5 best fantasy football running back value picks in 2025
Entering the 2025 NFL season, there are a handful of players widely expected to be the top scorers at the position. Reigning Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey are among those experts predict will be reliable double-digit scorers week in and week out.
Look at the next tier of running backs in fantasy football and you'll find productive players at the position with some question marks. Ashton Jeanty has plenty of hype but is a rookie in arguably the toughest division in the NFL. Bucky Irving had an impressive rookie season but enters Year 2 with a new offensive coordinator. Johnathan Taylor hasn't played a full season since 2021 which negates his solid production when on the field.
This list isn't about the first two or even three tiers of fantasy football running backs. This is about finding value beyond the top 15 players at the position entering 2025. That's where mid-round flyers on players could make the difference between competing for a title and hoping to avoid last-place punishments.
USA TODAY Sports identified five value picks at running back who could outplay their current average draft position (ADP) in 2025:
Fantasy football RB value picks
ADP is from FantasyPros and in half-PPR league formats.
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
ADP: RB17, OVR42
The fourth-year running back has never been down on talent. His issue throughout his career has been availability; he's missed 10 games over his first three seasons in the NFL.
The Seahawks had the fifth-worst rushing offense in the NFL a year ago. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak will offer schematic improvements that should play to Walker's strengths, specifically in outside zone runs. He's going this low likely because of injury concerns and worries about Seattle's offensive line. The Seahawks spent their first round pick on guard Grey Zabel, showing how committed they are to improving up front. That's enough reason to have optimism about Walker in 2025.
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
ADP: RB25, OVR61
Pollard managed 1,317 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns last season in a Titans offense that was a bottom-eight unit in points and yards. Tennessee overhauled a lot on offense this offseason with a new quarterback in No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, two new starters on the offensive line and a revamped wide receiver room.
All of this should see the Titans offense take a step forward on offense to at least get closer to the middle of the pack. That rising tide should elevate Pollard to a solid No. 2 running back. Tyjae Spears' injury will keep him sidelined for the rest of the preseason, giving Pollard the majority of touches with the first-team offense.
Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
ADP: RB28, OVR71
Rookie running backs can be hard to predict but Johnson may be in a good situation to outproduce his current draft position. Even with the arrival of quarterback Aaron Rodgers and wide receiver DK Metcalf, offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will still want to run the ball effectively. Johnson fits the bill well as an early-down back in that system.
A healthy offensive line in Pittsburgh could take a step this year with center Zach Frazier, right guard Mason McCormick and right tackle Troy Fautanu all entering their second year in the NFL. In his time as a play-caller on offense, Smith has ranked in the top-10 in rushing attempts five times in six NFL seasons. Last year the Steelers were fourth in the league in rushing attempts. The volume is there for Johnson to produce beyond his RB28 status.
Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings
ADP: RB34, OVR92
Minnesota has traditionally had one primary running back during coach Kevin O'Connell's tenure. That's reportedly changed this offseason during training camp as it's been closer to an even split between Aaron Jones Sr. and Mason.
The Vikings invested in the offensive line with new starters at center and both guard spots. They're dropping in an unproven quarterback in J.J. McCarthy. This should lead Minnesota to rely more on the running game in 2025 than in years past.
The Vikings traded one of their few draft picks for Mason this offseason. Through the first seven games of 2024, only two running backs had more rushing yards: Henry and Barkley. He's been productive when given the opportunity and could usurp the 30-year-old Jones as the Vikings' primary back over the course of the season.
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
ADP: RB36, OVR111
Regardless of their playoff chances in 2025, the Cowboys should be a more productive offense on the ground. They spent their top pick on guard Tyler Booker, a mauler in the run game, and brought in Klayton Adams from Arizona to be their offensive coordinator. Adams had a big role in the Cardinals' running scheme which has been one of the most diverse in the league over recent seasons.
Williams is currently slated to start for the Cowboys. He played in all 17 games last season for Denver with 11 starts but managed just 859 yards from scrimmage. Williams should have the edge over other running backs in Dallas to start the season. He could easily benefit from the ground game's improvement under Adams and outplay his status as a low-end RB3.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Top 5 fantasy football RB steals in 2025 drafts
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
a minute ago
- USA Today
PGA Tour CEO in testy exchange with reporter: 'Are you asking a LIV question?'
