With training camps getting underway, I'm going through the four cornerstones of fantasy football -- quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end -- and providing tiered rankings for each position heading into the 2025 NFL season. It's an easy and efficient way to organize draft thoughts. Savvy? Let's take a look at today's subject matter: RBs.
Tier 1
- Bijan Robinson led all running backs by posting 20-plus fantasy points 10 times last season. The Pro Bowler posted top-10 weekly finishes in 10 of his final 12 games in the 2024 campaign, as well. He’s my pick for 1.01.
- Jahmyr Gibbs had seven games with at least 20 fantasy points last season. If your league mates are concerned about the change at coordinator in Detroit -- from Ben Johnson to John Morton -- I get it. Let them panic. Tell them I said to panic. You draft Gibbs with confidence.
- Don’t be the person who is scared to select Saquon Barkley because he’s on the Madden NFL 26 cover. I can’t account for conspiracy theories. I can tell you that he dominated defenses for a league-high 2,283 yards from scrimmage in his first season in Philly.
- I’m less inclined to take De’Von Achane in standard and half-point PPR leagues. I'm not sure how the workload will be divvied up while he's sharing the backfield with Jaylen Wright and Alexander Mattison. But in this case, it is all PPR, so I’m taking him early.
Tier 2
- A lot of people might be hesitant to draft Christian McCaffrey after the 49ers star missed all but four games last season with injuries. To me, it sounds like you’re going to end up with a great value.
- Ashton Jeanty is a Tier 1 running back in standard and half-point PPR leagues, but he’s a Tier 2 guy in PPR formats. Still, don’t be shy to draft the No. 6 overall pick.
- A lot of fantasy managers don’t think of Derrick Henry in a PPR sense, but he was the RB4 last year with 1,921 rush yards and a league-leading 16 rush TDs. You’re going to be fine.
- Josh Jacobs, who finished 2024 with 1,329 yards and 15 TDs on the ground, was the fantasy RB3 in Weeks 11-18. The three-time Pro Bowler should be able to maintain that production with Green Bay lacking a true WR1.
- People will probably tell you Bucky Irving isn’t one of the top pass-catching backs. BUT he was targeted on 24.5 percent of routes run last season, fourth-most among running backs with a minimum of 200 routes run, according to Next Gen Stats.
Tier 3
- After a disappointing 2024 campaign, it’s time for Breece Hall to step up. I believe a career year is on tap with play-caller Tanner Engstrand in New York and Justin Fields at quarterback.
- Chase Brown was one of my picks to click last year, and he registered nearly 1,000 rush yards in Cincinnati’s pass-first attack. He’s here to stay.
- James Cook had nine games with 15-plus fantasy points in 2024, the most by a Bills back since LeSean McCoy in 2016. He’ll continue to find success any time he’s on the field with Josh Allen.
- The Rams keep drafting running backs, but they still have Kyren Williams, who’s put up back-to-back campaigns with 1,100-plus rush yards.
- Alvin Kamara is going to be a steal this year. Don’t pass up the opportunity.
- The Colts offense really concerns me, but it did last year, too, when Jonathan Taylor averaged 17.5 fantasy points per game.
Tier 4
- D’Andre Swift had 70 targets when Ben Johnson was his offensive coordinator in Detroit in 2022. Have you noticed the Bears didn’t acquire a running back to threaten Swift’s role this offseason despite speculation that they would?
- James Conner keeps plugging along. After rushing for 1,000-plus yards in each of the past two seasons, I know there is a chance he’s going to fall off at some point. I’m still willing to take a chance on him.
- I’d trust Tony Pollard because of his 68.8 percent snap share last year. Plus, I'm not expecting Tennessee to get away from running the ball with a rookie at quarterback.
- Chuba Hubbard had six games with at least 20 fantasy points in 2024. The Panthers offense is getting better under Dave Canales, too.
- Joe Mixon averaged more than 17 fantasy points per game in 2024, but I'm not certain about him seeing the same usage on a Texans team that made a lot of changes in the offseason.
Tier 5
- Aaron Jones had five rushing touchdowns in his first year with the Vikings, his most since 2020. He still looks explosive entering his ninth season.
Tier 6
- While I still like what Aaron Jones brings to the table, it would not shock me if Jordan Mason ended up being the guy in Minnesota this season. He’s more than just a handcuff for Jones.
- Giants rookie Cam Skattebo is likely going to be drafted higher than I have him here. You should know that. If you want him on your roster, you’re going to need to fire earlier than expected.
- Cowboys fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue might be my favorite sleeper. But keep that between us.
- Rico Dowdle did have some flashes as the starter in Dallas last season. Now he has a great opportunity to exceed expectations in Carolina.
- Yes, I have seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai on this list, and not Roschon Johnson. That’s the vibe I’m getting when it comes to the Bears.