Projecting top five fantasy RBs for 2025: Can Falcons' back claim No. 1 spot?

The fantasy football season is fast approaching.

Last year, the first five running backs selected were Christian McCaffrey, Breece Hall, Bijan Robinson, Jonathan Taylor and Jahmyr Gibbs. Of that group, only two ended the season as top-five performers.

History shows that drafting a player early doesn't always translate to elite results. Last season’s top-five running backs included just one first-round pick, three second-rounders, and one taken in the fourth.

This year’s projected top-five features a mix of first- and second-round selections once again.

5. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers

The past two seasons have been a roller coaster for the 49ers star. In 2023, McCaffrey finished with his second RB1 finish, averaging 24.5 PPG. 

He missed the first eight weeks of the 2024 campaign before injuries shut him down for good after only four games. However, McCaffrey has proven that when he is healthy, there are few in the sport like him.

The 29-year-old's combination of high rushing upside with elite-level receiving work is a match made in heaven for fantasy owners. For 2025, the answer is simple: if McCaffrey is healthy, he will be a top-five back. 

4. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins

Miami's third-year back is in a similar situation to McCaffrey. Instead of Achane's health, though, fantasy managers must monitor the health of his quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa. 

In five games without Tagovailoa last season, Achane averaged 10.4 PPG. In 11 games with Tagovailoa under center, Achane averaged 22.6 PPG, which was the best among all backs.

Achane should see a higher rushing workload this season, but his receiving volume ranks second to none. Last season, he placed first among running backs in receptions (78), receiving yards (592), receiving touchdowns (6) and second in targets (87). 

A healthy season for Tua may result in an RB1 finish for Achane.

3. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles

Barkley finished last year with 2,005 rushing yards, only the ninth player in NFL history to crack 2,000 in a single season. The Eagles enter 2025 returning four of their five offensive lineman. 

All signs are pointing to another tremendous season for Barkley. He will most likely not see a large amount of receiving work, as Philadelphia is a run-first team with Barkley at the forefront.

Where he misses out on receiving work, Barkley makes up for it with elite rushing volume. The 28-year-old may not exceed 2,000 again, but expect him to finish above 1,500 rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns. 

2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

The current RB1 has a shot at repeating his top finish this year. What makes Gibbs so appealing is his dependability.

One week, he may see little success on the ground but make up for it with high receiving numbers. The next week, he shines both on the ground and through the air. His consistency was amongst the league's best last season, finishing below 15 points only four times. 

Gibbs is the focal point of one of the league's most explosive offenses, making him one of the safest picks in this year's draft. 

1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

Robinson finished last year as the RB3, and if it weren't for a shaky start, he could have competed for the top spot. 

In Weeks 1 through 5, Robinson averaged only 13.5 PPG. From Week 6 through 15, he averaged 21.5 PPG. Then, when Michael Penix Jr. took over at quarterback in the last three weeks, Robinson averaged 26.8 PPG.

Like a true workhorse, Robinson finished with 20 or more touches 11 times, and he's improved every season of his career. The 23-year-old may take the next step this season and finish as the RB1 with Penix under center full-time.