Finding value in the middle and later rounds of your fantasy football draft can legitimately be the difference between a championship victory and a painful defeat. Finding a few hidden gems towards the bottom of your draft board will fill those glaring holes on your roster and make your squad one step closer to competing for a title.
At the running back position, players can skyrocket or plunge in fantasy value at the drop of a hat. The top few fantasy finishers at the position is an ever-changing list, so hitting on a late-round pick at the running back position can be vital to success.
In 2024, James Conner, Chuba Hubbard, J.K. Dobbins, Chase Brown, and Bucky Irving were all players whose production outperformed their preseason ADP significantly. Let’s review a few running backs who could have similar seasons for fantasy football in 2025.
(Note: This list is created using Underdog Fantasy Sports’ ADP at the running back position for 2025 redraft fantasy football leagues! Also, this article was written before the 2025 NFL Draft!)
Braelon Allen
(New York Jets)
Underdog ADP: RB56
Jets running back Braelon Allen is entering his second NFL season at only 21 years old. Despite being one of the youngest players in the NFL, Allen carved out a decent role in the Jets’ backfield during his rookie season, rushing for 334 yards and adding 148 yards through the air while operating behind starter Breece Hall.
New Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has already revealed that he plans on using three running backs in the running game this season. This could mean more volume for the Wisconsin product. Allen stands at a massive 6’1”, 235 lbs, making him an ideal goal line back.
Allen also has value outside of that role. He totaled over 500 yards from scrimmage in 2024, identifying himself to fantasy managers as a relevant part of New York’s passing game.
After investing a 2024 fourth-round pick in Allen a year ago, I would find it hard to believe that New York doesn’t have plans to get the young running back more involved in 2025.
Tank Bigsby
(Jacksonville Jaguars)
Underdog ADP: RB38
Tank Bigsby broke out in 2024 for Jacksonville after incumbent starter Travis Etienne found himself struggling. At 215 lbs, Bigsby was able to use his powerful running style to run over defenders. This made him a valuable piece of the Jaguars’ running game, leading to an increase in volume. The former Auburn Tiger had 11+ carries in each of Jacksonville’s final five regular season contests.
Efficiency was one of Bigsby’s strong suits, helping him to post a solid 4.56 yards per carry on 168 attempts last season. Inside the 10 yard line, his usage nearly doubled that of Etienne making him the obviously preferred back in that area.
Tank Bigsby definitely made himself a valuable part of the offense in 2024, causing the case for Etienne’s continued usage to be a little more difficult. Etienne only averaged 3.72 yards per carry on the season, making his production easy to replace.
I expect Tank Bigsby to win the Jaguars' starting running back job in 2025, even if he still has to split carries.
With Etienne and Bigsby set to return in 2025, the running back position isn’t high on Jacksonville’s list of needs ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Even if they add a player on Day 3, the starting job would likely still belong to Etienne or Bigsby at the start of training camp.
Jordan Mason
(Minnesota Vikings)
Underdog ADP: RB37
After a standout season replacing the injured Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Mason was traded to Minnesota in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. Mason, who has averaged over five yards per carry in each of his three NFL seasons, compiled 789 rushing yards when McCaffrey went down with an injury early in the 2024 season.
Mason is in a much better situation with the Vikings. Firstly, Vikings running back Aaron Jones isn’t as young as he once was, which could lead to Mason taking his starting role. Jones will be 30 years old at the start of the 2025 NFL season, leaving the door open for his team to search for their long-term answer at the position.
Jordan Mason will only be 26 next season, making him the ideal candidate to replace Aaron Jones. At 223 lbs, Mason will be set up well to earn the goal line role for Minnesota, allowing his fantasy value to be boosted significantly if give him ample usage in that area of the field.
I predict that the Vikings will begin the season with a split backfield, but it won’t be long for Mason to move from a goal line role to a starting running back once again. Aaron Jones will not completely disappear, but I think Mason will overtake him in terms of volume this season.
Rhamondre Stevenson
(New England Patriots)
Underdog ADP: RB30
Rhamondre Stevenson had a very poor season in 2024. That’s not a secret. The veteran running back logged the worst efficiency as a runner of his career, only averaging 3.87 yards per carry.
Stevenson did manage to set a career-high in rushing touchdowns with seven. On the flip side, his receiving volume dipped, leading to less fantasy points in PPR formats.
However, my main optimism with Stevenson is tied to the team’s investment into his services. He signed a four-year, $36 million contract before the 2024 season, linking him to New England through the end of the 2028 season. With that amount of money going towards a running back and several other holes on the roster, I don’t think New England plans to draft a running back in the first few rounds.
It would make sense for Stevenson to bounce back in 2025. His contract could force New England to continue to rely on him offensively, and his talent could end up rewarding the team for doing so. While he isn’t a perfect running back, Stevenson is far too valuable to be considered the RB30 in fantasy drafts.
New England will hopefully address their offensive line, which was one of the league’s worst units, in the draft. This could help create space for Stevenson in the running game, boosting his fantasy value. Now is the perfect time to buy low on Rhamondre Stevenson.