As the 2025 NFL season draws closer, our fantasy football draft prep is in full swing. It’s time now to discuss the fantasy football RB fades 2025 list. We’ll break down the top running backs to avoid for fantasy football drafts this year. These could be RB busts in 2025 based on current fantasy football rankings and average draft position (ADP). In addition to identifying risky fantasy RBs, we’ll also provide some safer options to draft instead of these fantasy football RB fades 2025.

If you haven’t already, take advantage of our 2025 Fantasy Football Draft Guide. You can find fantasy football rankings, sleeper draft targets, top rookies, draft strategies, and more. Without further ado, let’s talk fantasy football RB fades 2025. 

 

 

 

Why These RBs Are Overvalued in 2025 Fantasy Football

Let’s break down three running backs to avoid in your fantasy football drafts based on their current ADP. These risky fantasy RBs could turn into RB busts in 2025 based on some key factors, offseason news, and stats. Note that the fantasy football ADP references are taken from Fantasy Alarm. Now, let’s dive into the top fantasy football RB fades 2025 list. 

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers (10 ADP, RB4)

A year ago, Christian McCaffrey was the consensus No. 1 overall pick in fantasy football drafts following an elite 2023 season. Well, he played in just 4 games and clearly didn’t live up to expectations. Yet, there’s the real upside of CMC being the top overall fantasy scorer like he was two years ago. That’s put the San Francisco 49ers RB in the first-round conversation for 2025. 

Of course, the talent and ceiling are there for McCaffrey. Reports from camp also indicate he’s looking healthy. However, the risk is still prevalent. CMC has now played in 7 or fewer games in three of his last five seasons. Now entering his ninth NFL season at 29 years old, the recent injury history becomes a bigger concern. 

Then there’s the state of the 49ers offense right now. Deebo Samuel is gone, and Brandon Aiyuk will likely be sidelined for the first half of the season. That could mean more touches for McCaffrey. On the flip side, the 49ers may want to lighten his workload with backup Isaac Guerendo and rookie Jordan James to keep him healthy. Plus, opposing defenses can stack the box more and focus on shutting him down. 

Breece Hall, New York Jets (38 ADP, RB14) 

This time last year, Breece Hall was a top-5 pick in fantasy football drafts with expectations for a big season. The New York Jets’ running back ultimately finished 19th at the position in fantasy scoring with up-and-down production. Even though he’s going a bit later this year, there’s concern around whether he can match his draft capital yet again. 

The Jets' backfield could be more of a timeshare this season with Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis in bigger roles. New head coach Aaron Glenn has said that he wants to get all three RBs involved. Allen’s presence, especially, could limit Hall’s rushing workload with the former being a bigger back. 

Hall’s overall and weekly fantasy production could be hindered by another teammate as well. Justin Fields, one of the best running QBs in the NFL, is now under center. Fields will surely take away carries that would normally go to a running back. Overall, Hall is being drafted as a fringe RB1, but he’s not worth the ADP. We’ll get to safer options later. 

Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers (47 ADP, RB18)

If you drafted Chuba Hubbard last year, then you were likely overjoyed. He finished the season as the RB14 in PPR leagues after being a late-round selection. It was a huge return on investment and a potential league-winning pick. Now, Hubbard is being drafted as the RB18, but we should temper expectations. 

Hubbard benefited from a lack of competition for touches in the Carolina Panthers’ backfield last year. Rookie Jonathan Brooks missed most of the season while recovering from an ACL tear, and then he reinjured his knee after returning. Miles Sanders averaged just 3.7 yards per carry in a backup role. Plus, the offense was one of the worst in the league without many playmakers overall. Hubbard saw plenty of carries by default. 

The situation is a bit different for 2025. The Panthers signed Rico Dowdle, who ran for 1,079 yards last year for the Cowboys. They also drafted Georgia running back Trevor Etienne in the fourth round. Dowdle will challenge Hubbard for early-down carries, while Etienne is a talented pass-catcher and should have a change-of-pace role. 

 

 

 

Key Warning Signs From 2024 Stats

Let’s now break down some key warning signs for these fantasy football RB fades 2025. Some notable 2024 stats and trends can help explain why Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall, and Chuba Hubbard are risky fantasy RBs and possible RB busts 2025.

