RADIO
RotoBaller's 2025 fantasy football best ball running back rankings and tiers. These post-NFL Draft RB best ball rankings are for Underdog, DraftKings, NFFC, and more.
After a few down years from the running back position, there were several big-time spike-week ball carriers in 2024. Hopefully, that trend continues as we look ahead to our 2025 fantasy football best ball running back rankings. Identifying the right running back picks throughout your draft is key, so use these early best ball rankings for Underdog, DraftKings, NFFC, FanDuel, and more.
Be sure to check out all of our fantasy football best ball articles. And if you're looking for even more of an edge, check out our Best Ball Draft Kit and Tools, including the best ball live draft assistant, best ball mock draft simulator, and best ball draft cheat sheets -- all part of the Best Ball Team Sync platform.
Two of RotoBaller's lead fantasy football analysts -- Phil Clark and Nick Mariano -- have put together their consensus staff rankings, which will be updated regularly through the start of the 2025 fantasy football offseason. Let's see where Jahmyr Gibbs, Kenneth Walker III, Omarion Hampton, De'Von Achane, Chuba Hubbard, and more stand.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings (redraft)
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
- 2025 NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
- Best ball fantasy football rankings
- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
2025 Best Ball Running Back Rankings for Fantasy Football
For anyone who isn't very familiar with fantasy football best ball leagues, they are essentially draft-only leagues with no moves during the season. Once a best ball draft is completed, nothing else happens -- no setting weekly lineups, no trading, no waiver wire moves.
Every week of the season, the best combo of fantasy players on your team is automatically calculated and used to determine the highest possible scoring outcome. Best ball drafts always start earlier than regular drafts, and they are already in high gear!
Be sure also to check out our 2025 fantasy football rankings dashboard. It's already loaded up with tons of other great rankings. In case you missed it, you can also see our Dynasty League rankings, and 2025 NFL Rookie rankings. Bookmark that page, and prepare for all of your drafts.
| RB Tier |
RB Rank |
Player Name |
Pos. | Overall Rank |
| 1 | 1 | Saquon Barkley | RB | 3 |
| 1 | 2 | Bijan Robinson | RB | 4 |
| 1 | 3 | Jahmyr Gibbs | RB | 6 |
| 1 | 4 | Derrick Henry | RB | 12 |
| 1 | 5 | Ashton Jeanty | RB | 14 |
| 1 | 6 | Christian McCaffrey | RB | 15 |
| 2 | 7 | De'Von Achane | RB | 16 |
| 2 | 8 | Jonathan Taylor | RB | 17 |
| 2 | 9 | Bucky Irving | RB | 20 |
| 3 | 10 | Josh Jacobs | RB | 22 |
| 3 | 11 | Kyren Williams | RB | 24 |
| 3 | 12 | Chase Brown | RB | 30 |
| 3 | 13 | Breece Hall | RB | 34 |
| 3 | 14 | James Cook | RB | 35 |
| 3 | 15 | Kenneth Walker III | RB | 41 |
| 3 | 16 | Joe Mixon | RB | 42 |
| 3 | 17 | Chuba Hubbard | RB | 46 |
| 4 | 18 | Alvin Kamara | RB | 52 |
| 4 | 19 | Omarion Hampton | RB | 54 |
| 4 | 20 | James Conner | RB | 56 |
| 4 | 21 | David Montgomery | RB | 59 |
| 4 | 22 | TreVeyon Henderson | RB | 67 |
| 5 | 23 | Aaron Jones | RB | 72 |
| 5 | 24 | Tony Pollard | RB | 74 |
| 5 | 25 | D'Andre Swift | RB | 75 |
| 5 | 26 | Quinshon Judkins | RB | 76 |
| 5 | 27 | Isiah Pacheco | RB | 78 |
| 5 | 28 | Jaylen Warren | RB | 82 |
| 5 | 29 | RJ Harvey | RB | 84 |
| 5 | 30 | Brian Robinson Jr. | RB | 86 |
| 5 | 31 | Najee Harris | RB | 100 |
| 5 | 32 | Kaleb Johnson | RB | 106 |
| 5 | 33 | Zach Charbonnet | RB | 107 |
| 6 | 34 | Cam Skattebo | RB | 109 |
| 6 | 35 | Rhamondre Stevenson | RB | 110 |
| 6 | 36 | Travis Etienne Jr. | RB | 114 |
| 6 | 37 | Rachaad White | RB | 119 |
