Fantasy football running backs used to be a no-doubt dominator of Round 1 drafters.

However, recent years have presented plausible, alternative strategies that can produce a winner by avoiding the position for at least the first two rounds.

Whether you're implementing Zero-RB, Hero-RB, Robust RB, or any other plan to fill up the position, knowing how to navigate the running back position likely is the tipping point for any draft.

The top of the 2025 RB fantasy class looks like a new wave headlined by the Atlanta Falcons' Bijan Robinson and the Detroit Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs -- and that often leaves the Philadelphia Eagles' Saquon Barkley third despite being his historic 2024 season.

Should Barkley be the top RB taken? Even the No. 1 pick overall?

Keep reading for our breakdown of 2025 fantasy RB draft rankings to build the best possible team.

Fantasy Football RB rankings: Best running backs for 2025 drafts

Zero-RB devotees: Look away.

Nailing the correct fantasy football stud RBs goes a long way toward setting up all

Beyond the nearly universally accepted three-person Tier 1 (Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Saquon Barkley), 

Hype rookie running backs are frequently targeted: Ashton Jeanty is in Tier 2 with established stars De'Von Achane, Christian McCaffrey, and Derrick Henry.

The fourth tier might be one of the biggest traps for fantasy drafters: volume-based backs with possible ceiling limitations, which include the Indianapolis Colts' Jonathan Taylor; the Los Angeles Rams' Kyren Williams; and the Green Bay Packers' Josh Jacobs.

Jeanty and fellow rookie Omarion Hampton (Los Angeles Chargers) immediately land in position for many RB1-type weeks. Other rookies face murky situations: TreVeyon Henderson (New England Patriots), RJ Harvey (Denver Broncos), and Kaleb Johnson (Pittsburgh Steelers) face down veteran alternatives who may at least steal split work or take the lead in their respective backfields.

These fantasy football running back rankings are based on leagues with 1 point each per 10 rushing yards and 10 receiving yards, 6 points for rushing and receiving touchdowns, and 1 point per reception.

Rk	Tr	Player Name	TM	Bye
1	1	Bijan Robinson	ATL	5
2	1	Jahmyr Gibbs	DET	8
3	1	Saquon Barkley	PHI	9
4	2	De'Von Achane	MIA	12
5	2	Christian McCaffrey	SF	14
6	2	Ashton Jeanty	LV	8
7	2	Derrick Henry	BAL	7
8	3	Breece Hall	NYJ	9
9	3	Bucky Irving	TB	9
10	3	Chase Brown	CIN	10
11	4	Jonathan Taylor	IND	11
12	4	Josh Jacobs	GB	5
13	4	Kyren Williams	LAR	8
14	5	Omarion Hampton	LAC	12
15	5	Alvin Kamara	NO	11
16	5	Kenneth Walker III	SEA	8
17	5	James Cook	BUF	7
18	6	Chuba Hubbard	CAR	14
19	6	James Conner	ARI	8
20	6	Aaron Jones	MIN	6
21	7	D'Andre Swift	CHI	5
22	7	TreVeyon Henderson	NE	14
23	7	Joe Mixon	HOU	6
24	7	David Montgomery	DET	8
25	8	Tony Pollard	TEN	10
26	8	Brian Robinson Jr.	WAS	12
27	8	Isiah Pacheco	KC	10
28	8	Brian Robinson Jr.	WAS	12
29	8	Jaylen Warren	PIT	5
30	8	RJ Harvey	DEN	12
31	8	Travis Etienne Jr.	JAC	8
32	8	Jaylen Warren	PIT	5
33	8	Jordan Mason	MIN	6
34	8	Kaleb Johnson	PIT	5
35	9	Tyrone Tracy Jr.	NYG	14
36	9	J.K. Dobbins	DEN	12
37	9	Cam Skattebo	NYG	14
38	9	Tyjae Spears	TEN	10
39	9	Quinshon Judkins	CLE	9
40	9	Jaydon Blue	DAL	10
41	10	Ray Davis	BUF	7
42	10	Rhamondre Stevenson	NE	14
43	10	Zach Charbonnet	SEA	8
44	10	Najee Harris	LAC	12
45	11	Rico Dowdle	CAR	14
46	11	Javonte Williams	DAL	10
47	11	Rachaad White	TB	9
48	11	Isaac Guerendo	SF	14
49	12	Trey Benson	ARI	8
50	12	Austin Ekeler	WAS	12
51	12	Braelon Allen	NYJ	9
52	12	Tank Bigsby	JAC	8
53	12	Dylan Sampson	CLE	9
54	12	Bhayshul Tuten	JAC	8
55	13	Jaylen Wright	MIA	12
56	13	Jerome Ford	CLE	9
57	13	Nick Chubb	HOU	6
58	13	Keaton Mitchell	BAL	7
59	13	Tyler Allgeier	ATL	5
60	14	Brashard Smith	KC	10
61	14	Jarquez Hunter	LAR	8
62	14	Roschon Johnson	CHI	5
63	14	Jordan James	SF	14
64	14	Woody Marks	HOU	6
65	14	Blake Corum	LAR	8
66	14	Sean Tucker	TB	9
67	15	MarShawn Lloyd	GB	5
68	15	Kyle Monangai	CHI	5
69	15	DJ Giddens	IND	11
70	15	Will Shipley	PHI	9
71	15	Isaiah Davis	NYJ	9
72	15	Trevor Etienne	CAR	14
73	15	Tahj Brooks	CIN	10
74	15	Emanuel Wilson	GB	5
75	15	Kareem Hunt	KC	10
76	15	Justice Hill	BAL	7
77	15	Devin Neal	NO	11
78	15	Jacory Croskey-Merritt	WAS	12
79	15	Raheem Mostert	LV	8
80	16	Kendre Miller	NO	11
81	16	Miles Sanders	DAL	10
82	16	Jaleel McLaughlin	DEN	12
83	16	Ollie Gordon II	MIA	12
84	16	Dameon Pierce	HOU	6
85	16	Devin Singletary	NYG	14
86	16	Kenneth Gainwell	PIT	5
87	16	Kimani Vidal	LAC	12
88	17	Audric Estime	DEN	12
89	17	Elijah Mitchell	KC	10
90	17	Samaje Perine	CIN	10
91	17	Antonio Gibson	NE	14
92	17	Ty Johnson	BUF	7
93	17	Ty Chandler	MIN	6
94	17	Zamir White	LV	8
95	17	A.J. Dillon	PHI	9
96	17	Trey Sermon	PIT	5
97	17	Emari Demercado	ARI	8
98	17	Craig Reynolds	DET	8
99	17	Khalil Herbert	IND	11
100	17	Phil Mafah	DAL	10

