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Quincy Milton projects and ranks all 32 starting NFL running backs for the 2025 season. From Saquon Barkley to Tyrone Tracy Jr., see where each running back falls.
A weak running back free-agent class this offseason did not create the same excitement we experienced in 2024. However, we still got a glimpse at various teams' intentions regarding the position. Several players moved into clear starting roles, while several former starters took deals that placed them as backups.
With a strong running back draft class on its way, teams such as the Dallas Cowboys and the Las Vegas Raiders will likely look to firm up the position. It is not unreasonable to think that three or four running backs could be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
With the subtle movement from free agency, it is time to revisit the running back power rankings. The elite players will remain largely unchanged, but there is some movement as we move down the list. Let's dive in and see who each team's starting running back could be in 2025.
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32. Tyrone Tracy Jr. - New York Giants
Tyrone Tracy Jr. surprised many as a fifth-round pick in 2024. He played well enough to usurp Devin Singletary as the starting running back in this backfield. Tracy will likely get a chance to prove he is the guy in 2025, albeit on a short leash, given his draft capital.
31. Travis Etienne Jr./Tank Bigsby - Jacksonville Jaguars
Both Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby have a lot to prove in 2025. They will likely complement each other all season. When healthy, both backs are solid. Etienne has serious motivation to succeed this year, given that he is in a contract season.
30. Brian Robinson Jr. - Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson Jr. made it through free agency unscathed. With so many needs on defense, the Commanders do not seem poised to use a premium pick on a running back in April. Additionally, the trade for Deebo Samuel Sr. provides the Commanders with another complement in the running game. As such, Robinson and Austin Ekeler figure to lead this backfield in 2025.
29. Rhamondre Stevenson - New England Patriots
New England had the potential to add a running back in free agency, but it will instead move forward with Stevenson for now. The team seems like a good bet to add a player in the middle of the draft, but that player would likely be added for depth. The Patriots also have real money committed to Stevenson over the next couple of seasons, and all signs point toward Stevenson as the Week 1 starter.
28. Jerome Ford - Cleveland Browns
With no appreciative running back additions in free agency, the Browns figure to run things back with Jerome Ford at the helm. There is still a chance the team brings back Nick Chubb as well. However, with many holes to plug in the draft, this does not figure to be a team that spends a premium pick on a running back in April.
27. Kaleb Johnson - Las Vegas Raiders
Kaleb Johnson fits the bit of a Pete Carroll-style running back at 6-foot-1, 224 pounds. Johnson provides a solid combination of size and speed that the Raiders will need in their burgeoning offense. He would be a solid addition in the second round of the draft.
Kaleb Johnson
When we are looking for examples of why he is special.
This is one of the better plays I’ve seen from him. pic.twitter.com/px3mbY3Xks
— Elite Drafters (@Elite_Drafters) March 22, 2025
26. Jaylen Warren - Pittsburgh Steelers
Before free agency, I mocked Iowa's Kaleb Johnson to the Steelers. However, the team signed Kenneth Gainwell and retained Jaylen Warren, suggesting that it may be ready to roll into the season with those two players at the top of its running back depth chart. The team could still use a big-bodied back, so I would not count it out of the running for a draft pick.
25. Isiah Pacheco - Kansas City Chiefs
Pacheco will have every chance to cement himself as the top back in Kansas City. The Chiefs brought in former 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell and retained Kareem Hunt. Pacheco is more talented than both of those players and figures to lead this backfield. However, his workload could be reduced to keep him healthy.
24. TreVeyon Henderson - Dallas Cowboys
Let's hold fast with TreVeyon Henderson mocked to the Cowboys in the NFL Draft. Henderson is an explosive athlete who could pair well with the Cowboys' addition of Javonte Williams. Henderson would be a welcome addition in the second round, assuming he does not get pushed up into the first round.
23. Kenneth Walker III - Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker III's career is teetering on his health. Backup running back Zach Charbonnet proved in 2024 that he is ready to be the starter in this offense. With a more run-heavy approach on its way in Seattle, Charbonnet and Walker could end up splitting this backfield. However, Walker is the more talented of the two and will need to temper questions about his health.
Will Kenneth Walker III finally overcome the injuries and break out in 2025?@FF_Stallion examines his dynasty fantasy football value as well as what to expect from him in 2025:https://t.co/0uAFpJI4LW pic.twitter.com/jALAbWwG9H
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) March 18, 2025
22. Tony Pollard - Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard is in a prime position to repeat his strong 2024 season in 2025. The Titans seemed to find some offensive success over the latter half of the 2024 season, and hopefully, that momentum carries over into 2025, for Pollard's sake.
21. Joe Mixon - Houston Texans
Joe Mixon faltered down the stretch of the 2024 season as his age likely caught up with him. With a patchwork offensive line projected for the Texans in 2025, it will be interesting to observe how much room Mixon can find this season. The Texans certainly need a strong running game to compete in a loaded AFC.
20. Breece Hall - New York Jets
Breece Hall has been relatively good in his young career, but he has never been consistently great. The former second-round pick will look to take a step forward in his first contract season. The addition of Justin Fields as a mobile quarterback should open up running lanes for Hall.
19. Alvin Kamara - New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara is ready to receive an absurd amount of volume in an offense led by new head coach Kellen Moore. Kamara's efficiency continues to decline as he exits his prime, but the Saints extended him in 2024, and he figures to lead this backfield for at least a couple more years.
