Draft season is right around the corner. Savvy fantasy managers know that now is the time to circle in on your favorite value picks and monitor how they rise or fall throughout training camp. While the top-tier names command early-round picks, the real edge comes from finding elite production in the mid-late rounds. In this article, we’ll highlight three running backs whose current ADPs offer the perfect mix of upside, opportunity, and return on investment.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns
ECR (Half-PPR): 69th Overall (RB27) — Blitz Rankings
Quinshon Judkins might be one of the most overlooked picks in fantasy so far this summer. He has a current ADP of 74th overall (RB25) according to Fantasy Pros, putting him squarely in RB3 territory for most fantasy leagues, but there’s potential for much more.
The Browns made a clear investment in Judkins by selecting him early in the second round (36th overall), and while he’ll face competition from Jerome Ford and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson, there’s no entrenched starter in Cleveland’s backfield, leaving the door wide open for Judkins. Known for his violent running style, quick footwork, and strong contact balance, Judkins burst onto the scene at Ole Miss with over 1,500 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns as a true freshman. Though his production dipped slightly after that during his two seasons splitting reps with TreVeyon Henderson at Ohio State, his skill set remains clear.
With no rushing threat at quarterback and a thin receiver group, the Browns are likely to lean heavily on their run game. Head coach Kevin Stefanski has long preferred a ground-first approach, and Judkins’ physicality makes him a natural fit to take over the kind of volume Nick Chubb once handled.
If Judkins claims a significant role early, he’s a strong candidate to outproduce his ADP and offer RB2-level returns. For fantasy managers hunting mid-round value with long-term upside, he’s an excellent name to circle.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
ECR (Half-PPR): 67th Overall (RB25) — Blitz Rankings
After an injury-derailed 2024 campaign, Isiah Pacheco is now healthy and enters training camp atop the Chiefs’ running back depth chart.
Pacheco fractured his fibula early last season and returned just over two months later, far ahead of the usual recovery timeline. Unsurprisingly, he didn’t look like his usual self, averaging just 3.4 yards per carry and struggling to retake the lead role from Kareem Hunt. But context matters. Before the injury, Pacheco was operating as a true workhorse, averaging 17 touches and an 80% snap share through two games and ranking inside the top 15 at his position.
When healthy, Pacheco is a violent downhill runner, evidenced by his 64.5% YAC (yards after contact) rate through three seasons. He racked up over 1,100 total yards and 9 touchdowns in 2023, and the Chiefs’ decision not to draft a running back until the seventh round suggests they still view him as their guy. While bringing back Kareem Hunt and signing free agent Elijah Mitchell may raise concerns, both veterans are more likely to complement Pacheco than compete for lead duties.
Not to mention, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid sung Pacheco’s praises during OTAs, commenting that the fourth-year back “looks tremendous” and has “put on some good weight,” per Charles Goldman of AtoZSports.com.
Now fully recovered and reportedly in peak shape, Pacheco enters 2025 in a position to reclaim the top job in one of the NFL’s best offenses. At a seventh-round price tag, he offers excellent value with RB2 potential and true breakout appeal.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Tennessee Titans
ECR (Half-PPR): 121st Overall (RB39) — Blitz Rankings
Despite being slotted as the RB41 in early fantasy drafts, Tyjae Spears has the skill set and opportunity to significantly outperform his current ADP in 2025. After backing up Tony Pollard in 2024, Spears enters his third NFL season poised to build on an encouraging finish and possibly carve out a larger slice of the Titans’ backfield.
Spears flashed elite efficiency last year, ranking 12th among all running backs with 0.84 fantasy points per touch—well ahead of Pollard’s 0.57. While Pollard held a 73% touch share, Spears made the most of his limited usage, especially down the stretch. From Weeks 15–17, Spears averaged 20.7 fantasy points per game on a 61% snap share, scoring four touchdowns in that span. His Week 17 performance—20 carries, 95 yards—offered a glimpse of what he can do in a lead role before a concussion cut the game short.
Head coach Brian Callahan has emphasized a desire for a more balanced backfield in 2025. Early reports from OTAs and minicamp indicate Spears and Pollard are rotating more evenly, hinting at a possible 60/40 split this season. Spears also brings valuable versatility as a pass-catcher, hauling in 82 receptions over his first two seasons despite missing 5 games to injury.
If the workload between Pollard and Spears becomes more evenly distributed—or if Pollard misses time—Spears immediately steps into RB3 territory with fringe RB2 upside. With standalone flex value and a high ceiling, Spears is one of the best late-round running back targets in 2025.
