Standout Rookie Running Backs ALL In The AFC West

Eight players deserve our attention, but the standout rookie running backs are ALL in the AFC West. Are there any exceptions in the NFL 2025? Just one.

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The quarterbacks were all the talk of the predraft process, but now that the NFL Draft has concluded, rookie running backs are the talk of the town. There were a lot of them, and many are expected to have outsized impacts on the 2025 NFL season. Many will, but we know all will not.

First, let’s run through the top names.

First-round picks: Ashton Jeanty to Raiders; Omarion Hampton to Chargers
Second-round picks: Quinshon Judkins to Browns; TreVeyon Henderson to Patriots; RJ Harvey to Broncos
Third-round picks: Kaleb Johnson to Steelers
Fourth-round picks: Bhayshul Tuten to Jaguars; Cam Skattebo to Giants

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There were more backs taken later in round four, and many more in the final three rounds of the draft. However, those eight RBs are the cream of the crop, and it wouldn’t be surprising if all eight are impact players in year one. Can we count on all of them to make real life and fantasy impacts? Which players stand out and why are they all in the AFC West?

Rookie Running Backs Take Over 2025

Todd Salem:

Jeanty is his own tier. He is a premiere player joining an offense with only Raheem Mostert standing in his way. Jeanty will be a top back as soon as he takes the field in his first game.

Hampton, Judkins, and Harvey have value easy to identify as well. They all enter offenses where the incumbent could be overtaken before Week 1. No one would be surprised if Hampton starts over Najee Harris (who isn’t even an incumbent). It would be a surprise if Judkins does not overtake Jerome Ford before the first game is played. The same goes for Harvey surpassing the timeshare group in Denver. These guys were all drafted highly because their new teams think they will be difference-makers from day one.

Henderson, Johnson, and Skattebo enter timeshares where they could be that same level of difference-maker. Whether because of their style of play, the situation they enter, or both, it is hard to imagine them garnering a full workload right from the jump though. 

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One tier below sits Tuten. He is a backup, though entering a foggy situation. The Jaguars have clearly soured on Travis Etienne’s ability to be an every-down back and are looking for alternatives. Tuten could develop into Etienne’s replacement sooner rather than later. He is a quick and powerful runner, with pass-catching ability to boot.

We know the RB position turns over often. It isn’t rare to find rookie contributors. That’s kind of the point of the downfall of the position. Rookies and cheap options perform just as well as “stars” in many offenses, meaning there is no point in rostering the expensive star. 

But even with that in mind, this ’25 class feels special and deep. We listed eight names of guys who we kind of expect to be fantasy starters (if not real-life starters) right from the beginning of their careers. That doesn’t even factor in any of the dozen guys drafted behind this octet, and the undrafted free agent signees, all of whom may turn into something on a depth chart as well.

A combination of skill and opportunity has aligned to make the ’25 class ready to take over the league…at least for a couple years, before the 2029 guys push them to the curb. That’s just how it goes at the running back position! 

Dan Salem:

You know what they say, expectations are the death of achievement and success. But we’re fans, so we get to expect things! Out of all the rookie running backs entering the NFL, five names jump out at me for immediate success. It’s because of where they will be playing that Jeanty (Raiders), Hampton (Chargers), Harvey (Broncos), Johnson (Steelers), and Skattebo (Giants) will succeed immediately.

It is completely unfair to say the running back position has seen its downfall, because look at how many are joining the NFL this season! What’s now unique about playing running back, unlike the other skill positions, is the ability to start week one and make a real difference. Few wide receivers or even quarterbacks are true difference makers immediately. Running backs are and because the position takes a heavier beating than others, the turnover is higher. It’s good business to find fresh cheap legs at the position, but this is only the average.

Saquon Barkley was the difference in Philadelphia last year. He may be the exception with his longevity and productivity, but Barkley proves that the RB position is far from dead. With fewer QBs able to hit their targets play after play, teams need stud running backs and I truly see five of these eight players being dominant this year. It’s because they join teams who desperately need them to be great.

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It’s some kind of wild coincidence that three of the four AFC West teams gain new running backs with huge potential. Or is it? The only way to stop Kansas City is to slow them down, with defense and a dominant running game. The Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders will all have that this season. All three of those teams are built on defense and the running game, to varying degrees of success. Only Los Angeles has a potential Pro Bowl quarterback at the moment, but Denver might if things keep trending up. I’m targeting Hampton immediately in fantasy because of the Chargers makeup, but Jeanty and Harvey are going to do great as well. Their teams need them to.

In the other realm of success sits Pittsburgh and the New York Giants. Both teams batted eyelashes with Aaron Rodgers, but neither will have the passing game to win this season. The Giants built their defense heavily and want to win with a running game that protects their QB, be it an aging veteran or rookie passer. The Steelers love to win with defense and need a running game to keep them at their nine or ten win average. Johnson and Skattebo are set up to get lots of opportunities and I believe both seize them fully. The darkhorse for success is Henderson in New England. I don’t trust the Patriots’ offense just yet and they are starting fresh with a new coaching staff. That said, it’s the running game and defense in New England as well. That’s the current NFL with fewer stud passers and plenty of clock to eat up.

Meet our Sports Writers:

Dan Salem is Lead Editor and Co-owner of BuzzChomp. He’s an award winning Actor, Director and Producer. Visit M Square Productions for his film work, or get lost in his old-school comedy on Pillow Talk TV. You can follow him on X, TikTok and Instagram. His latest film ‘Alone’ is now on Amazon.

Todd Salem is a Staff Writer and Contributing Editor at BuzzChomp. He’s also a champion of fantasy football and fantasy baseball, dominating leagues for over two decades. Comment below on his unfiltered opinions.

Rookie Running Backs Take Over 2025 – This Is The End

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