Fantasy Football: 2025 RB Rankings - Part 1 (20-11)

By Martin Richardson

Well, what a difference a year can make. So much has changed in the RB market and way that they are treated after a great 2024 season. We had break out stars with players like Bucky Irving making big plays by the end of the season and players like Chase Brown showing us that the fantasy waiver wire can make a huge difference in those league matchups. But we also had those seasoned pros and veterans who took the gambles to move on to pastures new, such as Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley, and proved to those doubters that this still is a running back league and that in terms of Fantasy Football, that is not changing any time soon. 

And now that we have had the 2025 draft, the likes of new Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty, and Chargers back Omarion Hampton, have entered the Fantasy Football chat and they will forge their own legacies and dynasties around the land. With that in mind, it’s never too early to look at the impact these rookies, and indeed those veterans, have had on the way we look on some Fantasy Football rankings for the 2025 season.

20. BREECE HALL

There has been rumours and rumblings of being on the trade block and that he’s surplus to requirements, but I’m not sure anyone would make that move. All the teams above him on this list have a good to great RB and what would they give up now get him? So even if he ends up staying with the Jets, he’s so productive and will be this coming season. The only concern may be from a fantasy point of view is that the new OC is from the Lions and they loved a committee system more than anyone. Last season there were reports that he didn’t practice on occasions, so I wonder if he really fits what the Jets are wanting to achieve. Its certainly one to watch when camp starts.

19. Kyren williams

I was one of those that picked up Williams on the waiver wire when Nick Chubb got injured and I never looked back. I was also one of those people who was devastated when I was sniped to pick him last year. So, to have Williams so low hurts. We all knew there would be a drop off after that breakout year. But it was perhaps a bit more of a drop off than expected. Sean McVay doesn’t seem convinced he has his RB1 at the Rams and this makes me worry that he will maybe just be make it as an RB2 in Fantasy football. Another draft pick at RB in the draft makes me wonder if Williams is going to be Williams’d by someone like Blake Corum or rookie Jarquez Hunter later down the line.

18. kenneth walker iii

In 2024, Walker suffered from a terrible O line, and this was a massive factor in his down year. Now in 2025, they have tried to make it better so hopefully he is on for a better season this year. A new QB has arrived in the form of Sam Darnold, so we’ll have to see what impact that will have; but Klint Kubiak coming in should help too with the plays the Seahawks want to run. Beware of the person who thinks that Zach Charbonnet is the one to overtake him. I’m not sure that will happen any time soon.

17. aaron jones

After a solid, but not remarkable season, Jones was paid well by the Vikings to be their main back. Yes, they decided to trade for Jordan Mason, an insurance if Jones has those fumbles, but I don’t think that will impact him too much; Mason is a perennial back up and I don’t think it Jones loses any form of camp battle. You also have to think that with no more Sam Darnold and a rookie QB, coming off an injury, they may well run it just that little but more.

16. Omarion Hampton

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Someone will take a gamble here and once he goes, people in your league will watch with interest. There will be someone who sees him as an RB2 from week 1, and his talent is there for sure. There is the small matter of Najee Harris in the building in LA to take some snaps early on and could limit his production, which is also fair. But, there will be some leagues where he is a late round stash. Some outlets have him less than 800 yards, which doesn’t help you if you are picking him to make a difference. I’m happy to be wrong and wouldn’t be surprised if he does more than these post draft predictions as Harris hasn’t exactly excelled of late.

15. Alvin Kamara

Kamara is here because of his fantasy legacy, because God knows what the Saints will look like in 2025. It’s because of this that he will slip down the rankings, but Kamara is always good for Fantasy points and therefore will be better value once those premium picks are off the board across every position. Keep an eye on him and if he drops, pounce and reap the rewards.

14. Chuba Hubbard

With a new deal on the table during last season, and solid numbers in Fantasy, Hubbard probably helped people win their leagues. This season, he’ in line to match his production with only Rico Dowdle as a backup (no Brooks again this season as Canales botched that situation up to lead to injury) so he’s not worried about losing carries in 2025. They have maintained their O Line and offense in general, so he should have another good season for the Panthers. What may well keep him lower down in the pecking order is he is victim to being on a poor 2024 team, so people will think he is not worth the risk, which could benefit the seasoned Fantasy players by sneaking away with a potential steal.

13. James Cook

There is always one and this year it’s James Cook. A year away from free agency and he wants a bumper new deal. He did attend mandatory mini-camp, so he’s not holding out. Yet. There is no talk that a deal is close and coaches are already sowing seeds of ‘he needs to improve X and Y’ which doesn’t exactly suggest a harmonious return to 2025.  Should it all get sorted, in 2024 he was getting more touches near the goal line, and he is that dual threat that Fantasy owners love. The Bills have stayed the same as last year, so he will be another good pick up in the second round of your draft. Just watch that contract situation though as you get closer to your draft.

12. Chase Brown

What a waiver pick up he was. Brown proved to be the better back as the season progressed, with talking heads thrashing out whether or not Zach Moss was preferred option. Moss is still there, but he shouldn’t devalue Brown’s Fantasy stock. In 2025, he will be used well by Burrow and the Bengals again I’m sure. He survived the draft with them taking Shemar Stewart and not an RB like Omarion Hampton or TreVeyon Henderson, which helps his stock massively in Fantasy. The only issue is that the O line is not ideal for him and Burrow. I suppose that’s what happening when you pay your receivers elite money and everyone else pennies on the dollar.

11. Joe Mixon

This guy is Mr Dependable and unlucky not to break into the Top 10 really. He has massive volume when it comes to running the ball, with only 36 catches; and with a new O line and new coordinator (Nick Caley) in the mix too, he is in line for another solid year. Look to take him in the second round if your premium first round pick was a top WR. Then you can rest easy that you’ve got solid points coming your way every week.

MARTIN RICHARDSON

NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST

A Yorkshireman living in Lancashire, Martin is a massive NFL fan but his heart belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also a huge Fantasy Football enthusiast and spends far too long crunching the numbers! Follow him at @MRBucsFan31

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