Must-Have Running Backs | Fantasy Football Draft Picks To Target (Ep. 1653)

Summary

Podcast Summary: FantasyPros - Fantasy Football Podcast Episode: Must-Have Running Backs | Fantasy Football Draft Picks To Target (Ep. 1653)
Release Date: August 15, 2025
Host: Scott Bogman
Guests: Joe P. Zappia, Andrew Erickson
Duration: Approximately 12 minutes

---

Introduction

In Episode 1653 of the FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast, host Scott Bogman, alongside co-host Joe P. Zappia and guest Andrew Erickson, delve into the critical topic of identifying must-have running backs (RBs) for the upcoming fantasy football drafts. The episode aims to equip fantasy managers with insights on which RBs to prioritize, potential sleepers, and strategic picks to strengthen their rosters.

---

Key Must-Have Running Backs

1. Bashal Tutin – Jacksonville Jaguars

Timestamp: [02:34]

Andrew Erickson champions rookie RB Bashal Tutin from the Jacksonville Jaguars as a crucial draft pick for fantasy managers. Highlighting Tutin's potential, Erickson states:

"I really want to get exposure to this rookie running back class. Bashal Tutin is the cheapest rookie running back that I can find that I feel like I can always leave my draft with." ([02:34])

Key Points:

• Draft Position: Typically available in the fourth round.
• Prospect: Handpicked by the Jaguars' new coaching staff, indicating strong initial investment.
• College Performance: Dominant at the college level with impressive metrics such as a 30% dominator rating.
• NFL Potential: Compared to Bucky Irving, suggesting high upside if current Jaguars RBs underperform.

2. Treveon Henderson – Ohio State University / New England Patriots

Timestamp: [04:04]

Joe P. Zappia emphasizes Treveon Henderson as a versatile RB option, especially in dual-back systems. He remarks:

"If you have a solid RB, Treveon Henderson, I think he's already better than Stevenson. He's explosive... a demon as a pass blocker." ([04:04])

Key Points:

• Versatility: Excels in both rushing and receiving, with 26 receptions in the last season.
• System Fit: Thrived in a two-back system at Ohio State, suggesting seamless transition to similar NFL schemes.
• Consistency: Lower risk due to reliable performance metrics, making him a safe floor option with significant upside.

3. Caleb Johnson – Pittsburgh Steelers

Timestamp: [06:55]

Andrew Erickson introduces Caleb Johnson as an ADP (Average Draft Position) climber, poised to become a key asset:

"Caleb Johnson is going to be the guy that they turn to. 6 foot 1, 224 pounds, absolutely dominant last year at the college level." ([06:55])

Key Points:

• Physical Attributes: Size and strength make him a formidable presence in the Steelers' offense.
• Opportunity: With Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren's roles clarified, Johnson is set to receive a significant share of touches.
• Projected Role: Potential RB1 upside in the second half of the season, offering great value in the sixth or seventh round.

4. Isaiah Pacheco – Kansas City Chiefs

Timestamp: [09:58]

Joe P. Zappia discusses Isaiah Pacheco as a valuable RB option, especially considering his health and team dynamics:

"He's put on weight. They didn't add another back. This team didn't go out and add Chubb or any of the backs Dobbins laying around. So I think that this tells me Pacheco is going to be their guy again." ([09:58])

Key Points:

• Health Status: Fully recovered from a fractured fibula, showing improved performance metrics post-injury.
• Team Dynamics: With minimal competition for the RB position, Pacheco is poised for increased touches in one of the NFL's most potent offenses.
• Performance Metrics: Increased weight and conditioning suggest a return to his pre-injury form, making him a reliable pick.

---

ADP Climbers and Strategic Picks

The hosts also touch upon RBs who are expected to rise in ADP due to favorable team situations or late-season opportunities. Andrew Erickson highlights Caleb Johnson's fit in the Steelers' offense as a prime example of an ADP climber with significant upside.

---

Listener Engagement and Promotions

Throughout the episode, Scott Bogman encourages listener interaction by inviting comments and subscriptions, with incentives like an A.J. Brown autographed helmet for participation. While these segments are promotional in nature, they underscore the podcast's commitment to community engagement.

---

Conclusion

Episode 1653 provides a comprehensive analysis of key RBs to target in fantasy football drafts, balancing proven performers with high-upside rookies and strategic sleepers. The insights from Scott Bogman, Joe P. Zappia, and Andrew Erickson offer valuable guidance for fantasy managers aiming to build a competitive roster for the 2025 season.

