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Phil's fantasy football RB draft values and targets for 2025. His top value picks and high-upside running backs, including Bhayshul Tuten and more.
The unwavering flood of information that is emerging each day from all 32 training camps has contributed to the surging anticipation for the impending matchups of Week 1. You can now progress through the remainder of draft season with the opportunity to capitalize on the endless hours of preparation that were dedicated to the construction of your rosters.
You have understandably funneled a large percentage of your planning toward maximizing your selections in the early and middle rounds. However, the decisions that you make during the later rounds of each draft can also help determine your prospects of winning league championships.
The ADPs for Chuba Hubbard and J.K. Dobbins were located in Round 11 during the 2024 draft season, while Bucky Irving remained available until Round 14. Jordan Mason (Round 15) and Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Round 16) also emerged as assets, underscoring the importance of maximizing late-round opportunities. This article will focus on six running backs that should be targeted after your drafts have advanced beyond Round 12. ADPs from multiple platforms were used in the analysis of these players, courtesy of RotoBaller.
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Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
ADP 146, RB 53
Bhayshul Tuten possesses an enticing collection of attributes that have ignited interest in the dynamic rookie. He operates with elite speed while maintaining proficiency at breaking tackles and functioning with the perpetual potential to deliver an eye-opening home run.
BHAYSHUL TUTEN TAKES IT 83 YARDS 💨
The Hokies have broke it open early 😳 pic.twitter.com/WtEbrn7dGX
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) October 18, 2024
Tuten assembled 2,022 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns during his two collegiate seasons at Virginia Tech, while generating first downs on 25.1 percent of his attempts. He also registered 0.339 avoided tackles per attempt, which placed him fourth among this year’s rookie backs according to PFF.
That blends favorably with his integration into Jacksonville’s offense during Liam Coen’s initial season as the Jaguars’ head coach. This supplies Tuten with the opportunity to flourish within an imaginative attack that Coen will structure to the strengths of his players.
BHAYSHUL TUTEN DID NOT GIVE UP ON THE PLAY 😤
He powers his way in for the TD
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/sQ5iIMUSLh
— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2025
Tuten accumulated 40 total yards with his eight touches during the Jaguars' preseason opener and scored a rushing touchdown at the conclusion of a memorable eight-yard run. He later assembled 35 yards and generated a touchdown during the Jaguars’ second preseason matchup.
.@Jaguars rookie RB Bhayshul Tuten punches it in for the score
Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/FXmUxynghm— NFL (@NFL) August 17, 2025
Tuten’s infusion into a backfield rotation that also contains Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby may be restricted to a limited workload behind both veterans at the onset of the season. However, Tuten remains available until Round 13 in the majority of drafts, with an ADP that currently places him behind 52 other backs.
That should encourage you to seize him at his draft position, even though any transition into a favorable workload may not transpire immediately. It could become a decision that provides you with a significant resource as the season advances.
Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns
ADP 160, RB 56
The landscape of Cleveland's backfield was altered when Quinshon Judkins was arrested for domestic violence in mid-July. Dylan Sampson‘s ADP also rose steadily while Judkins' status remained unsettled.
DYLAN SAMPSON CONTINUES TO BALL THIS SEASON 🔥
A 27-YD TOUCHDOWN TO RETAKE THE LEAD VS. GEORGIA 😤 pic.twitter.com/HmuJLppFvZ
— ESPN (@espn) November 17, 2024
The outlook for the Browns’ backfield shifted once again on August 14, when news emerged that Judkins was not expected to face formal charges. However. that should not discourage you from prioritizing Sampson at his ADP, which is located in Round 14.
Sampson operates with instinctive one-cut capabilities and is capable of generating sizable yardage after contact. The explosive newcomer finished eighth among backs in both attempts (258/19.8 per game) and rushing yards (1,491/114.7 per game) and soared to fourth in touchdowns (22) during his final collegiate season.
| 2024 | Yards | YPG | Attempts | APG | TDs |
| Ashton Jeanty | 2601 | 185.8 | 374 | 26.7 | 29 |
| Cam Skattebo | 1711 | 131.6 | 293 | 22.5 | 21 |
| Omarion Hampton | 1660 | 138.3 | 281 | 23.4 | 15 |
| Tre Stewart | 1638 | 117 | 278 | 19.9 | 25 |
| R.J. Harvey | 1577 | 131.4 | 232 | 19.3 | 22 |
| Kaleb Johnson | 1537 | 128.1 | 240 | 20 | 21 |
| Tahj Brooks | 1505 | 136.8 | 286 | 26 | 17 |
| Dylan Sampson | 1491 | 114.7 | 258 | 19.8 | 22 |
| Makhi Hughes | 1401 | 100.1 | 265 | 18.9 | 15 |
Sampson’s PFF grade (90.5) also vaulted him to fourth among all Power Five backs who accumulated 400+ snaps. He has also been operating with the starters during training camp.
