Committee Running Back Draft Targets: 4 Crowded Backfields to Chase (2025)

JP's fantasy football analysis for NFL running back committees. Should you draft the committee backs for the Steelers, Panthers, Chargers, and Buccaneers in 2025?

Remember when the fantasy football running back committee was the bane of your draft board, something to actively dodge at all costs? Well, those days are long gone.

In 2025, the NFL running back by committee isn't just a trend; it's the new normal. Unless you're lucky enough to snag one of the rare workhorse backs, you'll need to understand some of the less obvious running back rooms.

Here are some committees with running backs to target for the 2025 fantasy football season. Let's dive into the ones that stand out and that we should have exposure to for your drafts.

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Fantasy Football Committees to Analyze and Target For 2025 Drafts

How to draft the Tampa Bay Buccaneers duo in 2025

After combining for an impressive 2,520 scrimmage yards and 17 touchdowns last season, Bucky Irving and Rachaad White demonstrated their potent pairing in Tampa Bay. However, one needs to dive deeper into the numbers to understand this committee a little more clearly. As the season progressed, Irving undeniably began to emerge as the preferred back for the Bucs. From Week 10 onward (including their playoff loss to the Commanders), Irving rushed 141 times, roughly 18 carries per week, for 780 yards and five touchdowns. Beyond his early-down work, Bucky also garnered 29 targets, securing 26 of them for 132 receiving yards but no scores.

In stark contrast, White's 2024 season saw him carry the ball just 144 times (nearly identical to Irving's rushing volume in only seven games) for 613 yards and three touchdowns across 17 contests. One might argue White is the Buccaneers' dedicated receiving back, but that narrative simply didn't hold true in 2024. White saw 59 targets compared to Bucky's 54. While White secured 53 of those targets for 407 yards, Bucky was nearly as productive, hauling in 49 passes for 398 yards. The primary difference was touchdown production: White found the end zone through the air six times, whereas Bucky did not score a receiving touchdown. Despite this, their overall usage in the passing game was remarkably similar.

Considering White's notable disparity in rushing opportunity and efficiency compared to Irving, combined with their near 50/50 split in the passing game, my conviction remains: White is a strong fade, making Irving an enticing target for your 2025 fantasy drafts.

LA Chargers Rebuilt Running Back Room

If there's one thing we know about Jim Harbaugh as a coach, it's his commitment to punishing defenses with a dominant run game. Despite the Los Angeles Chargers ranking 12th in the NFL in rushing attempts in 2024, they finished 17th in total rushing yards. Coach Harbaugh quickly signaled that his backs in 2024 (primarily J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards) weren't the long-term solution to elevate this Charger offense. Instead, the Chargers' running back room looks vastly different in 2025 after signing long-time Steelers standout Najee Harris in free agency and drafting Omarion Hampton out of the University of North Carolina with the 22nd overall pick in this year's NFL Draft.

Hampton showcased elite college production, rushing for over 1,500 yards and scoring 15 touchdowns in both his junior and senior seasons at UNC. Beyond his prowess in the run game, Hampton also demonstrated valuable receiving skills, hauling in 29 and 38 passes in his last two seasons for the Tar Heels. While Harris has consistently eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in all four of his NFL seasons, he notably lacks the explosiveness Hampton displayed, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry compared to Hampton's 5.9 YPC in college.

While some might argue against comparing NCAA to NFL stats, consider this: Harris, statistically the best rusher in Alabama history, averaged a comparable 6.0 yards per carry during his four collegiate years. Diving deeper into advanced metrics, in 2024, Hampton impressively rushed for 1,222 yards after contact (averaging 3.6 YAC/attempt), significantly outpacing Harris's 689 yards after contact for the Steelers.

Instead of debating who is the better back "on paper," let's focus on what truly matters for your fantasy football roster: which back offers the most value. According to RotoBaller's premium rankings, Hampton is currently ranked as the RB16, while Najee sits at RB36. Crucially, Harris is currently on the NFI (Non-Football Injury) list due to an eye injury sustained during a Fourth of July fireworks accident. While reports from Los Angeles indicate his recovery is progressing well and the team isn't rushing his return, Hampton is shining in Training Camp, capitalizing on the extra reps thanks to Harris's absence. This suggests the younger, more explosive rookie is primed to be a significant part of the Chargers' offense in 2025.

With Harris's injury creating an unexpected surge in opportunity for Hampton, he could seize a larger role earlier in the season than anticipated. I'm taking my chance on this high-upside talent and fading Harris in all formats for 2025.

Pittsburgh Steelers: The Emergence of a New Bell Cow?

With the 83rd overall pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Kaleb Johnson out of the University of Iowa, and he's already turning heads at training camp. Johnson isn't just looking to fill Harris's shoes as the Steelers' primary early-down back; he aims to become their true bell cow.

Joining a backfield alongside third-year back Jaylen Warren and newly acquired Kenneth Gainwell, Johnson is poised to take control of the Pittsburgh offense in 2025. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo echoed this sentiment, stating, "Got him in the third round, but there’s a lot of expectations that he (Johnson) could be their so-called bell-cow guy for the next few years."

Johnson couldn't have asked for a better landing spot in terms of offensive scheme. Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith is renowned for his zone-heavy run schemes, which perfectly align with Johnson's experience at Iowa. Beyond this ideal scheme fit, Johnson has every opportunity to command 15-20 carries per game in 2025. While Jaylen Warren has proven to be an effective back for Pittsburgh, his 5'8", 215-pound frame suggests he may not hold up all year as a true three-down back in this Steelers offense. Smith's running scheme, which emphasizes patience, quick cuts, and fighting for yards, often leads to heavy contact in the box, making durability a key factor.

I do not believe Warren will be completely phased out; he's a great change-of-pace option behind Johnson, and that's precisely the role I anticipate for him in Pittsburgh in 2025. Despite both backs being similarly ranked (Johnson at RB28 and Warren at RB31) in RotoBaller's running back rankings, I'm confidently drafting Johnson.

If the opportunity presents itself, I'm even more bullish on drafting Johnson, as I have him ranked closer to a top-20 running back than a top-30 option.

Tons of Value in Carolina?

The 2025 Carolina Panthers roster now features two running backs who each eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in 2024: Chuba Hubbard (for Carolina) and Rico Dowdle (for Dallas). While Hubbard impressively ranked seventh in the NFL in rushing yards per game, I'd rather target Dowdle in my 2025 PPR fantasy drafts. Here's why:

All signs point to Carolina taking a significant step offensively in 2025. Bryce Young found his footing late in the 2024 season, and the team used their eighth overall pick in this year's draft on 6’5" stud wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan out of Arizona, seemingly stabilizing the entire franchise.

The acquisition of Dowdle appears to have flown largely under the radar. Dowdle brings an explosive element to the passing game out of the backfield for Carolina, a dimension that Hubbard currently lacks. His 6.4 yards per catch average in 2024 with the Dallas Cowboys, combined with his 1,000+ rushing yards, equips the Panthers with a truly versatile back and allows them to be more creative offensively.

While Hubbard might appear to be the "safer" pick in fantasy, his current ranking of 17th overall among running backs on RotoBaller's premium rankings contrasts sharply with Dowdle's 55th. This significant draft capital disparity makes Dowdle a much more appealing late-round bench stash than selecting Hubbard as a potential RB2 or Flex.

Considering the unknown opportunity distribution within Carolina's evolving backfield, I'll be fading Hubbard and instead waiting to grab and stash Dowdle.

Embracing the New Normal

The days of simply avoiding the dreaded running back committee are long gone. As we've explored through the evolving situations in Tampa Bay, Los Angeles, and Pittsburgh, understanding the nuances of these backfields and identifying hidden opportunities is paramount for fantasy success in 2025. By recognizing which backs are seizing control, adapting to new schemes, or benefiting from unexpected circumstances, you can unearth immense value. Don't be afraid to zig when others zag; the ability to correctly navigate these committees, prioritize upside, and trust your analysis will be the key to building a championship-winning roster.

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