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PPR fantasy football running back sleepers. Nicho's top running back draft targets and undervalued pass-catching running backs for 2025 fantasy football.
We are so close to hearing the Sunday NFL on Fox theme song playing on Sunday morning, and Carrie Underwood singing for Sunday Night Football as we wind down from the week and enjoy some delicious food.
With a new season comes us, RotoBaller's, researching to try and find you the best players to target in your upcoming drafts. The way that leagues are won, outside of in-season management, is hitting on your picks in the third rounds and later, as most first-round picks pan out at a relatively high clip.
In this piece, I will discuss five running backs to target in PPR leagues. To be considered a sleeper, I will target running backs currently being drafted at 60.0 ADP or later (fifth round), according to NFFC, who I believe have the upside to outperform their ADP and give you the edge you need to build a dream team. I recommend queuing these players in your draft room when it opens, so you are prepared to jump on them when the time comes. Keep following @RotoBallerNFL and me, @NichoRoessler, on X to stay updated with the latest NFL content. Let's dive in!
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
- Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
- Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Kicker (K) fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Kaleb Johnson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
ADP: 69.0
Pittsburgh Steelers rookie running back Kaleb Johnson was drafted in the third round of this year's NFL draft. What makes Johnson a good fit in this offense is that Najee Harris is gone, which leaves around 300 touches up for grabs. Johnson will compete with Jaylen Warren, a reliable NFL running back. However, historically, their offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith, favors bigger backs in a run-first offense.
Johnson is the bigger back between the two; he's 6-foot-1, 224 pounds, and should see most of the goal-line work for the Steelers. He also did not fumble last year, which is usually the quickest way for running backs to find their way to the bench if they're turning the ball over.
In his three-year career at Iowa, Johnson tallied 2,779 yards on 506 attempts (5.5 YPC) and 30 rushing touchdowns (21 in his senior year). Additionally, we observed an increase in his receptions in 2024, which bodes well in PPR leagues, with 22 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns.
While I don't envision Johnson being as involved in the passing game as Warren, I still believe he will provide enough value as a pass catcher, making him a solid draft pick, and the opportunities that will be presented in a run-first offense.
Kaleb Johnson in 12 Games this season:
➖262 Touches
➖1,725 Yards
➖23 TD’sOut of 722 Running Backs, he had the 4th MOST Touches WITHOUT a Fumble..
What Matters MOST:
➖Size: 6’0, 225 lbs
➖Efficiency: 6.4 Yards Per Carry
➖Vision: 66 Missed Tackles ForcedHe’s the TRUTH pic.twitter.com/FjXOoJTUHK
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) January 31, 2025
Verdict: He possesses the tangibles to be a three-down back and workhorse with home-run speed (4.57-second 40-yard dash time), and is stepping into a perfect situation that could allow him to run the ball 250-plus times. He has the path to be a top-20 running back in 2025, as long as the Steelers get decent quarterback play out of veteran Aaron Rodgers.
RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos
ADP: 92.0
The Denver Broncos are one of the more trendy teams heading into the 2025 season with second-year signal caller, Bo Nix, a top defensive unit, a good offensive line, and adding J.K. Dobbins this offseason, along with a second-round rookie, RJ Harvey. Harvey had a monster season at UCF in 2024, with 1,577 rushing yards on 232 attempts (6.8 YPC) and 22 touchdowns.
He also contributed 267 yards through the air on 20 receptions, with three touchdowns. So far in this article, dual-threat running backs have been the same, and it's no different with Harvey. In Harvey's three-year career at UCF, he accumulated 3,792 yards on 579 attempts and 43 touchdowns.
What makes me confident about Harvey, even with Dobbins involved, is that Sean Payton has taken first or second-round picks and turned them into fantasy stars. Look what he has done with Mark Ingram, Reggie Bush, and even Alvin Kamara in the third round. Don't be surprised if Dobbins starts the season as the team's RB1, but as the season progresses, Harvey runs away with it by the end of the year.
In addition, Dobbins has struggled to stay healthy in his career, potentially opening up another avenue for Harvey to be the lead back down the stretch.
UCF RB RJ Harvey may be as quick as RB in the class, but what makes him special to me is his physicality. The dude knows how to finish a run 🚜
Has some shades of Bucky Irving from his time at Oregon. pic.twitter.com/4FuRhPHflw
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 13, 2025
In the 40-yard dash, he clocked an official time of 4.40 seconds, which was the fourth-fastest time among the running backs who participated. He is a well-rounded athlete who is well-positioned to make an immediate impact.
Verdict: Harvey is a quick, explosive, and shifty back that has all the tangibles to thrive in a Sean Payton offense. He is currently going in the seventh round of drafts, and I expect him to surpass that ADP production and finish as a top-25 running back.
Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings
ADP: 117.0
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason finds himself in a good situation behind one of the best offensive play-callers in the game, Kevin O'Connell. Most importantly, the Vikings revamped their offensive line, signing veteran center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries, while also adding Vershon Lee as a versatile offensive lineman.
Additionally, they will get Christian Darrisaw (knee) back from injury and will return their Pro Bowl right tackle, Brian O'Neill. They also drafted Donovan Jackson 24th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. All that said, the biggest beneficiaries of this are veteran Aaron Jones, Mason, and J.J. McCarthy.
