Bust is a relative term. Ultimately, the higher the draft choice, the bigger the emphasis on getting the pick correct. There’s also an opportunity cost in play, as for every player you select, there are many that you leave in the player pool for your opponents to select.
Drafting running backs can be difficult, as there are multiple factors in play. Health and playing time are the biggest factors. Evaluating skill sets and talent is the first step, but then you need to project health and opportunity. Let’s take a look at three running back busts for the upcoming season. This will be in the context of Fantrax ADP data as of 8/06/25.
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2025 Fantasy Football Running Back Busts
Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks, ADP of 53
Well, that didn’t take long. Again, it’s Training Camp, and caution must be exercised, but Kenneth Walker has already missed three practices with a foot injury. Walker has since returned to action without issue, but it’s not without precedent.
Not only did Walker only make it through 11 games last year, but he finished with just 573 yards and 3.7 yards per carry. Walker did score seven touchdowns, but that’s where the good vibes end. He had just five runs of more than 20 yards. Additionally, Walker caught 46 passes for another 299 yards and a touchdown.
In 2023, Walker was generally healthy as he played 15 games. However, he still only gained 905 yards on 4.1 yards per carry with just 259 receiving yards. Walker has generally been able to find the end zone, but through three seasons, he’s yet to offer much upside.
The other problem sits directly behind Walker on the depth chart in Zach Charbonnet. He’s had his share of success filling in for Walker, and you could make the argument he’s the more explosive option. When you are drafting Walker at his current ADP, it’s with the expectation that he’s going to start each week. Walker has yet to prove that he can be consistently relied on. It wouldn’t surprise me to see a new coaching staff lean more on Charbonnet as he’s proven he can deliver.
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals, ADP of 61
At what point will James Conner truly slow down? There’s already been chatter this summer, driven by Conner, in fact, that Trey Benson will take on a larger role this season. We have also seen similar sentiments from Jonathan Cannon. When you have both the Head Coach and the starting running back talking you up, then it’s clearly something to pay attention to. It’s even more troubling when Conner is being drafted as a starting option.
Before he missed the last two weeks of the season with a knee injury, Conner had another predictably strong season. The veteran had about 18 touches per game and finished with 1,094 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. It was the second straight season of more than 1,000 rushing yards as Conner also added 414 receiving yards on 47 catches.
Aside from his average depth of target, -1.8 yards, and percent of yards after contact of 61.8%, Conner generally grades out quite well from a metrics standpoint. So why are we down on him? Running backs like Conner, in this part of the draft, are the perfect case study for waiting to select your running back.
However, Conner does struggle to gain yards after contact, and he’s another year older. The aging curve for 30-year-old running backs is, unfortunately, not very kind. Yes, Derrick Henry begs to differ, but he’s the exception, not the rule.
Ultimately, the intention is not to be a year too late when it comes to Conner’s decline. The presence of Benson also doesn’t help, as the Cardinals will look to phase him in more.
Cameron Skattebo, New York Giants, ADP of 104
With the addition of Russell Wilson and another year of progression, the New York Giants offense should be better than a year ago. In reality, the only place for them to really go, though, is up.
Malik Nabers is a large part of that, but Tyrone Tracy also impressed in his rookie season. In the draft this spring, the Giants added another running back in Cameron Skattebo. The rookie has received a good amount of buzz, and while I don’t want to bring the mood down, I think some of it is misplaced. If Skattebo was being drafted 30 or 40 picks later, I might feel better about things, but this is simply too early.
Not only is Tracy expected to be the clear number one back, but he’s proficient in all aspects of the game. He rushed for 839 yards and five touchdowns last year while adding another 284 yards through the air. Entering 2025, reports are also that Tracy has brought some improvements into the new season. Behind Tracy also sits veteran Devin Singletary, and then we have Skattebo.
Skattebo does have limited speed, a 4.7-second 40-yard dash, but he had his share of success in college. He might play faster than that, but his big-play ability is limited. For now, Skattebo will likely be in a supporting role. This feels like a player we are drafting to drop early in the season, and the price is too high for my liking.
For more great fantasy football rankings and analysis, make sure to check out the 2025 FantraxHQ Fantasy Football Draft Kit!
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