Top-10 Fantasy Football Running Backs for 2025: Will Jahmyr Gibbs Lead the Way?

Let's continue our way-too-early fantasy football rankings for 2025 with the running back position.

We looked at quarterbacks and tight ends already. Again, we'll look at things using a PPR format. Check back soon for my wide receiver rankings.

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The Top-Four Backs

The top four backs separated themselves in 2024, and I think the same four will be there again in 2025.

Philadelphia's Saquon Barkley is the No. 1 back in my books for 2025. He averaged the most points among RBs in PPR leagues and I think he leads the way again this season.

Philly is basically running it back after winning it all, and I'd expect another monster season from Barkley as a result.

Atlanta's Bijan Robinson is my No. 2 back for 2025.

He averaged the third-most points last season, but I think he takes a small step forward in his third NFL season. Atlanta won't turn into a pass-heavy team, especially with Michael Penix Jr. leading the way, so Robinson should benefit from that and turn in a monster year again.

Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs takes my third spot for the upcoming season.

He averaged the second-most points among backs last season, but I think he, and the Lions' offense overall, takes a small step backward without their coordinator from the past few seasons. Gibbs is still going to be a great fantasy asset, but I see him coming in third.

Baltimore's Derrick Henry remains the No. 4 running back for me after averaging the fourth-most points last season.

Most are expecting a decrease in touchdowns from him this season, and that's certainly possible. However, even if he scores a couple times less, I still think he's going to finish fourth, because he was so many points ahead of everyone else last year.

Everyone Else

Las Vegas' Ashton Jeanty is my No. 5 back, and is definitely capable of finishing higher than this by the end of the season. 

I am most comfortable putting him fifth for now, but could definitely change my mind by the time the season rolls around. He should be heavily utilized in a Raiders' offense lacking a ton of offensive talent otherwise.

I'll take Miami's De'Von Achane in my No. 6 spot.

He averaged the sixth-most points last season, and I think he'll produce at a similar level again in 2025. Achane might even be a bigger focal point of the offense as the Dolphins look to switch things up from last year's disappointing finish.

San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey finally appears in my No. 7 spot.

I try not to let injuries affect my rankings, but how can it not when discussing CMC? He's not getting any younger and has dealt with several injuries over the years now. 

He has the chance to outproduce my ranking by several spots, but also be a major bust again if he deals with injuries. Thus, the No. 7 spot.

Green Bay's Josh Jacobs gets the No. 8 spot in my book.

He averaged the eighth-most PPR points among backs in 2024, and I think he's got another monster season in him. He too could see a decrease in touchdowns, but a bump in yardage could offset a few less scores.

Indianapolis' Jonathan Taylor lands in my No. 9 spot.

He averaged the sixth-most points per game among backs in 2024, but I think he takes a step back on an offense lacking a difference-maker at quarterback. His injury woes also make the ranking more solidified in my mind.

Tampa Bay's Bucky Irving gets the No. 10 spot for me.

He was great while splitting the workload in 2024, and I think he's going to be a huge fantasy asset in 2025. I really wanted to put him higher than 10th, but just couldn't slide anyone else down.

Top-10 RB Rankings

1. Saquon Barkley
2. Bijan Robinson
3. Jahmyr Gibbs
4. Derrick Henry
5. Ashton Jeanty
6. De'Von Achane
7. Christian McCaffrey
8. Josh Jacobs
9. Jonathan Taylor
10. Bucky Irving