5 Rookie Running Backs YOU Must Draft in Fantasy Football 2025

Must Draft Rookie RBs for 2025 fantasy football!

The 2025 fantasy football season is shaping up to be a breakout year for rookie running backs. These fresh faces bring speed, power, upside, and league-winning potential. In this episode of the Fantasy Football Counselor podcast, I sat down with Walter from WalterFootball.com to break down five rookie running backs we absolutely love heading into your fantasy football drafts.

Whether you’re playing in redraft, best ball, or dynasty, these names need to be on your radar. Let’s dive into these potential league-winners and uncover what makes them special.

1. Ashton Jeanty – Las Vegas Raiders

Why We Love Him:

• Explosive 4.4 speed
• Workhorse size: 5’9″, 215 lbs
• Elite tackle-shedding and burst
• Dominated in college with over 370 touches

Fantasy Insight: Jeanty is being drafted early (even as high as 1.06 in some drafts), which speaks volumes about his hype. While some argue his ADP is too high, the path to immediate volume is wide open in Las Vegas. The depth chart is barren (Zamir White, Sincere McCormick, Dylan Laube) and the Raiders are desperate for a true RB1.

The biggest plus? Pete Carroll’s son is the run game coordinator, and you better believe they’re going to feed the guy they drafted to succeed. Expect Jeanty to flirt with 300+ touches as a rookie.

Draft Range: Late Round 1 to Early Round 2

2. TreVeyon Henderson – New England Patriots

Why We Love Him:

• Pass protection specialist
• Reliable hands for PPR formats
• Great value in Rounds 6-7

Fantasy Insight: While Rhamondre Stevenson is still around, he’s not elite, and Henderson brings more juice. Henderson is pro-ready, especially in passing situations, making him an excellent floor play with upside.

Some high-stakes drafters are taking Henderson as early as Round 4 in TE premium formats, but he’s a much better value if you can snag him in the 6th or 7th round. He may start the year in a 1B role, but could easily take over full-time duties down the stretch.

Draft Range: Round 6-7 in most formats

3. R.J. Harvey – Denver Broncos

Why We Love Him:

• Speed, agility, and cutting ability
• Minimal backfield competition
• Huge sleeper upside

Fantasy Insight: Harvey is the definition of a potential league-winner. He has 4.4 speed, elite agility, and looks like the complete package on film. The Broncos love him, and there’s almost no serious competition behind him.

However, some scouting notes show that he may dance too much behind the line of scrimmage and lacks polish in pass protection. There are also rumors of Travis Etienne possibly landing in Denver, which could muddy things. Still, Harvey offers incredible upside if things go right.

Draft Range: Round 5-7, depending on format

4. Bhayshul Tuten – Jacksonville Jaguars

Why We Love Him:

• Fastest RB at the NFL Combine (4.32 40-yard dash)
• New regime in Jacksonville
• Low risk, high reward at current ADP

Fantasy Insight: Tuten is a true sleeper. With Etienne possibly on the trade block and Tank Bigsby underwhelming, Tuten could quickly become the lead back. New coaching staff + new draft pick = opportunity.

Concerns around fumbles exist, but as Walter points out, this can often be corrected with coaching. If his usage trends upward during camp, Tuten’s ADP will skyrocket. Right now, he’s a fantasy lottery ticket in Round 10-12.

Draft Range: Round 10-12

5. Kaleb Johnson – Pittsburgh Steelers

Why We Love Him:

• Elite instincts and vision
• No true competition from Jaylen Warren
• Huge volume freed up from Najee Harris departure

Fantasy Insight: Kaleb Johnson is a beast. With 263+ carries vacated by Najee Harris and only Jaylen Warren to beat (who couldn’t take over the job in 2024), Johnson is walking into a golden opportunity.

Despite Arthur Smith’s reputation for mismanaging running backs (cough Bijan cough), the Steelers used significant draft capital on Johnson. He’s a natural runner who should thrive behind an improving O-line.

Draft Range: Round 6-7 in best ball, Round 5-6 in redraft

Final Thoughts

There you have it: five rookie running backs that could help you dominate your 2025 fantasy football league. Whether you go bold with Jeanty in Round 1 or grab high-upside stashes like Tuten late, this is a class worth investing in.

Stay ahead of your league. Don’t follow the consensus. Draft with confidence.

✅ Grab the 16 Rounds Draft Solution to dominate your league. Use code WIN to save.

🎯 And be sure to check out our guest’s site: WalterFootball.com — the #1 source for accurate NFL mock drafts, inside league info, and next-level analysis.