Top 40 Running Back Rankings & Tiers (Updated)

At 32 years old (turning 32 near the end of the 2025 season), Aaron Jones faces significant age-related decline risk. Historical comps using the range of outcomes tool show that among elite running backs like Marshon Lynch, Matt Forte, Steven Jackson, and LeSean McCoy, only Marshon Lynch and Fred Jackson improved from age 31 to 32, with Fred Jackson being the only one who made a meaningful difference. However, Zachariason acknowledges Jones played 59% of snaps last year and was clearly the receiving back in Minnesota, giving him a path to PPR value that Jordan Mason lacks; he ranks Jones ahead of Mason partly for this receiving role upside. He shares the Minnesota Vikings backfield with Jordan Mason, who has contract security ($7.2M guaranteed, $12M max) and no other competition, limiting Jones's upside in an offense that underperformed with JJ McCarthy in 2024.

Kamara is expected to depart the Saints in 2025, either via retirement or trade, clearing the backfield for Travis Etienne. The Saints signed Etienne to a deal worth $28 million guaranteed (with $22 million in dead cap through the first two years), signaling a two-year plan centered on Etienne as the primary back. While Kamara has publicly stated he doesn't want to be traded, JJ Zachariason suggests he may be taking a team-friendly stance given the financial commitment to Etienne and the Saints' projected 3.2 PPG offensive improvement (fourth-biggest leap in the league), which would benefit Etienne's workload.

Blake Corum has fallen in ADP from being neck-and-neck with Patrick Mahomes to a more reasonable range, and JJ Zachariason has increased his drafting of him at pick 34. In redraft leagues, Corum has no standalone appeal and is purely a handcuff to Kyren Williams (RB49 in PPG last year, 3 receiving yards per game, touchdown-dependent). However, given the Rams' elite offense (projected to score the most points in the league), Corum offers the highest upside of any traditional handcuff if Williams gets injured. In best-ball formats, he may provide usable weeks on touchdown scoring. Corum expanded his role in the Rams backfield, dropping Kyren Williams' snap share from 88% in 2024 to 70% in 2025, especially late season. While Williams remains the starter, if Corum consistently captures 30% of the backfield, it will push Williams toward his 15.5 PPG floor rather than his 2023 peak of 21 PPG, creating opportunity for Corum to be a secondary option in the Rams offense.

Bucky Irving's ranking at RB23 hinges entirely on injury uncertainty. He is not 100% healthy after undergoing shoulder surgery in the offseason and is expected to return at some point in summer or fall. Before going down with injury last year, he produced mid to low-end RB1 numbers (14.5, 18.1, 13.9, 25.5 fantasy points in consecutive games) even without Liam Cohen in the first four weeks. Downside factors include the Buccaneers re-signing Shawn Tucker and allocating decent money to Gainwell for receiving work. If willing to stomach injury risk, Irving offers value, but JJ Zachariason would need to see him fall to round five to bite.

Ranked #42 RB with significant red flags: 27 years old, coming off foot surgery that held him out of OTAs with unclear recovery timeline, career-high receiving yards per game of just 2.3 with zero receiving upside, and highest career finish of RB50 in a Washington backfield where Jacori Crosky Merritt was his main competition. The upside case rests entirely on joining a Liam Cohen offense that has produced late-round RB hits like Bucky Irving and Travis Etienne in 2024, plus a contract with $6.2 million guaranteed at signing up to $10 million maximum value. However, the lack of proven fantasy production, zero receiving ability, and injury recovery uncertainty make him difficult to trust despite the offensive context.

JJ Zachariason ranks Chuba Hubbard at RB27 and believes he should be drafted ahead of Jonathan Brooks, calling it "crazy" that many people are now saying Brooks should go before Hubbard. Brooks is currently going at pick 102 in drafts, ahead of Hubbard, despite Brooks's two torn ACLs and minimal NFL production (nine combined carries at NFL level). Hubbard is currently going at $77 in $100 drafts, taken 12 picks behind Jaylen Warren and behind Tony Pollard and Raidre Stevenson in recent drafts. Despite his proven ceiling from 2024 (16.1 fantasy points per game), Hubbard no longer carries the RB13 price tag from last year. Zachariason is buying despite Jonathan Brooks injury concerns because Brooks tore his ACL immediately upon return last season, leaving Hubbard as the clear lead back.

DeAndre Swift, 27.5 years old, is the safest round-five running back pick; he has never fallen below top-24 in points per game across his career, played at least 16 games for three straight seasons, averaged at least 3 targets per game every year of his NFL career, and at least 13 carries per game for three straight seasons. JJ Zachariason prefers Swift's situation in Chicago (top offense, strong offensive line, good coaching staff) over other round-five options, citing consistency and reliability. While Kyle Manungai showed promise in the one game without Swift (73% snap share, 22.8 fantasy points, 31 total opportunities), Swift is likely to remain the starter but faces a 5-20% risk of being beaten out.