Although Jones will be taking first-team reps for the Vikings, Mason is a strong handcuff on the off chance Jones goes down. Additionally, Jones is now 30 years old, and Mason and Jones will likely get a 60/40 time split to start the season (60 being Jones).
Last season, Mason started six games and rushed for 789 yards on 153 rushing attempts, which was a 5.2 YPC, and rushed for three touchdowns. His contributions through the air were limited, with only 91 yards on 11 receptions; however, reports from the Vikings camp say that Mason has been getting more involved in the passing game.
Despite catching just 14 passes in 45 career games, new Minnesota #Vikings RB Jordan Mason is already hauling in receptions from JJ McCarthy. #SKOL pic.twitter.com/M9kqLziLx2
— SKOR North - Minnesota Sports (@SKORNorth) July 25, 2025
Verdict: My strongest argument for Mason is the improved offensive line and his situation, which should lead to solid RB3 production. If Jones were to go down, Mason could become a league winner. Combining that with Mason being more involved in the passing game makes him a good value for me in the ninth or tenth round.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans
ADP: 131.0
Tennessee Titans third-year running back Tyjae Spears was a valuable asset for fantasy managers in Weeks 15-17 of the 2024 season, following the ankle injury to his counterpart, Tony Pollard. Spears made the most of his opportunities by scoring 24, 20, and 11 points in PPR leagues during those three weeks, respectively.
Reports from camp are suggesting that Spears "had an unbelievable offseason" and that head coach Brian Callahan said that he's "really excited to see what he can bring to us this year because he's been in a great place, and that Spears "had an unbelievable offseason."
Pollard averaged just 4.2 yards per carry last season, and Spears is the younger and healthier back, and much better in the passing game. With rookie quarterback Cam Ward under center, he will likely look for his trustworthy check-down in Spears quite often.
The Titans have stated they want a split backfield, yet Spears is being selected 56 picks later than Pollard, according to the NFFC. In addition, Pollard is 28 years old. Spears spent 2024 battling ankle, hamstring & concussion issues, and still produced 536 total yards and five touchdowns. While those numbers aren't eye-popping, I want to take a closer look at his final three weeks of 2024, when he was RB1.
Tyjae Spears is The Best Titans RB.
0.84 Fantasy Points per Touch (12th).
vs Pollard 0.57 FPPT (49th).
Weeks 15-17 (Per Game)
- 20.7 Fantasy Points
- 16 Opportunities
- 61% SnapsBetter RBs is That Span
- Taylor
- Robinson
- Gibbs
- CookSPEARS SZN. pic.twitter.com/iJarFoYnvz
— Joe Orrico (@JoeOrricoFF) July 25, 2025
If we rewind to 2023, he split snaps 50/50 with Derrick Henry and caught 52 passes on 70 targets for 385 yards to go with his 453 yards on 100 carries on the ground. He is a dual-threat option for the Titans, and I believe this is the year he comes together and takes over the backfield.
Verdict: Spears is currently going in the late 10th round of most drafts, and I value him higher than Pollard, who is going four rounds earlier. With rookie signal caller, Ward, giving a boost to the offense and an improved offensive line, take Spears late in drafts and utilize his capabilities as a pass catcher to rack up points.
UPDATE: Spears suffered a high-ankle sprain in Tennessee's first preseason game, which could affect his early-season role.
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots
ADP: 61.0
The New England Patriots appear to be heading in the right direction offensively. With Drake Maye entering his second season, signing Stefon Diggs in the offseason, and drafting Kyle Williams (third round) and TreVeyon Henderson in the second round of the NFL draft this past April, this offense is set up to take a big step forward in 2025.
Henderson plays a key role in taking that next step. He was amazing during his collegiate career, playing in 47 games, with 38 starts, for Ohio State, totaling 590 carries for 3,761 yards and 42 touchdowns. He added 77 receptions for 853 yards and six touchdowns. In 2024, he played in 16 games with nine starts and finished with 144 carries for 1,016 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Additionally, he added 27 catches for 284 yards and one touchdown, making him a dual threat in the passing game, which is what we are looking for in PPR leagues. Another notable aspect of Henderson's game is that he is an elite pass blocker and possesses the necessary tangibles to be a three-down back.
TreVeyon Henderson has reportedly been one of the FASTEST players in OTA’s
➖4.43 40 Time (92nd Percentile)
➖0 Fumbles (667 Career Touches)The top tier ball-security, elite blocking ability, and pass catching will lead to immense volume for TreVeyon
New England got their RB1 pic.twitter.com/hLqEVfjHYy
— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) May 21, 2025
With Rhamondre Stevenson getting benched last year for his fumbling issues (seven on the season), and Antonio Gibson averaging a 33.3% snap share in 2024, I believe that Henderson will start the season in a timeshare, mostly with Stevenson. As the season progresses, I think he will blossom and potentially become last year's Bucky Irving.
He has the pedigree to be that, as long as the Patriots coaching staff is willing to give it to him.
Verdict: He is the most explosive back in the Patriots running back room, and he joins a Patriots team with a new coaching staff that's building around second-year signal caller, Maye, with a retooled offensive line. He's a good pass catcher and pass blocker, in addition to his ball security and speed. I'd be willing to take a shot on him at the start of the sixth round of redraft leagues, if not before, based on the upside he possesses.
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