3 Running Backs To Draft In 2025 Fantasy Football (Half-PPR)

The 2025 fantasy football season is starting to creep up now that we’ve hit May. If you want to start your prep for next year or you’re looking to draft some best ball teams, this article has you covered.

In order to have a baseline for these 2025 rankings, we’ll be using the ADP from Underdog Fantasy. This platform is for money, it’s a best ball format and the scoring is Half-PPR. With that said, let’s dive right into the list!

Running Backs To Draft In 2025 Fantasy Football

1. TreVeyon Henderson (NE)
ADP: RB21

One of the best draft picks in 2025 fantasy football right now is TreVeyon Henderson at RB21 prices. It would not shock me in the slightest if Henderson had an RB1 season similar to what Alvin Kamara (17.1 PPG) did with the New Orleans Saints in his rookie year.

Henderson was a fantastic prospect coming out of Ohio State and the New England Patriots indicated that they wanted to use him right away with the draft capital that they spent. Henderson was selected in the second round as the 40th overall pick.

This is significant for a running back as they have some of the shortest careers in the NFL. When you draft a running back, you’re not looking to waste time easing them into an NFL offense, unlike other positions.

Despite the team already having Rhamondre Stevenson, you should expect him to be phased out into a backup role after the first few weeks of the year.

Across the board, the Patriots offense should be much better in 2025. Drake Maye is going into year two, they selected Will Campbell 4th overall to help out the offensive line, Kyle Williams in the third round to help out the receiving core and Stefon Diggs was added earlier in the offseason.

Overall, there’s a lot to love about the prospect, the draft capital and the landing spot with Henderson.

2. Omarion Hampton (LAC)
ADP: RB16

The rookie running backs are some of the best value picks you can make so far in fantasy football. It’s a bit shocking that Omarion Hampton is going as the RB16 when Ashton Jeanty is the RB4.

Yes, Jeanty was the 6th overall pick, but Hampton was a round one selection to a dream landing spot. The Los Angeles Chargers and Jim Harbaugh have built their identity through the run over the past few years.

On top of that, you have multiple talented weapons in Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey to help space out the field.

The reason why Hampton is being drafted so low is because of Najee Harris. At 27 years old, Harris profiles like a change of pace, backup running back. It would be shocking if Hampton didn’t take 70% of the touches in this offense by week seven.

Harris is a fine RB2, but he has been very inefficient throughout his entire career. Since 2021, Harris has never had more than 4.1 YPC in a year. Harris has thrived because he was always the only back who could handle a massive workload.

With a super-talented player like Hampton (6’0” and 221 lbs) entering the picture, that won’t be the case anymore.

3. Joe Mixon (HOU)
ADP: RB15

Stepping away from the rookie running backs, we have a veteran to round out this list. With Joe Mixon, not much has changed. While the Houston Texans brought in a running back, it was Woody Marks in round four.

Marks profiles as a great pass catcher but doesn’t add much value on the ground. Rather than taking the lead role from Mixon, Marks should be a good compliment.

Mixon didn’t have his 15.9 PPG fantasy season from his receiving capabilities anyway. Mixon only had 36 catches for 309 yards.

On the ground, Mixon was able to handle a massive workload, running for 1,016 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns. This was in spite of C.J. Stroud taking a step back in year two and Nico Collins missing multiple games.

Especially when you take into account that the Texans drafted Jayden Higgins in round two and Jaylin Noel in round three, this offense should be much better in 2025. When you’re getting Mixon as the RB15 prices, most of his risk is already baked into that cost.