Fantasy Football Running Backs Best Ball Rankings: Analysis For Tiers 4-8

April 22, 2025

Fantasy football running back rankings analysis for 2025 fantasy football best ball drafts for RBs in Tiers 4 and lower. Phil breaks down the best values relative to ADP.

We have advanced through the initial months of the offseason as participation in best ball leagues continues to rise. Involvement in this format will intensify throughout draft season as fantasy managers capitalize on the opportunity to complete all forms of roster management at the conclusion of each draft. That is why the daily content at RotoBaller contains a collection of resources that are designed to help you build your rosters in this popular format.

That includes this article, which will examine the 18 running backs that are located in Tiers 4-8 of our latest best ball rankings. Fantasy managers continue to integrate this critical position into their roster construction, as 33 backs are being selected during the first eight rounds of FFPC best ball drafts.

Several veterans who have emerged in Tiers 4-8 of our rankings are currently positioned to operate with favorable workloads. Some are also primed to function as their teams’ RB1s. However, the results of this year’s NFL Draft will quickly transform the depth charts for some of these backs, and we will continually update our rankings through draft season. You can also find the latest rankings for running backs in Tiers 1-3 here.

Running Back Best Ball Rankings

Tier 4 Running Back Rankings

Joe Mixon, Kenneth Walker III, Chuba Hubbard, Alvin Kamara, James Conner

Joe Mixon's current draft position (46/RB17) places him one round higher than his Round 5 ADP in 2024 drafts after he flourished during his first season in Houston.

MIXON. 45-YARD TD.

📺: #HOUvsDAL on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/Z3C33tMXWN

— NFL (@NFL) November 19, 2024

Mixon tied for eighth in points per game (17.2), while eclipsing 1,000 rushing yards for the fifth time in his career (1,016/72.6 per game). Mixon also rose to second in carries inside the 5-yard line (87.5 percent) according to Fantasy Points Data, and generated 11 touchdowns.

Joe Mixon high-stepped his way to a second TD 😱 pic.twitter.com/lZWSKBnh28

— ESPN (@espn) November 19, 2024

Mixon remains embedded atop Houston’s depth chart with only Dameon Pierce and Dare Ogunbowale below him. That provides your motivation for targeting him as your RB2.

Kenneth Walker III played in a career-low 11 games last season while contending with multiple injuries (oblique/calf/ankle).

BREAKING - The Seahawks have placed RB Kenneth Walker III (ankle) on injured reserve, per @RapSheet pic.twitter.com/n3exVoAv9m

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) December 26, 2024

THE K9 TRAIN 🚂

This suppressed his overall numbers, as he carried 153 times (13.9 per game), accrued 23 red zone carries, and generated 573 rushing yards (52.1 per game). However, Walker did pace all backs in missed tackles forced per attempt (0.30), according to Fantasy Points Data.

Seattle ranked 29th in rushing attempts per game (22.5) during 2024, but that percentage is expected to rise under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Zach Charbonnet perpetually lurks to siphon touches, but Walker remains a viable option during Round 4 of your drafts.

There goes Chuba Hubbard for a @Panthers touchdown! #KeepPounding

📺: #CARvsCHI on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/WHZzLWr0ox

— NFL (@NFL) October 6, 2024

Chuba Hubbard secured highs in carries (250/16.7 per game) and rushing yards (1,195/79.7 per game) in 2024 while averaging a career-best 16.1 points per game. Hubbard was also 10th in forced missed tackles (50) according to PFF.

He also soared to fourth in attempts (234/18 per game) and rushing yards (1,177/85.9 per game) from Weeks 3-16, while rising to fifth in yards after contact (696).

Panthers, RB Chuba Hubbard agree to terms on 4-year, $33.2M contract extension. (via @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/bUFfXcuj26

— NFL (@NFL) November 7, 2024

Hubbard will remain Carolina’s lead back after signing a four-year contract extension last November, while Rico Dowdle will function as the Panthers’ RB2.

Alvin Kamara will turn 30 in July, but he remains capable of delivering high-end RB2 production.

There goes Alvin Kamara for 57 yards!

📺: #NOvsDAL on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/F0NOkTSZ7g

— NFL (@NFL) September 15, 2024

Kamara finished fifth in points per game (19.0) during 2024, and generated a career-best 950 rushing yards (67.9 per game), while accumulating 41 forced missed tackles and 25 explosive runs according to PFF.

He also led all running backs in target share  (21.7 percent), targets per route run (29.4) and yards per route run (1.79), while vaulting to second in receptions (68/4.9 per game) and receiving yards (543/38.8 per game). Kamara should retain an integral role as a rusher and prolific receiving weapon in a New Orleans offense that will be reshaped under Kellen Moore.

James Conner's role as Arizona’s lead back in 2024 was not affected by the Cardinals’ decision to select Trey Benson in Round 3 of the NFL Draft.
 Conner finished 11th with a career-best rushing yards (1,094/68.4 per game), while rising to third in forced missed tackles (68), and fourth in explosive runs (34) according to PFF.

45-yard catch and run by James Conner for the score!

📺: #NYJvsAZ on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/lJzAiHSDjV

— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

He was also sixth in receiving yards (410/27.3 per game) and 11th in points per game (16.7) from Weeks 1-16. Conner garnered a two-year extension in November and should continue operating as Arizona’s primary back.

Tier 5 Running Back Rankings

David Montgomery, Isiah Pacheco  

Detroit’s continued timeshare between David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs did not impede Montgomery from operating as a reliable resource before he sustained a torn MCL in Weeks 15.

David Montgomery rumbles for 21 yards!

