Utilizing tiers in fantasy football provides several strategic advantages beyond simple rankings. Rankings are linear, but tiers group players of similar value together. This helps you recognize when there's a big drop-off in talent, so you don't overreact to slight differences in rank. For example, if multiple wide receivers are left in a tier but only one player in the current running-back tier, you're more likely to take the running back before that tier is eliminated.
We'll cover every positional tier as the preseason progresses; today, we examine running backs.
RB Draft Strategy Cliff's Notes
- There should be at least one running back you are willing to take a stand for at ADP in the first and second round range and another one in the fourth- and fifth-round range.
- There are also values to be had later, but you'll like the wide receivers better in at least the sixth and seventh rounds.
- A few backs projected to lead their team in touches are going outside of the top six or seven rounds. Target one of them to be your RB3.
- Get a few lottery tickets with clear paths to lead back roles in case of injury or unknown upside in the late rounds.
The 7 Best Values at Running Back
- Chase Brown, CIN
- Tyrone Tracy Jr., NYG
- Alvin Kamara, NO
- Zach Charbonnet, SEA
- Derrick Henry, BAL
- Jordan Mason, MIN
- Trey Benson, ARI
- Rhamondre Stevenson, NE
7 Running Backs to Avoid at ADP
- De'Von Achane, MIA
- Omarion Hampton, LAC
- Breece Hall, NYJ
- Isiah Pacheco, KC
- Kaleb Johnson, PIT
- Cam Skattebo, NYG
- Najee Harris, LAC
- Quinshon Judkins, CLE
8 Running Backs to Target in the Late Rounds
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt, WAS
- Rico Dowdle, CAR
- Kyle Monangai, CHI
- Will Shipley, PHI
- Sean Tucker, TB
- Tahj Brooks, CIN
- Justice Hill, BAL
- Blake Corum, LAR
2025 Running Back Tiers
Elite RB1s
- Saquon Barkley, PHI
- Bijan Robinson, ATL
- Jahmyr Gibbs, DET
These backs are the engines of their offenses. They are either on the upslope side of their career curves or in their primes. Their situations are good to great. Any of them could finish as the #1 back. Expect them to go off the board in this order: Robinson, Barkley, and Gibbs. But be willing to take a stand for whichever you believe in.
Barkley showed what he can do with a great line in front of him last year. He's a reasonable pick at #1 overall, given the cost and supply of running back production in fantasy leagues. If you're looking for a reason to sell Barkley, it's fair to wonder if he can reach the same level coming off a 378-touch regular season followed by a 104-touch postseason.
Robinson has had to deal with the turbulence of bad quarterback play and Arthur Smith, but he is cleared for takeoff with Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback, Zac Robinson running the offense, and a strong supporting cast. A year from now, Robinson could be the consensus #1 pick.
Gibbs was Robinson's equal last year, but in any given week, David Montgomery is more likely to vulture touchdowns from Gibbs than Tyler Allgeier is to vulture scores from Robinson. Gibbs is a strong fantasy RB1, but he's essentially in a timeshare backfield, which limits his season-long ceiling to below that of the elite backs unless David Montgomery misses significant time. He and the Lions offense are good enough to make that not matter when the dust settles.