RADIO
2025 Fantasy football rookie running back rankings with July updates. RotoBaller's top rookie running backs and draft targets, including Ashton Jeanty, TreVeyon Henderson, RJ Harvey, and more.
The calendar has flipped to July, which means NFL training camp is set to begin later this month, and the fantasy football season isn't all that far away. To get you up to speed on first-year players, check out our 2025 fantasy football rookie running back rankings. Find out where key Year 1 ball carriers such as Ashton Jeanty, TreVeyon Henderson, RJ Harvey, Jarquez Hunter, Cam Skattebo, Tahj Brooks, and more stand among all other notable rookie RBs. This appears to be a loaded class of rookie RBs, so this should be a fun season!
These rookie rankings will be continually updated all offseason long as depth chart developments, injuries, and more take place, so be sure to check back regularly for updates. In addition to this article, you should also be sure to check out our other dynasty rookie rankings and analysis articles, including in-depth coverage of various NFL rookie profiles. Identifying sleepers and busts among first-year players is key for dynasty and redraft leagues, so we have you covered.
Four of our lead fantasy football analysts -- Phil Clark, Jackson Sparks, Andrew Lalama, and Matt Donnelly -- have put together these fantasy football rookie rankings. In addition to these rookie rankings, in our 2025 fantasy football rankings dashboard, you will also find our team's Dynasty League rankings. Bookmark that page, and use it to prepare for all of your 2025 fantasy football dynasty league drafts.
Editor's Note: The FFPC Playoff Challenge is back with a massive $500,000 grand prize and $1.35 million total prize pool, paying down to 800th place. Here's the deal: no salary cap, no draft, no pickups, no subs. Choose 10 players, and as NFL teams get knocked out so will your players, so choose your team wisely. The 7,250 entries will sell out quickly, and registrations will close on Saturday January 10th at 4:30 pm ET . Don't wait - get your team now and end your fantasy football season with a shot at $500,000! Sign Up Now!
NFL Rookie Running Back Rankings for Fantasy Football (July Updates)
Rookie rankings are from after the 2025 NFL Draft with July Updates
| RB Tier |
RB Rank |
Player Name |
Pos. | Overall Rank |
| 1 | 1 | Ashton Jeanty | RB | 1 |
| 1 | 2 | Omarion Hampton | RB | 2 |
| 2 | 3 | TreVeyon Henderson | RB | 5 |
| 2 | 4 | Quinshon Judkins | RB | 6 |
| 2 | 5 | RJ Harvey | RB | 7 |
| 2 | 6 | Kaleb Johnson | RB | 12 |
| 3 | 7 | Cam Skattebo | RB | 16 |
| 3 | 8 | Bhayshul Tuten | RB | 20 |
| 3 | 9 | Dylan Sampson | RB | 23 |
| 3 | 10 | Devin Neal | RB | 25 |
| 4 | 11 | Jaydon Blue | RB | 29 |
| 4 | 12 | Ollie Gordon II | RB | 30 |
| 4 | 13 | Jarquez Hunter | RB | 31 |
| 4 | 14 | Tahj Brooks | RB | 35 |
| 5 | 15 | Damien Martinez | RB | 36 |
| 5 | 16 | DJ Giddens | RB | 38 |
| 5 | 17 | Brashard Smith | RB | 40 |
| 5 | 18 | Trevor Etienne | RB | 42 |
| 5 | 19 | Jordan James | RB | 45 |
| 5 | 20 | Woody Marks | RB | 48 |
| 6 | 21 | Jacory Croskey-Merritt | RB | 51 |
| 6 | 22 | Kyle Monangai | RB | 52 |
| 6 | 23 | Kalel Mullings | RB | 55 |
| 6 | 24 | LeQuint Allen Jr. | RB | 56 |
| 7 | 25 | Raheim Sanders | RB | 60 |
| 7 | 26 | Lan Larison | RB | 65 |
| 7 | 27 | Phil Mafah | RB | 66 |
| 7 | 28 | Marcus Yarns | RB | 71 |
| 7 | 29 | Donovan Edwards | RB | 80 |
| 7 | 30 | Corey Kiner | RB | 86 |
| 7 | 31 | Montrell Johnson Jr. | RB | 88 |
Fantasy Football Outlooks for Rookie Running Backs
Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty's entrance into the Las Vegas backfield should immediately launch the explosive playmaker into a massive workload. Jeanty's excellent blend of vision, acceleration, and contact balance ignites his exceptional big-play ability, which should supply the perfect tonic for a rushing attack that ranked dead last in yards per game (79.8), yards per attempt (3.6), and rushing first downs per game (4.6), during 2024.
