ClutchPoints
There are several NFL fantasy football running backs who bring question marks into the season. Included in that mix is Derrick Henry. However, here are five undervalued running backs based on their 2025 ADP.
At the top of that list is a player who is getting quite a bit of interest. But he deserves even more.
More touches are baked into the equation for Irving. His workload increased dramatically down the stretch, and it should carry over into 2025.
There’s nobody scary behind him to steal touches. And he should sail over the 300 mark this year. And that means his overall ADP of 23 is too low. He should be taken as one of the elite backs because that’s what he will be this year.
The Buccaneers have big plans for Irving, according to ESPN.
“His vision,” Mayfield said when I asked what makes Irving special. “His timing of when he’s supposed to hit the gas. He’s patient, patient, and then hits it. I just think he’s always looking to score. It’s tough to see in practice. Like, last year at this time, I was like, ‘Eh. We’ll see. It looks good.’ But didn’t expect it to be like it was.
“He’s just tough to bring down. He’s strong, he’s got great vision. (And) he understands it. And then also you add in the ability to catch, too. He’s well-rounded.”
This is a tight one because Gibbs has an overall ADP of 5. To exceed that, he needs to be grabbed ahead of Bijan Robinson or Barkley. A case can be made for taking Robinson over Gibbs, but not so for Barkley over Gibbs.
Barkley was overused in 2024, totaling 482 touches, including the playoffs. That’s 378 in the regular season, and an additional 104 in the postseason.
Meanwhile, Gibbs should gain touches even with David Montgomery still in the mix. The Lions likely won’t have the luxury of as many explosive plays without the creative genius of Ben Johnson. That means they’ll want Gibbs on the field more often, according to Pro Football Focus.
“(Gibbs’)playing time has been limited the past two seasons as he splits time with David Montgomery,” Nathan Jahnke wrote. “[Still] he’s managed to be an elite fantasy option with the most fantasy points per carry over the last two seasons of any running back.
“When Montgomery was injured late last season, [Gibbs] showed he could be the best running back in fantasy football if given enough opportunity. The Lions have a new offensive coordinator and new running back coach, which could lead to an increase in chances for Gibbs, pushing him closer to the top of the fantasy draft board.”
Say what you want about his injury history. But when McCaffrey gets on the field, he can be a championship winner for fantasy managers.
He played in only four games in 2024 and...
