Five mid-round breakout candidates headline the 2025 backfield: Warren, Spears, Benson, Irving and Pacheco. Warren steps into a lead role in Pittsburgh, absorbing Najee Harris’s workload and offering solid pass-catching upside. Spears gains backing in Tennessee as injuries fade and workload grows, closing in on Pollard’s early-season share. Benson is primed as Conner’s successor in Arizona, potentially taking 130–160 carries. Irving is the Buccaneers’ likely lead back with a bigger, more traditional role, while Pacheco returns from a fibula fracture to once again spearhead Kansas City’s ground game. These five profiles shape mid-to-late draft strategy for 2025 fantasy rosters.