The NFL's ongoing investigation has created an uncertain timeline for Judkins to surface in Cleveland’s rotation.
Fourth-year back Jerome Ford should also retain a role, although his presence on the roster did not deter the Browns from selecting Sampson and Judkins during April's NFL draft.
Dylan Sampson’s 20th touchdown on the season.
His amazing run continues. pic.twitter.com/4to7DFoDal
— Josh Ward (@Josh_Ward) November 10, 2024
Sampson should begin the season with an integral role in Kevin Stefanski’s attack. It should also be preserved by his big play potential, even though touches will also be distributed to Judkins and Ford. That provides your justification for selecting Sampson near his draft position.
Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
ADP 164, RB 57
Just four backs had been selected during the 2024 NFL Draft before the Dolphins traded up to secure Jaylen Wright in Round 4 (12oth overall).
Starting Day 3 off WRIGHT 🍊⚡️
With the 120th pick, we have selected RB Jaylen Wright from @Vol_Football! pic.twitter.com/o7pQOGbUZL
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) April 27, 2024
Wright only finished eighth among rookie backs in rushing yards (249/16.6 per game), registered 0.24 avoided tackles per attempt, and produced eight explosive runs according to PFF.
However, Wright still retains unquestioned speed and explosiveness. He also demonstrated his ability to perform effectively with a sizable workload last season when De'Von Achane sustained a concussion in Week 5.
| Week 5 | YPA | Yards | YAC | Attempts | Red Zone |
| Tank Bigsby | 7.8 | 101 | 139 | 13 | 3 |
| Chuba Hubbard | 7.5 | 97 | 31 | 13 | 1 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 7.4 | 89 | 45 | 12 | 2 |
| Tyrone Tracy Jr. | 7.2 | 129 | 57 | 18 | 2 |
| Rachaad White | 7.2 | 72 | 55 | 10 | 0 |
| Jaylen Wright | 6.6 | 86 | 31 | 13 | 2 |
| Jordan Mason | 6.4 | 89 | 49 | 14 | 4 |
| Derrick Henry | 6.1 | 92 | 61 | 15 | 2 |
Wright established season highs in attempts (13), red zone attempts (two), rushing yards (86), and yards after contact (31), while finishing sixth among all backs in yards per attempt (6.6).
The highest-graded RB in Week 5:
Jaylen Wright - 87.9 🐬 pic.twitter.com/YcpIxFIQGX
— PFF MIA Dolphins (@PFF_Dolphins) October 8, 2024
Wright now enters his second year within a running back room that no longer includes Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. Alexander Mattison also sustained a season-ending neck injury during Miami’s preseason matchup with Chicago.
That leaves rookie Ollie Gordon II directly below Wright on the Dolphins’ updated depth chart. Gordon has generated 83 rushing yards with his 18 attempts during Miami’s two preseason contests (4.6 yards per attempt). Gordon could also share a percentage of touches with Wright during any absence by Achane, who is currently contending with a lower body issue.
However, Wright remains the preferred option to secure as a safeguard for anyone who has drafted Achane. That should encourage you to target Wright near his draft position.
Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears
ADP 208, RB 62
Kyle Monangai was the 22nd running back to be selected during April‘s NFL draft, when Chicago secured him in Round 7 (233rd overall). The 5-foot-8, 210-pound Monangai is a compact runner who operates with balance and vision. He accumulated 3,222 rushing yards (62.0 per game) and 27 touchdowns during his five years at Rutgers.
That includes his numbers during his final two seasons, when he generated 2,541 yards (105.9 per game), produced 21 touchdowns, and averaged 5.1 yards per attempt. Monangai also accumulated 139 forced missed tackles in 2023 and 2024, which placed him eighth among all backs according to PFF.
Monangai became the beneficiary of a favorable landing spot while launching into a depth chart that contained D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson. Swift will enter Week 1 as the Bears’ primary back. Johnson could initially confiscate carries as Chicago’s RB2, although he has only averaged 3.7 yards per attempt during his first two seasons with the Bears.
2. Kyle Monangai averaged 5.0 yards per carry for the afternoon, and much of that was after contact.
He isn't the biggest back, but the guy has tremendous balance and a violent disposition.
Defenses will not want to see him late in games. #Bears pic.twitter.com/2Hm99QxxTw
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) August 11, 2025
Monangai also delivered promising results during Chicago’s preseason opener while generating 30 yards with his six attempts. An expanding runway now exists for Monangai to seize a role in the Bears’ backfield rotation. That delivers your incentive to secure him before his Round 18 ADP.
Keaton Mitchell, Baltimore Ravens
ADP 233, RB 70
Keaton Mitchell's return to health failed to elicit interest from fantasy managers until his appearance in Week 1 of the preseason. Mitchell’s performance ignited a rise in his ADP from Round 23 (265/RB80) to Round 20 (233/RB70).
