter firmly puts Robinson in the mix for the RB1 overall in fantasy.
Saquon Barkley (RB – PHI)
- 2024 Finish: RB1
- 2025 Position Rank: RB2
After five long seasons in New York, Saquon Barkley showed the whole world what he’s capable of with a little bit of help, finally playing in a competent organization and running behind the best offensive line in the league. There were some concerns entering the season on how Barkley would fit alongside Jalen Hurts and a loaded Eagles offense with so many mouths to feed. However, Barkley immediately shut down the doubters in Week 1, running all over the Packers for 109 yards and two scores on the ground, while also tacking on two receptions for 23 yards and a touchdown through the air. The inaugural Brazil game was only a glimpse of what ended up being an historic season for Barkley, who won Offensive Player of the Year after leading the NFL in touches (378), carries (345), yards from scrimmage (2,283), and rushing yards (2,005), becoming only the ninth player all-time to run for over 2,000 yards. Barkley’s historical run carried over into the playoffs, adding another 57 rushing yards in the Super Bowl victory against the Chiefs, and passing Hall of Fame running back Terrell Davis for the most rushing yards in a single season. Entering the offseason, Barkley was rewarded with a two-year $42 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. With the team firmly behind him and possibly an even better situation with the departure of Kenneth Gainwell, Barkley makes for a strong candidate to repeat as the RB1 overall in fantasy.
Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – DET)
- 2024 Finish: RB2
- 2025 Position Rank: RB3
For the sickos that play in Week 18, Jahmyr Gibbs actually ended up passing Saquon Barkley as the RB1 overall in the final game of the regular season, finishing third in the NFL in yards from scrimmage (1,923) and first in combined rushing and receiving touchdowns (22). He dominated in his new role without David Montgomery, finally seeing bell cow usage, rarely ever leaving the field as a three-down back. From Week 15 on, when Montgomery exited in the first quarter with an MCL injury, Gibbs was a league-winner down the stretch outscoring every position, including quarterbacks. Over his last five games, including the playoffs, Gibbs saw a 31.9% opportunity share, 40.3% touch share, and a 64.2% rush share while averaging:
- 23.6 opportunities (RB3)
- 22.0 touches (RB3)
- 17.2 rush attempts (RB8)
- 169.2 yards from scrimmage (RB1)
- 125.3 rushing yards (RB1)
- 2.0 touchdowns (RB1)
- 29.5 half-PPR (RB1)/31.9 full PPR points (RB1)
With Montgomery back in the Divisional Round, Gibbs continued to dominate work, outsnapping his backfield mate 52 to 17, handling 20 touches on 25 opportunities for a season-high 175 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns, while playing over 70% (75%) of the Lions’ offensive snaps for only the second time all year. Although Montgomery was likely limited due to his knee, it’s well within the range of outcomes that Gibbs showed enough down the stretch to separate himself as the clear lead back. It’s also worth noting that Ben Johnson is no longer with the team, who has historically operated with a running back by committee, regardless of the personnel. Even if both backs continue to share the load under new offensive coordinator John Morton, a slight uptick in usage and snap share would go a long way in strengthening Gibbs’s case as the RB1, leading the position in fantasy points per touch (1.12 half PPR/1.21 full PPR) in 2024.
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