Running back has long been the most important position in fantasy football. Even as wide receivers become more valuable in modern fantasy football, running back remains a position that can win or lose your league.
Last year, Saquon Barkley was a league-winner for countless managers behind a career year with the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Jahmyr Gibbs was especially good for full-PPR leagues thanks to his receiving abilities.
It’s time to look ahead to the 2025 season as preseason action heats up. The likes of Barkley and Gibbs will command a high draft pick in snake drafts or top dollar in auction leagues.
Beyond them, it’s a challenge for managers to determine the right value of other players. We’re here to help with a tiered breakdown of the running position for fantasy football in 2025:
Tier 1
Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
These are the bell cows of the position, though they all come with some question marks. Barkley had 378 total touches last year and the history of running backs hitting 370 is not good. He should avoid a huge drop-off thanks to an elite offensive line, but it will be tough to match his career-bests from 2024.
Robinson operated in one of the most efficient running games of the last decade with Atlanta in 2024. That may regress more towards the mean this year. Jeanty is the clear No. 2 weapon behind a tight end, something none of the other Tier 1 backs can say. Gibbs has a new coordinator but that could see him get an even bigger share of the carries as an electrifying young back.
Tier 2
Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If you don’t get the top four guys, this group is full of league-winner as well. Henry’s shown no signs of slowing down in one of the best offenses in the league. Green Bay invested in its offensive line this offseason and that should mean Jacobs remains a fringe top-five fantasy running back.
Achane is a borderline Tier 1 running back in full PPR leagues as he’s one of the more productive receivers out of the backfield. McCaffrey is one of the toughest reads ahead of the season because of his injuries last season and the 49ers building up depth behind him. Irving was a star as a rookie behind one of the best offensive lines in the league. Without Liam Coen at coordinator, it’s unclear how things could improve in 2025.
Tier 3
James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
Aaron Jones Sr., Minnesota Vikings
Cook had a top-10 fantasy RB season in 2024 on the back of his 18 touchdowns from scrimmage. If that regresses, can he churn out the yards to make up for it? Hubbard should be in for another strong season as the Panthers passing offense gets a boost from rookie wideout Tetairoa McMillan. Indianapolis’ offense has lots of questions but Taylor isn’t one of them. He should be a reliable starter when healthy, unfortunately a big caveat for a player who hasn’t played a full season since 2021.
Hampton should have lots of opportunity to become the Chargers’ top running back in the first month of the season in what should be a run-first offense. Walker could thrive with more outside zone run schemes that new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is expected to bring to Seattle in 2025. Few teams signaled an intent to run the ball more and better than Minnesota this offseason with their moves in free agency and the draft, something that should greatly benefit Jones Sr.
Tier 4
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Breece Hall, New York Jets
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
This tier is has some reliable players and a few with a chance to exceed expectations. Brown was one of the top six backs in fantasy football over the second half of the season and could keep that clip up in 2025. Williams was one of the least productive backs on a per-carry basis in 2024; but was that more to do with the Rams’ early-season woes or a true drop-off?
Hall was a fantasy bust after being a preseason top-five player, but he has a new coordinator and quarterback around him in 2025. Kamara just turned 30, but has a new play-calling head coach who may lean on him as a rookie quarterback gets up to speed. Conner thrived in the Cardinals’ diverse running scheme last season but, like Kamara, is entering his age-30 season. Johnson is a rookie but under Arthur Smith in Pittsburgh, it’s hard to find a better fit of player and scheme.
Tier 5
TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots
D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
David Montgomery, Detroit Lions
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Tier 5 rounds out the other starting running backs in the NFL or players whose 2025 outlook is murky. The rookie Henderson is undoubtedly the most explosive skill position player in New England but his role is unclear with the incumbent Rhamondre Stevenson in town. Swift should benefit from a change in offensive play-caller with Ben Johnson’s impressive track record of success from Detroit.
Harvey, another electric rookie back, may not be the top man to start in Denver but should grow into a bigger role, especially with his proven skills as a receiver out of the backfield. Tracy Jr. was solid in his first season but enters Year 2 with questions around him at quarterback and offensive line — and one of the toughest slates of defenses in the league.
Montgomery hit 1,100 yards and dozen touchdowns again in 2024 but his role may change with a new offensive coordinator. Mixon is dealing with injuries to open the season behind a less talented offensive line and Nick Chubb spelling him for carriers. Injury cut Pacheco’s 2024 season short so he could be in for a bounce-back season in a contract year.
Robinson Jr.’s value is limited in half- and full-PPR leagues thanks to Austin Ekeler’s presence but he’s still the top man in one of the more efficient offenses in the league. Pollard should get a big boost this season from a change in quarterback and an upgraded offensive line, the question is just how high he could go. Williams could benefit from offensive coordinator Klayton Adams’ arrival in Dallas after years helping the Cardinals create one of top rushing schemes in the league.
Tier 6
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings
Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Nick Chubb, Houston Texans
Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
Najee Harris, Los Angeles Chargers
Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys
Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars
Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
Welcome to the land of handcuffs and low-end starters. Charbonnet, Warren and Mason should all have large roles in run-first offenses and could spell the starter if they miss time. Warren’s value as a receiver sets him apart in that trio.
The Jaguars’ backfield hierarchy is unclear but Etienne Jr. could see a bigger role with a new offensive play-caller. Stevenson and Dobbins are both proven veterans but in backfields with more dynamic rookie rushers. White could see a drop with Liam Coen’s departure but his value as a receiver keeps him relevant. Chubb may get more carries as Mixon makes his way back to healthy status ahead of Week 1.
Like Jacksonville, it’s unclear who will lead the way in Cleveland’s backfield but Sampson has the receiving ability to make a difference in fantasy. Harris is dealing with injury but is expected to spell Hampton by Week 1. The rookie Skattebo should be a complement to Tracy Jr. but his share of the carries is unclear at this point.
Blue is the most dynamic running back in the Cowboys backfield and that should work to his benefit as the season wears on. Bigsby was the Jaguars’ leading rusher in 2024 and he could get a boost from Coen’s arrival. Guerendo started in place of the injured McCaffrey at times in 2024 and looks primed to be a top handcuff in Year 2. As the Titans’ offense likely improves in 2025, Spears should benefit as a flex option in a pinch.
Johnson could see a bigger role with Ben Johnson now calling plays in Chicago. Smith’s receiving abilities give him the opportunity to take on a Jerick McKinnon-like role in Kansas City. Benson could take a step as Conner ages. If not, he’s a great handcuff option.