ATLANTA – New PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp can smell a LIV question a mile away. During his press conference on Wednesday ahead of the Tour Championship, he called out a reporter who was attempting to bait him. Reporter: Do you accept the premise that what golf fans want primarily is the best players in the world playing together more often? 'Yeah, I think, yeah, golf fans want to see the best competition possible in the sport that they love in a competitive model that makes sense,' Rolapp answered. Reporter: I think it's been surveyed already they want to see the best players together on a more regular basis. Should that not be a priority for you? 'Are you asking a LIV question?' Rolapp replied. Reporter: Essentially, yes. 'Well, ask a LIV question,' he said. Reporter: I asked. 'Look, I think I'm going to focus on what I can control. I would offer to you that the best collection of golfers in the world are on the PGA Tour. I think there's a bunch of metrics that demonstrate that, from rankings to viewership to whatever you want to pick. I'm going to lean into that and strengthen that,' Rolapp said. 'I will also say that to the extent we can do anything that's going to further strengthen the PGA Tour, we'll do that, and I'm interested in exploring whatever strengthens the PGA Tour.' And so ended that testy exchange. New PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said he hasn't spoken to PIF Earlier in the proceedings, Rolapp, who is just 18 days into the job since joining the Tour from the NFL, where he worked for 22 years, confirmed he hasn't spoken to anyone from the Public Investment Fund. 'I think my primary focus is going to be on strengthening the Tour, and blank sheet of paper means blank sheet of paper. Whatever does that, I'll pursue aggressively. That's how I view it.' He also wouldn't take the bait for a Tour-LIV related question that wondered if he would be inclined to create a Ryder Cup-style match pitting the Tour against LIV. 'Listen, I don't want to answer hypotheticals. What I will say is what I said before. I'm interested in any idea that strengthens the PGA Tour,' he said. 'So any idea that comes, that fits within our competitive model and our objectives for the benefit of our players and our fans, I'm interested in it.'
Newsweek
2 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Rams Linked to Top Big 12 QB as Matthew Stafford Insurance
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Rams kicked off their 2025 training camp in a position no NFL team likes to find itself in: not having a healthy starting quarterback. Matthew Stafford has had his share of injuries over his 16-year NFL career (he's had 12 different injuries that have forced him to miss nine games since being acquired by L.A. in 2021), and given he turned 37 earlier this year, the Rams were presumably a bit panicked when he missed the first two weeks of camp and the team's first two preseason games with a lingering back injury. Stafford returned to practice earlier this week, and head coach Sean McVay explained to reporters the team was being cautious in the way it eased the Pro Bowl QB back into the fold. "The reality is we're trying to get our hands on this and get him to feel as good as possible," McVay said after practice on Tuesday. "Backs can be a volatile thing. ... But it certainly is trending in a positive direction for us." More NFL: Colts Predicted to Hit Reset Button on QB in 2026 NFL Draft Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams prepares for the snap during the first half of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 19, 2025 in... Matthew Stafford #9 of the Los Angeles Rams prepares for the snap during the first half of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. MoreStafford agreed to a reworked contract back in May that gives him much more guaranteed money for 2025 and allows the Rams to decide whether or not to renew on a year-by-year basis. Given his age and track record with injuries, some believe the Rams could look to find Stafford's successor sooner rather than later. More NFL: Adam Schefter Drops Major Hint on Shedeur Sanders' Browns Future ESPN's Field Yates is one of them, and he believes L.A. will use one of its two first-round picks in the 2026 draft to take Arizona State star QB Sam Leavitt to groom to take over for Stafford eventually. "The Rams can capitalize on a bonus first-round pick after Atlanta traded up for James Pearce Jr. in the 2025 draft," Yates wrote. "It's not clear whether Matthew Stafford will be playing in 2026, but the Rams can add his heir apparent at the draft either way. Leavitt is an innovator, showing exceptional poise, moxie and creativity under duress. Quarterback Sam Leavitt #10 of the Arizona State Sun Devils scrambles and avoids a tackle for positive yards during the second half of the 2025 Peach Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinals football game featuring the... Quarterback Sam Leavitt #10 of the Arizona State Sun Devils scrambles and avoids a tackle for positive yards during the second half of the 2025 Peach Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinals football game featuring the University of Texas Longhorns versus the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on January 1, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. More"The redshirt sophomore is a talented thrower and very strong runner. He had at least three passing touchdowns and zero interceptions in five of his final seven matchups last season, and he finished with 443 rushing yards on the year. L.A. can start thinking about the future under center with this top-10 pick via Atlanta." Leavitt, a redshirt sophomore, showed plenty of promise in his first year as the Sun Devils' starter. The 20-year-old QB threw for 2,885 yards, 24 touchdowns and six interceptions, and he rushed for another 443 yards and five touchdowns. More NFL: 49ers Could Face NFL Punishment Over Brandon Aiyuk Decision During a recent episode of ESPN's "First Draft," Yates compared Leavitt to Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix, who had quite the impressive rookie season in 2024 (3,775 yards passing, 29 touchdowns, 430 yards rushing, four rushing touchdowns.) "Little bit of Bo Nix to him when it comes to the razzle-dazzle ability," Yates said. "Not as sudden as Bo was. ... But I really thought there was something to the toughness, the intangibles of Sam Leavitt — good arm, good size, good mobility." More NFL: Insider Believes Blockbuster Trade Could Be in the Works for the Patriots
