One-Man Backfields to Chase in 2025 Fantasy Football

Joey's one-man backfields to chase in 2025 fantasy football. His top workhorse and bell cow running back candidates to draft, including Josh Jacobs and more.

There are very few workhorse running backs in the NFL nowadays. Things have definitely changed in recent years, as more teams are going with the 50/50 approach in most backfields. However, the best fantasy running backs are usually those who get most of the work. That's what makes some of these running backs elite fantasy options each week. 

In this article, we will look at five one-man backfields fantasy managers should be targeting in drafts. The list below will not feature key workhorse running backs like Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson, Derrick Henry, Ashton Jeanty, and De'Von Achane, as they are all expected to be selected within the first 15 picks.  

Instead, we will examine workhorse running backs outside the top 20 who you should consider drafting. So, let's dive in and find out which one-man backfields should be on your radar in fantasy football drafts. 

Editor's Note: Discover RotoBaller’s top Fantasy Football Sleepers to gain an edge in your drafts. Our free who to draft tool and expert picks spotlight undervalued players, breakout candidates, and late-round gems for all league formats.

Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers

Sleeper ADP - 22.1 (RB9)

In his final season with the Las Vegas Raiders, running back Josh Jacobs struggled on the ground. He averaged just 3.45 yards per carry and only scored six rushing touchdowns in 13 games. Jacobs then went on to sign a multi-year deal with the Green Bay Packers last offseason. That landing spot couldn't be a better fit for Jacobs. 

Jacobs had a bounce-back season in 2024 and was a strong fantasy option throughout the year. He finished as the RB6 in PPR formats while averaging 17.2 PPR fantasy points per game. He also had a stretch from Week 11 to Week 16, where he scored at least 20 PPR fantasy points in six straight games. 

Josh Jacobs set the tone for the 2024 Green Bay Packers ranking towards the top of every statistical category in the NFL for running backs.

PFF Grade: 3rd
Rushing Yards: 6th
Rushing TDs: 4th
Rushing Yards Over Expected: 6th
Rushing Yards After Contact: 3rd
Rushes 10+ Yards: 6th pic.twitter.com/EXg9j0nnVk

— Packerfan Total Access- Clayton (@packers_access) June 2, 2025

There's no doubt that Jacobs was one of the best fantasy running backs last season. Being that workhorse back was a significant reason for his strong fantasy finish. He was one of just six backs to have at least 300 carries in 2024 and had 13 different games of at least 17 touches. Even though the veteran is entering his age-27 season, he is a strong target in all drafts. 

Jacobs will remain the lead back in this Packers offense and should see most of the carries out of the backfield. Second-year running back MarShawn Lloyd only had six carries in his rookie season after dealing with multiple lower-body injuries, and Emanuel Wilson will sit further on Green Bay's depth chart.

Neither running back should threaten Jacobs' workload in 2025. 

The veteran ranked fourth in total touchdowns (16), second in evaded tackles (88), and second in yards created (1,287) among all running backs last season. Given that the Packers ran the ball at the third-highest clip (50.7%) in 2024, Jacobs should be in for another strong fantasy campaign. 

Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams

Sleeper ADP - 30.6 (RB11)

Many fantasy managers overlooked Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams in drafts last summer. Most believed that he was due for some regression, and the Rams announced in August that Williams was set to return punts. With the team also selecting Blake Corum in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, his workload was set to diminish. 

However, Williams was a fantasy superstar for the second straight year, thanks to another large workload. The 24-year-old rushed 316 times for 1,299 yards and 14 touchdowns. Those 316 carries ranked third in all of football last year, only behind Henry (325) and Barkley (345). His 350 total touches also ranked third among all running backs. 

Even though the Rams still have Corum and just selected Jarquez Hunter in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, there is no doubt that this is still Williams' backfield. He should continue to be fed in this Los Angeles offense and has the upside to finish as a top-7 fantasy running back for the third straight season. 

Williams finished as the overall RB7 in 2024 and averaged 17.01 PPR fantasy points per game. While he wasn't utilized much in the passing game (182 receiving yards), he totaled at least 80 rush yards in nine of his 16 games. Rams head coach Sean McVay appears to be in love with the 24-year-old in his offense, meaning he likely won't go away from him this season. 

That makes Williams a strong target in the third round of drafts. There is some uncertainty about how this backfield will play out, especially with Corum entering Year 2. That could explain why he finds himself going in the middle of the third round. Nevertheless, it's hard to pass on a running back who has the potential to see over 275 carries again. 

Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

Sleeper ADP - 43.9 (RB15)

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara showed no signs of slowing down last season. He rushed for a career-high 950 yards and caught 68 passes for 543 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Kamara took advantage of that one-man backfield in 2024, as he finished with 1,272 more scrimmage yards than the RB2 Jamaal Williams and 1,312 more scrimmage yards than the RB3 Kendre Miller. 

