The 2025 NFL Draft is officially behind us, and now it’s time to make sense of this much-talked-about rookie running back class and its landscape. With landing spots and draft capital locked in, we finally have the full picture, and for fantasy managers, this is where the real work begins.
Some rookie backs landed in ideal situations with a clear path to touches. Others are stuck behind veterans and battling for a position on the depth chart. As always, opportunity, talent, and draft investment will shape how we value these players in dynasty.
Let’s break down this 2025 rookie running back class tiers by tier and their dynasty outlooks:
Tier 1: “Generational” Talent?!
Jeanty has been a major topic of conversation this off-season, with many debating whether he deserves to be considered a “generational” talent. In my opinion, the answer is… yes! He was exceptionally productive throughout his college career, and his final 2024 season was nothing short of dominant as he crushed nearly every key efficiency metric before declaring for the NFL Draft. That production paid off when he was selected sixth overall by the Las Vegas Raiders.
In my opinion, Jeanty couldn’t have landed in a better situation. The new-look Raiders offense, led by head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, seems tailor-made for his skill set. Both coaches have a long history of emphasizing a strong run game and I wouldn’t be shocked if Jeanty finishes near the top of the league in rushing attempts as early as his rookie year.
From a fantasy football perspective, he’s already a top-three dynasty running back and a set-and-forget option in lineups from day one.
Tier 2: Patience Is A Virtue
This tier is particularly intriguing, as both Hampton and Henderson entered the draft process as two of the most highly regarded running back prospects in the class but despite being selected early in the NFL Draft (Hampton at pick 22 and Henderson at pick 38) each landed in a situation where they’ll face early competition for touches, tempering immediate expectations.
