In this article, I am writing down my top 10 running backs for the 2025 season. Of course, rankings are subject to change, based on what happens in the pre-season, but most of these players will still be in the top-10 when the season starts. I am also providing you with some insights in how I view these players and why I have ranked them inside the top-10.
This top 10 is based on PPR format and subject to change until the start of the season. For the latest rankings, check the full rankings by subscribing to https://thefantasydutchman.com/draft-kit/
#10 – Bucky Irving (Buccaneers)
One of the biggest surprises of the 2024 season was Bucky Irving, drafted in the 4th round. He has showed he can do it all, not only his rushing side, but also his receiving abilities. He had 52 targets and 47 receptions, which makes him a valuable asset in fantasy football. We also have to acknowledge he got his first 20+ carries game in week 13, so very late in the season. Of course, he still had to deal with Rachaad White, who is also known for his receiving skills. In the end, Bucky managed to get 14.4 fantasy points per game.
The fact that Rachaad White is still with the Buccaneers is the fact I didn’t rank Irving higher than 10. The main fantasy relevant players all stayed with the team, and also Godwin is expected to be back sooner rather than later, not even speaking about the addition of Emeka Egbuka as a first round wide receiver. Even though I project Bucky to get the main load of the work with 250 carries and 62 targets.
#9 – Jonathan Taylor (Colts)
Since the news that Daniel Jones is named the starting quarterback for the Colts, I have moved Taylor into my top 10. Why? Because Jones is, in my eyes, more reliable than Richardson. This also means a positive uptick for Taylor. In 2024, Taylor averaged 17.6 fantasy points per game, but we have to acknowledge the last 3 weeks where he was one of the best running backs. This fantasy score came with both Richardson and Flacco under center, and is Jones really worse compared to both of these quarterbacks? I don’t think so.
This is why I think Taylor will show a similar output than in 2024 with regards to fantasy points per game. I have projected him to have the most targets he ever had in a season, but his rushing attempts will be down a little. Their running back strength of schedule is around middle of the pack, so they will have some games where they really have to throw to keep up, but also games where they can rush more because they will win earlier on.
#8 – Chase Brown (Bengals)
Another revelation in 2024, Chase Brown. From week 3 onwards, he had just one week where he scored less than 10 fantasy points. He was very reliable and scored an average of 15.9 fantasy points per game. The Bengals saw he can handle a large workload and decided to cut Zack Moss this offseason. Yes, the Bengals drafted a running back in Tahj Brooks, but this was the 6th round.
With all this info, what do I think of Chase Brown? Well, he can handle the workload and showed he can be a pass catcher as well with 65 targets which translated into 54 receptions and 4 touchdowns. He will be the main guy this year and will get a lot of the work. Even with Chase and Higgins as receivers, I project Brown still for more than 70 targets this season and more than 270 carries. This all leads to him as the #8 in my rankings this season.
#7 – Derrick Henry (Raiders)
When will father time catch up to King Henry? Well, 2024 was not that year. He showed he can still handle a lot of carries with 325, which resulted in the most rushing touchdowns of the season with 16. He never had a lot of targets in his career and last year was no different with just 22, but the carries and rushing touchdowns keep Henry very fantasy relevant. Last year he scored an average of 19.8 fantasy points per game and won many fantasy managers their league.
This year, I project him to still be a force to be reckoned with. Of course, he is another year older, but I think he still will get 300 carries and more than 10 rushing touchdowns. This combination makes him a dark horse to finish RB1, but in my rankings he is #7 because of his age.
#6 – De’Von Achane (Dolphins)
Achane was in my top 5 before he hurt his calf, which may result in some missed time. But, the talent is undoubtedly there. Especially in the receiving game, he showed great promise when Tua was healthy last season. With Tua, most of the time Achane got 5+ receptions per game. In none of these games he scored less than 10 fantasy points per game. The risk with Achane was there when Tua was not the quarterback, in those games he didn’t get nearly as much targets and receptions as with Tua. Nevertheless, Achane scored 17.6 fantasy points per game, knowing that Tua missed 6 games, this is still a great average.
