The 2025 running back class was supposed to be the best in recent memory, but most of the young talent has struggled to adjust to life in the NFL. While this is normal for the vast majority of prospects and shouldn’t impact their long-term value, it makes them difficult to place in the fantasy football Week 3 running back rankings.
Note: These rankings are for PPR scoring
Fantasy Football Week 3 Running Back Rankings
Tier 1: Superstars
1. Bijan Robinson
2. Christian McCaffrey
3. Saquon Barkley
4. Jonathan Taylor
5. James Cook
What can we say about Bijan Robinson that hasn’t already been said? Ditto for Christian McCaffrey, who can still put up fantasy points with Mac Jones under center. Saquon Barkley is the most reliable player on a Philadelphia Eagles offense that hasn’t played up to its talent, while Jonathan Taylor and the Colts are thriving under Daniel Jones. James Cook earns a spot in the top tier of the Week 3 running back rankings, as he’s playing a Miami Dolphins defense that cannot stop anyone and should have plenty of scoring opportunities.
Tier 2: Locked-In RB1
6. Jahmyr Gibbs
7. Derrick Henry
8. De’Von Achane
9. Bucky Irving
10. Josh Jacobs
11. Travis Etienne
12. Chase Brown
The Detroit Lions proved they can succeed without Ben Johnson in Week 2, so Jahmyr Gibbs is once again an elite fantasy option. Derrick Henry had a disappointing performance against the Cleveland Browns, but that won’t cause him to fall too far in the Week 3 running back rankings. Garbage time counts the same in fantasy football, and De’Von Achane should see plenty of work as Miami tries to go blow for blow with Josh Allen’s Bills.
Josh Jacobs hasn’t looked quite as explosive as in previous years, but his workload keeps him firmly in the RB1 territory. Travis Etienne is the frontrunner to be the biggest steal in fantasy football, especially with Tank Bigsby out of town. Jake Browning is nowhere near as good as Joe Burrow, but he can keep the offense afloat and should give Chase Brown enough opportunities on the ground and through the air.
Tier 3: Reliable RB2
13. James Conner
14. Kenneth Walker
15. Alvin Kamara
16. Jordan Mason
17. Ashton Jeanty
18. Kyren Williams
19. Breece Hall
20. Javonte Williams
21. J.K. Dobbins
22. Chuba Hubbard
23. Jaylen Warren
24. Tony Pollard
Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker split work in Week 3, but Walker easily outperformed the former second-round pick. Look for him to lead the backfield in Week 3. Jordan Mason should have a featured role with Aaron Jones sidelined, but Carson Wentz probably won’t give the veteran back too many scoring opportunities. Ashton Jeanty has not come close to living up to his ‘generational’ prospect ranking, and he only played in 56% of the snaps last week. Two weeks isn’t enough to overlook his dominant collegiate production, but he’s on thin ice.
Through two weeks, Javonte Williams is the RB3. While the former Bronco probably can’t maintain this success over an entire season, he deserves a decent spot on the Week 3 running back rankings. RJ Harvey had all the hype throughout the offseason, but J.K. Dobbins is the running back to start at this point in the season. Jaylen Warren is finally receiving a sizable workload, as Kaleb Johnson and Kenneth Gainwell aren’t doing enough to challenge him for playing time.
Tier 4: Flex Plays
25. Omarion Hampton
26. Jacory Croskey-Merritt
27. Quinshon Judkins
28. Rhamondre Stevenson
29. D’Andre Swift
30. David Montgomery
31. Zach Charbonnet
32. Bhayshul Tuten
33. Isiah Pacheco
34. Tyrone Tracy
35. Cam Skattebo
36. TreVeyon Henderson
Omarion Hampton has been nothing short of terrible while playing in an offense that should be perfect for him. Again, it’s only been two weeks, but hopefully you have a better option. Jacory Croskey-Merritt has probably been the best rookie running back thus far, but he’s yet to earn a large workload. Perhaps that changes with Austin Ekeler done for the year. Quinshon Judkins saw 10 carries despite just signing his rookie contract and looked good when on the field.
Rhamondre Stevenson kept TreVeyon Henderson on the bench against the Miami Dolphins, and frankly, he looks like the better back through two weeks. Bhayshul Tuten has played well in limited snaps and should see an increased workload as the season progresses. Tyrone Tracy and Cam Skattebo are both seeing the field just enough to make the other irrelevant in fantasy football. If you’re starting one of them, you have to hope they stumble into the endzone.
Main Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images