29-year-old running back coming off an RB33 season with historical efficiency falloff (juke rate down to 18%, a career low) and significant utilization decline as both rusher and receiver. Historical comps for 28-year-old seasons with similar falloffs (Devontae Freeman and others) averaged no more than 11 points per game the following season. However, the backfield change from JR Gibbs to Woody Marks provides some benefit of the doubt, and Montgomery could see 15+ touches per game in Houston, though big-play upside is questionable.

JJ Zachariason uses Isaiah Pacheco as a historical comp for Rashad White's year-two projection, noting that Pacheco had a similar rookie season and averaged over 14 points per game in year two.

JK Dobbins is falling in ADP (pick 94, same round as RJ Harvey at pick 88) but JJ Zachariason avoids drafting him due to multiple concerns: squeezed for touches in a three-back Denver committee with RJ Harvey and Jonah Coleman; limited receiving upside (1.44 targets per game, 3.7 receiving yards per contest last year); no spike-week ceiling (zero games over 15 fantasy points in 2024, typically 9-15 points depending on touchdown); injury history (averaging fewer than 10 games per season from 2021–2025 after his electric 2020 rookie year); and age (turning 28). The only saving graces are his new contract and Denver's strong offensive line. Zachariason is "definitely taking RJ Arvey over JK Dobbins if they're going in the same round," indicating Dobbins is overvalued relative to his injury risk and Harvey's upside. The signing of Jonah Coleman to Denver removes the upside scenario where Dobbins' injury would elevate Harvey to a three-down workload behind one of the league's best offensive lines.

Williams finished RB12 in 2024 after a strong start that tailed off. He played 69% of snaps for the Dallas Cowboys, averaging almost 16 carries per game and 3.2 targets per contest (19 total opportunities per game) in a good offense. At 26 years old, he is another year removed from the devastating 2022 injury that appeared to zap his athleticism. Zachariason hopes Williams can continue to improve as he recovers further from that injury.

Williams finished RB12 in 2024 with strong opportunity volume: 69% snap share, 16 carries per game, 3.2 targets per game, 19 total opportunities per game in a good Cowboys offense. At 26 years old and another year removed from his devastating 2022 injury that sapped his athleticism, he has room to improve given his elite prospect pedigree and early-career efficiency (4.4 yards per carry as a rookie, 6 yards per target). He started the season strong before tailing off late. JJ Zachariason prefers waiting for RB value in rounds 1–2 rather than drafting Williams in round 3 given the inflated RB market, but the underlying opportunity and recovery trajectory suggest upside if he can recapture his early-season form.

Jaylen Warren finished 2024 as RB19 with 13.5 PPG after being drafted in round 9 of the Flock League. His target volume dropped significantly from 4.4 targets per game in 2023 to 2.8 in 2024. With Rico Datel arriving as a receiving back (not at Kenneth Gainwell's level), JJ Zachariason expects Warren's receiving market share to increase but rushing production to decline, as he's been rangebound at 45-50% snap share over three years. With coaching staff changes and depth chart uncertainty, Warren could either see Rico Datel play over him or experience a massive breakout.

JJ Zachariason expresses significant concern about Jonathan Brooks's draft positioning, citing two torn ACLs over the past three seasons and only nine combined carries at the NFL level. In 2024, Brooks had minimal production: two carries in week 12, six carries in week 13, one carry in week 14 for negative-3 rushing yards before tearing his ACL again. Zachariason questions whether Brooks is the same athlete after two ACL tears and notes that while camp reports are positive and the Eagles lost Rico Dattle without replacing him (a potential positive signal), Brooks is currently going at pick 102 in drafts—ahead of Chuba Hubbard, Kyle Pitts, Michael Pitman, and Rashad White—which Zachariason calls "crazy." Brooks tore his ACL immediately upon return last season, eliminating the committee concern that had previously threatened Chuba Hubbard's role; injury history makes him a risky ranking ahead of Hubbard despite pre-injury ceiling.

Ranked #41 RB in a similar situation to Rodriguez: never demonstrated sustained fantasy production through an entire season, with a career-best 9.5 fantasy points per game (RB35 finish) averaging 12.8 carries and just 7.5 receiving yards per game. The upside case hinges on a four-game stretch at the start of 2024 before Christian McCaffrey returned, when Mason posted 82%, 81%, 75%, and 76% snap shares with multiple games over 17-20 fantasy points. However, outside that window he has never been relevant in fantasy. Signed a deal with $7.2 million guaranteed at signing and $12 million maximum value; still on the team with no competition (only Aaron Jones on depth chart) and an improved Vikings offense after JJ McCarthy's poor 2024 season. The contract security and lack of backfield competition provide some floor, but sustained production remains unproven. JJ Zachariason ranks Aaron Jones ahead of Mason in the Minnesota Vikings backfield, primarily because Mason lacks a clear path to the receiving role that Jones has; in PPR and half-PPR formats, Jones's receiving upside gives him an advantage over Mason.

Through the first 15 weeks (before injury), Jacobs was RB7 in PPG, averaging 17.8 points, with elite bellcow usage: 7th in NFL rushing attempts per game, 2nd in rushing attempts inside the 5-yard line, 3 targets per game, 20 receiving yards per game, 89 total yards per contest. At 28 years old, he remains in his prime. JJ Zachariason says if Jacobs dodges legal punishment and suspension risk, he will be an absolute smash in the fourth round. However, allegations against him create significant suspension risk that could affect his availability; if he remains healthy and available, he faces almost no backfield competition and should retain his three-down role with the Packers. The uncertainty around potential suspension is a major caveat to his otherwise elite profile.

