2025 RUNNINGBACK RANKINGS & PROJECTIONS | PRESEASON

Aug 21

Welcome to my 2025 RB projections and rankings.

These RB projections use standard PPR scoring with 6-point rushing/receiving touchdowns. After preseason reps, injury news, and depth chart shakeouts, I’ll post a fully updated set on Labor Day weekend. Happy drafting!

TIER ONE | THE GOLDEN BELL COWS

These are the true bell cows; rarely leaving the field, 300+ touch ceilings, and double-digit TDs you can bank on. Their workload creates the safest floors in fantasy, while their talent unlocks week-winning upside. Bijan enters Year 3 ready to drive the team’s best offense since his arrival. Saquon will regress slightly after a historic season, while CMC looks poised to reassert the dominance that makes defenses wilt.

1. Bijan Robinson – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  289
  1375
  14
  56
  362
  2
  322.14
  18.95
2. Saquon Barkley – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  298
  1608
  14
  37
  258
  2
  317.93
  18.70
3. Christian McCaffrey – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  240
  1176
  12
  55
  448
  4
  310.97
  18.29

TIER TWO | THE VANGUARD

Two young stars, two very different styles. Ashton is set to handle the full Vegas workload, while Gibbs will electrify with game-breaking efficiency. Both have the upside to challenge the top tier for RB1 overall.

4. Ashton Jeanty – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  278
  1388
  10
  57
  367
  3
  307.99
  18.12
5. Jahmyr Gibbs – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  235
  1223
  11
  45
  358
  3
  284.80
  16.75

TIER THREE | OFFENSIVE ENGINES

Henry and Williams will dominate the carries and goal-line work, while Achane mixes in as Miami’s explosive featured weapon, fueled by both carries and quick strikes from Tua. All three provide locked-in RB1 stability week after week..

6. Derrick Henry – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  295
  1505
  15
  19
  176
  1
  277.32
  16.31
7. Kyren Williams – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  324
  1360
  11
  40
  222
  2
  269.84
  15.87
8. De'Von Achane – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  209
  985
  7
  57
  424
  4
  262.21
  15.42

TIER FOUR | CEILING SMASHERS

Brown and Irving flashed big-time in 2024 and head into 2025 positioned as lead backs for their offenses. Taylor remains a true workhorse in Indy, the centerpiece of their offense. Landing any of these three as your RB2 gives you weekly RB1 upside, a massive edge in roster construction.

9. Chase Brown – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  249
  1095
  7
  48
  312
  3
  242.62
  14.27
10. Bucky Irving – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  208
  1059
  8
  45
  277
  2
  236.95
  13.94
11. Jonathan Taylor – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  288
  1353
  9
  24
  173
  1
  236.53
  13.91

TIER FIVE | SOME FRESH, SOME PROVEN

Hampton and Henderson are the new hotness with high draft capital and endless upside. Jacobs and Conner are the steady vets, grinding out fantasy points like clockwork. Together, this tier is full of RB2s who can swing matchups and deliver RB1 weeks when it counts.

12. Omarion Hampton – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  247
  1138
  11
  29
  147
  2
  233.91
  13.76
13. Josh Jacobs – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  245
  1053
  11
  34
  197
  2
  232.89
  13.70
14. TreVeyon Henderson – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  211
  992
  5
  48
  300
  3
  223.71
  13.16
15. James Conner – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  219
  1029
  7
  44
  272
  2
  221.98
  13.06

TIER 6 | WILD CARDS

This is the tier where the questions start piling up. Harvey has the offense and draft capital to flirt with top-10 status, but Dobbins looms as a thorn in his side. Hubbard shocked last season and got paid like a workhorse, will the success continue? The Saints are a dumpster fire, so can Kamara drag fantasy relevance out of the league’s worst roster? Breece Hall feels stuck between committee talk and RB1 upside. And then there’s James Cook: Buffalo threw him the bag, but will he be the guy now, or just one head of a three-headed backfield monster?

