Early Running Back Sleepers for 2025

In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by New Era:

I drafted my first three post-NFL Draft teams of 2025 yesterday.

And let me tell you … I’m not sure the concept of a “sleeper” exists anymore—at least when it comes to rookies.

Exhibit A: Here is where new Denver Broncos RB RJ Harvey went across those three drafts:

Late-fifth round (58)
Late-sixth round (69)
Early-seventh round (74)

Whew boy … But not all value hope is lost because drafters seem way less interested in scooping up some veteran RBs who saw their outlook greatly improve after the NFL Draft …

3 Sneaky Veteran RB Winners

1) Chase Brown (Bengals)— I took Brown on two of my three drafts at pick 35. I was stunned he was there both times. There was certainly risk with Brown in pre-Draft contests, but the team fully ignored the position outside of a sixth-round flier on Tahj Brooks. Yes, Zack Moss is also back on a restructured deal, but that is bullish for Brown. Chase is set up for another monster season as a bell-cow back in a Top-5 offense. He’s a clear Round 2 value hanging out at the 3/4 turn.

2) D’Andre Swift (Bears)—Chicago was rumored to select an RB as early as 10 overall in this Draft and then didn’t select one until pick No. 233. Swift is the clear lead back in an ascending offense loaded with weapons and directed by Ben Johnson. Swift went at pick 101 in one of my drafts. He should be in the 80s … and that’s being conservative.

3) Brian Robinson Jr. & Austin Ekeler (Commanders)—Like Chicago, Washington did not address the RB position in the draft outside of a 7th-round flier. That means wheels up for both Robinson and Ekeler, who are both way too cheap in early drafts. I’ll be gobbling up BRob around pick 100 for as long as that price holds.

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A New Crop of Dynasty Talent

With 257 rookies hearing their names called across the three days of the draft, and many more quickly finding new homes as UDFAs, it's time for Sam Wallace to update his dynasty fantasy football rankings.

Some young quarterbacks got massive upgrades, the resurgance of the tight end position, and an influx of running back talent only scratches the surface of what’s reflected in these updates.

One of the biggest takeaways? A Round 3 running back cleared for takeoff …

AN IMMEDIATE WORKHORSE?

RANKINGS. ARE. UPDATED.

Sure, “Game Seven” may be the best two words in sports, but we just told you what the best THREE words in sports are. That’s right—rankings are updated, and not just from Dwain and Waz as the internal Slack screenshot shows. We’ve got them from everyone.

We’re looking straight ahead at the 2025 fantasy football season, figuring out where the new rookie class slots in and what the ripple effect of adding them to rankings looks like.

Use them for early drafts, Best Ball Mania, or way-too-early strategy for August—dealer’s choice.

They're there for you, however you want them. ⬇️

EXPLORE THE 2025 RANKINGS

We Have Landing Spots … Now The Fun Starts

Once Cam Ward was officially picked by the Titans, immediate thoughts went to Calvin Ridley and others who might be impacted in the Tennessee offense. That’s one of the many beauties of the NFL Draft, because now we can spend the next four-plus months obsessing over whether Omarion Hampton could outproduce Kaleb Johnson based on the offenses they landed in.

Ian Hartitz provided a quick-hitting overview of the fantasy impact that some of the top 2025 rookies could have. Are you picking Colston Loveland or Tyler Warren as your rookie TE1? Read below and start to make your decision. ⬇️

WHICH OHIO STATE RB LANDED IN THE BEST SITUATION?