Top 30 dynasty rookie RB rankings for 2025

The NFL draft saw 25 running backs taken at what many considered a deep position for talent. Add in UDFAs and there are plenty of rookie rushers who we need to keep an eye on for rookie drafts this season. Of course, early round picks are much more likely to be useful fantasy producers, while later round picks are often shots in the dark. That’s why I am all in on the Ahston Jeanty and Omarion Hampton. I have no qualms with taking both at their current ADP of 10th and 34th overall in half PPR leagues. The next rookie RBs in ADP go as such:

Henderson will share time with Rhamondre Stevenson, but Henderson’s playmaking ability will get him on the field a bunch. Stevenson should be the goaline and early down back as long as he can put his fumbling issues behind him, so Henderson’s ceiling is going to be capped. I’m still going to be on talent and a likely step forward by Drake Maye and the offense.

Harvey will need to beat out veteran JK Dobbins for touches, which will be tough due to Dobbins’ great ability in pass protection. That doesn’t mean he won’t win touches and I expect him to be in a committee to start the season. Dobbins’ pass pro can’t make up for the mileage on his knees, but it can slow down Harvey’s ascension to the lead role.

Johnson should take the early down back in Pittsburgh. The question will be how often the Steelers can get the lead or at least be close enough to not abandon the run in the second half of games. He’s going to play, and if the Steelers offense can get things going, he has value, but he is likely to see inconsistent usage.

Judkins won’t be charged with domestic battery, but the NFL is doing their own investigation. He still could face a suspension, but at this point his chances of playing this season have gone up. He still will need to beat out Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson for work after missing training camp, preseason games and who knows how many regular season games. This situation is too muddy to get a clear view of the future, so tread lightly in redraft. For dynasty, he has more upside, as he is an early second round pick and will get his chances to prove himself.

Skattebo has gotten good hype from beat writers this offseason, but a hamstring injury has him missing valuable practice time. Tyrone Tracy appears to have the RB1 job wrapped up for the start of the season and Devin Singletary likely has the lead for the RB2 job with Skattebo missing time. There is upside there and room to move up during the season.

The Cowboys offense will put up numbers this season and if a running back can take over a majority of the touches, he will have fantasy value. The trouble, as usual, will be figuring out if any one player can do that and who that player will be. For Blue, he has fresh legs, unlike Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, which automatically gives him an edge for the long run of the season. While Williams and Sanders could just be washed. He’s not a smash pick, but I like the Cowboys’ offense enough to grab him at his ADP.

Tuten is a load to get down, as seen by his driving touchdown against the Steelers in Week 1 of preseason. There is plenty of competition in Jacksonville. Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne still look to be the 1-2 punch to start the season, but a bet on Tuten is a bet on his ability and Liam Coen’s offense. I like both and will grab him where I can in redraft.

The Browns backfield is a mess, but Sampson has gotten a leg up on Judkins out of the gate. If he falls into flier territory with Judkins’ legal news, he’s worth grabbing for a bench spot in deeper leagues.

Pass protection is a problem for Monangai, which could keep him off the field. But, behind D’Andre Swift there aren’t any backs locked in yet and he’s been getting praise from beat writers and coaches. He’ll need to win the No. 2 job, which isn’t a given by any means. I love Ben Johnson’s offense, so betting on Bears players late in drafts could be beneficial.

Kyren Williams has the every down back role locked up, and I expect Hunter would split time with Blake Corum if Williams were to miss time due to an injury. The upside isn’t great for Hunter out of the gate, but playing time this year is a possibility.

Joe Mixon has yet to practice and Nick Chubb appears like he has lost a step or two. That leaves their fourth-round pick Woody Marks and Dameon Pierce. First off, the Texans wanted Marks enough to give Miami a 2026 third round pick to move up to draft him. Secondly, the Texans offensive line is one of the worst in the league and the team will need a pass catching back who can also pass protect and Marks fits the bill.

The hope for fantasy players is that Smith can quickly become a pass catching back in a great offense. That’s not a bad place to be if he can win that job.

I like Giddens as a player and I also like his situation behind Jonathon Taylor. Taylor’s injury history is concerning and his usage makes for plenty of injury chances. Giddens could easily see starts this season and is a good bench stash.

The Commanders have room for running backs to move up and JCM has looked good so far in camp. He has a real chance of winning snaps in a good offense now that Brian Robinson is headed out the door.

Chase Brown is going to get a lot of work on his small frame, which could lead to Brooks getting some spot starts at some point in a high-octane offense.

Gordon has played great in preseason and De’Von Achane is dealing with an injury. Jaylen Wright also hasn’t shown he has what it takes to be the lead back if Achane goes down. Gordon has room to get on the field this season and carve out a role in what can be a high octane offense at times.

Neal is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, but still appears to be ahead of Kendre Miller to make the team. He has upside behind an old and heavily used Alvin Kamara, but the Saints aren’t going to be a fantasy friendly team this season.

Finding a bench spot for a 49ers running back is never a bad idea. The 49ers go through backup running backs like my daughter with hot Cheetos, but whoever ends up getting a start always seems to put up numbers in Shanahan’s system.

Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle are currently ahead of Etienne, which isn’t a murderer’s row to overcome. Etienne has ability and as a fourth round pick, he has enough draft capital to get a little preferential treatment. He makes for a good deep bench player if you’ve got the room.

Mafah doesn’t have a lot of traits that foretell a long and storied career, but if he could find his way on the field in Dallas, he would have touchdown upside.