---

Notable Quotes

• Andrew Erickson on Bashal Tutin:

  "There's a special place in my heart for Bash Altutin because we made eye contact and like, we actually had a connection when I was asking him questions about making the jump to the NFL." ([02:34])

• Joe P. Zappia on Treveon Henderson:

  "Give me the upside of Treveon Henderson as my RB2. I will pick out of the next group of running backs a floor guy because you have all kinds of options." ([04:04])

• Andrew Erickson on Caleb Johnson:

  "Caleb Johnson is going to be the guy that they turn to. He's absolutely dominant last year at the college level." ([06:55])

• Joe P. Zappia on Isaiah Pacheco:

  "He's put on weight. They didn't add another back. This team didn't go out and add Chubb or any of the backs Dobbins laying around." ([09:58])

---

For more insights and detailed analysis, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to the FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast on their preferred platform.

Transcript

[Unknown Host]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Jake Hofer]

I'm Jake Hofer and this is Back 40, a limited series show on Wire to Hunt, part of Meat Eaters Podcast Network. Each episode I'll be asking eight whitetail hunting pros a focused, thought provoking question about hunting and land management. How do I hunt the best part of the farm with less than ideal access?

[Joe P. Zappia]

Should you? That's what the real question is. Stand without good access is not a good stand.

[Jake Hofer]

Listen to Back 40 on iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast.

[Scott Bogman]

Welcome in everybody to Fantasy Pros. This is the fantasy football podcast. It is me, Joey P, Joe P. Zappia and today we're going to take a look at some must have running backs and to help us find those specific names that we just can't leave drafts without, Scott Bogman and Andrew Erickson here. Scott, of course one of the hosts of our Dynasty football podcast and Andrew Erickson also on the Betting Pros. If you haven't go subscribe to Betting Pros and subscribe to this channel right here. Fantasy Pros. We're trying to get to 300,000 this year and we can do it with your help. Plus if you subscribe, drop your comments below. Who's your favorite running back this year that you got to have? Guess what? You might win the AJ Brown salute to serve as helmet. Go Birds. That's right. Look at this thing. It's glorious. It's absolutely beautiful. AJ Brown autographed it himself and it's from pristineauction.com how do you win? Subscribe to the channel like this video. Drop your comments below and boom. You're automatically entered to win that A.J. brown helmet. And of course your you have to ring the bell till it goes ding. So you never miss a piece of content on the channel. And we can let you know if you are the big winner of the A.J. brown autographed salute to Service Helmet. All right, let's talk about some RBs here that you need to have in your drafts. We're also going to talk about some guys that are climbing up the boards, down the boards and maybe some guys you want to reach for as well. So Andrew Erickson, let's start with you here. Give me an RB that you just need in 2025.

[Andrew Erickson]

For me, I really want to get exposure to this rookie running back class. A lot of these guys are more expensive though. So the cheapest rookie running back that I can find that I feel like I can always leave my draft with is Bashal Tutin, rookie running Back for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now he was handpicked by the new coaching staff, the new regime by the Jaguars. Liam Cohen always gets his guy at the top of round four. And I fell in love with Tutin when I first turned on the tape from him in college. And. And then he blew up at the scouting combine. I got to interview him. So he, like, there's a special place in my heart for Bash Altutin because we made eye contact and like, we actually had a connection when I was asking him questions about making the jump to the NFL. So I'm absolutely.

[Joe P. Zappia]

Ericsson looked like Charlie and Mac looking across the restaurant at each other.

[Scott Bogman]

So a question for you, Andrew. What song was playing when you guys locked eyes at the combine? Just curious.

[Andrew Erickson]

Oh, man, I don't know what song was playing. There was no song. Surprise.

[Joe P. Zappia]

Something in order to let it linger.

[Andrew Erickson]

Something by the crate.

[Scott Bogman]

Cranberries.

[Andrew Erickson]

Yeah, either that or zombie.

[Scott Bogman]

All right, so you're a fool for Bayshaw Tootin. Tell me what his upside is for this season. Full for Bay Shaw, too.

[Andrew Erickson]

And I think that he could be this year's Bucky Irving. Like, I really think that that's in his range of outcomes. Now, it's easy to copy and paste that because you're making the connections while Bucky Irving was drafted by the team that played for Liam Cohen last year. But you look at the depth chart for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Travis Etienne has not had the best seasons as of late. Tank Bigsby popped a little bit last year, but still he's an incomplete product. Doesn't really use. Not used a lot in the receiving game. And two in just at the college level was just absolutely dominant. 30% dominator rating, 37% dominating rating last season alone. That was despite batting through an ankle injury. Finished 2024 top 10 in the FBS yards after contact per attempt. And he. He tied. Actually, he tied Bucky Irving. So Bucky Irving from 2023 entering the NFL in terms of missed tackles forced per attempt, that was according to Sports Info Solutions. So I just think that he checks off all the boxes. Yes, I get he's right now RB3 on the depth chart, but I think that he's going to continue to rise up if ETN or Tank Bigsby kind of disappoint. And he's going outside the top 100. So there's no reason why you don't leave your draft with base shell two in on your bench.

