Training camps are almost here, and nowhere is the competition hotter, or more unpredictable, than in NFL backfields. While coaches evaluate who can handle blitz pickup or finish runs in short yardage, fantasy managers are watching for something else: opportunity. Several teams enter camp without a locked-in lead back, and what happens in July and August could decide some of the biggest draft-day values. Here are the key running back battles to track as the 2025 fantasy season takes shape.
Training Camp Battle: Running backs
Javonte Williams vs Miles Sanders vs Jaydon Blue – Dallas Cowboys RB Battle
The Dallas Cowboys enter training camp with one of the murkiest backfields in fantasy. Gone are Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, and Dalvin Cook, replaced by a trio of newcomers: veteran Miles Sanders, former Bronco Javonte Williams, and fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue. New head coach Brian Schottenheimer has made it clear: there’s no clear lead back, yet.
Javonte Williams appears to have the inside track early. While his 2024 season in Denver was underwhelming, fewer than 10 carries in each of his final eight games, he still showed flashes of the tackle-breaking, pass-catching upside that made him a breakout candidate pre-injury. If he looks anything like that early in camp, expect him to take the first crack at lead duties.
Miles Sanders, however, shouldn’t be counted out. He’s the most experienced back in the room with 4,345 career rushing yards, a career 4.7 YPC, and a monster 1,269-yard season just two years ago. His Carolina stint disappointed, but Sanders could thrive in a more limited, efficient role.
Jaydon Blue brings the juice as the high-upside rookie. He blazed a 4.38 forty, flashed receiving chops with a 1.58 Yards Per Route Run, but also struggled with fumbles (7 in college), and pass blocking. Blue is likely a year away but could push for passing-down work as the season progresses.
Likely Outcome
Javonte Williams likely enters training camp with a slight edge as the nominal starter, but that status is anything but secure. A near-even 50/50 split between Williams and Miles Sanders seems realistic early on, especially if Williams doesn’t re-establish himself in August. Jaydon Blue will be the wild card. His performance in training camp, particularly in pass protection and ball security, will determine whether he can carve out a situational role right away or remain a developmental piece. How these three perform during camp will be the key to determining who earns high-leverage snaps and whether a true lead emerges or a full committee forms.
Fantasy Impact
From a fantasy perspective, Williams carries RB3/flex upside, but much of that hinges on how he looks in training camp, if he returns to his early-career form, he could hold onto lead duties. Sanders, however, might be the sneaky value. His veteran savvy, pass-blocking edge, and familiarity with committee roles give him a strong chance to win over coaches during camp and out-produce his draft cost. Blue, while exciting, will need to flash in preseason action to be redraft-relevant. Until then, he’s best treated as a dynasty stash or deep-league sleeper whose camp buzz could change his outlook quickly.
Jaylen Warren vs Kaleb Johnson – Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Warren returns after three quietly productive seasons, carving out a reliable role in both the run and pass game. Then came the draft, where Pittsburgh spent a third-round pick on Iowa star Kaleb Johnson, fresh off a monster college campaign. With a new Arthur Smith-led offense in town, there’s more fantasy intrigue than meets the eye.
Jaylen Warren: Warren has the experience and trust of the coaching staff. He’s been a reliable contributor, racking up over 2,500 total yards in his three NFL seasons. Warren thrives on third down and rarely fumbles, traits Arthur Smith historically leans on. With no Najee Harris in the picture, Warren’s path to early-down and passing work is wide open. He may not be flashy, but he’s dependable, and that could lock him into the lead back role, at least to start the season.
Kaleb Johnson: Johnson brings the upside. His 2024 at Iowa was explosive, 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns, but he’s still raw. His pass protection is shaky, and he has limited receiving reps, which may cap his early workload. Still, Johnson’s size, burst, and big-play ability make him a classic Arthur Smith-style grinder who could carve out a larger role as the season wears on. He’s unlikely to start Week 1 as the lead back, but he’ll be nipping at Warren’s heels.
