The 2025 running back draft class is considered among the strongest groups the position has ever produced, with Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton likely to lead the way as first rounders. But last year was a different story. The 2024 NFL Draft didn’t see the first RB selected until Round 2, pick 46 overall, when Carolina nabbed Jonathon Brooks from Texas. Brooks failed to make an impact as a rookie, starting the year on the PUP and then suffering a season-ending injury shortly after his return.
In fact, the top rookie fantasy RB from 2024, Tampa Bay’s Bucky Irving, wasn’t selected until pick No. 125 overall (Round 4), after five running backs had already been selected. Irving, who finished as RB14 in his rookie campaign, was joined by Giants fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB26) as the only RBs to finish among the position’s top 30 in fantasy.
We have seen some immediate impact from rookie RBs, however.
Top 10 rookie RBs in fantasy points (PPR) over the past 10 seasons (2015-2024)
- Saquon Barkley, NYG (2018 — Round 1, Pick 2)
- Ezekiel Elliott, DAL (2016 — Round 1, Pick 4)
- Kareem Hunt, KC (2017 — Round 3, Pick 86)
- Alvin Kamara, NO (2017 — Round 3, Pick 67)
- Najee Harris, PIT (2021 — Round 1, Pick 24)
- Jonathan Taylor, IND (2020 — Round 2, Pick 41)
- Jordan Howard, CHI (2016 — Round 5, Pick 150)
- Bucky Irving, TB (2024 — Round 4, Pick 125)
- Leonard Fournette, JAX (2017 — Round 1, Pick 4)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, DET (2023 — Round 1, Pick 12)
If Jeanty is to live up to his “generational talent” billing, that top 10 is the bar to clear.
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