That helped Kamara emerge as a strong RB1 option for fantasy managers. He finished as the overall RB9 in PPR formats and scored at least 15 PPR fantasy points in 10 of his 14 games. His receiving was a big reason why he finished as high as he did in fantasy. The veteran caught at least four passes in 12 different contests in 2024. 

Given how little production the Saints got from their backup running backs last season, they were fairly active in adding to that position group this offseason. The team signed Cam Akers through free agency and selected Devin Neal in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Those two running backs will compete with Miller for the RB2 and RB3 spots in this offense. 

However, none of these running backs pose any threat to Kamara's workload. Miller hasn't been able to stay healthy in his first two years, Akers has bounced around in recent years, and Neal is a Day 3 running back. As a result, the 29-year-old will once again lead this group and see most of the opportunities out of this backfield. 

Alvin Kamara from scrimmage in his career:

11,541 YDS
100.4 YPG
85 TD

One of ten RBs to hit those numbers before his age-30 season. pic.twitter.com/OwIGf9NmtE

— StatMuse Football (@statmusefb) May 9, 2025

After averaging 18.95 PPR fantasy points in 2024, Kamara is definitely worth a pick in the fourth round of fantasy drafts. He will be a reliable RB2 option for fantasy managers, with the upside to finish as a low-end RB1. Although he will turn 30 years old in July, the five-time Pro Bowler should be in for another large workload. 

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

Sleeper ADP - 48.1 (RB19)

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard was one of the best value picks in fantasy last season. Despite having an ADP outside the top 100, Hubbard turned out to be a high-end RB2 option. He finished as the RB14 in PPR formats behind a 250-carry, 1,195-yard, and 10-touchdown campaign. 

Hubbard certainly had plenty of big fantasy games in 2024. He totaled 27.9 PPR fantasy points against the Raiders in Week 3, 21.2 PPR fantasy points against the Saints in Week 9, and 24.9 PPR fantasy points against the Giants in Week 10. But no performance was bigger than scoring 32.5 PPR fantasy points in the fantasy football semifinals in Week 16. 

The Panthers leaned on Hubbard throughout the year. He had at least 17 touches in 11 of his 15 games and ranked 13th in total touches (293) among all running backs in 2024. That high usage made a ton of sense, considering Jonathon Brooks (knee) only played in three games in his rookie season. 

Even though Brooks will miss the entire 2025-2026 campaign, the Panthers added a few running backs to their backfield in the offseason. They signed Rico Dowdle to a one-year deal in free agency and selected Trevor Etienne in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Both Dowdle and Etienne are nice additions.

However, it's hard to imagine the Panthers going away from Hubbard this year. He was their best offensive player in 2024, and the team signed him to a four-year, $33.2 million extension toward the end of last season. Head coach Dave Canales is also one of the best offensive-minded coaches in the league, making the 26-year-old a nice target at his 48.1 ADP. 

Dowdle could only be a one-year wonder after his 1,000-yard campaign in 2024, and Etienne will probably need a few years to get adjusted to the NFL level. So, Hubbard has a good chance to dominate this Carolina backfield once again. 

James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

Sleeper ADP - 54.6 (RB20)

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner is always a fantastic value pick in the middle rounds. Although he has dealt with some injuries in his career, he has finished as a top-20 fantasy running back in four straight years.

In 2024, Conner put together one of the best fantasy campaigns of his career. The veteran rushed for 1,094 yards and eight touchdowns and totaled a career-high 283 touches. That workload helped Conner finish as the RB10 in half-PPR formats. He also got many fantasy managers to the championship after he scored over 22 PPR fantasy points in three consecutive weeks from Week 14 through Week 16. 

James Conner is coming off one of the best season of his career

- 1508 scrimmage yards
- 47 catches
- Top 5 in breakaway runs
- #1 in evaded tackles
- RB10 finish

But nobody wants him because he just turned 30
pic.twitter.com/A3UJh9TI4C

— Chris O'Brien (@17gamepace) June 12, 2025

Conner was truly unstoppable in Arizona's backfield last season and continued to be a workhorse for the team. We shouldn't expect things to be much different during the 2025 campaign. The 30-year-old showed he had plenty left in the tank in 2024, totaling over 80 scrimmage yards in 11 contests. 

Even with young running back Trey Benson likely to see more opportunities in Year 2, this will still be Conner's backfield. Benson saw limited opportunities in his rookie season, and the veteran gives Arizona the best chance to win each week. Therefore, the two-time Pro Bowler is a smash pick in the fourth/fifth round of drafts. 

He will dominate this backfield in carries, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns in 2025. Benson isn't a threat to Conner's workload, and the young running back will play second-fiddle to him again this season. Fantasy managers could surely see another 225-carry season for him in this Arizona offense.  

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