The echoes of the 2025 NFL Draft have faded. While a fresh wave of talent is exciting, the draft’s impact on existing players is often profound. For veteran running backs, the landscape can shift dramatically. A team investing high draft capital in a new back, a lack of improvement in their offensive line, or even a coaching change can all signal a decline in fantasy value.
This post will break down 5 running backs whose fantasy stock has unequivocally fallen this offseason. It’ll highlight the reasons why they might be busts or disappointing picks in your upcoming 2025 fantasy football season. Adjust your draft boards accordingly and avoid these potential pitfalls!
Najee Harris (Los Angeles Chargers): Harris’s fantasy stock has taken a significant dive after signing with the Los Angeles Chargers and the team subsequently drafting Omarion Hampton in the first round. While Harris had four consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the Steelers, his efficiency has often been a concern (career 3.9 YPC). The Chargers brought Harris in on a one-year deal. The immediate high draft capital spent on Hampton signals a direct threat to his workload. Many expect Hampton to assume a significant role, potentially taking over the backfield quickly. This severely limits Harris’ path to lead-back touches, despite him being a high-volume back. That makes him a low-end flex play with a very real possibility of his value plummeting if Hampton takes control of the backfield early.
Jerome Ford (Cleveland Browns): Ford’s fantasy stock has fallen considerably due to the Cleveland Browns’ actions in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Browns selected Quinshon Judkins with the 36th overall pick. Judkins is a highly talented running back who is expected to take over as the primary back to replace Nick Chubb. Ford’s own efficiency was often lacking in 2024, despite being an RB34 in fantasy points per game (RB26 in 2023). He accepted a pay cut to remain with the team, suggesting his role is not guaranteed. With Judkins’ arrival, Ford is likely relegated to a complementary role, at best. His overall value is severely capped by the presence of a high-capital rookie, pushing him to a low-end RB3 or deeper.
Rhamondre Stevenson (New England Patriots): Stevenson’s fantasy value has declined considerably following the New England Patriots’ selection of TreVeyon Henderson in the second round of the NFL Draft. After an RB7 finish in 2022, Stevenson’s production dipped to RB35 and RB28 in the subsequent two seasons, partly due to injuries and a lack of explosiveness. While the veteran running back’s pass-catching ability was a key part of his fantasy appeal, Henderson also excels as a pass-catcher and brings unrivaled explosiveness to the team. The new Patriots coaching staff is likely to implement a committee approach, with Henderson expected to eat into Stevenson’s workload, especially in the receiving game. This significantly caps Stevenson’s ceiling, making him an RB3/flex option rather than a reliable RB2.
Jaylen Warren (Pittsburgh Steelers): Warren’s fantasy stock has fallen despite the departure of Najee Harris from the Steelers. Pittsburgh countered Harris’s exit by selecting Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the NFL Draft. While Warren has shown consistent efficiency and strong receiving ability (ranking 7th among backs in receptions since 2023), Johnson is expected to step into a significant role, potentially taking on the early-down work that Harris vacated. This means Warren will likely continue to operate in a committee, limiting his opportunities for a true breakout. He should still provide RB3 output as a viable flex option, particularly in PPR leagues, but his path to a consistent RB2 ceiling is now significantly harder due to the new backfield competition.
Tyrone Tracy (New York Giants): Tracy’s fantasy stock has taken a hit after the New York Giants drafted Cam Skattebo in the fourth round. While Tracy exceeded expectations as a fifth-round rookie in 2024, becoming a weekly starter from October and finishing as a strong RB2 from Weeks 5-17 and finishing with 839 yards and 5 TDs on 192 carries, plus 284 receiving yards and 1 TD on 38 receptions, his role is now in jeopardy. Tracy showed explosiveness but also had fumble issues. Skattebo, a fourth-round pick in a deep class, could challenge Tracy for the starting job. Given the Giants’ overall offensive struggles and a run-blocking line that finished bottom-10 in 2024, a committee approach is likely, capping Tracy’s volume and making him a riskier fantasy proposition.
