🥇 Tier 1: Elite Every-Week RB1s
1. Saquon Barkley – Philadelphia Eagles
A historic 2024 campaign saw Barkley eclipse 2,000 rushing yards and 16 TDs. Now in a dominant offense with minimal backfield threat, he’s the overall RB1 in most formats.
2. Bijan Robinson – Atlanta Falcons
A do-it-all back with top-tier usage. Bijan racked up over 1,600 scrimmage yards and should get even more receiving work under the new offensive coordinator.
3. Jahmyr Gibbs – Detroit Lions
Led the league in TDs in 2024. With 1,412 rushing yards and elite receiving chops, Gibbs is a PPR dream and top-3 lock in all drafts.
🧱 Tier 2: Reliable Veterans with High Ceilings
4. Derrick Henry – Baltimore Ravens
Now paired with Lamar Jackson, Henry still averaged 4.8 YPC and scored 13 TDs last year. The Ravens’ run-first scheme gives him a strong floor even in PPR.
5. Jonathan Taylor – Indianapolis Colts
Back to full health and form, Taylor tallied over 1,400 rushing yards in 2024. He remains one of the most explosive runners in football.
6. Josh Jacobs – Green Bay Packers
Volume, touchdowns, and a revamped Packers offense. Jacobs scored 15 TDs and caught 42 passes in 2024, cementing his RB1 status.
🚀 Tier 3: Breakouts & Rookie Upside
7. Kyren Williams – Los Angeles Rams
A breakout 2024 season (1,299 rushing yards, 11 TDs) earned him every-down work. Rams’ offense is trending up, and Kyren is their workhorse.
8. James Cook – Buffalo Bills
Took a leap in 2024, averaging over 16 PPR points per game. Cook gets consistent targets and red-zone looks—key for PPR formats.
9. Ashton Jeanty – Las Vegas Raiders
The top rookie RB from Boise State, Jeanty brings 3-down ability and has already been compared to Bijan. Should be a Week 1 starter.
10. Isaac Guerendo – TBD
Deep-league sleeper turned breakout candidate. NFL.com lists him among the top fantasy RB values due to expected workload in a shallow depth chart.
📊 RB Comparison Table
| Rank | Player | Team | 2024 Yards | 2024 TDs | 3-Year Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saquon Barkley | PHI | 2,018 | 16 | Consistent elite; new team boost |
| 2 | Bijan Robinson | ATL | 1,612 | 13 | High floor + huge PPR ceiling |
| 3 | Jahmyr Gibbs | DET | 1,925 | 17 | Led NFL in TDs |
| 4 | Derrick Henry | BAL | 1,344 | 13 | Still dominant, even at age 31 |
| 5 | Jonathan Taylor | IND | 1,431 | 11 | Fully healthy & trusted again |
| 6 | Josh Jacobs | GB | 1,329 | 15 | Bell-cow role in improving offense |
| 7 | Kyren Williams | LAR | 1,299 | 11 | Breakout performer in 2024 |
| 8 | James Cook | BUF | 1,022 | 7 | Receiving role growing |
| 9 | Ashton Jeanty | LV | Rookie | N/A | Fantasy-ready prospect |
| 10 | Isaac Guerendo | TBD | Rookie | N/A | Deep sleeper with clear path |
🧠 Strategy Notes
- Draft early and solidify RB1 with one of the top 3: Barkley, Bijan, Gibbs.
- Round 2–4 values like Taylor and Jacobs offer consistency with league-winning upside.
- Rookies Jeanty and Guerendo should be targeted in Rounds 6–9 depending on camp buzz and depth chart.
💬 Final Thoughts
Running backs are trending toward youth and pass-catching versatility in 2025. If you miss out on an elite early, target workload-first runners like Kyren or Jacobs—or strike gold with Jeanty.
What’s your RB draft strategy this year? Drop a comment below or explore our full 2025 Fantasy Football Rankings.
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