Finding the right players to build your fantasy football roster around can be the difference between a championship run and a disappointing season. To give you an edge in 2025, we’ve gathered insights from our collection of Featured Pros-a trusted group of top-ranked analysts across the fantasy football industry. In this article, you’ll discover the must-have draft targets our experts believe offer the best value, upside, and reliability. Whether you’re drafting early or looking for mid-round gems, these expert-backed recommendations will help you lock in the foundation for a winning fantasy football team.
- Fantasy Football Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- 2025 Best Ball Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Must-Have Fantasy Football Draft Targets
What one RB outside the top 15 in the expert consensus are you hoping to end up with in all your leagues and why?
Jaylen Warren (PIT)
“We already know that Jaylen Warren’s the best receiving back in Pittsburgh. He toppled Najee Harris in that category as an NFL sophomore, and there’s no reason to believe Kaleb Johnson will change that. We also know that Warren beat Harris in rushing-efficiency metrics over their shared time. So there’s room for him to claim more of that work until/unless Johnson takes it away. And we also know that Aaron Rodgers won’t have patience for a rookie RB making mistakes as he learns. All the more reason to expect the talented fourth-year guy to stay in the mix all year. Give me all the Warren at his absurd mid-RB3 price. At worst, he’s not hurting my team from there. And his ceiling could help define my season.”
– Matt Schauf (Draft Sharks)
Chuba Hubbard (CAR)
“Chuba Hubbard is a player that I have been a fan of since his senior year in college at Oklahoma State. I was very excited for his prospects coming into the NFL, and then he landed in Carolina. I drafted him in a few dynasty leagues and was patient. Last year, my patience paid off, and Chuba rushed for 1,195 yards and 10 TDs (along with 43 receptions for 171 yards and one touchdown) on a not-so-great Panther team. They rewarded him with a contract extension, and he is going to be their lead back again this year (Rico Dowdle is not a player who will eat into Hubbard’s carries). In all my drafts, I am grabbing Hubbard at the bargain price of a mid-late 4th round pick and excited for the fantasy rewards he will give me on an ascending Carolina Panthers team!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
TreVeyon Henderson (NE)
“Trey Henderson is by far the most attractive running back that lives outside the Top 15 Expert Consensus Rankings. In fact, he is the last RB in all of fantasy that one can draft that still holds top 5-8RB upside. Hendy is a weapon and is my Jahmyr Gibbs 2.0. He immediately becomes a top 5RB in the league in terms of both pass catching and pass protection, which means that he might already be top 5 in the league in terms of guaranteed volume. In dynasty, I rank only Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs ahead of him, and Ashton Jeanty and Hendy might share that third spot.”
– Smitty (TheFantasyFootballShow)
“Just because it’s the chalk answer doesn’t mean it’s the wrong answer: TreVeyon Henderson has skyrocketed up draft boards in recent weeks due to a stellar preseason, and the rise has been for good reason. The Patriots took him in the top 40 of the NFL draft, and during camp/preseason, he’s already drawn rave reviews as a returner, pass-blocker, and pass-catcher. His only competition to touches in this backfield currently – Rhamondre Stevenson – has a history of both fumbling issues and injuries, which means Henderson can go from an already startable pass-catching fantasy RB to a borderline workhorse top-five RB in a hurry. The Patriots’ offense is rising, with Drake Maye under center, and Henderson could be the focal point. Throw in his ELITE metrics (92nd percentile 40-yard dash, 91st percentile burst score, 92nd percentile college yards per carry of 6.9), and Henderson has all the makings of a rookie RB who will not just win weeks, but win leagues, in 2025. His overall consensus ADP right now is 51, but I wouldn’t be afraid to reach anywhere in the fourth round to get him – or even toward the latter half of the third round in full PPR leagues.”
– Chris Dell (Betting Predators)
“As someone who was in on Jacory Croskey-Merritt since before the NFL draft, it would still feel too easy today to answer with his name. I will go with another rookie I was in on since before the draft as my rookie RB2 and a top 5 dynasty RB, TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson currently sits at 51 in the half-PPR, and if I can get the kind of explosive upside that wins championships at a discount relative to backs he could very plausibly outperform (e.g., Kyren Williams, Kenneth Walker, Breece Hall, Omarion Hampton, and Chuba Hubbard, to name a few), I will take it enthusiastically. Henderson can produce on 10-12 touches what it would take other backs 15-20 touches to match.”
– Brian Ford (Going For 2)
“TreVeyon Henderson – Throughout camp and preseason, it has felt like every time Henderson touches the football, a big play is about to happen. One of the largest factors that often keeps talented rookie RBs off the field is pass protection, something he absolutely excels at. Coach Mike Vrabel led a run-heavy attack during his time in Tennessee, even during the 2nd half of the 2021 season when Derrick Henry was out. Henderson’s talent will likely make him the clear RB1 ahead of Rhamondre Stevenson – it’s hard for fantasy managers to ask for much more than a heavy workload for an explosive pass-catching back. This has all the makings of a future superstar; it’s very possible that this may be the lowest we see Henderson go in drafts for years to come.”