18. Najee Harris - Los Angeles Chargers
Najee Harris joined the Los Angeles Chargers after four solid seasons in Pittsburgh. Harris has never rushed for less than 1,000 yards in a season and has famously played in every game of his career. This is a great fit for an offense that plans to play smashmouth football.
What is Najee Harris’ ceiling on the Chargers? pic.twitter.com/LgAE2zkJAP
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) March 22, 2025
17. Aaron Jones - Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones and the Vikings decided there was a mutual benefit to Jones's return. The two sides agreed early in free agency, suggesting that Jones will be a huge piece of the Vikings' Super Bowl aspirations. Of course, the team did trade for former 49ers running back Jordan Mason, who figures to play a large role as well.
16. De'Von Achane - Miami Dolphins
De'Von Achane is now the clear lead back in Miami following the departure of veteran Raheem Mostert. With second-year back Jaylen Wright in the picture for touches, the Dolphins' rushing attack could look similar to the strong showing we saw in 2023.
15. Chase Brown - Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown completes the Bengals' four-headed offensive monster. With wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase locked into long-term deals, Brown should have plenty of room to operate in the running game. As long as the Bengals do not make a meaningful addition to the running back room in the draft, Brown will shine once again.
14. Omarion Hampton - Denver Broncos
The Broncos seem likely to heavily address the running back position in the NFL Draft. With Ashton Jeanty seeming like he will be selected well before the Broncos' No. 20 selection, Hampton could be quite the consolation prize. Just imagine the 6-foot, 221-pound back in a Sean Payton system.
The day for Omarion Hampton —
40: 4.47
Vert: 38”
Broad: 10’10”At a rocked up 221 lbs. pic.twitter.com/9lWApbe9Ex
— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) March 1, 2025
13. Chuba Hubbard - Carolina Panthers
Jonathon Brooks is set to potentially miss the entire season. Rico Dowdle was the only meaningful addition to the Panthers' running back room, but he does not figure to threaten Hubbard's workload. Hubbard could be in for a monster year with an improving Panthers squad.
12. James Conner - Arizona Cardinals
James Conner will be back and ready to stave off a second-year surge from backup Trey Benson. Conner received a contract extension in 2024, so as long as he is healthy, he remains the go-to running back.
11. Ashton Jeanty - Chicago Bears
The Bears had an excellent free-agency period, which leaves their draft board wide open in the first round. New head coach Ben Johnson just used Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in a prolific way over the last two seasons. With many reports swirling around the Bears' infatuation with Jeanty, it is reasonable to believe they may take a swing on him at No. 10 to pair him with D'Andre Swift.
Ashton Jeanty has his eyes on the Chicago Bears
pic.twitter.com/SQUqGtL9Xq— BOOG (@BoogCB) February 6, 2025
10. Josh Jacobs - Green Bay Packers
The Packers will roll into the 2025 season with Josh Jacobs squarely at the helm once again. He is likely to see a massive workload, barring a massive step forward from second-year back MarShawn Lloyd. With the Packers having invested a Day 2 pick in Lloyd in 2024, they will likely dip into this year's draft at the position.
9. Bucky Irving - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers did nothing in free agency to threaten Irving's workload. Irving was excellent for the team in a breakout rookie season in 2024. Tampa Bay leadership likely believes it has found its guy, and frankly, so do I.
8. Kyren Williams - Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams is entering a contract year with the Rams. The Rams made limited moves on offense besides swapping out wide receiver Cooper Kupp for Davante Adams. As such, Williams should continue his role as a key touchdown scorer in an offense that should be excellent.
7. James Cook - Buffalo Bills
James Cook is back in Buffalo and would like to be paid. He has performed well enough to deserve a new contract, but the Bills could view him as one piece of a larger running back puzzle. Still, in a contract year, expect Cook to run wild in 2025.
6. Jonathan Taylor - Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor will look to continue flashing his talent in an inconsistent Colts offense. This season, his quarterback will either be a much-improved Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones. We all know what Jones brings to the table, but a step forward from Richardson could unlock Taylor's peak ability once again.
5. Christian McCaffrey - San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey will look to climb this list after an injury-riddled 2024 season. The 49ers have experienced huge losses on both sides of the ball. After shipping wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. and running back Jordan Mason out of town, McCaffrey could be needed more now than ever.
4. Bijan Robinson - Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson is ready to take the next step as a running back in a Falcons offense that could truly surprise the league in 2025. Robinson has already cemented himself as one of the best in the league, but he is only entering his third season, and the arrow is still squarely pointing up.
3. Jahmyr Gibbs/David Montgomery - Detroit Lions
The best one-two punch in the NFL will return for their third season together. Jahmyr Gibbs figures to eat into David Montgomery's workload as he enters his prime. However, these are two of the most unselfish players in the NFL, and they will continue to complement each other perfectly.
2. Derrick Henry - Baltimore Ravens
Derrick Henry must have been celebrating when the Ravens re-signed offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley this offseason. The signing ensures that the line will continue to pave the way for Henry to bowl over defensive backs at the second level.
1. Saquon Barkley - Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley's historic 2024 season was rewarded with a raise. Barkley will now be the first $20 million running back in NFL history. Every dollar is well-deserved, and the Eagles have secured a franchise cornerstone for years to come.
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