| 6 | 38 | Javonte Williams | RB | 121 |
| 6 | 39 | Tyrone Tracy Jr. | RB | 124 |
| 6 | 40 | Jordan Mason | RB | 128 |
| 6 | 41 | Tyjae Spears | RB | 130 |
| 6 | 42 | Bhayshul Tuten | RB | 136 |
| 6 | 43 | Austin Ekeler | RB | 138 |
| 7 | 44 | Tank Bigsby | RB | 139 |
| 7 | 45 | Tyler Allgeier | RB | 144 |
| 7 | 46 | Trey Benson | RB | 145 |
| 7 | 47 | Jaydon Blue | RB | 153 |
| 7 | 48 | Isaac Guerendo | RB | 157 |
| 7 | 49 | Ray Davis | RB | 160 |
| 7 | 50 | Rico Dowdle | RB | 166 |
| 7 | 51 | Jaylen Wright | RB | 170 |
| 7 | 52 | Blake Corum | RB | 171 |
| 7 | 53 | Braelon Allen | RB | 174 |
| 7 | 54 | Jerome Ford | RB | 181 |
| 7 | 55 | J.K. Dobbins | RB | 183 |
| 8 | 56 | MarShawn Lloyd | RB | 186 |
| 8 | 57 | DJ Giddens | RB | 187 |
| 8 | 58 | Nick Chubb | RB | 192 |
| 8 | 59 | Roschon Johnson | RB | 194 |
| 8 | 60 | Raheem Mostert | RB | 197 |
| 8 | 61 | Dylan Sampson | RB | 198 |
| 8 | 62 | Justice Hill | RB | 200 |
| 8 | 63 | Woody Marks | RB | 203 |
| 8 | 64 | Jaleel McLaughlin | RB | 206 |
| 8 | 65 | Kareem Hunt | RB | 207 |
| 8 | 66 | Audric Estime | RB | 208 |
| 8 | 67 | Brashard Smith | RB | 212 |
| 8 | 68 | Jordan James | RB | 214 |
| 8 | 69 | Ollie Gordon II | RB | 215 |
| 8 | 70 | Cam Akers | RB | 217 |
| 9 | 71 | Trevor Etienne | RB | 222 |
| 9 | 72 | Devin Neal | RB | 223 |
| 9 | 73 | Devin Singletary | RB | 227 |
| 9 | 74 | Will Shipley | RB | 236 |
| 9 | 75 | Samaje Perine | RB | 237 |
| 9 | 76 | Gus Edwards | RB | 238 |
| 9 | 77 | Kendre Miller | RB | 245 |
| 9 | 78 | Jarquez Hunter | RB | 249 |
| 9 | 79 | Khalil Herbert | RB | 252 |
| 9 | 80 | Donovan Edwards | RB | 253 |
| 9 | 81 | Zack Moss | RB | 255 |
| 9 | 82 | Miles Sanders | RB | 257 |
| 9 | 83 | Kenneth Gainwell | RB | 259 |
| 9 | 84 | Alexander Mattison | RB | 262 |
| 9 | 85 | Kyle Monangai | RB | 271 |
| 10 | 86 | Ty Johnson | RB | 275 |
| 10 | 87 | Isaiah Davis | RB | 279 |
| 10 | 88 | Kalel Mullings | RB | 284 |
| 10 | 89 | Elijah Mitchell | RB | 290 |
| 10 | 90 | Emari Demercado | RB | 292 |
| 10 | 91 | Antonio Gibson | RB | 294 |
| 10 | 92 | Ameer Abdullah | RB | 300 |
| 10 | 93 | Chris Rodriguez Jr. | RB | 303 |
| 10 | 94 | D'Ernest Johnson | RB | 306 |
| 10 | 95 | Damien Martinez | RB | 307 |
| 10 | 96 | Sean Tucker | RB | 310 |
| 10 | 97 | Tahj Brooks | RB | 311 |
| 10 | 98 | Keaton Mitchell | RB | 313 |
| 10 | 99 | Jacory Croskey-Merritt | RB | 316 |
| 10 | 100 | Dameon Pierce | RB | 319 |
| 10 | 101 | Raheim Sanders | RB | 325 |
| 10 | 102 | AJ Dillon | RB | 332 |
| 10 | 103 | Phil Mafah | RB | 334 |
| 10 | 104 | Frank Gore Jr. | RB | 335 |
| 10 | 105 | Zamir White | RB | 337 |
| 10 | 106 | Emanuel Wilson | RB | 343 |
| 10 | 107 | Craig Reynolds | RB | 344 |
| 10 | 108 | LeQuint Allen | RB | 346 |
| 10 | 109 | Cordarrelle Patterson | RB | 348 |
| 10 | 110 | Israel Abanikanda | RB | 349 |
| 11 | 111 | Kimani Vidal | RB | 351 |
| 11 | 112 | Michael Carter | RB | 352 |
| 11 | 113 | Trey Sermon | RB | 353 |
| 11 | 114 | Pierre Strong Jr. | RB | 355 |
| 11 | 115 | Sincere McCormick | RB | 359 |
| 11 | 116 | Rasheen Ali | RB | 364 |
| 11 | 117 | Ronnie Rivers | RB | 365 |
| 11 | 118 | Jeremy McNichols | RB | 366 |
| 11 | 119 | Jamaal Williams | RB | 367 |
| 11 | 120 | D'Onta Foreman | RB | 368 |
| 11 | 121 | Jeff Wilson Jr. | RB | 374 |
| 11 | 122 | Dalvin Cook | RB | 375 |
| 11 | 123 | Ty Chandler | RB | 376 |
| 11 | 124 | Royce Freeman | RB | 378 |
| 11 | 125 | Dylan Laube | RB | 380 |
Fantasy Football Running Back Player Outlooks
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
2024 was a disappointing season for Kenneth Walker III. He posted career lows in rushing yards, yards per carry, and rushing touchdowns. Most of this can be explained by the fact that he missed six games nursing various injuries. One positive takeaway from Walker's 2024 was that his receiving usage saw a big boost. He posted career highs in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. This was an encouraging development given his perceived lack of ability as a pass catcher.