Likely Outcome
Jaylen Warren enters training camp as the frontrunner for the starting role, that said, Kaleb Johnson’s talent is hard to ignore. If he flashes early in camp, particularly by holding up in blitz pickup and breaking off big runs in preseason action, the Steelers may have no choice but to expand his role. Expect a committee to begin the season, with Warren leading in touches. But if Johnson can clean up the finer points during training camp, this could evolve into a true 1A/1B situation by midseason, especially under Arthur Smith’s hot-hand tendencies.
Fantasy Impact
Warren offers the clearest path to early fantasy production, especially in PPR formats. He’s a stable RB2 or high-floor flex option for now. Johnson is more of a long-term stash with explosive upside. If he starts generating positive buzz during training camp or earns trust in protection schemes, his usage could grow fast. This is a backfield where preseason performance will likely shape the regular-season rotation, and potentially tip off who ends up being the better fantasy value.
Najee Harris vs Omarion Hampton – Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers made big moves in their backfield without making much noise. They signed Najee Harris to a one-year deal after four steady years in Pittsburgh, signaling he’d be the early lead back. But the real splash came in the draft, when they spent a first-round pick on Omarion Hampton, one of the most explosive and productive backs in college football. Greg Roman is coming in to reinforce the run-heavy identity Harbaugh already wanted to establish in Los Angeles. This backfield has real upside under his system, but it may not be Harris leading it for long, if at all.
Najee Harris: Harris is as durable as they come, four straight seasons with 1,000+ rushing yards and hasn’t missed a game. He’s had at least 250 carries each year, including 255 for 1,035 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2023. Still, his efficiency is underwhelming, averaging just 3.9 yards per carry for his career. His snap share has fallen every season, and he’s finished outside the top 24 in fantasy points per game in back-to-back seasons. He’s a high-usage back who reliably takes what’s there, but brings limited explosiveness or big-play potential.
Omarion Hampton: Hampton is the reason Harris’ time as the lead back may be limited. He racked up 1,487 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns last season at UNC, he also caught 26 passes for 315 yards and showed plenty of big-play ability in both the run and pass game. Pass protection is a work in progress, but his explosiveness and three-down potential make him the clear long-term answer in this offense.
Likely Outcome
Najee Harris is expected to begin training camp as the Chargers’ lead back and will likely carry that role into Week 1. His experience and durability give him an early advantage, especially in Greg Roman’s power run scheme. However, Omarion Hampton will have every opportunity to close the gap. If Hampton flashes his burst and proves capable in passing situations during training camp, the coaching staff may accelerate his role. A timeshare looks likely early on, but the Week 12 bye sets up well for a full transition. Should Hampton impress throughout training camp and preseason, he could emerge as the lead option much sooner.
Fantasy Impact
Harris offers some early FLEX appeal in deeper formats, but his long-term value depends on what unfolds in training camp. If Hampton makes a strong case in August and earns touches early in the season, Harris could quickly become a volume-dependent backup. Hampton, meanwhile, is the more exciting fantasy prospect. He should be drafted in all formats given his potential to take over the backfield. With the Chargers leaning into a run-heavy approach, a strong training camp could position Hampton as a high-upside RB2 as the season progresses.
Tyrone Tracy vs Cam Skattebo – New York Giants
The Giants have completely reshaped their backfield, since Saquon Barkley‘s departure, with mid-round running backs. Tyrone Tracy Jr. returns after flashing explosiveness during his 2024 rookie campaign, while Cam Skattebo enters as a fourth-round pick known for power and versatility.
Tyrone Tracy: Tracy finished 2024 with 760 rushing yards, 5 touchdowns, and 30 receptions, most of it during a five-game stretch midseason where he averaged over 100 total yards per game. Tracy struggled post-bye, averaging just 3.7 YPC and fumbling three times in his final six games. Still, he has the burst, vision, and pass-game upside to be the backfield leader if he can clean up ball security.
Cam Skattebo: Skattebo is a bruiser at 5’10”, 219 lbs, with the best first-down conversion rate (33.6%) of any back in his class. While he lacks breakaway speed, he excels at creating yards on broken plays, a valuable trait in the context of the Giants’ struggling offense. In college, he also flashed rare receiving ability for his build, posting 1.62 yards per route run. That versatility gives him a chance to carve out a complementary role quickly, especially in short-yardage and red-zone packages.
