The running back position can be extremely valuable in fantasy football. Drafting the wrong one can set your team back. There are a handful that have nearly identical ADPs (average draft position). This article will feature six running backs. It will be focused on two of them at a time, and I will choose and explain why I pick one over the other. Here is my version of ADP battles: this running back or that running back.
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This RB or That RB
Ashton Jeanty or De’Von Achane
There is serious hype around Ashton Jeanty, almost as much as when Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson were rookies. Then, there is De’Von Achane, who has finished as the RB5 and the RB6 on a ppg basis in his first two seasons. Jeanty was the best running back in college last season and could easily see 300-plus touches in 2025. Achane, on the other hand, does not need that many touches to see high-level RB1 play.
In 2024, Achane had 907 rushing yards, but was first amongst running backs in receiving yards and receptions. Also, Achane averages around seven targets per game with a healthy Tua Tagovailoa. Jeanty has appeared in one pre-season game, and the issue was not him, but the Las Vegas Raiders’ offensive line. The offensive line looked like my hairline, which is non-existent. Currently, Jeanty has an ADP of 10.2 (RB5) and Achane has an ADP of 12.7 (RB7). At this current state, I will draft Achane over Jeanty every single time.
Jonathan Taylor or Bucky Irving
When it comes to a traditional running back, look at Jonathan Taylor. One of the last remaining workhorses in the NFL. In 2024, Taylor was the RB7 on a PPG basis. In 14 games, he accumulated 1,431 rushing yards and 12 total touchdowns. In the last five games, he had 748 rushing yards! Taylor does not need to be effective in the receptions department to be lethal in fantasy football.
For Bucky Irving, I fear he might have reached his ceiling from a statistical standpoint. He only finished as the RB14 on a PPG basis and is now being drafted as the RB10 overall. Liam Coen is gone, too. Overall, I just do not see myself drafting Irving that high and trusting him as the RB1 for my fantasy football teams. I will draft Taylor over Irving to be my lead running back.
Breece Hall or James Cook
Respectfully speaking, James Cook’s fantasy value was the product of touchdowns last season. Despite having 18 total touchdowns, he was just the RB11 on a PPG basis and had 1,009 rushing yards. The touchdown regression will arrive for Josh Allen’s running back. He also had just 207 rush attempts in 2024. His current ADP is 31.6 (RB13), but I would rather have the running back I will be comparing him with, Breece Hall.
Hall has been forgotten about. In 2023, he was the RB2 overall and the RB6 on a PPG basis. He also had 76 receptions that season. A lackluster 2024 due to the New York Jets’ flaws on offense has dropped Hall’s ADP to 334 (RB14). Pairing him with a dual-threat quarterback like Justin Fields could lead to fabulous things. Also, there have been rumors that the Jets are looking to trade him, which would skyrocket his value if he ends up on a team like the Dallas Cowboys. Hall was top four in receptions and receiving yards in 2024, and I will take the pass-catching running back every day of the week and twice on Sunday in fantasy football.
For more great fantasy football rankings and analysis, make sure to check out the 2025 FantraxHQ Fantasy Football Draft Kit!
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