As noted above, McCaffrey is among the top running backs to avoid because of his recent injury history. The 49ers’ RB was sidelined until Week 10 of last season with Achilles tendinitis, and then he played in just 4 games before missing the rest of the year with a right knee injury. If you’re keeping score at home, that’s two different lower-body injuries in the same season. 

McCaffrey has the proven ceiling to be a top-tier fantasy football performer, and we just saw it two years ago. However, there’s a definite risk in drafting him high this season. Whether it’s the injury risk or a possible reduction in workload – or a simple regression of effectiveness – the warning signs are there. This all makes CMC the headliner of our fantasy football RB fades 2025.

In New York, Hall’s competition in the backfield is a real concern. Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis, and even Justin Fields are expected to take touches away from a guy who had 200+ carries in both of the past two seasons. Plus, Hall has notably regressed from an efficiency standpoint. His 4.2 yards per carry and 54.8 rushing yards per game last year were both down from 2023, which were both down from his 2022 rookie season. 

We discussed Hubbard’s expected increase in competition for touches above. For context, check out these stats. Hubbard saw 250 carries with 43 receptions last year. That large workload will be hard to replicate with Dowdle and Etienne in town now. Dowdle had 235 carries and 39 catches a season ago in Dallas. Etienne, meanwhile, had 32 catches and averaged 5.0 yards per carry for Georgia last year. 

 

 

 

Safer RB Options For Your Draft

Now that we broke down the top fantasy football RB fades 2025, let’s find some safer options to draft instead. It’s easy to tell you about risky fantasy RBs without providing an alternate draft strategy. Let’s get into it. 

If you don’t want to spend a first-round pick on Christian McCaffrey, look no further than these two other running backs. Rookie Ashton Jeanty (RB5) is stepping right into a workhorse role for a Raiders’ offense that will feature him heavily. Meanwhile, veteran Derrick Henry (RB6) continues to pump out top-tier fantasy seasons. Time may catch up to him eventually, but he just averaged a career-high 5.9 yards per carry with 1,900+ rush yards last year.

As noted above, Breece Hall could see a reduced workload with more competition for touches this year in the Jets’ backfield. In the same ADP range, there are a couple of running backs who have a more solidified role in their offenses. Kyren Williams (RB12) and Kenneth Walker (RB16) are both safer options in fantasy football drafts as the established workhorses in the Rams and Seahawks offenses, respectively. 

You don’t have to spend too high a draft pick on Hubbard as the first two guys. Yet, there are still safer choices in the same ADP range. James Conner (RB19) and D’Andre Swift (RB21) are the clear lead backs for Arizona and Chicago, respectively. You can also take the upside with a pair of rookies like TreVeyon Henderson (RB20) or RJ Harvey (RB23). 

 

 

 

Risk vs. Reward Drafting Strategy

Now that we've broken down the top fantasy football RB fades 2025 list, let’s discuss the draft strategy surrounding these risky fantasy RBs. Yes, we just explained how Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall, and Chuba Hubbard are potential RB busts 2025 and some of the top running backs to avoid in your fantasy football drafts. Even so, you have to weigh the risk vs. reward. 

The risks are definitely there if draft one of our fantasy football RB fades 2025. Still, the reward of a draft-day steal also exists with these guys. McCaffrey could easily return to his 2023 form and avoid any injuries while finishing as the RB1. If you’re able to draft McCaffrey in the first or second round and stack him with a safer running back, then you could have the best tandem in your league. 

With Hall, he’s being drafted as the RB14 despite being one of the first running backs off the board just last year. The Jets’ backfield is murky, and Hall’s workload should decrease, which is why he’s on our RB busts 2025 list. Still, the talent is there, and his role as a pass-catcher makes him more valuable in PPR leagues. There’s also the possibility of a mid-season trade to an NFL team that gives him 20+ touches per game. 

As for Hubbard, the added competition in the Panthers’ backfield definitely creates some concerns. He’s one of the top risky fantasy RBs for a reason. At the same time, Hubbard’s production over the past two seasons is hard to ignore. On the surface, a running back with his recent numbers should be going earlier than RB18. There’s the upside for Hubbard to exceed value at his current ADP if he clearly wins the lead job over Dowdle and Etienne. 

 

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