2025 Rookie Running Back Renaissance

In 2024, all the talk was about the highly drafted WRs who quickly turned into fantasy stars. This year the focus has shifted towards the RBs, seeing four drafted inside the top 40 of the NFL Draft vs zero in 2024. After the weak class last year, there is plenty of opportunity this upcoming season and fantasy value to be found in these landing spots.

This breakdown covers ten rookie RBs selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Each player is profiled with physical measurables, draft capital and prospect evaluation to paint a realistic fantasy football outlook using the FFA weighted PPR projections and average ADPs.

Become an FFA Insider today to gain access to our projections HERE and more on how they are calculated HERE. Average ADPs from CBS, ESPN, FFC, MLF, NFL, RTS, and Yahoo.

NFL First Rounders:

Ashton Jeanty 5’8 211 (6th LV / RB1)

FFA PPR Projection: 276 FPTS / RB8

FFA AVG ADP: 10th / Keep Trade Cut (KTC) 14th / RB3 / Underdog 12th / RB5

Jeanty is a bit undersized, but is still the highest drafted RB since Saquon Barkley went #2 overall in 2018. His workhorse ability was on full display last year at Boise State, where he racked up 374 carries, 2,601 rushing yards, and 30 total TDs. This rushing yard mark led all of college football, Jeanty also led in missed tackles forced (MTF) by 43 with 125. In an RBs final college season, Jeanty and Bijan (104 MTF) are the only two to surpass 100+ MTF since PFF started tracking in 2014.

There was a dip in receiving production, dropping from 569 yards his sophomore to 138 in his junior year. With his athletic traits there is no reason to believe he will not catch the ball at the next level and become one of the league’s rare workhorse backs. He will likely be a first rounder in your fantasy league next year and garner 300+ touches as the consensus RB1 in this class.

Omarion Hampton 6’0 221 (22nd LAC / RB2)

FFA PPR Projection: 209 FPTS / RB22

FFA AVG ADP: 54th / KTC: 32nd / RB6 / Underdog: 42nd / RB14

Hampton has more of the typical bell cow build to him at 6’0 221 and was still able to run a 4.46 40 at the combine (12th/24 RBs). This helped boost his draft stock to the first round after an impressive junior year, cracking 2,000 all-purpose yards for the first time and landing with the Chargers at 22. First round capital is very important for RBs and there has been talk about whether he was worth this pick or not. Regardless, Hampton’s profile and draft capital still position him well for fantasy success.

He’s an athletic runner who forced 73 missed tackles (only 11 RBs have over 70 in their final college season since 2021), but will also be able to bruise between the tackles and grind out first downs for Jim Harbaugh. The signing of Najee Harris to a one year deal means will want to use him in 2025, but Hampton’s capital and profile will give him the opportunity to take over this backfield in year one. This will be an exciting offense in 2025, it will be interesting to see how Harbaugh uses the new additions out of the gate and how this backfield shapes up over the course of the season.

Day Two Takeoff:

Quinshon Judkins 6’0 221 (36th CLE / RB3)

FFA PPR Projection: 174 FPTS / RB29

FFA AVG ADP: 74th / KTC 87th / RB20 / Underdog 77th /RB27

The same size as Hampton and just as quick running a 4.48 (14th/24 RBs), Judkins finds himself headed to a wide open situation in Cleveland. Nick Chubb has signed with the Texans and the Browns drafted Dylan Sampson in the 5th round, a similar player to Judkins’ college teammate who should serve as a great compliment. The complaint about Judkins is he does not force enough missed tackles with only 143 in three years, but the production and efficiency are undeniable. He popped as a freshman at Ole Miss, leading the SEC in carries (274), rushing yards (1567) and total TDs (17), next to a 2023 Rams 6th round RB Zach Evans. This was his most efficient season, averaging 5.7 yards per carry (YPC), dropping to 4.2 his sophomore year.

Judkins transferred to OSU ahead of the 2024 season, joining a backfield with another prolific back. He ran for 1,060 yards on 194 carries and began running efficiently again, with an average of 5.5 YPC. While he didn’t produce much in the receiving game, this is the perfect fit to take over as the workhorse in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. The all-around ability and 2nd round draft capital of Judkins proves the organization is confident in his talent and that the opportunity will be there. The Browns head into 2025 with a very intriguing backfield for fantasy looking back at what Stefanski did with the Chubb and Hunt duo.