Likely Outcome
Tyrone Tracy enters training camp as the favorite to start, and he should open the season as the lead back. He offers more explosiveness and versatility on early downs and in the passing game. However, Cam Skattebo is expected to be involved from the beginning, especially in short-yardage and power situations. A 60 to 40 split in favor of Tracy seems likely out of the gate, but that could shift depending on how each player performs in camp. If Tracy struggles with ball security again or fails to separate, Skattebo’s physicality and better fit behind a struggling offensive line could tip the scale in his favor.
Fantasy Impact
Tracy has the edge for consistent touches and receiving work, making him a solid RB2 or flex option in PPR leagues, particularly with Russell Wilson’s tendency to check down to backs. Still, fantasy managers will want to monitor training camp reports closely. Skattebo offers touchdown upside and is worth stashing in deeper leagues. If he impresses in training camp and earns red zone work early, his role could grow quickly. This backfield is far from settled and will be one of the more important depth chart battles to track in August.
R.J. Harvey vs J.K. Dobbins vs Audric Estime – Denver Broncos
The Broncos revamped their backfield after letting Javonte Williams walk, drafting UCF’s R.J. Harvey in Round 2 and signing J.K. Dobbins late in free agency. Sean Payton has a long track record of supporting multiple fantasy-relevant backs, but early signs suggest Harvey could be the new lead, with Dobbins sliding into a rotational role.
R.J. Harvey: Harvey was one of the most efficient runners in college football over the last 3 seasons, posting a 93.4 PFF rushing grade vs. Power Five teams. In 2024, he rushed for over 1,300 yards and 16 TDs while adding 24 catches. He forced 87 missed tackles and showed real burst, despite being just 5’8”, 205 lbs. Harvey’s passing-game chops and explosiveness make him an ideal Kamara-type for Sean Payton. He’s a natural fit for high-leverage snaps and should be the primary back by midseason if not sooner.
J.K. Dobbins: Dobbins returned from injury in 2024 with mixed results, rushing for 836 yards and 8 TDs in 10 games for the Chargers but managing just 3.8 YPC in five of those contests. He added little in the passing game (14 catches) and missed four games with an MCL sprain. While still dangerous on big plays, Dobbins lacks the receiving upside and durability to fend off a surging Harvey. He’ll likely handle early downs and mix in at the goal line, but his volume ceiling is capped.
Audric Estimé is a depth player in Denver’s backfield for 2025. He has a strong, physical running style. Estimé struggled as a rookie, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. He finished near the bottom in most advanced metrics. At Notre Dame, he was a highly productive runner and touchdown scorer. Estimé’s best chance is as a short-yardage, goal-line back. He is not a receiving threat and lacks breakaway speed. In Sean Payton’s system, Estimé could earn a touchdown-dependent role.
Likely Outcome
Sean Payton has long favored a committee approach, and this year looks no different. Still, R.J. Harvey enters training camp as the most explosive and versatile option in the Broncos’ backfield. While J.K. Dobbins is likely to begin the season with a prominent role, especially on early downs, Harvey has a clear edge in passing situations and overall dynamism. If Harvey performs well during camp and preseason action, he could start forcing a shift in the rotation by October. A 60 to 40 split in Harvey’s favor seems realistic by November. Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin will compete for backup touches, but barring a major surprise in camp, they remain firmly behind the top two.
Fantasy Impact
Harvey’s projected involvement in the passing game gives him a safer weekly floor, particularly in full-PPR formats. If camp buzz confirms he’s earning trust on passing downs and handling 8 to 12 carries per game, Harvey could emerge as a consistent flex option with RB2 upside. Dobbins, while still fantasy-relevant, appears more touchdown-dependent and carries durability concerns. He’s worth a late-round look as a low-end RB3. This backfield battle is one of the most important to watch through training camp. If Harvey earns the staff’s confidence early, he could be this year’s breakout value in Sean Payton’s offense.