In 2025, I moved Achane down a little because of the possible missed game(s) due to the injury. I still see a lot of upside for him, especially in the receiving game. I have projected Achane for 80 targets and just 210 carries. This still resulted in the #6 running back in my rankings. Of course, the risk is there with the injury history of both Tua and Achane himself.
#5 – Ashton Jeanty (Raiders)
The pre-season games already showed us some flashes of what Jeanty can be: a force to be reckoned with. With the new coaching staff of Carroll and Chip Kelly, Geno Smith as quarterback, there is a lot of optimism for Jeanty. Of course, there is some risk. The O-Line isn’t great and we don’t know exactly how Jeanty will perform in the NFL. Still, I project him to be a workhorse with more than 250 carries and more than 70 targets. If he lives up to his promise, we can see a fun player for the foreseeable future.
#4 – Christian McCaffrey (49ers)
Let’s get the elephant in the room out first: Yes, McCaffrey hurt a lot of people last year who were drafting at the 1.01. But, are we really going to rank McCaffrey a lot lower because of last year? Well, I don’t move him down too much. No, he isn’t my #1 RB, not even top-3, but he can still be a league winner if healthy.
The 49ers have one of the best strength of schedules, which could lead to a lot of carries for McCaffrey. Also, they have a lot of injuries at wide receiver, and McCaffrey is known for his receiving upside. And, when healthy, McCaffrey has shown he is a league winner. Last 2 healthy seasons he scored at least 21 fantasy points per game. So, what could go wrong?
Of course things can go wrong. His injury history is not in his favor. Also, being favorite in a lot of games can result in McCaffrey getting some rest late in games, which might limit his fantasy output. So yes, he is can be a league winner, but the risk is certainly there. But let me make this clear again: Don’t let last year’s injury frighten you. If healthy, he can be the league winner you need.
#3 – Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions)
Gibbs was one of the more fun players to watch last season with the big breakaway runs. Of course, David Montgomery was there to take a lot of work from him in the beginning of the game and also a lot of goal line work. Monty was out for some games last season, where Gibbs really dominated, scoring at least 25 fantasy points per game. He was a true league winner. And even with Monty in the line-up, Gibbs still averaged 21.3 fantasy points per game over the course of the season.
This year, a new offensive coordinator is with the Lions, taking over from Ben Johnson. What does this mean for Gibbs? To be honest, we don’t know yet. John Morton, the new OC, mentioned he wants more big plays, which could be in favor of Gibbs. Also, does Morton use Montgomery as much as Johnson did, or will he see Gibbs truly as the RB1 and will Montgomery only be relevant when Gibbs is injured?
I project Gibbs to be a top-3 running back this year, where he will get around 260 carries and more than 70 receptions. With a lot of touchdowns as well, I think he will have a great chance at being the top running back at the end of the year. Although, there is one downside: The Lions have one of the hardest strengths of schedule this season.
#2 – Saquon Barkley (Eagles)
Barkley went to the Eagles in 2024 and boy did he show off his skills. Barkley finished a whooping 22.2 fantasy points per game, which also resulted that he is the cover athlete of Madden 26. Well, that’s the reason he isn’t my RB1, something with the Madden cover athlete curse? All jokes aside, he was really great last season, and I don’t see why he couldn’t be great this season as well.
I project the Eagles to throw a little more this year, which also raises the number of projected targets for Barkley. I project Barkley for 340 carries, as I see the Eagles see winning a lot of games. Also, I project him for more than 60 receptions. Barkley can easily be the #1 running back this year, but also the #3, as I don’t have the top-3 separated by a lot.
#1 – Bijan Robinson (Falcons)
My, and a lot of analysts, #1 running back for this season. Last season, Bijan scored 20.1 fantasy points per game, which is 2.1 points less than Saquon Barkley. So why number 1 this year? Well, from week 6 onwards, he only had 2 weeks where he scored less than 20 fantasy points in a game.
If he can continue this trend, he is a very reliable running back, with a lot of upside. With Penix, he also received a lot of targets, so that’s a big plus in his upside as well. I have Bijan projected for a lot of carries this season, but also for 80 targets. And if Tyler Allgeier won’t get as much goal line work as last year, the sky is the limit for Bijan.
