While most eyes were locked on the headline names atop the 2025 NFL Draft, a few lesser-hyped rookie running backs quietly landed in ideal spots. They weren’t first-round picks. They didn’t dominate the pre-draft headlines. But they each have the talent, opportunity, and scheme fit to make an immediate impact and emerge as key fantasy contributors this season.
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3. Jordan James, RB San Francisco 49ers
In a crowded rookie running back draft class, Oregon RB Jordan James quickly became an afterthought. That didn’t stop the 49ers from trading up to snag the former Duck in the 5th round. James did nothing but dominate during his junior year at Oregon, racking up 1,267 rushing yards and 15 TDs while averaging 5.4 YPC.
At 5’9 205 lbs, James is a bit undersized, but has proven to be highly efficient with his touches. In 2024, the 21-year-old Nashville native forced 53 missed tackles and churned 36.5 percent of his carries into either a first down or a touchdown. San Francisco RB scout (and future Hall of Famer), Frank Gore, had James ranked as one of his top 5 running backs in the class, so getting him as the 13th RB overall is insane value.
After the departure of RB Jordan Mason this offseason, the backup RB position in San Francisco is wide open. James will have an opportunity to compete immediately with RB Isaac Guerendo for the No. 2 spot behind RB Christian McCaffery. With McCaffery’s lengthy injury history, whoever wins that job could be the most valuable handcuff in fantasy football in a Kyle Shanahan-led offense.
2. Jaydon Blue, RB Dallas Cowboys
Many thought Dallas would go the flashy route and draft a running back in the first round (Jerry loves his star power). Instead, the Cowboys opted to patiently wait for Texas speedster RB Jaydon Blue to fall into their laps in the 5th round.
What Blue lacks in size (5’9 and 196 lbs), he more than makes up for in speed. The former Longhorn clocked a 4.25 40-yard dash at his pro day and led all SEC running backs in receiving yards (365) and receiving touchdowns (six) last season.
While splitting backfield duties with RB Quintrevion Wisner in 2024, the 21-year-old Houston native managed to rush for 730 yards and 8 TDs at 5.4 YPC (with 517 of those rushing yards made after contact).
The Cowboys re-shaped their running back room this offseason, signing veterans RB Javonte Williams and RB Miles Sanders to one-year deals. While I expect either Sanders or Williams to open the season as the starter, Blue will have a chance to carve out an immediate role in the passing game. If Sanders and Williams disappoint (which is highly likely based on their last two seasons), Blue could even sneak into the early down rotation and step into an even larger role in Dallas’ offense.
1. RJ Harvey, RB Denver Broncos
Quickly rising through the running back ranks, new Broncos RB RJ Harvey already has league-winning potential. Not necessarily even a sleeper anymore (depending on who you ask), the 24-year-old UCF product was drafted by Denver in the 2nd round to lead the team’s backfield.
During his time at UCF, Harvey consistently rose to the top in a competitive backfield, logging over 225 carries in each of his final two seasons. In 2024, he rushed for 1,577 yards and 22 touchdowns, averaging more than 6.0 yards per carry. Harvey backed up his production with a strong showing at the combine, posting a 4.4 40-yard dash and a 127-inch broad jump.
Measuring 5-foot-8 and 205 pounds, Harvey is undersized, but Broncos HC Sean Payton isn’t going to let that hold him back from opportunities.
Payton went on to compare Harvey to RB Darren Sproles and RB Alvin Kamara, and confirmed he has big plans for the rookie, telling Broncos reporters, “I know the question is, ‘Is he a three-down back? Well, he’s going to play on third down.”
With Denver moving on from RB Javonte Williams, Harvey is expected to lead the Broncos’ running back stable immediately and is already generating buzz as one of the most underrated rookie running backs in this year’s fantasy landscape.