FIRST CAREER TOUCHDOWN FOR @_KeatonMitchell ❗
Tune in on CBS! pic.twitter.com/G20hxbg8Fc
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) November 5, 2023
This is understandable considering the lengthy interval since Mitchell exploded onto the fantasy landscape in Week 9 of his 2023 rookie season. Mitchell stockpiled a league-high 138 yards on just nine attempts. He also averaged 15.3 yards per attempt and soared to fifth in PPR scoring (20.4).
Mitchell also averaged a league-best 8.4 yards per attempt and generated a league-high seven runs of 20+ yards from Weeks 9-15. He also rose to 11th in yards after contact (264), and 13th in rushing yards (396/66 per game), before sustaining a torn ACL. Mitchell did not register his next offensive touch until Week 17 in 2024 and has been limited to 36 snaps/16 touches since his brief statistical surge.
| 2023 - Weeks 9-15 | YPA | YPG | Yards | 20+ | TDs |
| Keaton Mitchell | 8.4 | 66 | 396 | 7 | 2 |
| Jaylen Warren | 6.4 | 68.1 | 477 | 4 | 2 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | 6.2 | 65.5 | 393 | 6 | 5 |
| Christian McCaffrey | 6 | 106.7 | 640 | 5 | 4 |
| Kyren Williams | 5.6 | 124.3 | 497 | 3 | 2 |
| James Cook | 5.6 | 80.3 | 482 | 3 | 1 |
| David Montgomery | 5.6 | 78.3 | 470 | 2 | 4 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 5.3 | 78 | 312 | 1 | 2 |
| 2023 - Week 9 | Yards | YPA | 20+ | Attempts | TDs |
| Keaton Mitchell | 138 | 15.3 | 2 | 9 | 1 |
| Josh Jacobs | 98 | 3.8 | 0 | 26 | 2 |
| Saquon Barkley | 90 | 5.6 | 1 | 16 | 0 |
| Jaylen Warren | 88 | 8 | 1 | 11 | 0 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | 87 | 9.7 | 1 | 9 | 1 |
| Raheem Mostert | 85 | 7.1 | 1 | 12 | 1 |
| D'Onta Foreman | 83 | 4.2 | 1 | 20 | 0 |
| Derrick Henry | 75 | 4.4 | 0 | 17 | 1 |
TOUCHDOWN, @_KeatonMitchell❗
Tune in on WBAL! pic.twitter.com/m9kiJP5ruu
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) August 7, 2025
Mitchell's ADP should continue to ascend after he generated 68 rushing yards and a touchdown with his nine attempts (9.0 yards per attempt) during Baltimore’s preseason opener.
⚡️Keaton Mitchell HAVE A NIGHT ⚡️
9 Att 🏈
68 Yds 🐎
1 TD 🙌🏽
7.6 YPC 📈#RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/YYqGIA2boM— SleeperRavens (@SleeperRavenss) August 8, 2025
Derrick Henry remains the Ravens' unquestioned RB1, while Justice Hill should continue to function as an underrated pass-catching presence within Baltimore’s backfield.
However, Mitchell’s potential to erupt for significant yardage could propel him to an ongoing role. It would also make him a valuable resource if the 31-year-old Henry is forced to the sideline during the season.
Tahj Brooks, Cincinnati Bengals
ADP 249, RB 76
Tahj Brooks remained available until Round 6 of April's NFL Draft before Cincinnati selected him with the 193rd pick. However, he could elevate into an ongoing role as the direct backup to explosive lead back Chase Brown as the season progresses.
TAHJ HIMOTHY BROOKS⌚️
📺 FS1 | @CFBonFOX pic.twitter.com/0F63MPtJuh
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) November 30, 2024
Brooks displayed unwavering physicality while accumulating 4,557 rushing yards (81.4 per game) and 45 touchdowns during five years at Texas Tech. He also soared to second among all backs in carries (290/22.3 per game), and fourth in yardage (1,538/118.3 per game) during 2023. He also rose to fourth in carries (286 attempts/26.0 per game), and seventh in yardage (1505/136.8 per game) during 2024.
Brooks also earned a pass-blocking grade of 72.6 since 2023 from PFF, which placed him second among all Power Four backs.
Tahj Brooks checking a ton of boxes to be a late Day 3 pick who could matter. Doubtful Samaje Perine is the bellcow if Chase Brown misses because he has 2 games above 14 carries since 2018.
Brooks is 214 pounds. Decent shiftiness. Capable on pass downs. Reportedly a great guy.
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) July 31, 2025
Zack Moss has been extracted from the Cincinnati backfield due to his release, although the Bengals did sign 29-year-old Samaje Perine in March. The nine-year veteran also played ahead of Brooks during Cincinnati’s initial preseason encounter.
However, Brooks is capable of bypassing Perine on Cincinnati’s depth chart as the season progresses. He would also garner a mammoth workload if Brown is forced to the sideline. That supplies your incentive for prioritizing Brooks at his modest ADP.
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