TreVeyon Henderson 5’10 202 (38th NE / RB4)

FFA PPR Projection: 190 FPTS / RB26

FFA AVG ADP: 70th / KTC 43rd / RB8 / Underdog 64th / RB22

Coming into OSU as the top RB prospect in the nation, he popped as a freshman for 1,560 scrimmage yards and 19 TDs. He now heads to New England 38th overall after four seasons of explosive production capped off with a National Championship. His most efficient season came last year, 144 rushing attempts and 1,016 yards for an average of 7.1 YPC. On top of his elite athletic traits, Henderson also proved himself as a willing and capable blocker. Routinely being called upon as a lead blocker and picking up blitzes, Henderson allowed 10 pressures and 0 sacks on 231 pass protection snaps during his collegiate career. His burst through tight creases, sure hands out of the backfield (0 fumbles on 667 touches) and blocking ability make him the ultimate third down weapon.

Henderson brings the reliability of a James White type back to Josh McDaniels’ offense, but with significantly more home run speed and two rounds of additional draft capital. This offense lacked playmakers for Drake Maye in 2024, adding Henderson along with rookie WR Kyle Williams and Stefon Diggs this offseason will add a much needed boost. Rhamondre Stevenson remains under contract through 2029 with a potential out in 2027 carrying zero dead cap, but Henderson has already proven he can thrive in a two back system. Stevenson is a bruiser back like Judkins, continuing to show his strong reliability and burst will earn Henderson early down snap opportunities. With an improved offense around Maye and running behind 4th overall pick LT Will Campbell, Henderson could quickly emerge as one of fantasy’s highest upside PPR values of the future.

RJ Harvey 5’8 205 (60th DEN / RB5)

FFA PPR Projection: 198 FPTS / RB25

FFA AVG ADP: 69th / KTC 74th / RB19 / Underdog 63rd / RB21

Entering the NFL draft at 24 years old after a long journey at UCF, the selection of Harvey in the second round surprised some even with the glaring need for RB. After missing the 2021 season to recover from an ACL injury, he bounced back to post three efficient years, averaging 6.5 YPC and scoring 47 total TDs. While the raw reception totals weren’t extraordinarily high (averaged 20 receptions for 240 yards a season since 2022), his twitch and suddenness out of the backfield may give him real upside as a route runner to separate in space.

The buzz picked up right away with rookie camp starting and HC Sean Payton loathing about Harvey’s skillset. He spoke about Harvey in May saying, “Well, he is going to play on third downs”. This came before the signing of JK Dobbins to a one year deal, but the early investment in Harvey suggests he will quickly become a key part of the game plan. He brings the kind of burst and efficiency that keeps RBs on the field even crowded backfields. Harvey is undoubtably a high upside pick, but if he busts at cost it will be a major blow to fantasy drafters.

Kaleb Johnson 6’1 224 (83rd PIT / RB6)

FFA PPR Projection: 174 FPTS / RB31

FFA AVG ADP: 80th / KTC 66th / RB15 / Underdog 71st / RB24

Johnson is on the opposite end of the spectrum, entering the draft as one of the youngest players available and will not turn 22 until August 14th. Falling to the third round, this was a great value pick for the RB needy Steelers. Kaleb holds the Iowa freshman rushing record with 744, capping off his career by leading the Big 10 in 2024 in rushing yards (1,537) and total TDs (23).

The Steelers went through plenty of changes this offseason, moving on from Najee Harris and George Pickens, while adding D.K. Metcalf, Jonnu Smith and Aaron Rodgers. Between Rodgers’ uncertain play, the roster shakeup, and Arthur Smith returning as OC, there are plenty of unknowns here that make this offense tough to project. If Johnson can take hold of the starting job from Jaylen Warren, he’ll have the early down work, short yardage situations and touchdown opportunities in an offense looking to improve from 22nd in total offensive yards last year. This is another pick with league winning upside if the volume and scoring opportunities fall the right way.

Day Three Darts:

Bhayshul Tuten 5’9 206 (104th JAX / RB7)

FFA PPR Projection: 85 FPTS / RB59

FFA AVG ADP: 127th / KTC 145th / RB36 / Underdog 132nd / RB42

Tuten started his college career overlooked by the FBS at North Carolina A&T before transferring to Virginia Tech after 1,300 rushing yards his sophomore year. Quickly showing he belonged in the power 5, Tuten racked up 2,022 rushing yards and 29 total TDs in his two years at VT. He proved his ability to handle a lead back role as the teams clear #1 option in 2024, with 183 carries for 1,159 yards (6.3 YPC).

This is a new look Jaguars team with an aggressive GM James Gladstone leading the charge with clear targets. His conviction during this draft season is something to monitor, we saw him leverage a future first to go get his guys and now we will see how it plays out. Former first round pick Travis Etienne is entering the last year of his contract and Tank Bigsby led the team in rushing in 2024, leaving this backfield open for someone to emerge with a new regime in town. Tuten may not be the safest bet for volume, but his juice is real and his profile fits the kind of swing worth taking later in drafts. If this regime gives him a real shot, he could break off a few big plays and force his way into a larger role.

