Top 5 Must-Have Running Backs for Fantasy Football 2025

Must Draft Fantasy Football Rbs 2025

Fantasy Football 2025 is heating up, and if you’re serious about winning your league, this is the most important article you’ll read today. We’re breaking down five must-draft running backs that are in prime position to explode this season. From volume hogs to breakout rookies, these are the RBs you need to lock in.

Must-Have Fantasy RBs 2025:

1. Bijan Robinson
2. Kyren Williams
3. RJ Harvey
4. Kaleb Johnson
5. Ashton Jeanty

This list is based on volume, upside, talent, and situation. Forget copy-and-paste rankings — these are the RBs that will win your league. Let’s dive into why they are in a prime position to dominate for you fantasy teams this NFL season.

First overall for 2025? (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire)

Bijan Robinson (Atlanta Falcons)

Why You Must Draft Him:

• Finished 3rd in fantasy points among RBs last season
• 4th in rushing attempts, proving the volume is there
• 4.8 YPC and 14 TDs on the ground

Bijan is now free from the shackles of Arthur Smith’s offense. The Falcons offense looks more balanced, and the team is all-in on Bijan as their workhorse. He has RB1 overall upside and remains the safest early-round running back in 2025. If you want elite consistency with top-3 potential, Bijan is your guy.

Durable, young, talented and no committee. There really isn’t anything else you can ask for. As long as Bijan stays healthy, you are looking at a major fantasy football producer here. He must be drafted on all fantasy rosters in 2025 and make sure he is on yours as well!

Kyren Williams (Los Angeles Rams)

Why You Must Draft Him:

• RB13 – Round 2-3 ADP (great value!)
• 316 rushing attempts (3rd most in NFL) He will eat!
• 14 TDs, over 1,200 yards last year.

Kyren is one of the best value picks in 2025. Despite dominating in 2024, he’s still being undervalued. He’s the centerpiece of Sean McVay’s offense, and with no serious competition in the backfield, you can count on another high-volume season. Drafting him as your RB2 is a championship move.

Kyren has that dog mentality and we know he can maintain that high volume level and produce on a high level. He is hungry to give you a ton of fantasy points this 2025 NFL season. The value is not terrible sitting as RB 13. That is around the 3rd round! Grab him and don’t look back!

RJ Harvey (Denver Broncos)

Why You Must Draft Him:

• 232 college attempts, 22 TDs, 6.8 YPC
• 4th-round pick in high-stakes leagues
• No competition for lead role in Denver

Harvey is explosive, powerful, and perfectly built for a three-down role. The Broncos are desperate for a true workhorse, and Harvey checks every box. His ADP is still reasonable, but it won’t stay that way. Draft him now before the hype catches up.

There really isn’t a better situation that Harvey could have landed in. The Broncos are looking for a guy to be that workhorse. They tried it with Royce Freeman years ago and then with Williams last year. They finally got it right with Harvey, as he offers much better talent upside than all the guys that have come before him. The perfect fantasy football RB storm is brewing in Denver and Harvey is in the mix!

Kaleb Johnson (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Why You Must Draft Him:

• 240 college carries, 21 TDs
• Steelers backfield is wide open
• Warren isn’t the guy — Johnson is

Johnson’s situation is ideal. Najee is fading and gone, Warren isn’t a lead back, and Johnson brings elite-level production and vision. Arthur Smith may be the OC, but Mike Tomlin knows how to run a workhorse system. This rookie could be this year’s breakout star. He’s trending up fast.

At the time of the article in June, you can get Kaleb after round 6! This is massive value for a guy that easily finish as a top 5-10 fantasy football running back in 2025. I love the oppportunity here and there is a clear path to RB1 that no one can stop. Najee is gone and the frees up 263 attempts Najee didn’t even deserve those attempts. So I can’t even imagine the upside and volume that Kaleb Johnson will get this year. Make sure you draft him on all rosters without hesitation!

Kaleb Johnson has top 5 Fantasy RB potential!(Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire)

Ashton Jeanty (Las Vegas Raiders)

Why You Must Draft Him:

• Legit 1.01 potential
• Workhorse role locked in
• Dual-threat RB with high-volume upside

Jeanty is a star in the making. With the Raiders committing to him as their featured back and a revamped offense to support him, the ceiling is sky-high. Explosiveness, catching ability, and vision make him a rare rookie talent. He might be the most bulletproof fantasy pick in 2025.

I am all in on the young man becuase he has everything I am looking for in a fantasy RB. Volume, talent and major upside. I can’t image drafting anyone else if Bijan is off the board. Gotta have me some Jeanty in the fantasy football 2025 year!

Final Thoughts: Why These 5 RBs Are GOLD

All five of these running backs offer:

• Volume-heavy roles
• Clear paths to opportunity
• Proven production or college dominance
• High upside with manageable draft cost

Don’t waste early picks on RBs in committees or trending down. Draft these must-have RBs and secure your championship foundation.

🔗 Related Links:

• Grab the 16 Rounds Draft Kit – Dominate 2025
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⚠️ Bonus Tip:

Don’t fall for consensus rankings. Rankings won’t help you win your leagues, so you need to think outside the box if you want to win your leagues. Study player situations, draft with confidence, and always stay ahead of your league. Grab Kyren, Bijan, Jeanty, Johnson, and Harvey — and you’ll be holding the trophy in 2025.