Fantasy football changes fast. One minute you're riding a Christian McCaffrey wave to a title, and the next, you're staring at a "DNP" while frantically scouring the waiver wire for someone—anyone—with a pulse. If 2024 taught us anything, it's that the "workhorse" is a dying breed, yet the few survivors are more valuable than ever.
As we look at the 2025 fantasy football ppr rb rankings, the landscape is honestly a bit chaotic. We have legendary vets like Derrick Henry still stiff-arming father time, while a new wave of pass-catching savants is turning the PPR meta on its head.
You've probably heard the "Zero RB" truthers yelling from the rooftops again. But look, in full PPR, a running back who catches 60 balls is basically a cheat code. Let's get into who actually matters this year and why the names at the top might surprise you.
The Elite Tier: The 2025 Fantasy Football PPR RB Rankings Heavyweights
At the very top, it's a three-man race, but the order depends entirely on how much risk you can stomach.
Bijan Robinson is the guy most experts are planting their flag on for the 1.01 spot. Last year, he finally broke free from the coaching frustrations of the past, posting ten different games with over 20 fantasy points. He’s 23, he’s elusive, and Saquon Barkley himself recently said nobody in the league cuts like Bijan. If the Falcons' offense takes another step forward with Michael Penix Jr. or a more settled veteran presence, Bijan's ceiling is essentially the moon.
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Then there's Saquon Barkley. His move to Philadelphia was a dream. He cleared 2,000 yards from scrimmage in 2024, proving that behind a real offensive line, he’s still a physical marvel. However, there's a catch. Regression is a monster. Barkley had nine touchdown runs of over 10 yards last season—a statistical anomaly that usually drops by half the following year. He’s still a Tier 1 lock, but don’t be shocked if those "house calls" happen a little less often.
Jahmyr Gibbs rounds out the elite trio. Some people are worried because Ben Johnson moved on from the Lions' OC spot, but Gibbs is too explosive to ignore. He finished as a top-10 back despite sharing a massive workload with David Montgomery. In PPR, his floor is incredibly high because the Lions are increasingly using him as a genuine receiving threat out of the slot.
The "Post-Hype" and Injury Bounce Backs
The middle of the first round is where drafts are won or lost. Honestly, it's where the most "click-shame" happens.
- Christian McCaffrey: The undisputed king took a massive hit in 2024, missing almost the entire season. You're going to see him slide in drafts. Is he a risk? Absolutely. But if he falls to the end of the first round, you almost have to take the swing. When healthy, he's the only player who can single-handedly win you a week.
- Breece Hall: 2024 was... weird for Breece. The Jets' offense was a mess, and despite the talent, the consistency wasn't there. For 2025, with Tanner Engstrand calling plays and a stabilized quarterback situation (Justin Fields is the name to watch here), Breece is a prime candidate for a career year. He’s the "buy low" that isn't actually cheap.
- De'Von Achane: He’s the ultimate "boom-bust" pick. When Tua Tagovailoa was on the field last year, Achane averaged a ridiculous 22.5 PPR points. Without him? He plummeted to under 9 points. He's electric, but the Dolphins' backfield is getting crowded with Jaylen Wright and Alexander Mattison. Draft him for the ceiling, but have a backup plan.
The Rookies and The Raiders' New Hope
Every year, a rookie comes in and breaks the game. For 2025, that name is Ashton Jeanty.
Coming out of Boise State, Jeanty joined a Las Vegas Raiders team that desperately needed a replacement for the departed Josh Jacobs. He’s not just a "grinder." Jeanty is a yardage-creation machine. Most scouts compared him to LaDainian Tomlinson because of his low center of gravity and receiving chops. In PPR, he’s likely a Tier 2 back right out of the gate. If he’s available in the second or third round, don't overthink it. Just click the button.
In Los Angeles, Omarion Hampton joined the Chargers and immediately stepped into a high-volume role. Jim Harbaugh loves to run the ball, and Hampton has the "big, tough back" profile that thrives in that system. He might not catch 80 passes, but 300 carries is a real possibility.
Mid-Round Values You Can't Ignore
If you go WR-heavy early, these are the guys who will save your season.
- Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay): There’s a lot of buzz that the Bucs view him as a true RB1. Rachaad White is still there, but Irving’s efficiency was significantly higher last season. He was targeted on nearly 25% of his routes, which is elite for a back.
- Chase Brown (Cincinnati): He finally took over the Bengals' backfield. He's being used as a receiver to exploit matchups against linebackers. If Joe Burrow is healthy, Brown is going to see a lot of open lanes.
- James Cook (Buffalo): People keep waiting for the Bills to draft a "power" back, but Cook just keeps producing. He had nine games with 15+ points last year. As long as Josh Allen is the QB, defenses can't sell out to stop the run.
What Most People Get Wrong About RB Rankings
The biggest mistake? Drafting based on last year's total points.
Total points are a lie. They don't account for games missed or "garbage time" luck. Instead, look at Targets Per Route Run (TPRR) and Red Zone Share.
For example, Kyren Williams is a touchdown magnet, but the Rams keep drafting competition. His 20 touchdowns in 2024 are almost impossible to repeat. If you draft him expecting another 20 scores, you're going to be disappointed. He’s a great player, but he’s a prime candidate for "touchdown regression."
On the flip side, someone like Alvin Kamara might look "old," but in a PPR format, his 70+ catches are a rock-solid floor. He’s the boring pick that keeps you in the playoff hunt while your high-upside rookies are finding their footing.
Navigating the Free Agency Mess
As of early 2026, the free-agent market is still settling. We've seen guys like Najee Harris and J.K. Dobbins hit the market looking for fresh starts.
Dobbins is particularly interesting. He had a massive rebound year with the Chargers and is now looking like a "winning piece" for a contender. If he lands in a spot like Dallas or Minnesota, his value flies up. Harris, meanwhile, is likely heading toward a "power back" role in a committee, which caps his PPR ceiling but makes him a decent RB3/Flex play.
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Actionable Strategy for Your Draft
Don't go into your draft with a rigid "Must Draft RB" or "Zero RB" mindset. The 2025 landscape is too fluid for that.
- Target the "Pass-Catching Tier": If you can't get Bijan or Gibbs, pivot to guys like Bucky Irving or Chase Brown in the middle rounds. Receptions are worth more than yards in this format.
- Embrace the Risk of the "Legend": If Christian McCaffrey falls to pick 8 or 9, take him. The injury discount is real, and the payoff is a trophy.
- Handcuff the Right People: If you draft Travis Etienne, you must grab Tank Bigsby. If you take Bijan, Tyler Allgeier is a non-negotiable insurance policy.
- Watch the Preseason Snap Counts: This is the only time we see the real "pecking order." If a rookie like Jeanty is playing with the starters in August, his ADP is going to skyrocket. Get in early.
Success in 2025 isn't about finding the next 2,000-yard rusher. It's about finding the guys who touch the ball 20 times a game, regardless of how they get it. Focus on volume, ignore the "age 30" myths when the volume is there, and don't be afraid to take a swing on a rookie with a clear path to touches.
Ready to build your board? Identify three "must-have" mid-round backs from this list and prioritize them over similarly ranked wide receivers to ensure you don't get stuck in the RB dead zone.