FantasyPros Staff | Fri, Aug 8th 2025, 3:01am EDT

Fantasy Football League Winners: D’Andre Swift, Jordan Mason, TreVeyon Henderson

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 one running back 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 second-year quarterback 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 yet. He’s primed to disprove the naysayers in 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 recorded 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 lead to a ton of volume. If he can finish as the RB19 without that offense, I think RB12 or better is firmly in the range of outcomes for Swift with Johnson this year. I love grabbing him in any format that rewards points for receptions.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)

“D’Andre Swift is the running back just outside the top 20 consensus (currently going as the 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 fifth- or sixth-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 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 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-PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 16.9+ 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-10 or higher finishes at his position 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 provide 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 the 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 in 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, during a recent practice, he caught two touchdowns from Drake Maye down the sideline and then added five more receptions, three receiving scores and a rushing touchdown 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 running back much higher in my rankings versus 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 backs, but Mike Vrabel has not. Once upon a time, there were high hopes for Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson. However, Stevenson was a plodder as a prospect. A few injuries later, the speed and quickness don’t seem the same. 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. Henderson is fast, can catch passes and, most importantly, for a rookie running back, 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)

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