The running back position can often be a volatile one in fantasy football, yet it remains absolutely crucial for building a winning team. Every year, we see breakout stars and frustrating busts, making your draft-day decisions at RB more critical than ever.
With 2025 ADPs beginning to solidify, it’s time to evaluate which ball carriers you can confidently trust to deliver consistent points, and which might be trap picks that could derail your season.
Let’s dive into the backfields and uncover the reliable workhorses from the risky committee members.
Fantasy football running backs to trust
Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams): Williams demonstrated elite fantasy upside in 2024, finishing as a top-10 PPR running back. His role as the clear lead back in a high-powered Rams offense, combined with his receiving usage, makes him a consistent volume and touchdown threat, providing a high floor at his ADP.
Ashton Jeanty (Las Vegas Raiders): Jeanty, drafted by the Raiders in 2025, immediately steps into a situation ripe for a workhorse role. His college production was phenomenal, and with the Raiders’ commitment to improving their ground game under Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly, Jeanty is set up for significant volume and potential breakout success as a rookie.
Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts): Taylor, when healthy, is an elite rusher who commands a significant workload. The Colts’ offense aims to run through him, and if he stays on the field for a full season, his volume alone, particularly in the red zone, makes him a reliable RB1 even with minimal receiving work.
Jahmyr Gibbs (Detroit Lions): Gibbs proved in 2024 that he can be an electric and highly productive fantasy back, even with David Montgomery sharing touches. His elite efficiency, pass-catching ability, and consistent red-zone usage in a strong Lions offense make him a safe bet for high-end RB1 production.
Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints): Despite his age, Kamara continues to command a massive target share and offers consistent PPR value, finishing as a top-5 RB in points per game last year. Even with quarterback uncertainty, his role as a primary receiving option out of the backfield ensures a high floor, especially at his current mid-round ADP.
Kenneth Walker III (Seattle Seahawks): Walker is the clear lead back in Seattle, and the new offensive scheme under Klint Kubiak is expected to prioritize the run game. While Zach Charbonnet is still present, Walker’s talent and potential for a high volume of carries and goal-line work make him a trustworthy RB2 with upside.
Kaleb Johnson (Pittsburgh Steelers): The Steelers drafted Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, indicating their intention to make him a prominent back. With Arthur Smith’s run-heavy scheme, Johnson is poised to receive a significant workload, including goal-line opportunities, making him an immediate fantasy impact player at a favorable ADP.
Fantasy football running backs who could bust at their ADP
De’Von Achane (Miami Dolphins): Achane’s electrifying rookie season was marred by injuries, and while he was very efficient, his slight frame raises durability concerns for a workhorse role. The Dolphins’ backfield is crowded with other talented backs, and head coach Mike McDaniel has shown a willingness to rotate running backs, capping Achane’s potential volume.
Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): While Irving had a strong rookie year in 2024 and is projected as the lead back, he still shares the backfield with Rachaad White, who remains involved. Irving’s relatively small stature also creates questions about his ability to consistently handle a full NFL workload for an entire season, leading to potential inconsistency.
Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals): Brown had a strong finish to 2024, but the Bengals’ offense is inherently pass-heavy, potentially limiting his overall rushing volume compared to other lead backs. While the team has expressed confidence in him, the idea of him being a workhorse running back and putting up RB1 numbers — where he’s often being drafted — for a full season seems to me a bit of a stretch.
James Cook (Buffalo Bills): Cook’s fantasy production is heavily reliant on his receiving work, as the Bills’ offense, led by Josh Allen, doesn’t always prioritize the run or target running backs heavily in the red zone. With a potential contract dispute looming and the Bills’ tendency to let Allen scramble for touchdowns, Cook is due for a significant touchdown regression, making him a risky pick at his current ADP.
Chuba Hubbard (Carolina Panthers): Despite finishing as a high-end RB2 in PPR in 2024 and signing a new deal, Hubbard’s efficiency was somewhat inconsistent, and the Panthers’ offense as a whole remains a concern. The team also added Rico Dowdle, who could cut into Hubbard’s workload and red-zone touches, making his outlook less clear.
RJ Harvey (Denver Broncos): As a rookie running back drafted by the Broncos, RJ Harvey is entering a potentially murky backfield situation. Head coach Sean Payton typically prefers a committee approach to his running backs, and with veteran J.K. Dobbins also in the mix, Harvey’s immediate workload and consistency are far from guaranteed.
Joe Mixon (Houston Texans): Mixon, while productive in 2024, is now on the NFI list with an ankle injury, impacting his training camp. At his age, and with other running backs on the roster including the newly acquired Nick Chubb, there’s a risk of him either starting slow or seeing his workload managed, potentially leading to a frustrating fantasy season if he can’t stay healthy.
