Outlook: Tyrone Tracy emerged as a surprise in 2024, finishing as RB26 with 839 rushing yards, 284 receiving yards, and six total TDs. These numbers allowed him to become a weekly starter despite playing in a bad offense that wasn't producing much outside of he and Malik Nabers.

His explosiveness and receiving skills make him valuable particularly in PPR leagues, although it should be noted that Russell Wilson hasn't been a quarterback who leans heavily on his running backs in the passing game. Additionally, Tracy's five fumbles in 11 games as a rookie are something to pay close attention to, as the Giants did make a move to add Cam Skattebo in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Skattebo lacks the athletic profile to be a true workhorse NFL back, but his impressive per-route numbers in the passing game and his exceptional forced missed tackles rate suggests that Tracy could face more competition for touches this season.

Tracy's role in a likely committee backfield caps his ceiling, even though most expect him to remain the top back in the committee. His receiving ability keeps him relevant, especially in PPR formats, and he should be considered an RB3/Flex, with upside if he earns more touches, making him a mid-round pick with flex appeal.

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Outlook: Brian Robinson churned out a decent 2024, landing at RB29 with 11.7 points per game across 14 games. He totaled 738 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, but his receiving work tanked -- down to 25 targets from 43 in 2023. Why? Austin Ekeler split the backfield, and Jayden Daniels, like most athletic QBs, rarely checked down to his running backs.

Looking forward to 2025, the concerns continue to add up. Deebo Samuel's arrival could nibble at Robinson's carries, given Samuel's gadget-play tendencies, and he's also a player who specializes in the short passing game. Robinson's a classic ground-and-pound back. He's reliable for rushing yards and has a knack for finding the end zone, but without those receiving stats, his ceiling's limited. He's a volume guy who needs touchdowns to pop, making him a better fit for standard leagues than PPR.

If you're looking for a steady-but-unspectacular option who'll have his moments but won't carry your team then Robinson's your guy. He's a decent low-end RB2 in standard formats, dropping to a flex in PPR. He's solid depth for bye weeks and injury fill-ins, but don't expect fireworks.

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Outlook: Rhamondre Stevenson's 2024 was a fantasy gut punch. He limped to RB28 with 619 rushing yards, six TDs, and four fumbles that had coaches side-eyeing him hard. His 38 catches kept him afloat in PPR, but his lack of speed dragged the offense down. Enter TreVeyon Henderson, and suddenly Stevenson's grip on the backfield looks shaky.

For 2025, Stevenson looks like a low-end RB2 or flex play. He'll likely start as the nominal lead back -- veteran clout still counts in today's NFL -- but Henderson's flash could cut his touches to 10-12 per game by October. Still, Stevenson's 230-pound frame and receiving skills give him a PPR lifeline. His fumbles are the real killer; another sloppy stretch, and he's a permanent backup. Draft him as insurance, not a cornerstone.

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Outlook: Dissatisfied with the production he got from his backfield -- the combination of Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Audric Estime turned 328 total carries into 1,319 yards (4.0 YPC) and 7 TDs with just 3 runs of more than 20 yards last season -- head coach Sean Payton looked to add talent to the running back room during the offseason. The first and biggest splash being the selection of Harvey in the second round of this year's draft.

Harvey was highly productive during his time at Central Florida, averaging 6.5 yards per carry for his collegiate career, and he boasts a nice blend of tackle-breaking ability and speed. There are some concerns about his ability in pass protection that could limit him to early downs, at least initially, but you don't invest a premium pick at the running back position unless you think they can be a difference maker. He'll have to compete with holdovers McLaughlin and Estime, as well as newly signed J.K. Dobbins, but right now he looks to be the favorite to take over as the lead back.

While he doesn't appear to have the same ceiling as fellow AFC West rookie backs Ashton Jeanty (Raiders) and Omarion Hampton (Chargers), Harvey has a clear path to playing time. McLaughlin is more of a change of pace than a featured back, Estime is unproven, and Dobbins has a long injury history. The job is Harvey's to lose. Nab him as your No.3 back and see if he can push toward the top 20.