16. RJ Harvey – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  211
  949
  6
  41
  268
  3
  216.96
  12.76
17. Chuba Hubbard – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  232
  1069
  8
  41
  197
  1
  215.48
  12.68
18. Alvin Kamara – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  198
  811
  6
  53
  337
  2
  215.44
  12.67
19. Breece Hall – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  218
  1036
  7
  35
  242
  2
  214.35
  12.61
20. James Cook – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  201
  1004
  8
  30
  226
  2
  213.14
  12.54

TIER SEVEN | LOTTERY TICKETS

This tier opens with two vets who’ve been fantasy anchors for years. Aaron Jones is coming off a heavy-volume season and should see a lighter load with Jordan Mason around. Joe Mixon is trending the wrong way. If the reports don’t improve, a six-game PUP start feels likely. Javonte Williams grinds out volume to stay fantasy-relevant, even as Blue eats into targets. And then there’s Tyrone Tracy, who flashed real growth last year and has taken advantage of Cam Skattebo’s camp absence. Even when Skattebo gets healthy, Tracy brings an explosive element that this backfield otherwise lacks.

21. Aaron Jones – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  164
  821
  5
  48
  301
  3
  204.63
  12.04
22. Joe Mixon – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  156
  661
  4
  15
  126
  2
  130.18
  11.83
23. Javonte Williams – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  231
  1016
  8
  22
  115
  2
  193.16
  11.36
24. Tyrone Tracy Jr – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  211
  950
  4
  37
  256
  2
  191.12
  11.24

D’Andre Swift sidestepped all the draft-day landmines and now steps into a juicy role in Chicago’s revamped offense. Tony Pollard might be the least sexy pick in this tier, but he’ll churn out steady points every week. Kaleb Johnson inherits a “Najee-level” of vacant carries, and if he pairs volume with efficiency, RB1 territory is in play. David Montgomery mirrors Pollard’s steady floor, but with the hidden upside of a Gibbs injury sending him straight to the moon. The biggest faller here is Kenneth Walker III. His health remains a mystery, and with Charbonnet looking ready to seize a big role, Walker’s outlook is cloudier than ever.

25. D'Andre Swift – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  166
  764
  5
  40
  247
  2
  181.48
  10.68
26. Tony Pollard – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  218
  873
  6
  30
  184
  2
  181.39
  10.67
27. Kaleb Johnson – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  236
  1016
  7
  20
  127
  1
  180.53
  10.62
28. David Montgomery – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  190
  780
  9
  24
  122
  1
  172.56
  10.15
29. Kenneth Walker III – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  172
  807
  6
  31
  209
  1
  170.28
  10.02

ROOKIES TO GRAB LATE

Woody Marks brings real juice as a pass catcher and could find his way into meaningful snaps much sooner than expected.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt has flashed so much in the preseason that Washington seems ready to move on from Brian Robinson entirely.

The Bears sat on their hands at RB all offseason. Kyle Monangai has rewarded that faith, leaving no reason for the staff to look elsewhere.

36. Woody Marks – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  127
  598
  6
  31
  239
  1
  152.70
  8.98
42. Jacory Croskey-Merritt – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  151
  711
  4
  19
  115
  0
  125.64
  7.39
52. Kyle Monangai – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  132
  554
  5
  7
  40
  0
  96.69
  5.69

LEAGUE WINNING BACKUPS

Zach Charbonnet is a must-draft stash. If Walker’s injuries linger, he’s Seattle’s RB1 from Day 1, already paying off before he even takes the field.

Braelon Allen has the talent. If Breece Hall misses time, Allen’s size and soft hands make him an instant every-week fantasy starter.

Will Shipley’s value hinges on Saquon. If he were to fall, Shipley vaults straight into weekly RB1 territory.

35. Zach Charbonnet – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  187
  784
  6
  22
  126
  1
  153.07
  9.00
59. Braelon Allen – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  119
  454
  4
  6
  32
  0
  79.07
  4.65
67. Will Shipley – 2025 Projection


  Att
  Rush Yds
  Rush TD
  Rec
  Rec Yds
  Rec TD
  Total FP
  Fantasy PPG

  73
  307
  2
  11
  67
  1
  66.61
  3.92

Kelli Hammersmith https://KHammersmith.com