The 2025 NFL Draft injected a fresh wave of talent into team backfields, creating both immediate opportunities and long-term potential for fantasy football managers.
Identifying which rookie running backs are poised for success is crucial for building a championship-winning roster.
This guide dives into the most promising rookie ball carriers, dissecting their new team environments and providing insights into their 2025 redraft and dynasty league value.
Ashton Jeanty (Las Vegas Raiders): Jeanty is one of the best running back prospects to enter the NFL recently. He is the presumed starter and is expected to have a workhorse role. His explosive plays and versatility as a pass-catcher have turned heads, positioning him as a strong candidate to be a three-down back. While his initial dynasty value was based on his long-term upside, his rapid ascent up the depth chart makes him a high-priority rookie to roster, with the potential for immediate fantasy production.
Omarion Hampton (Los Angeles Chargers): Hampton’s dynasty outlook has significantly improved due to an injury to starter Najee Harris. With Harris’s timetable to return to practice unclear, Hampton is getting invaluable reps with the starters and is now a favorite to lead the backfield in Week 1. This increased opportunity and exposure to the first-team offense makes him a huge riser in dynasty rookie rankings.
Quinshon Judkins (Cleveland Browns): Judkins’s dynasty value is in serious doubt after an off-field domestic incident, creating significant uncertainty about his future with the team. While he was once considered the favorite to lead the Browns’ backfield, this situation has clouded his outlook, making him a risky, albeit talented, prospect to roster. His fantasy value is on hold until more information is released, creating a potential buying opportunity if the situation is resolved positively. For those risk-takers out there, he’s a potential steal.
TreVeyon Henderson (New England Patriots): Henderson’s dynasty value remains a top-tier prospect due to his explosive athleticism and pass-catching chops, although he’ll need to operate between the tackles better. He has the potential to become a true three-down back, but he’ll need to prove he can handle the workload and stay healthy at the next level. His situation is tied to the development of the Patriots’ offense, making him a long-term play with significant upside.
RJ Harvey (Denver Broncos): Harvey’s dynasty outlook is a curious one as he competes directly with veteran J.K. Dobbins. While Dobbins is currently taking most of the first-team reps due to his experience, Harvey has been praised by Sean Payton for his “exceptional” performance, including an explosive run that turned heads. The rookie’s primary hurdle to a full-time role is pass protection. However, given Dobbins’ extensive injury history and Harvey’s talent, Harvey is a high-upside stash who could see an immediate increase in value if Dobbins were to get injured. He is the long-term play in this backfield, while Dobbins is more of a short-term mercenary.
Kaleb Johnson (Pittsburgh Steelers): Johnson’s training camp has revealed a potential weakness in pass protection, a crucial skill for any running back hoping to see significant playing time. While he has reportedly shown flashes as a runner, his inability to handle a bull rush in a pass-blocking drill is a red flag that could cap his playing time and fantasy upside. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress closely, as his dynasty value could take a hit if he can’t improve in this area.
Bhayshul Tuten (Jacksonville Jaguars): Tuten is pushing for a significant role in the backfield and has been mentioned as a potential replacement for Etienne. However, he’s been limited by a hamstring injury and Etienne and Tank Bigsby have been getting more run with the first team offense. Tuten’s fantasy value is mild right now as he hasn’t shown enough to lead one to believe he’ll be taking over the backfield any time soon. However, as a hand-picked Liam Coen player, he has an upside worth taking a chance on as a dynasty stash.
Cam Skattebo (New York Giants): Skattebo is a major riser in dynasty rookie rankings due to his strong training camp performance, which has earned him first-team reps and high praise from coach Brian Daboll. His three-down skill set, including his ability as a reliable pass-catcher, makes him a legitimate threat to win the RB1 job in New York. Skattebo is a must-add in all dynasty formats.
Trevor Etienne (Carolina Panthers): Etienne’s dynasty outlook is a waiting game as he is in a crowded backfield competing for playing time. With Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle ahead of him on the depth chart, Etienne will likely have to earn a role, potentially as a pass-catching asset out of the backfield or as a kick returner. While he has a strong competitive streak and has shown flashes of his rushing ability in training camp, the presence of two capable veterans means he might not have an immediate path to significant touches.
Woody Marks (Houston Texans): Marks’ dynasty outlook has significantly rose after a series of developments in the Texans’ backfield. With Joe Mixon sidelined by a foot injury and Nick Chubb, who is returning from a season-ending injury, reportedly lacking his usual burst, Marks has a path to a usable workload. Reports from training camp have been highly positive and he has a legitimate shot at being the lead back in an explosive offense if Chubb is unable to regain his old form and Mixon misses significant time.
