RB Breakout Candidates for 2025 🏈

Finding the breakout running backs in fantasy football is like a WWE Superstar winning the Money in the Bank briefcase. It provides fantasy football managers with immensely higher odds of winning their championships. Last season, players like Bucky Irving, Chase Brown, and De'Von Achane found themselves on a vast majority of title-contending rosters. Here are four candidates Walter has identified as potential breakouts in 2025.

🏈 4 RBs with Fantasy Football BREAKOUT Potential

1. Ashton Jeanty (RB - Raiders)

Jeanty has been regarded as a generational prospect, so it is not surprising that we would have him as a breakout candidate. His draft cost may seem steep considering he has not played a single NFL snap, but he is in a terrific situation. He projects as a workhorse running back on a team that will desperately want to run the ball. We have the rookie projected to see 70% of the carries for Vegas.

Walter has him projected as one of the top ceiling and floor combinations at the running back position. He has the potential to be the best player in all of fantasy football. Jeanty’s is currently being drafted as the RB4 on Underdog.

Walter’s Rank: RB5
Walter's Projected Ceiling: RB1

2. Chuba Hubbard (RB - Panthers)

With Jonathan Brooks expected to miss this entire season, Hubbard is poised to garner an excellent opportunity. Last season, Hubbard recorded 15 or more PPR points nine times in 15 games. He is a versatile player whose pass catching ability gives him lots of upside. He caught four or more passes nine times in the 2024 campaign.

We have his weekly ceiling projected to hover around 16 PPR points at this juncture. Given his draft price, this is a terrific value. Hubbard’s current Underdog ADP is RB18.

Walter's Rank: RB24
Walter's Projected Ceiling: RB7

3. Kaleb Johnson (RB - Steelers)

Kaleb Johnson has found himself in a very intriguing situation. As a rookie, he is going to an Arthur Smith-led offense, meaning running the ball is going to be the focal point. For additional context, the Steelers ran the ball the fourth-most times in 2024, and Derrick Henry had over 300 carries in final two seasons with Arthur Smith. Johnson offers a much stronger three-down skill set than Jaylen Warren, and, with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, the offense is expected to be able to move the ball more than if Mason Rudolph was quarterbacking.

His workload may underwhelm at the very beginning of the season, but we are projecting him to fill the Najee Harris role as the season progresses. This means there should be plenty of goal-line opportunities behind an underrated offensive line. His cost, coupled with his capabilities, makes him a worthwhile breakout consideration. Johnson’s current Underdog ADP is RB24.

Walter's Rank: RB27
Walter's Projected Ceiling: RB7

4. D’Andre Swift (RB - Bears)

D'Andre Swift has (surprisingly) remained as the top running back in Chicago after their aggressive offseason. The Bears' only acquisition at running back was seventh round pick Kyle Monangai. Unless Monangai dominates in training camp, or Roschon Johnson has a career resurgence, the primary role should be Swift’s.

With Ben Johnson now calling the plays, Swift's chances of garnering effective touches each week have increased dramatically. Additionally, assuming Caleb Williams develops into an even better NFL quarterback in year two, Swift's goal-line opportunities are expected to see an uptick as well.

We have Swift projected to see nearly 50% of the Bears' backfield touches, and unless Chicago signs another back, Swift's cost in fantasy drafts is going to be too cheap. His highest PPR finish was RB15 in 2021, but this new opportunity is littered with breakout potential for the former Lion. Swift’s current Underdog ADP is RB33.

Walter’s Rank: RB30
Walter's Projected Ceiling: RB7