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Outlook: Pacheco entered last season amid huge expectations from fantasy owners, and for good reason. He had grown into more of a featured role in 2023 and looked primed to be a genuine every-down type player for a potent Chiefs offense. The workload was promising early on, logging 17 touches in Week 1 and then 24 in Week 2, but he suffered a fractured fibula during that game and would miss the next 10 weeks recovering. He wasn't the same upon returning, either. After trying to ramp up his touches -- he had 16 in his second game back and then 14 -- the Chiefs decided he couldn't help them much in his current state, and he totaled just 32 touches over his final five games, including the playoffs.

With a full offseason to recover, Pacheco should be ready to roll in Week 1, and the team's lack of investment at the position (they brought back Kareem Hunt, added Elijah Mitchell in free agency, and drafted a back in the final round) suggests they believe it. When he's healthy, Pacheco is a physical back that runs with intensity and can chip in as a receiver out of the backfield as well. A year ago, he was in the discussion as a first-round option for fantasy owners. This year, Pacheco is better viewed as a low-end RB2 with some upside.

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Outlook: Javonte Williams' comeback from his 2022 injury is inspiring, but the on-field results haven't been much to get excited about. He's averaged just 3.6 and 3.7 yards per carry over the past two seasons, looking more like a replaceable cog than a star. In Denver last year, he couldn't shake Jaleel McLaughlin, and his 11 rushing touchdowns across three full seasons certainly don't scream "fantasy stud." That said, his receiving skills shine through - nearly three catches per game throughout his career, with a career-high 52 in 2024. That's a PPR lifeline that gives him some opportunity to be relevant this season even in a new offense.

Now in Dallas, Williams is the frontrunner to start, but don't get too excited. The backfield looks like a committee mess, potentially featuring Williams, Miles Sanders, rookie Jaydon Blue. He'll likely get first dibs at RB1 duties, but the unpredictability could make him a tough player to start in your lineup. The good news? Williams' pass-catching could keep him afloat. He's a volume-reliant RB2 with a shaky floor. Grab Williams as a flex with RB2 potential in PPR leagues. He's not a feature back, but those receptions give him a decent safety net, so long as he isn't completely overtaken in the passing game by Blue.

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Outlook: TreVeyon Henderson is a second-round rookie out of Ohio State and a fantasy sleeper begging to be noticed by those who want to win this season. In college, he split carries with Quinshon Judkins yet still popped off with 7.1 yards per carry -- far outpacing Judkins' 5.5 -- showing elite burst and vision.

Now, he lands in a Patriots backfield that was a disaster last year, with Rhamondre Stevenson stumbling through a brutal season and Antonio Gibson failing to produce with his opportunities. Henderson's got the size, speed, and hands to be a three-down stud, drawing Aaron Jones comps for his versatility.

Expect a committee to start the season -- maybe 55/45 with Stevenson -- but his explosiveness could flip that to 70/30 by midseason. McDaniels has a soft spot for pass-catching backs (think James White's glory days), so Henderson's could push for 50+ receptions alongside 900-1,000 rushing yards and 8-10 total TDs. That's RB2 value with RB1 ceiling. He's not a sure thing yet, but the upside is tantalizing.

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Outlook: Austin Ekeler clocked in as RB34 in 2024, averaging 11.0 points per game over 12 games -- almost identical to Robinson's output.

Known as a PPR machine in his prime, Ekeler's numbers dipped with Daniels under center, who - like most mobile QBs - doesn't lean much on running backs in the passing game. Deebo Samuel's added presence threatens to steal even more short-yardage targets, which stings for a guy who's thrived on those plays. Still, Ekeler's a crafty veteran with enough juice to contribute. He can handle a change-of-pace role and shine in specific situations -- like two-minute drills. But his glory days are fading, and the crowded offense adds risk.

He's got some PPR flex appeal, but you're not banking on consistent RB2 production anymore. It's a gamble on opportunity over explosiveness, making Ekeler a late-round RB2 with PPR upside. Grab him as a bench piece, but don't expect a return anywhere close to his peak from a few years ago.

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