📺: #LARvsDET on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/gMqsr2cRu7

— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2024

Montgomery was 11th in points per game (16.5) from Weeks 1-14. He was also tied for second in both red zone attempts (49) and touchdowns (12) and accumulated 34 missed tackles forced according to Fantasy Points Data. Montgomery is under contract through 2027, and the presence of Gibbs will not prevent him from sustaining his recent role within the Lions’ potent attack.

Isiah Pacheco's ADP surged into Round 3 (27/RB 11) during the 2024 draft season. However, rising expectations were unrealized during a disappointing regular season. Pacheco’s averages in attempts per game (11.9), yards per game (44.3), and yards per attempt (3.7) declined in contrast to his averages during 2023 (14.6/66.8/4.6).

Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco to undergo surgery this week on fractured fibula, will miss at least six weeks. (via @RapSheet) pic.twitter.com/aMAyv6upd1

— NFL (@NFL) September 16, 2024

Pacheco was also sidelined from Weeks 3-12 (fractured fibula) and operated in a rotation with Kareem Hunt following his return. Both backs are positioned to share touches again, and Kansas City could add another back during the NFL Draft. That creates risk in drafting Pacheco before his Round 7 ADP.

Tier 6 Running Back Rankings

Tyrone Tracy Jr., Aaron Jones, Tony Pollard, Brian Robinson Jr., J.K. Dobbins, Jaylen Warren🔥

TYRONE TRACY JR. 🔥

A 45-YARD TOUCHDOWN TO KEEP THE GIANTS IN IT 😤 #NYGvsPIT | ABC, ESPN, ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/MRLgsnavoq

— ESPN (@espn) October 29, 2024

12 running backs were selected before the Giants secured Tyrone Tracy Jr. in Round 5 of the 2024 NFL Draft, but Tracy operated as New York’s primary back. He also finished second among all rookies in rushing yards (839/49.4 per game), attempts (192/11.3 per game), yards after contact (517), and touchdowns (five).

However, Tracy will be challenged to replicate those numbers if the Giants select an impactful back during the NFL Draft.

AARON JONES FIRST TD AS A VIKING!!! 😤

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/e0ZwFN5sQo

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 8, 2024

Aaron Jones will operate as Minnesota’s RB1 after securing a two-year contract with the Vikings. Jones established career highs in snaps (670/63.6 percent share), attempts (255/15.0 per game), and rushing yards (1,138/66.9 per game) last season, and was 12th in forced missed tackles (46) according to PFF. Jones will remain atop Minnesota’s depth chart, although former 49er Jordan Mason will also receive a weekly allotment of touches.

TONY POLLARD FIRST TD AS A TITAN!!! 🤩

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/JsXEic5ZPa

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 8, 2024

Tony Pollard ascended to sixth in yards after contact (634), and ninth in both attempts (213/16.4 per game) and rushing yards (937/72.1 per game) from Weeks 1-14 while operating as Tennessee’s RB1. Pollard was also sixth in targets (53/4.1 per game) and seventh in receptions (39/3.0 per game).

Pollard’s role would be impacted if the Titans utilize one of their eight picks to secure another back during the NFL Draft.

Brian Robinson Jr. secured career-bests in rushing yards (799/57.1 per game), yards after contact (528), red-zone carries (42), and rushing touchdowns (eight) while operating as Washington’s early-down back in 2024. Robinson maintained modest involvement as a receiving weapon while averaging 1.8 targets/1.4 receptions/11.4 receiving yards per game.

Brian Robinson Jr. goes 39 yards for the TD!

📺: #TENvsWAS on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/JND4tTb6ka

— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024

Robinson’s workload could decrease if the Commanders insert a talented rookie into their depth chart during the NFL Draft. That should encourage you to avoid selecting Robinson before Round 9 of your drafts.

J.K. Dobbins' favorable numbers during 2024 were sufficient to reestablish his relevance, even though he has yet to secure a contract for 2025. Dobbins established career-highs in attempts (195/15.0 per game), rushing yards (905/69.6 per game), and points per game (14.8), while generating nine touchdowns.

JK DOBBINS 44-YARD TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/EM97NIj2Kj

— NFL Retweet (@NFLRT) September 15, 2024

Dobbins also finished 11th in explosive runs (27) according to PFF and was 13th in yards per attempt (4.6). Dobbins’ Round 11 ADP (124/RB38) should be altered whenever there is clarity surrounding his status.

Jaylen Warren is currently positioned to operate as Pittsburgh’s RB1 after signing his one-year restricted free agent tender from the Steelers. Najee Harris has also been extracted from Pittsburgh’s depth chart, which could propel Warren to the most extensive workload of his career.

Don't let early-season hamstring and knee injuries in 2024 distract from the fact that Jaylen Warren has been one of the NFL's most efficienct running backs as both a rusher and receiver since entering the league pic.twitter.com/fTaaAIatD6

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) March 20, 2025

Warren has averaged 7.2 carries/34.9 rushing yards per game/4.8 yards per attempt since 2022. He is also seventh among all backs in receptions (99/3.1 per game) and 10th in targets (121/3.8 per game) since 2023. Warren’s pathway to a lead back role could be obstructed if the Steelers add a rookie to their running back room.

Tiers 7-8 Running Back Rankings

D'Andre Swift, Najee Harris, Travis Etienne Jr., Rhamondre Stevenson, Rico Dowdle, Zach Charbonnet, Nick Chubb, Tyjae Spears, Rachaad White

D'Andre Swift and Najee Harris spearhead the backs comprising Tiers 7 and 8. Developments will emerge during the NFL Draft and team activities that will impact the stock of various backs who are located in these tiers.

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!

More Fantasy Football Analysis