Running Backs, Tier 1
1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta
2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit
3. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia
4. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco
5. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas
Round: 1
Running Backs, Tier 2
6. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis
7. Derrick Henry, Baltimore
8. De’Von Achane, Miami
9. Chase Brown, Cincinnati
10. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay
11. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay
12. Omarion Hampton, LA Chargers
13. Kyren Williams, LA Rams
Round: 2 through early round 3
Running Backs, Tier 4
14. James Cook, Buffalo
15. Kenneth Walker, Seattle
16. TreVeyon Henderson, New England
17. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans
18. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina
19. James Conner, Arizona
Round: Back half of round three and through round 4
Running Backs, Tier 5
20. Breece Hall, NY Jets
21. David Montgomery, Detroit
22. Caleb Johnson, Pittsburgh
23. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City
24. RJ Harvey, Denver
25. D’Andre Swift, Chicago
26. Tony Pollard, Tennessee
27. Tyrone Tracy, NY Giants
28. Joe Mixon, Houston
29. Aaron Jones, Minnesota
30. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington
Round: 5 through 7
Running Backs, Tier 7
31. Zach Charbonnet, Seattle
32. Jordan Mason, Minnesota
33. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh
34. Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville
35. JK Dobbins, Denver
36. Braelon Allen, NY Jets
37. Trey Benson, Arizona
38. Travis Etienne, Jacksonville
39. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland
40. Tyjae Spears, Tennessee
41. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England
42. Javonte Williams, Dallas
Round: 8 through 9
Running Backs, Tier 7
43. Cam Skattebo, NY Giants
44. Ray Davis, Buffalo
45. Dylan Sampson, Cleveland
46. Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville
47. Roschon Johnson, Chicago
48. Brian Robinson, San Francisco
49. Austin Ekeler, Washington
50. Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta
51. Jaydon Blue, Dallas
52. Jaylen Wright, Miami
53. Rico Dowdle, Carolina
54. Jerome Ford, Cleveland
55. MarShawn Lloyd, GB
Round: 10 and onward
Draft Strategy: For the 2025 season, running backs you can truly count on exist in short supply. There’s an initial drop-off after tier 3, then another after tier 5. You should do whatever you can to snag at least one RB within the top 3 tiers, and at least three RBs from within the top 5 tiers. From those selections, at least one should be a high upside play.
As you enter tiers 6 and 7 later in your drafts, target players who are one play away from an elevated role (i.e. timeshare), or otherwise have a shot to usurp the starting role during the season from the incumbent RB. Avoid the players who are older and on the downside of their careers. The goal here is to try to find a player that will pop during the season.
Personal Note: Thank you for reading my articles on RealGM! I have a request of you – if you enjoy my work, I kindly ask that you consider following me on Twitter if you aren’t already. My Twitter handle is @NeemaHodjatNFL. Your support is very much appreciated.