Cam Skattebo 5’9 219 (105th NYG / RB8)

FFA PPR Projection: 125 FPTS / RB42

FFA AVG ADP: 102nd / KTC 115th / RB25 / Underdog 110th / RB35

Cam Skattebo lands with the Giants in the fourth round as a compact, physical runner who thrives on contact and brings underrated versatility to the backfield. After transferring from Sacramento State to Arizona State, he produced two seasons over 1,000 scrimmage yards. Leading the Sun Devils to a Big 12 championship win in their first year in the conference with 208 total yards and 3 TDs, Skattebo put his toughness, vision, and reliable hands on display. He was a huge part of ASU’s push into the expanded playoff in 2024, posting a monster 1,711 rushing yards on 293 carries and 24 total TDs. At 5’9 219 pounds, Skattebo has a strong build that helps him absorb contact, break tackles and fight for extra yards.

Skattebo didn’t run the 40 yard dash at the combine due to a minor hamstring issue, leaving speed as the biggest question in his profile unanswered. He still showed elite lower body explosiveness with a 39.5” vertical (3rd/24 RBs) and a 10’3” broad jump. This offseason, the Giants have signed Russell Wilson to a one year deal, Jameis Winston to a two year deal, and traded up to draft Jaxson Dart at #25. Regardless of who wins the job, any change under center bodes well for the offense’s efficiency and scoring opportunities after ranking last in redzone TD% in 2024. The competition in this backfield is one of 2024’s rookie sleepers Tyrone Tracy, who posted 1,000+ total yards, 6 total TDs and averaged 4.4 YPC. The Giants drafted Skattebo with a plan and hope the offense improve in 2025, but he will have to prove himself while competing for touches with Tracy before he can be trusted in fantasy.

Dylan Sampson 5’8 200 (126th CLE / RB12)

FFA PPR Projection: 61 FPTS / RB70

FFA AVG ADP: 169th / KTC 146th / RB37 / Underdog 190th / RB58

Another RB unable to run at the combine due to a lingering hamstring injury from the College Football Playoff, Dylan Sampson goes as the 12th RB off the board to Cleveland after a productive career at Tennessee. Emerging as the teams top back in his final season as a junior and leading the SEC in rushing yards (1,491) and total TDs (22) on 258 carries for 5.8 YPC. Despite splitting time throughout his college career, Sampson flashed electric burst and efficient playmaking ability whenever given touches. Dolphins 2024 fourth round pick Jaylen Wright dominated this backfield in 2023 with over 1,100 total yards, but Sampson still provided 604 rushing yards and led the backfield with 175 receiving yards.

Though a bit undersized at 5’8 and 200 pounds, we are starting to see this prototype thrive with the recent breakouts of Devon Achane, Bucky Irving, Kyren Williams, and more. Sampson’s burst makes him a natural fit to be a change of pace back in Kevin Stefanski’s offense. While he was never a high volume receiver at Tennessee, it will be important that he makes an impact in this way at the NFL level to see more snaps. He brings a different running style to the backfield than Quinshon Judkins, and he’ll have a chance to push Jerome Ford for the RB2 role. If Sampson becomes the favored passing down back and continues to create big plays in limited touches, he could carve out early fantasy value in Cleveland’s retooled offense.

Jaydon Blue 5’9 196 (149th DAL / RB14)

FFA PPR Projection: 88 FPTS / RB57

FFA AVG ADP: 129th / KTC 173rd / RB44 / Underdog 148th / RB47

The 10th RB off the board, Jaydon Blue heads to Dallas in the fifth round following a 4.38 40 time at the combine (2nd/24 RBs). Once a top high school recruit and track star, Blue spent his first two seasons buried on the depth chart behind NFL talent, only producing 566 total yards and 4 TDs. 2024 should have been Blue’s breakout year, but he once again took a backseat in yardage to sophomore Quintrevion Wisner who ran for 1,064 yards and 6 total TDs compared to Blue’s 764 and 14 total TDs. The receiving and scoring numbers were in Blue’s favor, catching 42 passes for 368 yards and 6 receiving TDs.

Dallas has made a few changes to the offense and has looked to get a returning Dak more help this offseason. Trading for George Pickens, drafting Alabama OG Tyler Booker 12th overall, and signing RB Javonte Williams to a 1 year contract to replace their 1,000 yard rusher Rico Dowdle. Williams has been a disappointing player to start his career and is yet to have a season with 1,000+ rushing yards, entering his first year with the team he will have plenty to prove. They also brought in Phil Mafah, a 7th round rookie RB who spent four years at Clemson with over 1,115 rushing yards in 2024 and 3,196+ total career yards. Blue could provide explosive plays catching the ball early and end up getting a majority of the carries here. Other RBs in this range of the NFL draft have much stronger competition, Blue will be worth a later round pick in fantasy drafts if he falls into the starting role next year.