While Walker's 2024 rushing totals weren't great, he continued to post strong advanced metrics. Among 46 backs with 100+ carries, Walker finished third in PFF's elusive rating and ninth in missed tackles forced. Seattle also hired Klint Kubiak this offseason as their new offensive coordinator. He brings a rushing scheme where highly talented backs have consistently thrived throughout the years. Perhaps the addition of Kubiak is what can finally unlock the next level of Walker's game.
While there are some concerns given Walker's injuries, Seattle's offensive line, and the addition of Sam Darnold as quarterback, Kubiak's system has proven it can get the most out of talented backs. Walker certainly fits the bill. Playing for a new contract, Walker could be in line for a career year. He is a fine RB2 target in all fantasy drafts.
- Dave Ventresca
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers drafted rookie running back Omarion Hampton with the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Hampton was seen as one of the top rushers available in the NFL Draft, and there were murmurs that some teams had him neck and neck with Ashton Jeanty for RB1 of the class. With head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman deploying a run-heavy offense, Los Angeles is a fantastic landing spot for the rookie.
The Chargers did sign former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris to a one-year deal this offseason. He should open the season as the starter and may present a roadblock toward immediate production for Hampton. While Harris did not live up to the hype as a first-round pick, he is not as bad a player as some think.
However, Hampton is a much better player, and Harris will not stand in the way of him taking over this backfield. An RB1 finish might be a tough ask since Hampton will likely be stuck in a committee right out of the gates. But by season's end, Hampton should be fully in control of this backfield. He makes for a fine RB2 target in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts.
- Dave Ventresca
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Chuba Hubbard remains positioned to build upon the career-best results he delivered while flourishing as the Panthers' primary running back in 2024. Hubbard vaulted to eighth in rushing yards (1,195/79.7 per game) and 11th in attempts (250/16.7 per game) while generating 10 touchdowns and establishing career highs in each category. He also finished third in rush yards over expected (282) per Next Gen Stats, and seventh in explosive yards (337) according to Fantasy Points Data.
Hubbard also finished among the top five in carries (234/18.0 per game), rushing yards (1,117/85.9 per game), and yards after contact (696) from Weeks 3-16, while rising to eighth in points per game (17.6) during that span. Jonathon Brooks will be sidelined throughout the 2025 season as he recovers from his second torn ACL. However, the Panthers' depth chart has been bolstered by the addition of former Cowboy Rico Dowdle and the selection of Trevor Etienne during Round 4 of April's NFL Draft (114th overall).
Dowdle and Etienne should not threaten Hubbard's lead back role and will compete for touches as the Panthers' RB2. Hubbard should minimally supply fantasy managers with high-end RB2 production and could reach RB1 territory while functioning in an improving Carolina offense. That makes him a viable back to target, as he's undervalued in all formats.
- Phil Clark
More Fantasy Football Analysis
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!
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.
