Full-season fantasy football rankings play a critical role in what we do here at ESPN, but sometimes they lack some bigger-picture context.
Is one running back, perhaps ranked one spot higher than another one, considerably better than that player? Myriad fantasy managers wisely have turned to a tiered ranking system for drafts and salary cap formats to better evaluate positional value, because sometimes there is a rather large drop-off in perceived quality, and supply and demand matters.
For example, below you will see one analyst's tiers (for 10-team leagues with standard PPR scoring) at running back for the 2025 season. The names at the top tend to be obvious, and there might be a surprise or two deviating from your opinion in the rankings and the tiers, which is a positive. Think for yourselves, make your own decisions for your teams. As we get deeper into each position, we must further distinguish the players and where talent drops off. A tiered system does this, showing where statistical value changes, and on occasion it is significant.
The most important piece of advice: Prepare your own rankings/tiers for your big draft day rather than relying on others. Combine studious planning with gut feelings. Know your statistics, but remember that last year's don't matter. We look forward to this season.
This is not an exact science, obviously, so try a few mock drafts and see where you believe talent drops off at each position. Planning ahead is key. We will update these tiers/rankings as August news dictates.
Check out all of the tiered rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE
Tier 1: Early-to-mid first round
1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
2. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
3. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
4. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
5. Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Some will select one of these fine fellows with the No. 1 overall pick, perhaps even Barkley. Go for it. I am going with Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase, and a few of his positional pals right after him before securing a running back. That's just me, at least this year. Robinson and Gibbs are safer than Barkley, last season's superstar. Barkley had 482 touches in 2024, the second most in a season since 2001 (including playoffs), and he was not known as durable previously. The Super Bowl champion Eagles will be more cautious. I am all in for Henry having another monster season, and the rookie Jeanty seems safe. Someone you might think is obvious is absent from my top tier, but hey, this is Round 1. How much risk is worth the reward?
Tier 2: Rounds 2/3
6. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
8. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
9. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
Wide receivers still make up most of the first round, and wisely so. These running backs were excellent statistical producers last season and did so in different ways. Jacobs scored 16 TDs and Achane caught passes. Most fantasy managers believe the players in this tier are reliable, and that counts for a lot. You don't have to get a running back in the first two rounds, but the position lacks depth.
Tier 3: Round 3
10. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
No doubt McCaffrey is a No. 1 overall talent, as he has proved in several seasons prior, but durability is far from guaranteed, more so than with most everyone else. I place McCaffrey on my Do Not Draft list because he is going in the first two rounds and I wouldn't consider him until Round 3. And yes, I would absolutely consider him, despite massive risk. McCaffrey dominated as recently as the 2023 season. Then again, he might have ruined your 2024 campaign. Neither you nor the 49ers know for sure what is coming, and that is the problem.
Tier 4: Rounds 3/4
11. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
12. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
13. James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Perhaps a bit of doubt sets in for this quartet, though their talent and production might warrant inclusion in a tier a bit earlier. Brown wasn't supposed to approach 300 touches last season, but he did. The Bengals might look for a partner. The Rams have young options to aid Williams. Cook is a candidate for touchdown regression after scoring 18 in 2024.
Tier 5: Rounds 4/5
14. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
15. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
16. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
17. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Kamara finished last season as the No. 9 fantasy RB, and Hubbard was even better once he got his chance in Week 3. Hampton is a rookie in a clear running offense, and his potential timeshare option might not be ready for Week 1. Or maybe he will be ready.
Tier 6: Rounds 5/6
18. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
19. Breece Hall, New York Jets
20. TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots
21. Aaron Jones Sr., Minnesota Vikings
22. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions
23. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
24. Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
There are more question marks in this tier, starting with Conner, who celebrated (well, we presume celebrated) his 30th birthday in May. The Cardinals have a younger fellow ready to emerge, as do the Vikings for Jones and perhaps the Jets, too, though they also have a running QB. These are clear RB2 options at best. They probably should not be your top RB options.
Tier 7: Rounds 6/7
25. Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
26. RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
27. Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
28. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
29. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
30. Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders
We can't assume volume with the rookies in this tier, but there is clear upside. Try to be patient. Pollard feels a bit underrated in this tier, and he may not share touches initially. Ekeler will share, but perhaps not as much as people realize.
Tier 8: Rounds 7/8
31. Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
32. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
33. Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
34. J.K. Dobbins, Denver Broncos
Mixon's fall is hardly a surprise, as a foot injury may cost him at least a month. The situation with Judkins is far from clear, too. Stevenson and Dobbins may not see much volume.
Tier 9: Rounds 8/9
35. Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
36. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Williams is the top option for the Cowboys, and perhaps he can return to his level of play from 2021 in Denver. Anything is possible, in theory. Etienne and his investors would also prefer a return to his rookie performance, when he averaged 5.1 yards per rush.
Tier 10: Rounds 10/11
37. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders
38. Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
More rookies! Croskey-Merritt and Ekeler are expected to share the backfield, but I prefer the veteran. A healthy Skattebo, who returned from a hamstring injury to play in the preseason finale, would work his way into the Giants' plans.
Tier 11: Rounds 11/12
39. Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
40. Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns
41. Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
42. Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars
43. Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings
44. Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals
45. Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
46. Nick Chubb, Houston Texans
47. Najee Harris, Los Angeles Chargers
These are backup running backs with various levels of upside. Many believe Mason, for example, could be a star. Charbonnet and White have proven themselves. Chubb certainly has, but his last full season was 2022. Spears will miss September due to injury. Don't feel like you must invest here because you have the starters. You can take these players anyway.
Tier 12: Rounds 12/13
48. Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys
49. Braelon Allen, New York Jets
50. Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
51. Justice Hill, Baltimore Ravens
52. Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
53. Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
54. Roschon Johnson, Chicago Bears
55. Isaac Guerendo, San Francisco 49ers
56. Brian Robinson Jr., San Francisco 49ers
57. Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers
58. Ray Davis, Buffalo Bills
There are intriguing, young names in this tier, should opportunity present itself. Blue doesn't exactly have to beat out Emmitt Smith for touches. Guerendo and Robinson are next in line behind the biggest running back risk.
Tier 13: Round 13 and later
59. Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns
60. Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins
61. MarShawn Lloyd, Green Bay Packers
62. Kareem Hunt, Kansas City Chiefs
63. Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints
64. Samaje Perine, Cincinnati Bengals
65. Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
66. Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles