In a recent episode of the Alarm Fantasy Football livestream, hosts Andrew Cooper and Howard Bender broke down their 2025 running back rankings, organizing players into tiers based on their potential and risk for the upcoming fantasy season. Here’s a condensed look at their analysis, highlighting key players and insights for your draft prep.

 

Tier 1: Super Duper Stars

These are your first-round, elite RB1s with proven production and massive upside.

Bijan Robinson (ATL): Both hosts rank Robinson as the top RB, citing his all-around skill set and role as the Falcons’ workhorse back.

Saquon Barkley (PHI): Barkley’s a close second, excelling in high-leverage situations (40 fantasy points in Q4 with a two-score lead last season). However, his limited pass-catching role (53 targets in 2024) raises slight concerns, though a new offensive coordinator could boost his receiving work.

Derrick Henry (BAL): Despite never being a pass-catcher, Henry’s dominance in goal-line and late-game situations (18 carries inside the 5-yard line, 40 Q4 points with a lead) cements his elite status. His workload remains massive, and he’s a lock for RB1 production.

Tier 2: They Might Be Giants

These RBs are high-end RB1s with slight question marks but significant upside.

Jameer Gibbs (DET): Gibbs’ explosive playmaking makes him a safe RB1 with RB1-overall potential, especially if David Montgomery misses time. He’s a notch below the top tier due to Montgomery’s presence.

Breece Hall (NYJ): Hall’s 94 yards per game from scrimmage is elite, but Justin Fields’ rushing threat could cap his touchdown upside. Still, he’s a strong RB1 in a dynamic offense.

De’Von Achane (MIA): Achane’s pass-catching prowess (178 routes from a WR spot in 2024) and big-play ability make him a high-end RB1, though his dependency on Tua Tagovailoa’s health and Jalen Wright’s emergence are concerns.

Ashton Jeanty (R): A rookie with Saquon-like potential, Jeanty could explode in a high-volume role but needs to prove himself at the NFL level.

Josh Jacobs (GB): Jacobs’ late-game carries and efficiency make him a strong RB1 candidate, though Green Bay’s passing game could limit his ceiling in PPR formats.

Chase Brown (CIN): Brown’s potential to dominate the Bengals’ backfield, paired with Joe Burrow’s offense, gives him RB1 upside, especially if Cincinnati leans on designed screens.

Kenneth Walker (SEA): In a Kubiak-Dennison zone-blocking scheme, Walker’s a high-end RB2 with RB1 potential, backed by a history of producing 1,000-yard rushers.

Kyren Williams (LAR): Williams’ 87% snap share in 2024 is unmatched, making him a workhorse with RB1 upside, though backups like Jarquez Hunter and Blake Corum could chip away at his touches.

 

Tier 3: RB1 Overall Dark Horses

These players, drafted in the RB2 range, have the potential to finish as the RB1 overall.

Alvin Kamara (NO): Kamara’s pass-catching concerns under Kellen Moore persist, but his talent and role keep him in the RB1 conversation.

James Cook (BUF): Cook’s 16 touchdowns in 2024 are enticing, but Josh Allen’s goal-line carries and Ray Davis’ late-game work cap his ceiling. His role in the passing game could grow with Buffalo’s thin receiving corps.

Tony Pollard (TEN): Pollard’s upside with a rookie QB and limited competition from Tajh Spears makes him a sneaky RB1 candidate.

DeAndre Swift (CHI): Swift’s familiarity with Ben Johnson’s system and lack of competition (no Chubb or Dobbins signings) make him a strong dark horse for RB1 production.

RJ Harvey (DEN): Despite J.K. Dobbins’ arrival, Harvey’s upside in a Sean Payton/Dan Campbell-style offense mirrors past rookie breakouts like Alvin Kamara and Jameer Gibbs.

Tier 4: Robust RB2s

These are reliable weekly starters with consistent RB2 production.

Chuba Hubbard (CAR): Hubbard thrives in Dave Canales’ one-back system, making him a safe RB2 with top-tier potential in this group.

James Conner (ARI): Conner’s every-down role is secure, but his annual injury history keeps him out of the RB1 tiers.

Joe Mixon (HOU): Nick Chubb’s signing hurts Mixon’s value, but he remains a robust RB2 due to his primary role in Houston’s backfield.

David Montgomery (DET): The definition of a robust RB2, Montgomery’s consistent workload and massive upside if Gibbs gets hurt make him a lineup lock.

Isaiah Pacheco (KC): Pacheco’s lead role is safe, but injuries and competition from Kareem Hunt and Elijah Mitchell temper expectations.

Aaron Jones (SF): Jones’ injury history and potential timeshare with Jordan Mason place him at the tail end of this tier.

Caleb Johnson (R): A rookie with Najee Harris-like volume potential in Arthur Smith’s run-heavy offense, Johnson could overtake Jalen Warren for the lead role.

Omarion Hampton (R): Hampton’s talent could push Najee Harris aside in Los Angeles, but a split backfield keeps him in the RB2 range for now.

 

Tier 5: RB2 Hopefuls

These players could become RB2s but come with uncertainty.

Jaden Blue (DEN): Blue and Javonte Williams are in a 50-50 split, making them high-upside hopefuls in a pass-heavy offense.

Javonte Williams (DEN): Williams’ role mirrors Blue’s, with neither guaranteed to emerge as the lead back.

Najee Harris (LAC): Harris’ $9.5M contract suggests a significant role, but Hampton’s emergence could reduce his snap share.

Trayvon Henderson (NE): Henderson’s pass-catching ability is enticing, but Ramandre Stevenson’s size and goal-line work limit his ceiling.

Brian Robinson (WAS): Robinson’s talent is undeniable, but Washington’s committee approach with Austin Ekeler caps his touches.

Tyrone Tracy (NYG): Tracy’s pass-catching upside is promising, but Cam Scatterbo’s short-yardage role could limit his touchdown potential.

Jalen Warren (PIT): Warren’s elite pass-blocking and third-down role keep him relevant, but Caleb Johnson’s emergence threatens his touches.

Tier 6: I Am Scared

These players carry significant risk, whether due to injury, competition, or role uncertainty.

Trey Benson (ARI): A handcuff to James Conner, Benson’s value hinges on an injury to the starter.

Zach Charbonnet (SEA): Charbonnet’s a high-end handcuff to Kenneth Walker, with RB1 potential if Walker goes down.

Jordan Mason (SF): Mason could start over Aaron Jones in a ground-heavy role, but his path to touches is unclear.

Travis Etienne (JAX): Etienne’s starting role is at risk with Tank Bigsby’s efficiency and Liam Cohen’s preference for a single back.

Ramandre Stevenson (NE): Stevenson’s size gives him goal-line work, but Henderson’s pass-catching could phase him out in a lackluster offense.

Austin Ekeler (WAS): Ekeler’s role as a pass-catcher is clear, but his committee usage with Brian Robinson limits his ceiling.

 

Key Takeaways for 2025

Prioritize Workhorses: Players like Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, and Kyren Williams, who dominate snaps, are gold in fantasy drafts.

Upside in Dark Horses: RBs like RJ Harvey, Tony Pollard, and DeAndre Swift offer RB1 potential at RB2 prices, making them excellent value picks.

Rookie Watch: Ashton Jeanty, Caleb Johnson, and Omarion Hampton could follow in the footsteps of past rookie studs like Saquon Barkley and Jameer Gibbs.

Avoid Risky Backfields: Shared backfields like Denver (Blue/Williams), Los Angeles (Harris/Hampton), and Houston (Mixon/Chubb) carry significant risk for fantasy managers.

For full rankings, detailed analysis, and continuous updates, grab the 2025 Fantasy Alarm Draft Guide!

 

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