The 2025 NFL Draft is still a ways away. A lot can and will change between now and then. Nevertheless, dynasty fantasy football season is upon us. The NFL Combine is here and it’s time to dive into these rookies. This year’s running back class is supposed to be a good one. Here are our latest 2025 dynasty rookie running back rankings.
Top Rookies Running Backs To Draft in Dynasty Leagues
1) Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Those arguing Ashton Jeanty should have won the Heisman certainly have a strong case to make. What Jeanty did this season was otherworldly.
The Boise State product ran the ball 344 times for 2,497 yards and 29 touchdowns. He led the nation in attempts and yards for the second consecutive year.
There were no running backs selected in the first round of last year’s NFL Draft, but we could very well see Jeanty get first-round draft capital in 2025. Wherever he lands, it will likely be on an RB-needy team ready to install him as their starter.
2) Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
By the time we get to April, we may very well consider Kaleb Johnson the consensus RB2 in this class. If you read my December 2024 mock, you may have noticed I already made the swap, bumping him up ahead of Omarion Hampton.
While obviously far less prolific than Jeanty, Johnson was hamstrung by a much less explosive Iowa offense. Even so, he still managed to run for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns, both leading the Big Ten. Mind you, this is a conference that also featured two Ohio State running backs that could go on Day 2.
Johnson profiles as a classic two-down grinder. However, he progressed considerably as a receiver in his junior year, hauling in 22 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. If Johnson can continue advancing as a receiver, he has a chance to be a real difference-maker in fantasy.
There’s an argument for Johnson over Jeanty, but I’m not there right now. Athletic testing at the NFL Combine, as well as what we hear about these prospects as we get closer to the NFL Draft, could change my mind. However, if Jeanty’s draft capital is significantly higher than the other backs in this class, it will be difficult to move him out of the No. 1 spot.
3) Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
If you look at Hampton’s sophomore and junior seasons, you might think you’re seeing double. He averaged exactly 5.9 yards per carry and scored 15 rushing touchdowns in both.
Hampton has led the ACC in rushing yards for two straight seasons with totals of 1,504 and 1,660. He’s also a solid receiver, amassing 601 yards on 67 receptions over his final two years at North Carolina.
With 20+ carries in seven games, Hampton has the durability to handle large workloads. On the right NFL team, he could be a true three-down back. On the right team, Hampton could be a Week 1 starter. At the very least, he has a great chance of finding fantasy value at some point in his rookie season.
4) TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
As a four-year player, it’s great that Henderson was so productive as a freshman, rushing for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns. It’s less than ideal that it was his most productive college season.
With that said, Henderson easily could have jumped into the NFL last year. Some would argue he probably should have, considering he split the Buckeyes’ backfield with Judkins in 2024 as a result, which limited his production.
Nevertheless, Henderson remained efficient, averaging a Big Ten-best 7.1 yards per carry heading. He also showed proficiency as a receiver, hauling in 27 balls for 284 yards in a split backfield. Henderson has the makings of an impactful satellite back in Year 1.
You could just as easily flip Henderson and Judkins (I’ve already done it multiple times). It’s always tough when one school produces NFL-caliber prospects at the same time, let alone two guys coming out in the same year.
5) Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
The trajectory of Quinshon Judkins’ collegiate career hasn’t been ideal. He burst onto the scene as a freshman, leading the SEC in attempts (274), yards (1,567), and touchdowns (16). Judkins saw similar usage as a sophomore, but his yards per carry dipped from 5.7 to 4.3.
As a junior, Judkins transferred to Ohio State, where he had to play alongside fellow NFL prospect TreVeyon Henderson. Judkins got back to 5.5 YPC but only saw 194 carries.
Throughout his time in college, Judkins has proven to be a decent receiver, which will help his pro upside. He has 59 receptions for 442 yards and four touchdowns across 42 college games.
The concern with Judkins is his performance against quality opponents. His overall stats were bolstered by huge games against the likes of Western Michigan and Marshall. There are no Western Michigans or Marshalls at the NFL level. It wouldn’t surprise me if Judkins ends up falling a bit as the draft nears.
At this point in the first round, there are a lot of different ways you can go. Judkins is far from a lock to have an immediate fantasy-relevant role as a rookie. He strikes me as the type of prospect whose dynasty rookie value will be heavily impacted by the landing spot.
6) Devin Neal, Kansas
In 1QB formats, I just can’t justify any quarterback in the first round. I don’t think there’s a single future top-half QB in this class.
This 1.12 spot will likely shuffle throughout the coming months, but for now, it’s Devin Neal. The Kansas product’ game would suggest he’s a 190-pound scatback, but actually, he’s a 215-pound wide-zone savant.
While Kansas’ wide-open offense often allowed Neal not to have to think too hard about his landmarks, he still displayed excellent movement and good vision. In the right offense, there’s 2024 Bucky Irving potential for Neal.
7) Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
8) Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
9) Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
10) DJ Giddens, Kansas State