Jeanty became the first running back to be selected with a top 10 pick since 2018, and his significant draft capital was earned after he stockpiled 594 attempts (22.8 per game), 3,948 rushing yards (151.8 per game), and 43 rushing touchdowns in 2023-2024. Jeanty also accumulated 374 carries (26.7 per game) and erupted for the second-highest yardage total in FBS single-season history (2,601 yards/185.8 per game) during 2024. He also led all backs in carries of 15+ yards (36), missed tackles forced (152), and yards after contact (1,970), according to PFF.
Jeanty's extensive role in the Raiders' reconstructed offense will also be beneficial to fantasy managers who capitalize on their opportunity to seize him for their rosters. He should flourish in a restructured attack that will be designed by Chip Kelly, while remaining consistent with Pete Carroll's run-first philosophy. That should incentivize you to target him late in Round 1 in all best ball and dynasty startup drafts.
- Phil Clark, RotoBaller
RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos selected R.J. Harvey in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. It was a bit of a surprise as he was seen as an underrated prospect entering the NFL Draft and was not expected to get second-round draft capital. However, Broncos head coach Sean Payton clearly saw something he liked. Harvey now joins Reggie Bush, Mark Ingram II, and Alvin Kamara as the only backs Payton has selected in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft. This list certainly puts Harvey in good company.
Ultimately, it doesn't guarantee anything as Harvey will need to produce with the touches he's given. Still, Denver has one of the best run-blocking offensive lines in the league and has been looking for a running back upgrade this offseason. The team has seemingly pegged Harvey as their man.
He has good burst, vision, and hardly goes down on first contact. Harvey has everything needed to be the next great fantasy running back in Payton's offense. Despite the team's addition of veteran J.K. Dobbins, gamers should feel comfortable using a mid-round pick to select Harvey in their drafts.
- Dave Ventresca, RotoBaller
Jarquez Hunter, Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams rookie running back Jarquez Hunter, chosen by the team in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, has the skills to immediately become one of the highest upside handcuffs in all of fantasy football. Additionally, he excelled in college against some of the best possible defenses (those in the SEC) in many areas where both Kyren Williams and Blake Corum struggled. Hunter averaged a ridiculous 6.3 yards per rush in 2024, additionally logging breakaway runs on over 10 percent of his carries.
He was also top-5 in both missed tackle rate and yards after contact per attempt. Williams was given a massive workload last season, which was fantastic for his production, but he averaged just 4.1 yards per carry and took a big step back from his 2023 campaign. This is because the Rams' offensive line played much more poorly in the run game after an elite 2023. Hunter is a dark horse candidate to simply take over his backfield, whether it be mid-season in Year 1 or in his sophomore campaign.
His contingent upside is also huge. Obviously, he'll have to "beat out" Corum for the RB2 spot first, but Corum wasn't impressive last year. In dynasty leagues, he's a must-draft. It's unlikely the Rams will re-sign Williams after his rookie contract expires.
- John Johnson, RotoBaller
Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo had to wait until Round 4 to hear his name called in the 2025 NFL Draft. He will enter a backfield with another former Day 3 running back in Tyrone Tracy Jr., already in place as the starter. Additionally, the Giants still have veteran running back Devin Singletary, who figures to work into the rotation. Skattebo is a much different player than Tracy or Singletary. He brings a hard-hitting style to the backfield that is a necessary complement to the speed already in place.
Since no running back in this offense has significantly set themselves apart, Skattebo has a chance to make a very meaningful difference right away. Skattebo has thrived as an underdog throughout his entire football career, but he is nowhere near devoid of talent. Skattebo is fresh off a 1,711-yard and 21-touchdown season with Arizona State.
He has yet to prove himself on an NFL field, but the blueprint is right in front of him. The fantasy community seems to think the same thing as RotoBaller currently has Skattebo ranked as the RB41, which is inline with his ADP as a low-end RB3 or flex. With an excellent opportunity ahead of him, Skattebo could be one of several rookie running backs with a chance to finish inside the top 24 at the position this season.
- Quincy Milton III, RotoBaller
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
More Fantasy Football Analysis
Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.
