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.
