Fantasy Football PPR Running Back Rankings: (July 2025) - Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, De'Von Achane, RJ Harvey, Tony Pollard, Aaron Jones

Updated 2025 fantasy football PPR running back rankings for redraft leagues with July updates. These are RotoBaller's RB PPR rankings for fantasy football drafts.

Fantasy football season is just 50 days away, and one of the top running backs on this list will get the action started in the Thursday-night opener! It's time to start digging into fantasy draft preparation, so we're here to help with our updated 2025 fantasy football PPR running back rankings for redraft leagues. Below, check out where key running backs like Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, De'Von Achane, RJ Harvey, Tony Pollard, and Aaron Jones stand in our July cut of running back rankings.

Our team has been covering fantasy football all year long, and we'll continue to do so through the start and end of the NFL season. Be sure to also check out our 2025 best ball fantasy football rankings, 2025 dynasty fantasy football rankings, and 2025 NFL rookie fantasy football rankings. Whatever you're interested in, we've got you covered.

RotoBaller's lead NFL analyst Nick Mariano has put together these updated 2025 PPR rankings, which will be updated regularly throughout the NFL offseason. As injuries happen and depth charts shake up, be sure to check back in.

Editor's Note: Stay on top of your draft prep with RotoBaller’s fantasy football rankings, featuring expert analysis, ADPs, and draft insights for both PPR and non-PPR leagues.

2025 Fantasy Football PPR Running Back Rankings

Fantasy Football Running Back Player Outlooks

Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is coming off a historically great year in which he topped 2,000 rushing yards in only 16 games. The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year totaled 345 rushes in the regular season, adding another 91 through four postseason games. One can't blame the Eagles for riding the hot hand, as he averaged 5.8 yards per carry behind a talented offensive line. He tacked on 33 catches for 278 yards and a pair of TDs as well. Now 28 years old, Barkley has averaged 369 touches over the last three seasons when you include the '24 playoff run.

We're drafting him near the top of the first round with the hopes that endurance holds and the same unstoppable formula plays out. But it would be irresponsible to overlook the workload concerns, even if the team is largely returning the same roster. Alas, most players have a downside to be aware of, so don't overthink yourself into knots given Barkley's elite, proven blueprint for success.

- Nick Mariano

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is healthy after a year largely lost to bilateral Achilles tendinitis and then a PCL injury to his right knee. He averaged just four yards per carry and under four yards per catch (3.8) for the first time in his career, no matter the sample size. CMC also failed to score a touchdown on his 65 total touches. The 29-year-old has now missed over half of the season in three of his last five campaigns, but the healthy 2022 and '23 were stellar (especially after the SF trade).

Last year may have been a wash, but the previous season supplied a career-best 21 total TDs with over 2,000 yards from scrimmage. Still on the right side of 30, McCaffrey is likely defined as the boom-bust pick of 2025 fantasy football drafts. Many fantasy managers stuck near the back of the first round will grab CMC with the hopes of getting a discount on a top player, as the 49ers hope the entire offense can enjoy better health.

- Nick Mariano

De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane had an intriguing sophomore NFL campaign, turning 203 carries into 907 yards and six scores while also effectively serving as a starting wide receiver. His 78 catches were only 10 behind the team leader, Jonnu Smith, with Achane scoring another six TDs through the air with 592 yards. That receiving total led all RBs, yet he only registered one drop. He was a constant safety valve for an offense that greatly struggled to push the ball downfield, especially in the five games quarterbacked by Tyler Huntley. Achane was the PPR RB2 with a 22.6 per-game point tally in the 11 games with Tua Tagovailoa, logging 26 more catches than any other RB in that timespan.

Injuries can always strike, but the 2025 Dolphins are extremely likely to be healthier and more potent than last year's squad, which only tallied 34 total offensive touchdowns. Worries around Achane's receiving volume can be offset by an increased team scoring environment and Smith's target share being traded to Pittsburgh, though PPR formats give the versatile back another avenue to success as an early second-round pick, which mirrors our site rank.

- Nick Mariano

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

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