As we prepare for the NFL Draft in the next couple of weeks, we have had a chance to digest all the information from the Senior Bowl, East vs West Shrine game, the NFL Combine, and a Pro Day events, so what does the running back landscape look like in 2025? This has been talked about as a possible all-time great running back class. It will be years before we actually know if this class lives up to those incredibly high expectations. In the meantime, we are going to break down this class for all your fantasy football purposes.
There are some absolute studs at the top of this RB class. How many could possibly go in the first round or on day two of the draft? That’s a question I will tackle later in this series. But more than just the elite running backs at the top of this class, it is being talked about as a league changer because of the sheer depth of this class. I’m not sure I have seen an RB class this good and this deep in my 15+ years of playing dynasty fantasy football.
Draft capital and landing spots are always important, especially for running backs, but it might swing what order this class of RBs goes in fantasy drafts more than in any year I can remember. Outside of the top four or five RBs in this class, RB6-RB20 are all jumbled together at the moment. There are positives and negatives about all of the prospects. We have running backs of all shapes and sizes and a variety of skill sets.
There is a legitimate chance that this running back class will reshape the RB position in dynasty fantasy football for the next four to five years, with players from this class taking over major fantasy roles as early as their rookie seasons.
I am going to run down my top RBs in the class as well as go through my favorite sleepers in this series. I will be using DLF’s March 2025 ADP to determine each player’s current ranking. From there, I will analyze and rank the rookie running backs in this year’s draft and decide where we should be looking to take them in your rookie drafts.
Why should you listen to me? What are my credentials you ask? Good question. Before writing for DLF, I had extensive experience as a sports journalist covering top-level high school football, Division 1 college football in the Big 10, Big 12, and SEC, and I also spent time covering the NFL. After that I spent seven years as a high school varsity running backs coach at my alma mater among other schools. I have learned what characteristics make elite running backs and what causes players to not reach their potential.
I have spent the last few years playing in CFF, C2C, and devy leagues to get a better grasp of the players coming out of college before they come into the NFL. As is the case with any evaluator, I have my hits and misses. But I am confident in my assessment of these players and their possible success in the NFL.
Now, I would like to introduce you to my grading system for this year’s rankings. This will help you to see where I rank the rookie running backs compared to their ADP on DLF. Below is the ranking system I will be using as well as each grade’s definition.
Grading System:
- A = Elite – Early to late first-round NFL pick
- B = NFL starter – Day two selection, second or third-round pick
- C = RBBC, needs an opportunity – Day three selection, fourth or fifth-round pick
- D = Backup or Specialty back – Day three selection, sixth or seventh-round pick
- F = Longshot – Late pick or undrafted free agent
Rookie ADP RB1
Jeanty leads a remarkable running back class. He is clear and away the crown jewel of this outstanding group.