Jarquez Hunter (Los Angeles Rams): Hunter is a deep dynasty sleeper who is making a name for himself in Rams training camp. He is currently behind both Kyren Williams and Blake Corum on the depth chart, but his strong performance in camp is a positive sign. He is a great lottery ticket for fantasy owners who believe he can earn a role in the Rams’ backfield, and of course is a handcuff to Williams, who just inked an extension.
Dylan Sampson (Cleveland Browns): With the legal issues surrounding Quinshon Judkins, Sampson’s dynasty value has received a significant boost. He is now in a position to compete for a starting role, and reports from camp suggest he has a real chance to see a huge bump in touches. Sampson is a great deep sleeper who could see a huge increase in fantasy value if he takes advantage of this opportunity.
Jordan James (San Francisco 49ers): James’ dynasty value is a bit in flux due to an injury to Isaac Guerendo. While he has a shot to increase his reps, he is a late-round pick with an established backfield ahead of him. He is a longshot to become fantasy-relevant, and his value is tied to an injury to another player, making him a pure dart throw.
Jaydon Blue (Dallas Cowboys): Blue’s dynasty value has been on the rise after he impressed in training camp and earned praise from the coaching staff for his hard work. While he’s still behind a couple of veterans on the depth chart, he has the skill set to be an electric chess piece in the Cowboys’ offense. He’s an intriguing sleeper who could see a big bump in value if he can maintain this momentum.
DJ Giddens (Indianapolis Colts): Giddens’ dynasty value is on the rise as he has been getting reps with the first-team offense and has reportedly “basically won the RB2 job” behind Jonathan Taylor. With his high-upside as a pass-catcher, he is one Jonathan Taylor injury away from becoming a serviceable fantasy player at worst. He is a priority stash in all dynasty leagues, as Taylor has completed just one full season in his five years in the league and has missed 16 games in the last three.
Ollie Gordon II (Miami Dolphins): Gordon’s dynasty outlook is a long-term play, as he’s a talented prospect who will have to compete for a role in a crowded backfield. His landing spot with the Dolphins, however, is a positive, as he could thrive in their high-octane offense. He is a fantastic stash in dynasty leagues for fantasy managers willing to be patient.
Devin Neal (New Orleans Saints): Neal’s dynasty value is a long-term play, as he’s a late-round pick who will need to prove himself in training camp to earn a roster spot. He’s reportedly been working on his pass-blocking ability to give himself an early shot at playing time, but he is a longshot to become fantasy-relevant.
Kalel Mullings (Tennessee Titans): Mullings is a deep dynasty league taxi-squad add only. He is a physical downhill thumper who is competing for the RB3 job, but he is not worth rostering in most dynasty leagues.
Tahj Brooks (Cincinnati Bengals): Brooks’s dynasty outlook is a long-term play, as he’s a late-round pick with an established backfield ahead of him. He is a tough, physical runner, but he will need to prove himself in training camp to earn a role on the team. He is a pure dart throw in the deepest of dynasty leagues.
Damien Martinez (Seattle Seahawks): Martinez is a dynasty stash with three-down upside. He’s currently buried on the depth chart, but with Kenneth Walker entering a contract year, he could rise quickly in the pecking order. He’s a must-roster in dynasty leagues, as he has the potential to become a long-term fantasy asset.
Brashard Smith (Kansas City Chiefs): Smith is an intriguing dynasty sleeper who has a real shot at earning a role in the Chiefs’ backfield. He is a converted wide receiver with a unique skill set that could allow him to carve out a role similar to Jerick McKinnon’s. He is worth a look in deep dynasty leagues and as a taxi-squad stash.
Kyle Monangai (Chicago Bears): Monangai is an ascending dynasty asset who has been turning heads in Bears training camp and earning praise from coach Ben Johnson. He is pushing for the No. 2 job behind D’Andre Swift, and his strong performance suggests he could earn a valuable role as a physical, goal-line runner. He is a must-add in all dynasty leagues.
LeQuint Allen (Jacksonville Jaguars): Allen’s dynasty value is a long-term play, as he’s a late-round pick with an established backfield ahead of him. He has the potential to be a versatile back who can contribute in both the running and passing games, but his fantasy success will be heavily dependent on his ability to earn a role on the team. He is a deep bench or taxi-squad candidate only.
Phil Mafah (Dallas Cowboys): Mafah’s dynasty value is non-existent as he’s a late-round pick on a team with an established backfield. He is a deep bench or taxi-squad candidate only in the deepest of leagues and is not worth rostering in most dynasty formats.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Washington Commanders): Croskey-Merritt is a major dynasty riser who is making a name for himself in Commanders training camp. He has been receiving first-team reps and earning praise from beat writers, and one analyst even predicted he would be the starter by December. He is a must-add in dynasty leagues, as he has the talent and opportunity to become a fantasy-relevant starter.