[Scott Bogman]

All right, Pogman, we just did a draft and you did not leave that one with the guy that you're going to talk about Travion Henderson from the Ohio State University and the playmaker the Patriots so desperately need.

[Joe P. Zappia]

Yeah, I mean listen, this is why you come to this show because rankings are great, right? But they don't put everything into context. And I want to leave with Treveon Henderson if I have a back that I've drafted before him that I feel completely confident about. If I take an early Bijon a Saquon A Chan, you know, just one of these upper echelon running backs. Give me the upside of Treveon Henderson as my two back. Give me the and I will pick out of the next group of running backs a floor guy because you have all kinds of options. As Erickson mentioned, with all of the rookies coming in, there's all kinds of upside risk you can take down there. There's all kinds of floor down there because they're being pushed by the rookies moving up. So to me, if you have a solid rb, Trayon Henderson, I think he's already better than Stevenson. He's explosive. He proved that on his kick return. Right. And he worked better in a two back system last year at Ohio State at his high yards per carry in college. Just look like a very strong back. Caught 26 of 30 passes. It's a demon as a pass blocker. So his floor is as a receiving back, as a low end receiving back. That is his absolute floor with an enormous upside. And this dude profiles like Devon Achan who just doesn't need to touch the ball 30 times to be effective. He needs 15 to 22 touches. Somewhere in that neighborhood he's going to break one or two of them and hopefully gets in the end zone and he's going to catch passes in your PPR league. So I just don't see a lot of downside to Henderson.

[Scott Bogman]

And look, it's funny because I was big into Achan his rookie season. They got hurt right before and I started to shy away from him and I wish I had not because I do agree. I think that's a really good comparison of what Trayon Henderson's I think floor is. And look, Devon HN only played 11 games his rookie season, right? He was RB24 with 11 games in terms of fantasy points. So Trayvon Henderson plays 17 games.

[Joe P. Zappia]

Henderson is 20 right now. ECR 20.

[Scott Bogman]

Yeah.

[Joe P. Zappia]

So he's going right at that bottom end of RB2.

[Scott Bogman]

All right. And again, if you're trying to, you know, figure out different builds where you're trying to make some of these running backs Work on your rosters draft simulator right now. That's the way to run quick, easy, realistic mock drafts. So make sure if you haven't already, sync your leagues for [e-mail] create an account. It's very simple. Again, it's free and go use fantasypros.com mock or just download the Fantasy Pros app today. The Fantasy Pros app is there for you for all of your mock draft needs. Sync your leagues, use all the tools, don't be a tool and rock out with your mock out today. All right, let's get to some ADP climbers that you want to reach for. Andrew Erickson, let's go back to you and this one hits home here for Scott Bogman because it's one of his.

[Andrew Erickson]

Pittsburgh Steelers yeah, I'm going to go with Caleb Johnson now. I don't know if he's necessarily an ADP riser after I think that he was okay in the first preseason game, but I think that things can improve for him as the preseason rolls on because I think that Caleb Johnson, when he's at his height, he's going to be a freight train that cannot be stopped in the Steelers offense because you guys made the comparison with Travan Henderson skill set to Devon Achan, but I look at Achan in the comparison to Caleb Johnson as the scheme fit, right When Achan got drafted in this Mike McDaniel offense, we all kind of thought the same thing. Man, this is the perfect running back for this offense and that's exactly how I feel about Caleb Johnson in this Arthur Smith offense. When I was doing the prospecting with Caleb Johnson, the first guy I compared him to was Derrick Henry and who was so successful in Derrick Henry's Arthur Smith's run offense. So I think that with the vacated touches from Najee Harris Over 300 opportunities, we know that Jaylen Warren's not the Hammer in this backfield. We know he's not going to be carrying the ball 20 times when the Steelers are trying to ground and pound, play strong defense with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. I think Caleb Johnson is going to be the guy that they turn to. 6 foot 1, 224 pounds, absolutely dominant last year at the college level. I think that he's going to be a hammer for the Steelers offense and again he goes round six seven where you don't feel like you're overreaching on him. You can add him as your RB3 when I think he has RB1 upside in the second half of the season.

[Scott Bogman]

Yeah, I love where he's going in drafts. I wish I could have gotten in the last mock. We just did. But Boggs, we talk about a rookie running back landing in the perfect spot. That's how I felt about it. That's how Andrew felt about it. But you're, you know, Mr. Black and Gold. Did you feel that same way?

[Joe P. Zappia]

Yeah, I mean, I think it's a very, very good fit. I think beginning of the season might be a little annoying.

[Scott Bogman]

Right.

