The Top 10 Running Backs for 2025 Fantasy Football

This year’s RB pool is deeper than usual — which makes it harder to know who to trust.

So here are my Top 10 RBs, with a few names I guarantee your league mates are sleeping on…

10. Bucky Irving — Buccaneers

Irving took over late last season - averaging 21 points per game across the final 6 weeks.

He even out-snapped Rachaad White when it mattered most in a Week 18 must win game. If that continues, Irving has Top 5 overall upside…

9. Josh Jacobs — Packers

Jacobs racked up over 1,600 total yards and 16 touchdowns last season.

He’s a volume machine in an offense that’s quietly improving. Jacobs isn’t flashy, but he’s reliable — and still just 27…

8. Jonathan Taylor — Colts

Taylor ended 2024 like a monster: 28 carries and 145 yards per game over his final 3 starts.

But I’ve got him a bit lower than consensus. The Colts QB room is a mess, and the O-line may take a step back after losing 2 key pieces in free agency…

7. De’Von Achane — Dolphins

When Tua’s on the field - Achane’s ceiling is massive. He averaged 22.6 fantasy points per game with Tua healthy.

Now with Raheem Mostert gone - it’s fully Achane’s backfield. Even if he misses time, the spike weeks can win you matchups…

6. Derrick Henry — Ravens

Somehow, Henry hasn’t slowed down. He finished 2nd in rushing yards last year & led the NFL in explosive run rate at age 30.

He’s still the focal point of his offense. Don’t fade him just because of the age…

5. Christian McCaffrey — 49ers

CMC burned people last year. But he’s reportedly healthy now. And there’s no more Deebo or Jordan Mason. The backfield touches are all McCaffreys.

If you can grab him in Round 2 - you’re getting Top-3 overall upside at a discount…

4. Ashton Jeanty — Raiders

Jeanty racked up nearly 2,800 yards and 30 TDs in college last year.

Now he walks into a pro offense with no real competition. He could flirt with 350 touches as a rookie…

3. Jahmyr Gibbs — Lions

Gibbs proved he could handle real volume last season.

He closed the year with 150+ yards in 3 of his final 4 games, scoring 8 TDs in that stretch. Monty’s still around… but the ceiling for Gibbs is massive...

2. Bijan Robinson — Falcons

From the moment Michael Penix took over, Bijan exploded. He averaged nearly 27 fantasy points over his final 3 games.

He’s finally getting consistent red zone work — and enters 2025 with RB1 overall upside…

1. Saquon Barkley — Eagles

Saquon led all RBs in fantasy points per game last year.

He had 2,000+ rushing yards, 25 breakaway runs, and no true backup behind him. He’s still the engine of this offense — and a locked-in top 3 pick in all formats…

Bottom Line:

If you want to win your league, you can’t mess up your early round picks.

These are the RBs I’m building around early in drafts. Just lock in on securing 1-2 of these guys and you’ll be set up well in 2025.

— Sal

P.S. If you want to win your league (without spending 20+ hours researching each week), get my Fantasy Blueprint here — it’s what over 10,000 smarter players used last season to win more.