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El Segundo, CA – May 09: Running back Omarion Hampton of the Los Angeles Chargers during Los … More
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Each year, there’s plenty of value to take advantage of in fantasy football. One of the most common ways to get a leg up on your leaguemates is by properly valuing rookies.
Due to the fact that there’s no sample size in the NFL, many casual fans don’t know how to value these players. Yet these rookies have some of the most upside in fantasy football. We’ve talked about two of these players in an earlier article but my argument still holds true even after an update in ADP.
Below, we’ll be outlining which five rookie running backs you should draft in fantasy football based on ADP from FantasyPros. Yes, I’m aware that Ashton Jeanty isn’t here, RB5 is a bit too rich for me.
Draft These 4 Rookie RBs in 2025 Fantasy Football
1. Omarion Hampton (RB16)
Despite being drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft, Omarion Hampton is going 11 running back spots lower than Jeanty. Many are going to argue that Najee Harris will have a significant role, but Hampton was drafted after the team already had Harris.
Hampton is a great prospect who was selected 22nd overall in the NFL Draft after showing great contact balance and burst. While Harris should start the year as the RB1, Hampton can easily take over his job in just a few weeks.
Having the RB1 on the Los Angeles Chargers is going to be very advantageous with Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman emphasizing the run game. Especially when you consider that DraftKings (per Sharp Football Analysis) has the Chargers projected to score the 13th most points in the NFL.
2. TreVeyon Henderson (RB22)
After skipping over RJ Harvey, it’s a better idea to take TreVeyon Henderson one spot later. Many believe that Harvey is stepping into a much better situation, but J.K. Dobbins is a talented running back.
Dobbins is still 26 years old, and he’s coming off a season where he had 905 rushing yards on 4.6 YPC. Rhamondre Stevenson, on the other hand, only had 801 rushing yards on just 3.9 YPC.
The New England Patriots invested heavy draft capital into Henderson because he has the full skill set you want out of a running back. Henderson has great hands, fantastic burst, and he’s also a very good pass protector.
The ability to protect Drake Maye will allow Henderson to get on the field early and often, which will then turn into fantasy points. With Maye stepping into year two, combined with the additions of Stefon Diggs and Kyle Williams, this is an offense you want to be a part of.
BEREA, OHIO – JUNE 04: Quinshon Judkins #10 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during Cleveland … More
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3. Quinshon Judkins (RB26)
For the rest of these players, there’s a veteran running back who can limit them in year one. Not Quinshon Judkins. The Cleveland Browns drafted Judkins 36th overall, showing that they believe in him a ton.
Jerome Ford is the only running back ahead of Judkins, but he’s never produced. Ford doesn’t have the talent to become a starting caliber back, as in the only year he had over 10 starts, he disappointed.
That was back in 2023, when Ford had 12 starts but was able to muster just 813 yards on four YPC. Judkins is clearly the better talent and should start from day one.
The main issue is that Judkins is a bruiser, and the Browns offense isn’t great. In fact, DraftKings has them projected to score the fewest points next year.
That being said, Shedeur Sanders was a 1st round talent in my scouting evaluations, and he can help elevate this team if given a shot. If things break right for Judkins, the talent is there for him to easily crush his ADP in fantasy football.
4. Cam Skattebo (RB37)
If Cam Skattebo wants to have a monster year, all he has to do is beat out Tyrone Tracy for the starting job. Tracy had a good rookie season, but he’s a much better pass catcher than a pure runner.
Last season, Tracy had 839 rushing yards on 4.4 YPC, but he also had five fumbles. Not being able to hold onto the ball is the easiest way to get benched in the NFL, which should open the door for Skattebo.
While Skattebo doesn’t have great draft capital being selected 105th overall, Tracy was actually selected much lower at 166th overall. When you compare the two as prospects, Skattebo edges out Tracy due to his great hands, contact balance, and ability to make defenders miss.
As for the New York Giants, they’re projected to be the 31st-best offense in the NFL, but they have upside with Jaxson Dart being added to the mix and Malik Nabers going into year two. Skattebo is set up to finish much higher than the RB37 in fantasy football.
