Early Look Running Backs In Fantasy Football

Mike's top running back targets and sleepers for 2025 fantasy football drafts. His top draft targets and sleepers at running back for 2025 fantasy football.

While the NFL is in the middle of its offseason, the fantasy football world never takes a break. Much in the fantasy world will change between now and the start of the regular season.

Yet, let’s take an early look at the running back position for 2025 fantasy football drafts. Below are three early-round studs, three mid-round values, and three late-round sleepers I will target in my fantasy drafts later this year.

The ADP used for this article is courtesy of Underdog Fantasy.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

Early-Round Stud Running Backs

Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons – ADP 3.3 | RB2

Despite seeing only 28 more rushing attempts than Tyler Allgeier as a rookie, Robinson finished the year as the RB9, averaging 12.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Fantasy players had high hopes for the former Texas star last season after the Falcons moved on from former head coach Arthur Smith.

While he started last year slowly, Robinson was a superstar by the end of the season. He ranked fourth in the NFL with 304 rushing attempts and fifth with 14 rushing scores. More importantly, Robinson was the RB3 during the three weeks Michael Penix Jr. started, averaging 22.3 rushing attempts for 118 yards, two touchdowns, and 25.6 fantasy points per game.

Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams – ADP 31.5 | RB12

Williams has been one of the more reliable running backs in fantasy football since taking over as the starter in 2023. The former Notre Dame star has finished as an RB1 every season of his career as the team’s starting running back. Last year, the superstar finished as the RB7, averaging 15.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite the addition of Blake Corum.

Many were worried that the rookie running back would cut into Williams’s role, especially around the goal line. Yet, Corum had zero touchdowns as a rookie, totaling more than five rushing attempts in only three contests. By comparison, Williams had 16 offensive touchdowns, scoring at least once in 75% of the games. Fantasy players should expect another massive performance from the superstar in 2025.

Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals – ADP 35.9 | RB13

Last year, Brown finished as the RB12, averaging 14.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The former Illinois star started the season as Zack Moss’s backup, averaging 4.7 rushing attempts and 4.9 fantasy points per game over the first three weeks. However, he had at least 12 rushing attempts in all but one of his final 13 games, including 25 or more twice.

More importantly, Brown finished the year on fire as the Bengals’ featured running back. He was the RB6 from Week 9 through Week 17, averaging 18.3 fantasy points per game, a higher average than Derrick Henry (15.8). Furthermore, Brown had seven rushing touchdowns despite playing on one of the more pass-happy offenses.

Chase Brown scores again!

📺: #CINvsCAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/jt27GKU0X0

— NFL (@NFL) September 29, 2024

Mid-Round Value Running Backs

Najee Harris, Los Angeles Chargers – ADP 83.4 | RB26

While he is far from the most explosive running back in the NFL, Harris has been a consistent RB2 for fantasy players throughout his career. The former Alabama star has had at least 1,000 rushing yards every year of his career, totaling six or more scores each season. More importantly, he has significant upside after signing with Los Angeles in free agency.

Harris was the RB20 last year, averaging 12 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite splitting the backfield work with Jaylen Warren. Meanwhile, J.K. Dobbins was the RB17 on a points-per-game basis with the Chargers last season. More importantly, Harris can be a significant factor in the passing game, totaling 74 receptions as a rookie.

Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers – ADP 86.8 | RB29

Speaking of Warren, the former undrafted free-agent star is in line to be the Steelers' No. 1 running back in 2025. Last year, he finished as the RB41, averaging seven half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, Warren missed time with injuries that impacted his play, resulting in him posting a career-low 4.3 rushing yards per attempt.

Furthermore, he had only one rushing touchdown after totaling four the season before. Yet, fantasy players should have high hopes for Warren next year. The former Oklahoma State star averaged 0.79 fantasy points per touch in 2023. Warren should be a mid-range RB2 in fantasy rankings unless Pittsburgh drafts a running back with its first-round pick.

.@Nunless2 runs it in for 6️⃣

📲 Stream on NFL+: https://t.co/COxKRnr6Mc pic.twitter.com/93Wk8lklsx

— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) November 22, 2024

D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears – ADP 115.1 | RB35

Fantasy players should be interested in what the Bears do during the NFL Draft. If they don’t spend one of their three top-50 picks on a running back, Swift will be a steal as the 35th running back off the board. Last year, he finished as the RB19, averaging 11.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite playing behind an awful offensive line.

Thankfully, Chicago added three new starters to their offensive line this offseason, including Joe Thuney. Despite running behind a struggling offensive line, Swift had 959 rushing yards and six touchdowns. More importantly, new head coach Ben Johnson wants to run the ball after having massive success doing it with the Detroit Lions.

Late-Round Sleeper Running Backs

Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys – ADP 152.3 | RB45

Everyone expects the Cowboys to pick a running back early in the 2025 NFL Draft, potentially in the first round. However, don’t be surprised if Dallas waits until Day 3 to add a running back, if they select one at all after adding two in free agency. Last year, the team decided not to draft a running back, instead relying on the veterans on their roster.

Therefore, Williams is one of my favorite running back values. He was the RB31 last season, averaging 7.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game while totaling four rushing touchdowns despite being in a crowded and dysfunctional backfield. Williams should have no trouble beating out Miles Sanders for the starting role if the Cowboys don’t add a big-name rookie running back.

Javonte Williams goes untouched into the end zone! #DENvsNO on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/00Bqt0nJiR

— NFL (@NFL) October 18, 2024

Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns – ADP 154.8 | RB48

Many will want to avoid Cleveland’s offense like the plague next season. However, Ford could have sneaky fantasy value in the final year of his rookie deal. Nick Chubb is a free agent and unlikely to return, making Ford the early favorite to start next season. The Browns probably won’t invest significant draft capital at running back as they head into another rebuilding project.

More importantly, Ford was productive in 2023, with Chubb missing most of the year, finishing as the RB17, and averaging 11.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Last season, the veteran finished as the RB34, averaging 8.3 fantasy points per game despite splitting the backfield workload. After totaling three rushing touchdowns in 2024, don’t be surprised if Ford has a career year in 2025.

Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers – ADP 165.8 | RB52

Hopefully, Christian McCaffrey can stay healthy in 2025 after dealing with multiple injuries last year, including Achilles tendinitis. However, fantasy players should prepare for the worst, especially given the superstar’s injury history. McCaffrey has missed nine or more games in three of the past five years, including 13 in two different seasons.

Therefore, the No. 2 running back in San Francisco is arguably the top handcuff in fantasy football. That role belongs to Guerendo after the 49ers lost Elijah Mitchell to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency and traded Jordan Mason to the Minnesota Vikings. Last season, Guerendo averaged 15 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in the five contests with over five rushing attempts.

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