Top 10 Rookie RB Rankings (Post-Draft)
The NFL Draft reshaped the rookie RB landscape, turning pre-draft rankings on their head. Landing spots, coaching schemes, and depth charts now dictate which backs are primed for early production and long-term value. Below are the top 10 rookie RBs ranked by post-draft opportunity, role security, and fantasy format fit.
Ashton Jeanty, LV Raiders
Draft Capital: Early Round 1 | Team Context: Chip Kelly’s run-centric offense (11th+ in rush attempts every NFL season).
Opportunity: Three-down bell cow with elite efficiency metrics (1st in elusive rating, 2nd in YPRR in 2023). Jeanty’s versatility makes him a perfect fit for Kelly’s tempo-heavy, RB-featured scheme. The Raiders lack established competition, clearing the runway for immediate workhorse duties. Target share upside (28.7% RB target ceiling under Kelly) locks him into RB1 overall contention.
Best For: All formats. Prioritize in PPR for 70+ catch upside and elite week-winning potential.
Omarion Hampton, LAC Chargers
Draft Capital: Round 1 (22nd) | Team Context: Greg Roman’s scheme (11th+ rush volume in 11 straight seasons).
Opportunity: Power back with 4.46 speed to dominate early downs. Hampton’s physicality fits Roman’s gap-heavy rushing identity. With Najee Harris on a one-year rental, the long-term view favors Hampton as the 2026 starter. However, his limited receiving role (4.4% career target share) and Roman’s pass-averse design dampen short-term PPR appeal.
Best For: Non-PPR/dynasty. Top-12 ceiling in standard by 2026, with volume-driven weekly RB2 upside.
Quinshon Judkins, CLE Browns
Draft Capital: Round 2 (36th) | Team Context: Kevin Stefanski’s RB-friendly system (4 top-9 rush volume finishes).
Opportunity: Immediate lead rusher over Jerome Ford. Judkins’ workhorse profile (221 lbs, 246 carries/year) makes him an early-down lock, especially with Nick Chubb’s long-term health in question. Zero receiving usage (4.4% target share) caps his ceiling, but red-zone volume and Cleveland’s run-first approach offer TD-driven floor.
Best For: Standard leagues – RB2 floor with TD upside. Fade in PPR without clear receiving growth.
TreVeyon Henderson, NE Patriots
Draft Capital: Round 2 (38th) | Team Context: Josh McDaniels’ committee history (18 years of RBBC).
Opportunity: Explosive receiving weapon (83rd percentile target share) in a backfield split with Rhamondre Stevenson. Henderson’s burst and vision unlock spike-week upside in Drake Maye’s checkdown-heavy system. Expect a capped role (12–15 touches/game), but one that includes high-value targets.
Best For: PPR – Draft as a high-end RB3 with 40+ catch upside and flex-worthy volatility.
RJ Harvey, DEN Broncos
Draft Capital: Round 2 (60th) | Team Context: Sean Payton’s RB-friendly offense (multiple RB1 seasons for Kamara, Ingram, and Sproles).
Opportunity: Harvey’s dual-threat ability (5.8 YPC, 44 receptions in 2024) mirrors past Payton archetypes. Javonte Williams’ expiring deal opens a path to full-time work. Denver’s unstable QB room should push offensive volume toward the backfield, and Harvey’s vision and contact balance make him a dark-horse rookie RB1 candidate.
Best For: PPR/dynasty. Prioritize as a Round 1 rookie pick with top-12 ceiling by 2026.
Kaleb Johnson, PIT Steelers
Draft Capital: Round 3 (83rd) | Team Context: Pittsburgh’s run-heavy identity (3rd in rush attempts in 2024).
Opportunity: Johnson profiles as a physical inside grinder with impressive 2024 production (1,537 yards, 6.4 YPC). Jaylen Warren’s expiring deal in 2025 leaves the backfield wide open. While he lacks PPR upside, Johnson’s 3rd-ranked yards after contact and red-zone role could vault him to 2026 bell-cow duties in a classic Steelers smashmouth attack.
Best For: Non-PPR. Draft late Round 1 in 1QB formats as a future workhorse with RB2+ potential.
Cam Skattebo, NYG Giants
Draft Capital: Round 4 (103rd) | Team Context: Giants’ committee-prone offense with a 31st-ranked O-line.
Opportunity: Skattebo’s broken tackle numbers (2.85/game) and receiving chops (44 catches) put him in line to seize volume from day one. Competing with unproven Tyrone Tracy, Skattebo’s compact build (32.3 BMI) and leaping metrics (10’3” broad) point to GL work and short-yardage usage.
Best For: Standard formats. Prioritize as a Round 2 steal with top-20 weekly upside in the right script.
Bhayshul Tuten, JAX Jaguars
Draft Capital: Round 4 (104th) | Team Context: Unsettled backfield behind Travis Etienne in a balanced Doug Pederson system.
Opportunity: Tuten brings rare speed (4.32) and shiftiness (44 forced missed tackles) to a Jaguars team that saw Etienne’s efficiency dip post-Week 9 (3.8 YPC). His 6.3 YPC vs. Power 5 opponents is elite. Tuten likely begins as a change-of-pace weapon but could ascend in 2026.
Best For: Best-ball and dynasty formats. Spike-week FLEX upside in 2025, long-term committee value.
Dylan Sampson, CLE Browns
Draft Capital: Round 4 (126th) | Team Context: Backing up Round 2 pick Judkins in a potentially low-scoring offense.
Opportunity: Sampson is undersized (5’8″, 200) but not underpowered—posting 5.8 YPC and the 3rd-highest PFF rushing grade in 2024. His 20 catches suggest moderate PPR utility if Judkins falters or Cleveland leans into speed.
Best For: Deep PPR formats. Late-round stash as a potential handcuff with flex usability.
Jaydon Blue, DAL Cowboys
Draft Capital: Round 5 (158th) | Team Context: Mike McCarthy’s split-backfield tendency in a pass-heavy offense.
Opportunity: Blue’s 4.38 speed and 15.3 YPR from 2024 make him an electric receiving option. However, buried behind Javonte Williams and Phil Mafah, he’ll need an injury or breakout camp to rise. Dallas may use him as a screen-game specialist, but his 5th-round capital limits early confidence.
Best For: Superflex/TE premium leagues. Monitor usage in camp and stash where RB depth is critical.
Draft capital matters, but team context and opportunity shape rookie RB outcomes. Whether you’re building for 2025 or stashing for future upside, aligning player skillsets with scheme fit and depth chart dynamics is key. Use these rankings to recalibrate your rookie draft board and target backs who can return immediate or long-term value based on league format.
FAQ Section:
Q: Should I draft Ashton Jeanty over Omarion Hampton in PPR formats?
A: Yes. Jeanty’s receiving profile and Chip Kelly’s offense boost his value in PPR. Hampton fits better in standard formats.
Q: Which rookie RB has the best long-term upside for dynasty?
A: RJ Harvey. His skillset matches Sean Payton’s system perfectly and offers multi-year RB1 potential.
Q: Who’s the best value pick in Round 3 or later?
A: Cam Skattebo and Bhayshul Tuten. Both offer three-down potential and could take over their respective backfields by 2026.
Q: Is TreVeyon Henderson worth targeting despite the committee?
A: Yes – especially in PPR. He’ll play a valuable role as a pass-catcher and third-down weapon.