There are multiple ways to dominate your fantasy football draft. One of those ways is finding running backs outside the top 24 that could end the year as a top 12 guy.
Last year, only one running back drafted outside the top 24 in ADP finished the season as an RB1. Chase Brown had an ADP of RB36 and 111.2 overall but finished last year as the RB10, averaging 15.9 PPR fantasy points per game. However, Bucky Irving (RB13) and Chuba Hubbard (RB14) finished just outside the top 12. Yet, they had a preseason ADP outside the top 40 running backs.
Which running backs drafted in the 25-36 range have a chance to finish top-12 in 2025? Let’s look at five potential candidates.
Fantasy Football RB3s with RB1 Potential
ADP via FantasyPros
Kaleb Johnson (PIT): ADP 68.5 | RB25
Iowa had no meaningful passing attack last year. Yet, Johnson led the Big 10 in rushing yards (1,537) and touchdowns (21) while averaging 6.4 yards per attempt. While he will lose passing game work to Jaylen Warren, expect the rookie to take on the Najee Harris role in Arthur Smith’s offense. Last season, Harris was the RB20, averaging 12 PPR fantasy points per game despite averaging four yards per rushing attempt. Johnson is a more explosive runner than the veteran. Don’t bet against big running backs in Smith’s offense.
Isiah Pacheco (KC): ADP 70.8 | RB26
Unfortunately, Pacheco missed 10 games last year. While he isn’t one of my favorite draft targets, the former Rutgers star has top-12 upside. Pacheco was the RB15 in 2023, averaging 15.3 PPR fantasy points per game in 14 contests. Furthermore, he would have been the RB7 over a 17-game pace with that average. More importantly, the Chiefs improved their offensive line, adding Jaylon Moore and Josh Simmons. Pacheco has never had 1,000 rushing yards or eight touchdowns in a year. That could change in 2025 with an improved offensive line.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. (NYG): ADP 97.2 | RB32
While the Giants spent a fourth-round pick in the NFL Draft on Cam Skattebo, don’t kick Tracy to the curb. The former Purdue star was productive as a rookie once he pushed Devin Singletary out of the way. Tracy was the RB14 from Week 5 through Week 17, averaging 13.2 PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he ranked 10th in explosive run rate (5.4%) and missed tackles forced per attempt rate (19%) among 34 running backs with at least 100 rushing attempts during those 13 weeks (per Fantasy Points Data).
Jordan Mason (MIN): ADP 111.2 | RB36
Last year, Mason finished as the RB41, averaging 9.6 PPR fantasy points per game. However, he was outstanding early in the season, filling in for Christian McCaffrey, ranking as the RB5 over the first month, averaging 18.6 fantasy points per game, totaling 17.4 or more in all but one contest. More importantly, Mason could steal the lead role from Aaron Jones. According to Fantasy Points Data, Mason had a better explosive run rate (7.8% vs. 3.5%) and missed forced tackle per attempt rate (22% vs. 11%) than Jones last year.
Jaydon Blue (DAL): ADP 131.3 | RB42
Blue has an ADP outside the RB3 range. However, I have been pounding the table for him all offseason, so I’m bending the rules with this pick. According to Fantasy Points Data, Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders had an explosive run rate of 2.9% or lower last year, ranking in the bottom 20 of 68 running backs with at least 55 rushing attempts. Meanwhile, Blue is an explosive runner with massive upside in the passing game, totaling six receiving touchdowns last season. He could be this year’s Bucky Irving.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