Forbes
2 minutes ago
- Forbes
PSG Partners With Rematch To Drive Unique User-Generated U.S. Content
Paris Saint-Germain's (PSG) U.S. academies are partnering with community-driven sports highlight platform Rematch to allow their communities to capture and share unique content from games across the country. The partnership will integrate Rematch into the PSG Academy ecosystem and allow for social media collaborations. As part of the agreement, 'Rematch will organize and share the best highlights from across the [PSG] academies for each individual use on a weekly basis. In turn, the PSG Academy brand will be embedded on all captured and shared content from academy competitions and training.' The agreement begins this fall and will include six of PSG academies: Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, and Phoenix. There was even strong interest from PSG's academy in British Columbia, but the Rematch app is not yet operational in Canada, so that agreement will not be finalized until 2026. Rematch U.S. CEO Hanna Howard says this partnership will 'unlock access to content that most academies and clubs don't have.' The highlights will be user-generated, from the sidelines, without the need for a videographer. What is Rematch? Rematch is a French company founded in 2019. It allows sports fans to effortlessly capture highlights and provides 'a dedicated social platform where highlights can be viewed and shared-so every player, every game, every highlight can be seen and celebrated.' FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Unlike traditional videography, which requires a camera, a full match recording, and then hours of video editing to deliver a highlights package, Rematch's software allows fans to live the memorable moment in real-time and then go back and capture it on camera. Using a specialized AI-powered rewind software, fans using the Rematch app just need to hit record after the goal, basket, or try is scored, and the app will automatically capture the preceding fifteen to twenty seconds of action, giving the user a high-quality, ready-made highlight clip. The app was popularized in the French grassroots sports market before launching in the U.S. Since 2019, Rematch has partnered with the French Federations for basketball, soccer, handball, rugby, and others, and has had over 700 million highlights views. Rematch launched in January 2025 in the U.S. In its first six months, Rematch videos have had roughly 10.5 million views across social media platforms, and the app is expected to eclipse more than 10,000 users by the end of August. With more than 2,000 total games filmed and 22,000 highlights captured, the app is democratizing sports visibility, allowing the best moments across all youth sports to be watched. In the company's own words, 'Rematch is a movement to celebrate participation, connect communities, and open new opportunities for sponsors and organizations to engage a passionate sports audience.' PSG Partnership and the Future of Rematch Rematch launched in the U.S. with a focus on youth soccer before successfully expanding into basketball. The app is looking to add more sports, notably volleyball and American football, and even had a brief beta trial with Major League Rugby. The partnership with PSG's U.S. academies was the product of mutual connections. Rematch pitched its offering to the Parisian powerhouse back in April. As Howard recalls, 'they really took a liking to it.' It helped that there was also a French connection. For what Howard describes as 'a significant discount,' the six PSG academies will receive access to user-generated content that can enhance the club's brand visibility in the U.S. The app has no cost, which means parents and casual fans can easily download it. Recording is so simple that any fan with a smartphone can do it. From there, Rematch will review all the captured content, tailor highlight videos, and upload them to social media with club branding. Howard also says there will be opportunities for brand collaborations. Rematch will provide the academies (and any partner entity) with performance metrics of different posts, monthly reports on involvement, and will even spotlight parents who post the most high-performing content as a way of providing inter-academy gamification. Rematch remains hyper-focused on celebrating highlights regardless of sporting level or competition. The company is developing a premium version of the app, which will cost users $4.99 a month and will allow fans to capture videos in 4k or 1080p and will provide filters that remove camera shake, distracting audio, and customized video length — at the moment, soccer highlights default to 15 seconds. The low monthly fee is part of Rematch's efforts to remain appealing to the widest possible user base. As Howard says, 'We are really determined to maintain accessibility for parents.' The partnership with PSG is just the beginning. Rematch is open to the possibility of partnering with professional leagues and clubs, just as it did with MLR. In the age of content creation, this is a chance for all fans to actively celebrate their sports.