FULL FANTASY RANKINGS: Top 300 Players PPR Cheat Sheet | QB

Should Saquon Barkley be the top fantasy running back drafted in 2025?

The biggest concern is Barkley's 492 combined touches across the regular season (388) and postseason. The workload, offensive system, and skill set would, all things equal, squarely position Barkley within the top three picks.

Of course, a drop-off in performance following such a busy season is a safe bet for a 28-year-old running back.

Even with Barkley's historic 2024, Gibbs was the highest-scoring running back in PPR formats, and with his role with the Detroit Lions likely involving more slot-receiving work, Gibbs could repeat the feat. 

The argument could be made for Barkley to leapfrog Gibbs in non-PPR settings. While both RBs have to share goal-line and red-zone work (Barkley with Jalen Hurts, Gibbs with David Montgomery), Barkley's ground work generally puts him ahead of Gibbs and his frequent reliance on receptions.

Should I draft using the Zero-RB, Hero-RB, or Robust RB strategy?

While this author prefers to leave drafts with at least two running backs in the first four rounds, let's examine the approach for each strategy for drafting fantasy RBs.

Zero-RB Overview

One of the trendiest fantasy strategies, widely reported to have been founded by RotoViz's Shawn Siegele, suggests drafters wait to draft their first running back until somewhere near Round 7.

Avoiding the injury risk that plagues the running back position, Zero-RB theorizes, positions fantasy managers to stack elite names at wide receiver and/or tight end before addressing the backfield for the first time in the middle rounds, when the return on investment could be much higher with little pot investment.

The ideal Zero-RB targets could be in position to seize control of a backfield as either a direct backup; a 1B option to a 1A in a timeshare; or an undervalued contributor largely ignored by those chasing studs. Ideally, targets would have the upside to deliver consistent weekly fantasy RB1 numbers should they enter a starting role.

Top Zero-RB targets for 2025 drafts

• D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
• Brian Robinson Jr., Washington Commanders
• Travis Etienne/Tank Bigsby/Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
• Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers
• J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
• Javonte Williams/Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys
• Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals

READ OUR FULL LIST: RB sleepers for 2025 drafts

Hero RB Overview

The Hero RB fantasy strategy takes a differing approach to Zero-RB while maintaining the risk aversion to the position overall.

Hero RB posits that a fantasy player draft a single, top running back, then wait until the middle rounds to acquire more reasonably priced options a la Zero-RB. 

Robust RB Overview

Robust RB goes back to the old school, rattling off at least three backs in the first four rounds. 

Its disciples still heavily invest in the position despite its health and role risks, due to the assumed volume trumping all other factors in building a fantasy team.