[Joe P. Zappia]

So I want him as an RB3 for whatever reason Kenneth Gainwell start over him in the first preseason game. I think that's eye rolling, right? Like, you know, you know that's not going to be the way it is. So let's just go with what. But he's just a little bit behind and he also doesn't offer a lot of pass catching upside. But there's probably close to 300 touches. Who cares? Like, sure you're not going to get the, that, you know, passing volume or whatever, but you might get a lot of touchdowns from him. So. Steelers offense might be wretched, so maybe, maybe not too many touchdowns, but if Aaron Rodgers gets them moving, he is going to be the goal line back 100% without question. You're not pushing Aaron Rodgers.

[Scott Bogman]

Not on that Achilles.

[Andrew Erickson]

Not a chance.

[Joe P. Zappia]

I tell you what, you might just hand it, turn around and hand the ball to Darnell Washington at some point here I think would be a smart play, but I think Caleb's going to be pushing that.

[Scott Bogman]

My favorite off season reel is definitely the one where they have slow motion Aaron Rodgers working out and they're playing the Cialis commercial over it. It's just the funniest thing. And he's just like throwing the football.

[Joe P. Zappia]

Real, just missing two bathtubs going through.

[Scott Bogman]

Yeah, he's going through the, the cones and stuff.

[Andrew Erickson]

I'm surprised that copper fit hasn't called him yet.

[Scott Bogman]

All right, let's get one more fit for our rosters at running back. Boggs, who's the copper fit for you at rb? That's an ADP climber you need to reach for.

[Joe P. Zappia]

Let's go with Isaiah Pacheco and I think just the healthier that Pacheco looks in this off, the higher he's going to climb on my board specifically. And you know, they added Burchard Smith. Brashard Smith is a decent back at smu, but I don't know he's not going to push Pacheco this year. Kareem Hunt looked washed at the end of last year and so did Pacheco and I know people may be saying, look, I saw Pacheco at the end of last season and he's dusted. He's coming off a fractured fibula from Week two, right? And if you need proof that he was not the same guy, look at his yards per carry. They went from 4.9 to 4.6 to 3.7. You know how many tackles missed tackles forced he had last season? 4. He made nobody miss. He had no wiggle, he had no burst. So he came back and he played on this wrecked fibula for a little bit because it was well enough for him to play. But Deepak Chona told us when this injury happened, you know, that he was not going to look the same when he came back until he could properly rest this for a full offseason. He's had that full offseason. He's put on weight. They didn't add another back. This team didn't go out and add Chubb or any of the backs Dobbins laying around. So I think that this tells me Pacheco is going to be their guy again. You're not going to depend on a late round rookie and Kareem Hunt did look washed last year without an injury. So to me, I think it's Pacheco by a wide margin and they're still one of the most potent offenses in the NFL.

[Scott Bogman]

There you have it everybody. Those are Some must have RBs from Scott Bogman and from Andrew Erickson. But what are yours? Drop your comments below. Subscribe to the channel. Let us know who your favorite RB that you got to have this season. Whoever that name is. It might win you an A.J. brown autographed helmet. That'll do it for us. But the story of the game goes on. For Bogman and Ericson, I'm Joey P. We'll see you next time. Kids.

[Joe P. Zappia]

Thanks for listening to the Fantasy Pros Fantasy Football Podcast. If you love the show, the best free way to support us is by leaving a positive review on apple [e-mail] review or on Spotify. Follow us on X Instagram and Tik Tok at Fantasy Pros and subscribe to our YouTube [e-mail] fantasypros.

[Jake Hofer]

I'm Jake Hofer and this is Back 40, a limited series show on Wire to Hunt, part of Meat Eaters Podcast Network. Each episode I'll be asking eight whitetail hunting pros a focused, thought provoking question about hunting and land management. How do I hunt the best part of the farm with less than ideal access?

[Joe P. Zappia]

Should you that's what the real question is. Stand without good access is not a good stand.

[Jake Hofer]

Listen to Back 40 on iHeartRadio app, Apple podcast or wherever you get your podcast.

[Sarah Spain]

Get fired up, y'.

[Scott Bogman]

All.

[Sarah Spain]

Season 2 of Good Game with Sarah Spain is underway. We just welcomed one of my favorite people, an incomparable soccer icon Megan Rapinoe, to the show and we had a blast. Take a listen. Sue and I were like riding the lime bikes the other day and we're like wee. Like this is people ride bikes because it's fun. We got more incredible guests like Megan in store, plus news of the day and more. So make sure you listen to Good Game with Sarah Spain on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. Brought to you by Novartis, founding partner of iHeart Women's Sports Network.

[Unknown Host]

I'm Noah and I'm 13, and I started this podcast because, honestly, adults don't ask the right question. How youw Know with Noah de Barrasso is a show about influence. Who's got it, how they use it, and what it means for the rest of you. It's not the news, it's what the news should be if someone Gen Z or Gen Alpha made it. Politics is wild, and I'm definitely not here to tame it, but I'm here to make sense of it. Listen to now youw Know with Noah de arrasto on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an iHeart podcast.