Kenneth Gainwell was dominant in full PPR formats in the back half of 2024, averaging 5 targets and 4.3 receptions per game with standout weeks (Week 11: 29.5 PPR points, Week 12: 18.2 PPR points). JJ Zachariason started Gainwell in the flex spot in the Flock League despite no injury to Jaylen Warren, highlighting his PPR value. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers paid Gainwell $14 million with $9.8 million guaranteed at signing after losing Rashad White in free agency, signaling strong organizational commitment to Gainwell as the lead back and receiving option. In full PPR formats, Gainwell will be more valuable than half-PPR or non-PPR leagues and could be startable even without a Bucky Irving injury. Bucky Irving is not 100% healthy after shoulder surgery in the offseason and is expected to return at some point in summer or fall, creating uncertainty around his availability early in the season.

Williams has declined for three consecutive seasons in fantasy points per game: 21 PPG in 2023, 17 PPG in 2024, 15.5 PPG in 2025. His snap share also fell from 88% in 2024 to 70% in 2025 as Blake Corum expanded his role, especially late season. JJ Zachariason views his current round-3 ADP as appropriate given this downside risk, though he'd be a must-draft at round 4 or later. If Corum consistently takes 30% of the backfield, Williams will trend closer to his 15.5 PPG floor rather than his 2023 peak of 21 PPG, limiting ceiling upside.

Ranked RB24 despite a strong rookie season (59 rushing yards per game, 0.5 rushing touchdowns per game at age 22), but the ranking reflects concern about the Cleveland Browns' projected 17.9 points per game—the worst in the NFL by a significant margin—and Judkins' inability to catch the ball in a pass-heavy league. JJ Zachariason views the RB24 ranking as conservative given the production and youth, but the offensive environment is a major limiting factor.

Rhamondre Stevenson has only one game in his six-year NFL career with 28+ fantasy points despite being 28.5 years old, demonstrating limited ceiling. In the 2024 playoffs, Stevenson was on the field while Trevon Henderson was benched, suggesting the coaching staff trusts Stevenson more. However, JJ Zachariason expects Henderson to expand his role going into year two, though acknowledges the possibility that the Patriots coaching staff may continue to prefer Stevenson as the starter for a New England offense that now has AJ Brown.

RJ Harvey is a rookie running back with strong historical comps (DeAndre Swift, Rashad White, Marlon Mack, Tariq Cohen, James Cook) who averaged 13+ PPG in their second seasons. Harvey's rookie season included games of 19.8, 24.1, 16.6, 21, 22, and 18.6 fantasy points. JJ Zachariason prefers Harvey over JK Dobbins in the same draft round due to Dobbins' injury history, stating he is "definitely taking RJ Arvey over JK Dobbins if they're going in the same round." Harvey is going at pick 88 in drafts, earlier than Dobbins (pick 94), and is competing with Dobbins and Jonah Coleman for touches in the same backfield, suggesting Harvey is the preferred option among the three backs. The signing of Jonah Coleman to Denver slightly caps Harvey's ceiling by providing a backup plan if Dobbins goes down, reducing the three-down workload upside.

Tony Pollard's utilization was elite early in 2024 (88-91% snap share weeks 1-4) but plummeted to 55-60% average after Taji Spears arrived. In games without Spears, Pollard averaged 19.78 carries per game (3rd in NFL), 80 rushing yards per game (6th in NFL), and 93 total yards per contest. However, his best fantasy performances came late season when Spears was in the lineup, driven by improved Tennessee Titans offense efficiency as Cam Ward played better. Vegas projects the Titans as the second-most improved offense year-over-year, suggesting Pollard can still provide usable weeks despite lower workload than early season.

Signed with the Saints on a deal worth $28 million guaranteed (with $22 million in dead cap through first two years), positioning him as the primary back in a Klint Kubiak offense. He finished RB14 in PPG (14.94) in 2024 with Jacksonville. Alvin Kamara is expected to depart (via retirement or trade), clearing the path for Etienne to carry over his full Jacksonville workload to New Orleans. The Saints project to improve by 3.2 PPG year-over-year (fourth-biggest offensive leap), ranking ahead of nine other NFL offenses in projected scoring, suggesting Etienne could see similar or improved volume in a better offensive environment.

Trevon Henderson is a high-upside swing with a really strong prospect profile. As a rookie, he had three games with 28+ fantasy points, compared to Rhamondre Stevenson's single game with 28+ points in his first five NFL seasons. Historical comps for his rookie season (Montgomery, Raidre, Antonio Gibson) all averaged over 14 points per game the following year. JJ Zachariason wants to believe in Henderson's athleticism, collegiate skill set, and late-season flashes, though acknowledging it's hard to ignore certain concerns. Despite being benched in the 2024 playoffs, Zachariason expects Henderson to expand his role going into year two.