Fantasy football RB rankings: Bijan Robinson or Saquon Barkley at No. 1?

USA Today

7 days ago

The end of July means preseason football is just around the corner for teams across the NFL. For some, it's already here: the Hall of Fame game July 31 pits the Los Angeles Chargers against Detroit Lions to open football for the 2025 season.
That means we're getting closer to fantasy football draft season for millions of managers deciding how best to fill out their rosters, including at running back.
As in 2023, last year's top fantasy running back, Saquon Barkley, earned Offensive Player of the Year honors in real life while winning plenty of fantasy football leagues for managers across the country. He also will be featured on the cover of Madden, following fully in Christian McCaffrey's footsteps a year prior.
This year could be an intriguing one for the running back position. One of the most talented draft classes in years gave dozens of teams viable rookie starters or rotational players. Returning stars like Barkley and McCaffrey face some question marks in the wake of their standout seasons.
That's a lot to sort through for fantasy managers but don't worry, USA TODAY Sports has you covered with the top 50 running backs in fantasy football this season.
2025 POSITION RANKINGS: QB | RB | WR | TE | K | D/ST
Fantasy football rankings: RB
1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons were one of the best rushing offenses in the league last season. They lost starting center Drew Dalman in free agency but the offense as a whole could take a step forward in year two with QB Michael Penix. Robinson improved in 2024 without racking up too much mileage. He's one of the most talented running backs in the league. Don't overthink it.
2. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles. Barkley had an outstanding 2024 season but history is not on his side to replicate that success. He had 378 total touches in the regular season; each of the nine running backs to hit more than 370 in the last decade saw a significant drop-off in production the following year. He's still this high thanks to one of the best offensive lines in the league.
3. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders. This absolutely could be too high for a rookie running back, especially one running behind an offensive line with some question marks. But the Raiders offense is an anomaly. The only weapon ahead of Jeanty in the pecking order is tight end Brock Bowers. Las Vegas offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has evolved as an offensive play-caller and Jeanty should benefit with his generational traits.
4. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions. What the Lions offense will be without longtime coordinator Ben Johnson is one of the biggest questions across the NFL in 2025. Gibbs is a game-breaking weapon for new coordinator John Morton, who schemed the 2017 Jets into a top-20 rushing attack led by Bilal Powell and a 32-year-old Matt Forte in his last coordinator job. Detroit continued its investment in the offensive line in the draft and that should give fantasy owners confidence despite the changes.
5. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens. He can't keep doing this forever but we won't be the ones too early on King Henry's drop-off. He had 2,114 yards from scrimmage in his first season in Baltimore. Even with the threat of Lamar Jackson and the return of the speedy Keaton Mitchell, Henry is the No. 1 ball-carrier for one of the best rushing offenses in the league.
6. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers. Jacobs was RB5 in standard scoring last season and Green Bay invested in the offensive line even more in free agency and the draft. A healthy Jordan Love in 2025 could impact Jacobs' share of the offensive load but not enough to negatively affect his overall production.
7. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins. Achane was a top-10 RB in 2024 and especially valuable in PPR leagues with a career-high 78 catches for 592 yards and six touchdowns. Raheem Mostert is now in Las Vegas and that should give Achane more of the rushing load even as Jaylen Wright takes on a bigger role.
8. James Cook, Buffalo Bills. Cook is still participating in training camp even as he looks for a contract extension. He was a touchdown machine in 2024 but had just 1,267 yards from scrimmage, the lowest total among the top 10 fantasy running backs. He should still be a top-10 fantasy back this season thanks to a top-tier offense, even if his touchdown total regresses.
9. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Irving was one of the biggest surprises in the NFL last season thanks to his breakout year in which he was remarkably efficient on a per-touch basis. His ceiling may be capped by Rachaad White's presence in the passing game, a top-tier wide receiving corps and a new play-caller but he's still running behind a top-tier offensive line. He's got one of the highest floors in the league entering year two.
10. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers. McCaffrey may be the toughest running back to project for 2025. He looks to be fully healthy after a tumultuous 2024 season that saw him fail to find the end zone for the first time in his career. The 49ers drafted Jordan James in Round 5 this year and Isaac Guerendo could take on a bigger role in Year 2. San Francisco is facing uncertainty in the receiving corps so McCaffrey could be relied upon early in the season to shoulder the load.
FANTASY DRAFT STRATEGY: Drafting from No. 1 pick in 10-team full PPR
11. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts. Taylor may have won (or lost) many fantasy football championships in 2024 thanks to his string of top-five performances from Weeks 16-18. Indianapolis has question marks at quarterback as well as interior offensive line and Taylor hasn't played a full season since 2021. That's a lot of concern but he's still one of the top runners in the NFL when healthy.
12. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers. Hubbard hit 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns for the first time in his career last season. Things could be even better in 2025 thanks to the Panthers' passing offense potentially taking a step forward with wideout Tetairoa McMillan's arrival. He should keep defenses from focusing on stopping the run when lining up against Carolina's offense.
13. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers. Behind Jeanty, Hampton was in his own tier of running back prospects in the 2025 NFL draft. He's in a perfect spot to be a contributor early on. Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh wants to win by running the ball effectively. Hampton should enjoy running behind two of the top young tackles in the league and will have plenty of opportunity to showcase his skills as a receiver.
14. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks. Seattle has a new coordinator with Klint Kubiak and that should lead to running the ball much more effectively than in 2024. The game plan will likely feature a lot of outside zone, which plays into Walker's skillset. Zach Charbonnet may vulture some carries, but all signs point to Walker enjoying his best season in Seattle to date, pending health.
15. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals. Brown was a top-six fantasy RB in all scoring formats from Week 9 on in 2025. Cincinnati should have better play at both guard spots on the offensive line and feature the best wide receiver duo in the league. Rookie Tahj Brooks is a powerful runner and could work into a role sooner than later, but that should alleviate injury concerns for Brown without eating into his production too much.
16. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams. Williams had more carries (316) than all but two running backs in the NFL (Henry and Barkley) last season but finished as RB6 or RB7, depending on the format. Williams is looking for an extension and the Rams added Jarquez Hunter in the draft. The volume should be there but he may not make the most of it.
17. Breece Hall, New York Jets. Hall entered last season viewed as one of the top RBs in fantasy and ended the year outside of the top 15 in all formats. He's in great position to have a better year in 2025 with a new offensive coordinator in Tanner Engstrand, a bolstered offensive line and a dual-threat quarterback in Justin Fields.
18. Aaron Jones Sr., Minnesota Vikings. Jones was a top-20 running back in 2024 despite reaching the end zone just seven times. Minnesota overhauled the interior of its offensive line and that shows an intent to run the ball more and more effectively. With first-year starter J.J. McCarthy taking over at quarterback, Jones' ceiling is much higher than a year ago, even with Jordan Mason now in town.
19. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints. New Orleans is welcoming a new offensive play-caller in head coach Kellen Moore, upgrades on the offensive line and lots of questions at quarterback. Kamara's well past his prime as a top-10 fantasy RB but should have a high floor in what could be a run-first offense.
20. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals. Conner was a fringe top-10 running back last season in one of the most diverse running schemes in the league. Cardinals running game coordinator Klayton Adams is now the offensive coordinator in Dallas, which could affect Conner and the offense as he reaches his age-30 season.
21. Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers. Johnson is another rookie running back in a good situation. Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will welcome his skillset and there's a chance the Steelers offensive line can become one of the best in the league.
22. TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots. Henderson is New England's most dynamic playmaker on offense entering 2025. Rhamondre Stevenson may be ahead of him on the depth chart, but it'd be a surprise if offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels limits his touches as a rookie.
23. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears. New Bears head coach and offensive play-caller Ben Johnson schemed up one of the top offenses in the league in Detroit based on a potent running game. Swift could benefit from the new hire and upgrades on the offensive line.
24. RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos. Denver signed veteran J.K. Dobbins, but the dynamic rookie Harvey should be a threat as a runner and receiver. Even with Dobbins and Audric Estime in the building, Harvey will have a big role.
25. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants. Tracy had a strong rookie season last year and could improve in Year 2, especially in half- and full-PPR leagues thanks to his background as a receiver. New York has a tough schedule in 2025, three potential starting quarterbacks and added to the running back room in free agency and the draft. That makes Tracy a risky pick.
26. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans. Mixon will miss significant time with a foot injury and that's a tough outlook entering the 2025 season under a new offensive coordinator. He's going into his age-29 season behind an offensive line with plenty of question marks.
27. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions. Only seven RBs had more rushing touchdowns than Montgomery last season, but he barely cracked 1,000 yards from scrimmage. If that scoring total takes a dip with a change in coordinator and a larger role for Gibbs, that could knock Montgomery down from low-end RB2 status.
28. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs. Pacheco struggled in 2024 following a fractured fibula early in the season. He'll be contending for touches with free agent addition Elijah Mitchell and rookie Brashard Smith but should still be the lead back. That gives him a high floor entering 2025.
29. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans. Tennessee upgraded everything around the running back position this offseason and Pollard should benefit. There will be multiple new starters on the offensive line, an upgraded receiving corps and a No. 1 pick at quarterback. That's much improved from his RB21 circumstances a year ago.
30. Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders. Washington upgraded its offensive line and should take a step under second-year coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and quarterback Jayden Daniels. But Robinson isn't much of a threat as a receiver, especially with Austin Ekeler still on the roster, which keeps his ceiling low despite a high floor.
31. Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks. Walker will be the lead back in Seattle but hasn't played a full season since entering the league in 2022. That makes Charbonnet one of the top handcuff options in fantasy this year with RB3 potential in an offense lacking playmakers outside of Walker and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
32. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers opted to re-sign Warren this offseason and he should benefit from the improved offensive line. Johnson may shoulder a lot of the rushing load, but Warren could be a sleeper in PPR leagues as Pittsburgh's pass-catching group lacks much beyond D.K. Metcalf.
33. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys: Williams is one of two free agent additions alongside Miles Sanders in a new-look Cowboys backfield. New offensive coordinator Klayton Adams helped design a creative running scheme in Arizona. That could benefit Williams and the other runners in Dallas.
34. Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings. Mason moved from San Francisco to Minnesota this offseason and his outlook significantly improved. Aaron Jones is entering his age-31 season and the Vikings should run the ball enough to make Mason an attractive handcuff with RB3 potential.
35. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars. New Jaguars coach Liam Coen maximized a backfield with Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker in Tampa Bay last year. It's unclear early how the touches will be divvied up in Jacksonville with Etienne competing with Tank Bigsby and rookie Bhayshul Tuten.
36. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots. Stevenson is the lead returning ball-carrier in New England but Henderson's dynamic potential could eat into his opportunities. The Patriots offensive line shouldn't be nearly as bad as a year ago, giving some potential for Stevenson as a low-end RB3.
37. Nick Chubb, Houston Texans. With Mixon facing an injury in training camp, Chubb could be a surprise contributor early on in 2025. Houston has a first-year offensive coordinator and a new-look offensive line but the carries could be there for Chubb as Mixon works his way back to health.
38. Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns. Cleveland's offense is full of question marks at quarterback and running back. Second-round pick Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned behind incumbent Jerome Ford. Sampson's abilities in the receiving game give him the edge over Ford here.
39. J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos. Dobbins was an early-season fantasy darling last year before injury cut into his production. He and rookie RJ Harvey figure to share carries but Harvery should be the more explosive option, lowering Dobbins' ceiling.
40. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. White will be playing under his third offensive coordinator in the last three seasons. New coordinator Josh Grizzard was the passing game coordinator last year, which could see White's value as a receiver continue ... but Irving could eat even more into his share of the carries out of the backfield.
41. Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons. Allgeier is one of the top handcuffs this season and has the track record to produce should Robinson miss time with injury. There may not be enough carries to go around if Robinson is in the lineup, though, capping Allgeier's ceiling.
42. Najee Harris, Los Angeles Chargers. Harris is recovering from an eye injury and that could knock his already low fantasy outlook this season. But given how much the Chargers will likely want to run the ball, he should get steady carries behind Hampton in 2025. Just not enough to move him out of RB4 territory.
43. Cam Skattebo, New York Giants. Skattebo will pair with Tracy in the Giants backfield, but things are bleak given the schedule, quarterback situation and offensive line. He showed off his skills as a receiver in college, which improves his outlook.
44. Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys. While Williams and Sanders may start the year with the most touches, look for Blue to get a bigger role as the season wears on. He's a proven receiver out of the backfield with dynamic ability in open space. In an offense lacking playmakers, watch out for him to improve as the season moves along.
45. Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars. Bigsby could see a bigger role with Coen now in Jacksonville, but his lack of receiving chops means he'll likely be pigeonholed in a crowded backfield. His best outlook is to take over as the early-down runner from Etienne and churn out yards behind an improved offensive line.
46. Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers. Guerendo played well in a couple of starts as a rookie. McCaffrey is back and healthy in 2025 but Guerendo could be a top handcuff with rookie Jordan James offering potential as an early-down running back.
47. Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans. Spears should benefit from the Titans' improved offense, though not as much as Pollard. He struggled with injury last season but looks set for a bigger role as the primary pass-catching back in Tennessee's offense.
48. Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears. New coach Ben Johnson used two running backs very effectively during his time in Detroit. That bumps Johnson's potential in 2025 to have a role akin to David Montgomery in recent years. That makes him a worthwhile late-round flyer.
49. Brashard Smith, Kansas City Chiefs. Pacheco is the hard-nosed runner leading the way in Kansas City but Smith could be the dynamic receiving option out of the backfield. His background as a receiver should give him a role similar to what Jerick McKinnon had in years past.
50. Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals. Benson could see a bigger role in his sophomore season in Arizona as Conner gets one year older with a history of missing games with injury. He's a worthwhile handcuff with potential for a larger share of carries in 2025.