Five running backs sit at the epicenter of 2025 fantasy upside: Chase Brown, Kenneth Walker III, Omarion Hampton, D'Andre Swift, and R.J. Harvey. Each is paired with a favorable ADP, and all have a plausible path to finishing among the top scorers at their position by season’s end. Brown, Walker, Hampton, Swift, and Harvey are presented not as one-off breakouts but as versatile, scheme-friendly backs with legitimate league-winning potential if their roles hold or expand, even in uncertain backfields.

Chase Brown's late-season breakout for Cincinnati showcased a lead-back ceiling, averaging among the league's top points per game over an eight-game stretch. Kenneth Walker III has flashed elite efficiency and big-play ability when healthy, and Seattle's shift toward a run-first framework under Klint Kubiak could unlock a top-8 ceiling in 2025. Omarion Hampton lands in a Denver offense investing in the run and a versatile receiving game, making him a strong hit in the right passing-down role. D’Andre Swift's career arc—juggling multiple systems and roles—still carries a high ceiling if Chicago leans into zone runs and maximizes his multi-week usage. Finally, R.J. Harvey arrives with breakout speed and receiving chops in a Denver backfield that could stabilize behind a more predictable ground game, boosting his chances for a top-10 finish if he leads carries and catches on early downs.

ADP ranges from early fourth-round to mid-rounds, underscoring the value of each on draft day. The headline takeaway: these five backs offer clear, attainable routes to league-winning weeks, provided health and opportunity align with their teams’ evolving schemes and offensive lines.