– Charlie Sisian (The Fantasy DC)
Kyren Williams (LAR)
“Give me all the Kyren Williams you have in stock, please. Williams is currently going off the board as RB12 and 25th overall and is easily my favorite target in Round 3; for that matter, he is my favorite target in the back-half of Round 2. His ADP has been suppressed with rookie fever over Jarquez Hunter, but the Rams just gave him a contract extension and have given every indication that he will be their bellcow for the foreseeable future. I cannot possibly draft enough Kyren Williams at 25th overall.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)
RJ Harvey (DEN)
“RJ Harvey (63rd expert consensus) is the one back I’m targeting in every league outside the top 15. Drafted in the second round by Denver, Harvey has already flashed in the preseason with early-down work and route usage. He’s expected to split carries with Dobbins, but Harvey has earned a prominent role and could lead the team in touches if his preseason momentum holds. If Dobbins can’t stay healthy and if goal-line work trends toward a committee as hinted during the preseason, then Harvey’s path to high-value touches only widens. In a backfield built for fantasy production, Harvey offers standalone value with receiving upside and a path to weekly RB2 usage.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)
“Rookie running backs have proven to be fantasy goldmines over the last few seasons. Now, take a rookie running back and place him in an offense where RB production is king, and there was next to no RB production a year ago, you have yourself a home run selection. That is where RJ Harvey finds himself now with the Denver Broncos and Sean Payton. Harvey will be the RB1 at some point for Denver in 2025, and I will not be missing the boat on that. While others will discount him in my drafts, I will be glad to scoop him up. At minimum, Harvey is a locked and loaded RB2 that has significant RB1 upside in 2025.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
“RJ Harvey is the RB I want in every league, and he’s already climbing above consensus rankings! We’ve seen JK Dobbins struggle to stay healthy throughout his career, and we’ve also seen multiple RBs thrive in Sean Payton’s offense (Ingram and Kamara). Harvey reminds me a lot of a young Alvin Kamara, and I believe Payton will use him in a similar role to Kamara’s breakout 2017 season. The sky is the limit for this rookie, and I love his current ADP at RB21.”
– Brady Auer (BA Sports Podcast)
Jordan Mason (MIN)
“Jordan Mason (RB33 in the rankings) is one of my favorite draft targets this season. Last year, he was the RB5 over the first month, filling in for Christian McCaffrey, 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. The Vikings’ coaching staff wants both running backs to have half the backfield workload. Yet, don’t be surprised if Mason starts the season as a co-starting running back with a role at the goal line and quickly forces the Vikings to give him more touches.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
D’Andre Swift (CHI)
“I’m going to keep pounding the drum for D’Andre Swift at RB21. I’m targeting him in the 5th and 6th rounds wherever I can make it work, and I am happy if I land him. His upside is through the roof with Ben Johnson at the helm, and as long as they don’t sign another RB, Swift should be the bellcow. On top of that, he’s great at catching passes, and if the Bears offense is going to be as high-powered as everyone thinks, Swift should see a big bump in value between now and December.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)
Dylan Sampson (CLE)
“Jacory Croskey-Merritt is the best sleeper currently, but with him flying up draft boards, my favorite late-round target is Browns RB Dylan Sampson. He is currently ranked as RB55 on FantasyPros, as most people are not excited about a fourth-round rookie in a bad Browns offense. Kevin Stefanski historically uses his RBs well, and with the latest Quinshon Judkins news stating he may not sign until his legal situation is resolved, Sampson might have a chance at a big role early in the season. Sampson is a talented back, who many had as a Day 2 pick, and if his only competition is Jerome Ford and an RB who, at best, will join the team in late August, Sampson could be a huge steal late in drafts.”
– Ricky Lemon (The Fantasy Champions)
Tony Pollard (TEN)
“Tony Pollard was the RB21 in 0.5 PPR PPG last season with Will Levis and Mason Rudolph under center, and Pollard’s current ECR is…RB24? Even if you don’t believe in Cam Ward as a prolific passer, most should agree that it’d be hard for him to be worse than Levis or Rudolph. Assuming the Titans’ overall offense is just slightly more efficient, Pollard should at least be a top-20 running back. Factoring in Ward’s strong camp thus far and Tyjae Spears‘ high ankle injury means that Pollard is being drafted at his absolute floor with back-end RB1 upside if Ward is #good.”
– Meng Song (Fantrax)
“Tony Pollard. There’s still not a lot of enthusiasm for him in drafts despite the likelihood that Tyjae Spears misses the first month of the season with a high-ankle sprain. Pollard should get plenty of touches over the first several games of the season and will still be the lead back even after Spears returns. The Titans’ healthier, upgraded offensive line could be among the best in the league. And QB Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick in the draft, should upgrade the Titans’ offense overall.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Braelon Allen (NYJ)
“Braelon Allen. He is currently around RB46 in the expert consensus and can be had around pick 140 in Half-PPR leagues. With the uncertainty surrounding Breece Hall, his upside is immense at his current draft position. The Jets should be running the ball at a much higher clip than they did in 2024, and even in a timeshare with Hall, Allen could crush this price tag. The 2024 4th-rounder was absolutely electric with Wisconsin in college, averaging nearly 6 YPC. He was serviceable in limited time during his rookie season, totaling 482 yards and three scores on 111 touches. He’s a steal in the late rounds with solid upside.”
– Justin Elick (Daily Fantasy Circuit)
“Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has hinted at an RBBC- comprising of Hall and Braelon Allen, where Allen gets the short-yardage and potential goal-line touches. Glenn said, “With Braelon, a 240-pound man who’s always falling forward. Listen, that’s where he’s going to make his money.” And this just in, per Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda, people close to this situation think Breece Hall might be moved before the trade deadline. If that happens, Allen’s stock gets a major boost. My best guess is Allen would be the primary RB in a committee with Isaiah Davis. However, there’s a world where Braelon Allen becomes a rare bell cow RB, and those are very valuable in fantasy football, especially on a run-heavy team, which the Jets figure to be. Ringo’s comp- Braelon Allen reminds me of Nick Chubb in his prime.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
“While there may be other running backs I’m hoping to end up with in my leagues, none of them may provide the same value, based on ADP, as Braelon Allen. Allen has performed well in the Jets’ first two preseason games and has drawn rave reviews from the beat writers covering training camp. It is no secret that the Jets are going to be a very run-heavy team under new Head Coach Aaron Glenn. Breece Hall is going to be a free agent after the season and will probably look to cash in on a contract similar to Kyren Williams and James Cook. While Hall remains the lead back, there is growing speculation that Allen could command a workload approaching a 50-50 split. Allen’s physically dominant running style, particularly his proficiency in short-yardage situations, aligns well with the Jets’ offensive identity.”
– Rich Piazza (Fantasy Shed)
“Listed at 6’1, 236 lbs., Braelon Allen is a BEAST. HC Aaron Glenn has been vocal this offseason about using multiple backs. Combine that with the fact that Breece Hall hasn’t quite lived up to expectations in the Big Apple, and you have a prime breakout candidate. At his current ADP of RB46, Allen has Week 1 FLEX appeal and could smash his ADP if he manages to outperform Hall, even if the Jets have a low-scoring offense in 2025.”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)
James Conner (ARI)
“James Conner is a running back that I have been adding to rosters in the draft. Conner is currently listed as RB19 in the expert consensus ranks, and this feels like the floor to me. In the past 4 seasons, Conner has finished RB20 or better in each of the seasons in half-point PPR. This is running back with a very consistent safe floor and the ability to deliver pop weeks throughout the fantasy season.”
– Derek Dennington (The Good Old Boys Fantasy Football Podcast)
Alvin Kamara (NO)
“If you are drafting in a home league with fantasy managers who may not be paying close attention to the preseason goings on, the answer is Jacory Croskey-Merritt. But before you try to secure the rising rookie, grab Alvin Kamara in the fourth round. Kamara has been in the NFL for eight seasons and has never finished outside the top 18 fantasy running backs. He’s also never played 17 games in a season, so it is not like he’s Najee Harris-ing himself to better season-long numbers. Kamara should continue to pull double duty as the lead back and primary safety valve in the passing game, particularly given New Orleans’ shaky quarterback situation. Alvin Kamara is about as safe as you can get outside the top 15 and is exactly the type of player who allows you to swing for the fences later in drafts.”
– Mick Ciallela (Fantrax)
Isiah Pacheco (KC)
“A player that I find myself heavily targeting in drafts currently is Kansas City RB Isiah Pacheco, who is largely being overlooked after his injury a season ago and now finds himself as an intriguing upside player in drafts with his current RB25 ADP, which allows you to snag him in the mid-to-late rounds. In 2023, he averaged 15.3 PPR points per game over 14 contests, finishing as the RB14 with 213.9 total fantasy points, proving he can deliver consistent production when healthy. Despite a fibula fracture derailing his 2024 season, Pacheco showed his explosive potential early, racking up 189 combined yards and a touchdown on 41 touches in just two games before the injury. With Andy Reid noting that Pacheco has added “good weight” and looks “tremendous” in camp, he’s poised to reclaim his lead-back role, especially since the Chiefs’ offense thrives on positive game scripts that fuel rushing opportunities. Even with competition from Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell, Pacheco’s 4.37 speed, physical running style, and potential for increased receiving work, only 2.7% of Kansas City’s 600 passes targeted him in 2024, making him a steal with RB1 potential.”
– Brandon Murchison (RotoBaller)
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn