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Quincy Milton projects and ranks all 32 starting NFL running backs for the 2025 season. From Saquon Barkley to Rhamondre Stevenson, see where each running back falls.
The 2025 NFL Draft produced several quality running backs. The draft board did not fall in such a way that every rookie will enter a timeshare situation, but several rookies have a chance to climb their depth charts by the end of the season. Teams will often bring running backs along slowly with a more trusted veteran in front of them. However, talent always wins out.
Despite the crop of rookies entering the league, there are still several high-end incumbent starting running backs in the NFL. Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry take the cake as the cream of the crop. Others, such as Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson, will be here to stay. The running back market is back.
Biggest RB Winners
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Isaiah Pacheco
D’Andre SwiftThere were others but these RBs all seemed like they would have to at least compete but likely be replaced, have in fact survived
— Garret Price (@DynastyPrice) April 26, 2025
Now that the bulk of team-altering offseason events are behind us, it is time to look ahead to 2025. Which running backs are due to start in Week 1? Who deserves such a position? Let's dive in and examine where everyone stands in the power rankings as we head toward NFL training camps and offseason programs.
32. Rhamondre Stevenson - New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson is still the starter in New England, but that may not be for long. The Patriots spent a high second-round draft pick on TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson is a talented running back with a chance to take this backfield by storm earlier rather than later.
31. Tyrone Tracy Jr. - New York Giants
Tyrone Tracy Jr. watched the Giants add Cam Skattebo to the backfield in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Skattebo will not immediately challenge Tracy's role as the starting running back, but he figures to quickly steal a lot of early down work. It is a good pickup for the Giants, but Tracy will need to continue performing to keep his job.
I know everyone's talking about Shedeur not getting picked.
Another surprise to me is Cam Skattebo.
I figured Ashton Jeanty, but didn't think 5 Running Backs before Cam. I feel like he would fit the mold as an NFL back so well given the fact that he runs the ball like a coked… pic.twitter.com/DEhzaHa6sT— Ivan (@UteFanIvan) April 26, 2025
30. Jerome Ford - Cleveland Browns
Jerome Ford is still listed as Cleveland's starter, but he now has legitimate competition. The Browns added running backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson in the second and fourth rounds of the NFL Draft, respectively. Judkins, in particular, was a highly touted prospect, and he could reasonably win the starting job by Week 1 and force Ford into a secondary role.
29. Javonte Williams - Dallas Cowboys
Perhaps the Cowboys have not watched Javonte Williams or Miles Sanders play football over the last couple of seasons because their actions in the draft suggest the team is ready to enter this season with those players atop the depth chart.
To be fair, the Cowboys had a solid draft overall. However, running back was a significant need, and a year in which you do not need to pay a premium for a rookie running back would have been the time to address the position.
28. Travis Etienne Jr./Tank Bigsby - Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Etienne Jr. should have a chance to recement himself as the unquestioned starter in Jacksonville after Tank Bigsby ate into that role in 2024. Still, the Jaguars made some noise by adding Bhayshul Tuten during the NFL Draft. Etienne is in a contract year, and it would behoove him to return to his early career form to earn a payday.
27. Isiah Pacheco - Kansas City Chiefs
Isiah Pacheco will have a chance to prove that he is the future of the running back position for the Chiefs but he is likely going to have to do so in a committee. The Chiefs retained Kareem Hunt and added Elijah Mitchell this offseason. With Pacheco having suffered a serious leg injury early in 2024, the team will want to keep him healthy for the stretch run when it matters most.
26. Brian Robinson Jr. - Washington Commanders
Brian Robinson Jr. was one of the league's biggest winners at running back on draft night. The Commanders appear prepared to enter the season with Robinson as their main back opposite Austin Ekeler. Robinson is a quality player who has earned that right.
25. Jaylen Warren - Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Warren will be the starting running back in Pittsburgh, with rookie Kaleb Johnson assuming the Najee Harris role. I mocked Johnson to the Steelers during the predraft process, and he is a perfect fit for this team. Johnson could feasibly absorb more than 50 percent of the offensive snaps in this offense, given how the Steelers like to play smashmouth football. Warren may be better suited in a complementary role.
24. RJ Harvey - Denver Broncos
The Broncos had a chance to add a player like Omarion Hampton in the first round of the NFL Draft. However, the team had targeted RJ Harvey throughout the draft process and landed him toward the back of the second round. Harvey is not currently listed as the starter for the team, but expect him to ascend the depth chart by the time Week 1 rolls around.
23. D'Andre Swift - Chicago Bears
Many people thought the Bears would be the landing spot of Ashton Jeanty. However, Jeanty was drafted by the Raiders four selections earlier. The board did not seem to fall how the Bears would have liked, and they will roll into the season with D'Andre Swift as their starter. Perhaps Swift and Roschon Johnson can give head coach Ben Johnson the "Sonic and Knuckles" pairing he had in Detroit.
22. Najee Harris - Los Angeles Chargers
Najee Harris is listed as the starting running back for the Chargers, but that may be short-lived with rookie Omarion Hampton in the fold. Hampton is supremely talented with a unique blend of size and speed. Harris is a talented back in his own right, but he is not nearly as explosive. Harris will have a significant role in this offense, but the Chargers are going to be hard-pressed to keep Hampton off the field.
21. Tony Pollard - Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard is entering a season in which he received a hopeful upgrade at quarterback with Cam Ward. The Titans have flown under the radar with a solid offseason, and Pollard could have a solid season in his own right in 2025.
20. Joe Mixon - Houston Texans
After riding Joe Mixon hard in 2024, the Texans seem inclined to attempt to keep him healthy in 2025. The team has three solid options behind him, including rookie running back Woody Marks and recently acquired veteran Nick Chubb. Mixon appeared to wear down as the season progressed. Hopefully, a rotation of backs will prevent that from happening in 2025.
Additionally, the Texans' offensive line situation is dicey at best. Time will tell how well Mixon will produce this season anyway.
19. Breece Hall - New York Jets
Breece Hall is entering a contract year on a team that should have an improved running game. However, the new coaching regime likes backup running backs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, which could leave Hall in a timeshare. Hopefully, Hall can reach his potential, but the clock is ticking.
18. Alvin Kamara - New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara is entering his age-30 season and should continue to be a huge part of the Saints offense. The team would certainly like to get Kendre Miller going behind Kamara, but Miller's inability to stay healthy has curbed those plans. Expect Kamara to continue being a high-volume player even as he runs over the running back age cliff.
17. Kenneth Walker III - Seattle Seahawks
Kenneth Walker III is in a prove-it year. His talent has never been a question, but his durability continues to be a serious concern. Walker will perform when healthy, but the emergence of third-year back Zach Charbonnet in his stead last season will make it easier to turn the reins over if durability continues to be an issue.
16. Aaron Jones - Minnesota Vikings
Aaron Jones turned back the clock in 2024 and had one of his best seasons in years. Most importantly, he stayed healthy. The Vikings added former 49ers running back Jordan Mason to the fold this offseason, suggesting that they would like these backs to split time. Given the fact that Jones has crossed the 30-year-old threshold, the committee approach could play to his favor.
15. De'Von Achane - Miami Dolphins
De'Von Achane is a difficult player to assess. He had a hard time staying on the field as a rookie, but he was incredibly efficient at 7.8 yards per carry. Last season, his efficiency plummeted as he received a heftier workload and played several games without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. He is talented, but the question remains as to whether or not he can be a true lead back.
I miss watching De’Von Achane play footballpic.twitter.com/paeVu8Bs6V
— SleeperDolphins (@SleeperMiami) April 19, 2025
14. Chase Brown - Cincinnati Bengals
Chase Brown did not see the Bengals add any meaningful competition in the NFL Draft. As such, Brown figures to continue to receive a hefty workload. Given all the talent in the Bengals offense, the touchdowns should continue to flow for Brown.
13. Chuba Hubbard - Carolina Panthers
Chuba Hubbard saw the Panthers add running back help throughout the offseason. Rico Dowdle and rookie Trevor Etienne will rotate in the backfield and keep Hubbard fresh. Hubbard has demonstrated for two straight years that he is a reliable and talented player. The Panthers' offensive ascension could produce a career year for Hubbard in 2025.
12. James Conner - Arizona Cardinals
James Conner continues to be a reliable running back in this league. He seems to be aging like fine wine as he has produced two straight career years. The Cardinals continue to improve their roster, which will only help Conner.
11. Ashton Jeanty - Las Vegas Raiders
The Ashton Jeanty domino fell early in the NFL Draft when the Raiders selected him at No. 6. Jeanty is a can't-miss prospect. He is going to perform at a high level in the NFL.
The question is whether this iteration of the Raiders offense will allow him to reach next-level heights. The offense will certainly take a step forward this season, but time will tell how many offensive line shortcomings Jeanty's talent will overcome.
Me, going up to total strangers and letting them know that I have some 1.01s to use this week in my dynasty rookie drafts and will soon have multiple shares of Ashton Jeanty and am now filled with unlimited power. pic.twitter.com/4WLzWSTJ4k
— TheOGfantasyfootball (@TheOGfantasy) April 28, 2025
10. Bucky Irving - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bucky Irving surprised many around the league as a fourth-round rookie running back last season. Irving earned himself the role as the unquestioned starter in Tampa Bay as a result. He has a chance to take a huge leap forward in 2025 in a high-powered Bucs offense.
9. Kyren Williams - Los Angeles Rams
Kyren Williams is entering a contract year and has performed well enough to be deserving of a solid extension. He is a touchdown machine. As long as quarterback Matthew Stafford is healthy, the touchdowns should continue to flow for Williams. He should be a key cog in a turbocharged Rams offense in 2025.
8. James Cook - Buffalo Bills
James Cook is looking for a contract extension and finds himself in a bit of a stalemate with the Bills. The Bills have adopted a running back rotation approach and do not seem keen on tying up a lot of money in one running back. However, Cook has performed as well as some of the best running backs in the league and is deserving of an extension.
Turning on James Cook because he wants to get paid what he thinks he’s worth is definitely a choice… 🤷♂️
Remember that when all of you complaining about his stance on a contract constantly said “Let James Cook” during this past season.
A season in which he scored 21…
— Dave Myers BIB (@DaveMyersBIB) February 13, 2025
7. Josh Jacobs - Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs should lead the Packers' excellent rushing attack once again in 2025. This team's offseason additions could propel the running game and the offense as a whole to another level. Jacobs should continue to perform like a top-10 running back.
6. Jonathan Taylor - Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Taylor should have another solid season in 2025. The team added Khalil Herbert and rookie DJ Giddens this offseason, but those moves were made to keep Taylor fresh. With quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones both providing threats as runners, there should be plenty of lanes for Taylor this season.
5. Christian McCaffrey - San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey has received a lot of volume throughout his career, which has caused him to experience injury-marred seasons on a few occasions. Now that he is coming off a variety of leg injuries suffered in 2024, McCaffrey will need to prove that he is still a top running back in the NFL.
4. Bijan Robinson - Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson entered the conversation as a top running back in the league after a stellar 2024 season. Now that he is entering Year 3 at the prime age of 23 years old, Robinson could take the mantle as the top back by the end of the 2025 season. The Falcons offense should be stellar this season, further lending to the possibility that Robinson will take another huge step forward.
3. Jahmyr Gibbs/David Montgomery - Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery will continue to be a package deal in 2025. These two players play off each other better than any rotation in the league. Although they lost their offensive coordinator in Ben Johnson, the talent of Gibbs and Montgomery should continue to shine through this season.
2. Derrick Henry - Baltimore Ravens
One day, the wheels have to fall off, right? Derrick Henry continues to defy every model about running back longevity in the league. He showed no signs of slowing down in 2024, and he should be a wrecking ball again in 2025. The Ravens offense is built for Henry, and it should support high production from him until he retires.
2025 was Derrick Henry’s 30 year old season and also his career high in PPR scoring.
Put that in your Dynasty pipe and smoke it.— Jacob Rickrode (@ClutchFantasy) May 5, 2025
1. Saquon Barkley - Philadelphia Eagles
There is not much to say about Saquon Barkley. We all saw what he just did in 2024, and although he is unlikely to repeat in 2025, even two-thirds of the production would be a stellar season. With such a great offensive line in front of him, Barkley should continue to hold his top spot in the power rankings.
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