Fantasy Football Rookie Running Backs in the Best Situations: 3 RB Breakouts to Draft (2025)

June 15, 2025

Andrew's 2025 fantasy football rookie running backs in the best situations. These RB breakout candidates should be targeted in drafts: Ashton Jeanty, RJ Harvey, and Quinshon Judkins.

A deep and talented running back class may not be as fruitful as we'd once hoped, at least in Year 1.

While Omarion Hampton, TreVeyon Henderson, and Kaleb Johnson are projected to take control of their respective depth charts eventually, proven veterans stand in their way of securing full-time roles in their rookie campaigns. Najee Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, and Jaylen Warren could average double-digit touches per game in their respective backfields.

There are, however, a few rookies who should lead their teams in touches this season. Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football needs.

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

Let’s get the obvious one out of the way early. Sixth overall pick Ashton Jeanty joins a Las Vegas offense previously devoid of elite backfield talent with a head coach who has a proven track record of establishing the run.

Ameer Abdullah finished the 2024 season as the Raiders running back to roster in fantasy football -- a sign of the dire straits in the desert. Zamir White failed to ride the momentum from the end of his 2023 campaign and couldn’t hold onto the starting job.

Alexander Mattison didn’t prove to be an improvement in his first (and only) season with the team. Sixth-round rookie Dylan Laube registered one carry for no yards and a fumble. Undrafted rookie Sincere McCormick filled in admirably. But, again, he’s a formerly undrafted running back.

Drafting Jeanty was a must. McCormick and veteran Raheem Mostert round out the depth chart entering training camp. After setting records at Boise State, averaging seven yards per carry, rushing for over 100 yards in every contest, and topping 200 in six games, Jeanty should only come off the field when he needs a breather.

Five RBs from the 2025 class are among the top-25 most elusive players by Missed Tackles Forced per Carry

– Ashton Jeanty (0.46 MTF/A)
– Bhayshul Tuten (0.45)
– RJ Harvey (0.42)
– Omarion Hampton (0.41)
– Quinshon Judkins (0.40)

(out of 111 charted RBs since 2016) pic.twitter.com/mVjLd2aysh

— Graham Barfield (@GrahamBarfield) May 28, 2025

The new coaching staff comes in with a blend of offensive originality and a dedication to the rushing attack. Pete Carroll's Seattle Seahawks were third or better in rush attempts in four consecutive seasons (2012 through 2015) and again in 2018 and 2019. Chip Kelly voluntarily took a demotion to lead the Ohio State offense to 35.7 points per game (14th in FBS) and a national championship.

Opposing defenses can't singularly focus on stopping the run. Geno Smith is an instant upgrade over the hodgepodge quarterback room of 2024 (Aidan O'Connell, Gardner Minshew II, and Desmond Ridder). Brock Bowers immediately became one of the league's most-feared tight ends en route to an All-Pro debut season. Jakobi Meyers is one of the league's most underrated receivers.

The Raiders play in what may be the best division in football. While the record may not reflect much of an improvement from 2024, Las Vegas is fielding a much more competitive team, and it starts with the rookie running back.

RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos

All signs pointed to the Denver Broncos selecting a running back early in the NFL Draft. With an up-and-coming quarterback under center, one of the league's best offensive lines, and a head coach with a track record of utilizing running backs on the ground and through the air, whoever landed in Denver would be a fantasy darling.

The Broncos passed on Omarion Hampton and the Ohio State duo in the first round (20th overall). When Denver was on the clock at 6oth overall, all eyes were on Kaleb Johnson. Instead, it was Central Florida's RJ Harvey, an older prospect (24) who began his collegiate career as a quarterback.

That's not to say he's a poor prospect. The productivity (1,416/16 and 1,577/22 in 2023 and 2024, respectively) speaks for itself. Harvey had more explosive runs (15+ yards) than Jeanty and averaged 6.8 yards per tote.

RJ Harvey

Only 2025 CFB RB With
- 1,500+ Rushing Yards
- Sub 250 Attempts

Three Straight Years Of
- 200+ Receiving Yards
- 220+ Rush Attempts
- 6.3+ Yards/Carry

Javonte Williams Gone
- 209 Vacated DEN RB Opportunities

Harvey’s Pro Comps are Actually Insane 👀

Must Draft. pic.twitter.com/R4kUwImc7D

— No Expert Fantasy Football (@NoExpertFF) June 4, 2025

Harvey enters a running back room with veteran J.K. Dobbins, second-year fifth-round pick Audric Estime, and the formerly undrafted Jaleel McLaughlin. Neither Estime nor McLaughlin could usurp the ineffective Javonte Williams. HC Sean Payton even temporarily turned to fourth-stringer Tyler Badie to jump-start the run game. Harvey should have no problem taking over not just the lead role, but the pass-catching role as well -- a skill set he's focusing on in OTAs.

And that's crucial to his fantasy football outlook, as Payton's teams have ranked fifth and first in running back target share over the last two seasons. If Harvey secures over 40 receptions, he'll easily outperform his current RB3 cost.

The addition of Dobbins does muddy the picture. However, he should be more of a hindrance to Estime and McLaughlin than Harvey. Dobbins started strong last season (two straight 100-yard games) but quickly tapered off, never hitting the triple-digit mark again. Despite being 26 years old, his lengthy injury history has zapped some of his explosiveness.

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns

Quinshon Judkins can handle a feature role. He carried the ball 270+ times in his first two collegiate seasons at Ole Miss, leading the SEC in rushing and touchdowns. A transfer to Ohio State allowed Judkins to share opportunities with TreVeyon Henderson, while maintaining his draft stock.

That feature role is his to lose in Cleveland. Cleveland's third all-time leading rusher, Nick Chubb, is done wearing orange and brown. So, Cleveland spent a second-round pick on Judkins, ahead of Henderson, who many viewed as a better prospect.

Judkins is a physical runner with a nose for the end zone. The other running backs on the roster, Jerome Ford and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson, are complementary pieces whose best skills don't overlap with Judkins.

A potential detractor to Judkins' fantasy success is the state of the Cleveland offense. The favorite to take the first snap in Week 1 is Kenny Pickett -- a former first-round pick who quickly flamed out in Pittsburgh. And while he's a Super Bowl champion now, the Eagles were comfortable enough with third-string quarterback Tanner McKee to ship Pickett to Cleveland.

Pickett will likely become the next name on the lengthy (and growing) list of Cleveland starting quarterbacks. When the losses pile up, rookies Dillon Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders will be next in line. 40-year-old Joe Flacco is also in the mix.

The Browns averaged a league-low 15.2 points per game in 2024. It's fair to project a number near that mark in 2025. That's going to cap Judkins' upside.

Don’t forget about Quinshon Judkins in your #dynasty league. Have seen him consistently fall in rookie drafts.

His situation is not great right now, but situations change FAST in dynasty.

Talented player, get him on your team!#fantasyfootball
pic.twitter.com/I9l2gzHgSs

— Dave Ventresca (@FF_Stallion) May 28, 2025

However, Judkins could see 12-15 touches per game. Hopefully, on a poor offense, that's enough to put Judkins in the weekly RB2/flex conversation (a decent 50 yards and a touchdown).

More Fantasy Football Analysis