The fantasy football market has grown more efficient, and true late-round value at running back is harder to find than it used to be. Even so, a handful of these late-round backs will end up making a real impact on the season — sometimes on their own merit, sometimes because an injury opens the door.
Here are four running backs being drafted outside of the top-95 picks who are compelling targets, listed in order of Apex average draft position (ADP).
Jordan Mason, Vikings (ADP: 99.7)
As a 27-year-old running back who hasn’t caught more than 14 passes in a season, Jordan Mason isn’t the most exciting pick. With little receiving upside, you’re drafting him for rushing production — and there the profile is encouraging: he’s averaged an impressive 4.8 yards per carry over his career.
Last year out of RBs with at least 130 rushing attempts, he finished top ten (or tied for top 10) in yards after contact, broken tackle percentage, and evasion percentage. Per RotoViz, that’s in stark contrast to teammate Aaron Jones.
| Player | Att | YACon | Y/C | BrokenTack% | Evasion % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Mason | 159 | 3.1 | 4.8 | 11.9 | 19 |
| Aaron Jones | 132 | 2.5 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 9 |
Jones finished bottom five in yards after contact, while finishing dead last in broken tackle and evasion percentage. Turning 32 this season, it’s hard to imagine that Jones has much left in the tank. I’d expect Mason to monopolize the early-down touches, with Demond Claiborne pushing for passing work.
Mason has lost weight and is one of the standouts at training camp.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Commanders (ADP: 102.8)
Like Mason, Jacory Croskey-Merritt is a much better rusher than his competition. Last year out of RBs with at least 130 rushing attempts, he finished top ten in yards after contact, first in broken tackle percentage, and 6th in evasion percentage.
Rachaad White, like Jones, simply isn’t the same level of rusher.
| Player | Att | YACon | Y/C | BrokenTack% | Evasion % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacory Croskey-Merritt | 175 | 3.1 | 4.6 | 17.1 | 22 |
| Rachaad White | 132 | 2.8 | 4.3 | 10.6 | 13 |
White matched a career-high at 4.3 yards per carry but still finished among the league’s lowest in evasion percentage. When Bucky Irving was injured last season, White opened as the leading rusher, but by the end of Irving’s absence, Sean Tucker had taken over that. During that stretch, White rushed 74 times for 268 yards (3.62 YPC); Tucker ran 50 times for 233 yards (4.66 YPC).
While 6th-round pick Kaytron Allen could pose potential competition, JCM will get the first crack and appears to be the team’s best rusher. Commanders reporter Ben Standig believes JCM “is flashing enough as a pass catcher to position himself for the largest role in the backfield.”
Keaton Mitchell, Chargers (ADP: 119.7)
Those who have followed my writing know I’m a big Keaton Mitchell fan. Mitchell has averaged an incredible 6.3 yards per carry on 121 NFL carries. He ran a 4.37 forty and plays like it — he looks shot out of a cannon.
Per Next Gen Stats, Mitchell’s 14.49 mph average speed on carries was more than 1 mph faster than that of any other running back in 2025 (min. 50 carries).
Ben Gretch noted that on 59 carries last year, Mitchell hit 20+ miles per hour a league-leading seven times. You read that right: he led the league on just 59 carries.
It’s not hyperbole to say he may be the league’s most explosive running back.
Mike McDaniel reportedly printed out physical “wanted” posters to push the front office to target Mitchell, and at $5M guaranteed, his contract is not insignificant.
It’s hard to know what’s going to happen in the Chargers backfield, but early on, we’re seeing bullish deep targets to Mitchell at camp. If McDaniel features him, Mitchell may be able to do a lot with limited work. And in the event of an Omarion Hampton injury, he’s probably a league winner.
Marshawn Lloyd, Packers (ADP: 155.3)
Marshawn Lloyd was a fun prospect coming out of college. Unfortunately, with just 7 career NFL touches, the luster has worn off for most fantasy owners.
Marshawn Lloyd spent “multiple months” visiting a specialized injury rehabilitation institute and is finally fully healthy.
Reports are he’s displaying “unique speed and explosiveness” and turning heads at camp.
Simultaneously, Josh Jacobs will miss “at least this week” with injury and potentially faces a suspension. The Packers could certainly add another back, but the runway is lining up for Lloyd.
