Welcome to the 2025 NFL season! You’ve waited and waited and now your reward is four days of NFL football in Week 1. Thursday, Friday, Sunday, Monday and I’m sure Roger Goodell will figure out a way to implant football into your brain stem soon enough! But before that happens, you’ll need to use your eyeballs to figure out which running backs you should start this week.
Mixon is on the NFI list and will miss at least the first four games. Nick Chubb appears to be the starter headed into Week 1. Chubb won’t be in the best position, as the Rams are favorites in Houston. If the Texans get behind, Chubb would lose work to Dare Ogunbowale and Woody Marks.
Spears will miss the first four games due to an ankle injury. Tony Pollard will see an uptick in work and should have a strong fantasy floor with his likely workload.
Harris is recovering from an eye injury and may be able to play Friday night against the Chiefs. This is good news for his availability moving forward, but first round pick Omarion Hampton has a leg up on him to start the year. We’ll need to see him win work before feeling good about starting him in fantasy.
De’Von Achane, Dolphins
Achane is dealing with a calf injury, but was able to return to practice. He appears set to return for Week 1.
Wright looks like he’ll miss Week 1 with a leg injury. His absence would help rookie Ollie Gordon see more work against the Colts.
Jeanty will make his anticipated NFL debut on Sunday when the Raiders visit the Patriots to open the season. The Boise State product taken No. 6 in this year’s draft after an incredible 2024 campaign in college where he ran for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns, finishing as the Heisman Trophy runner-up.
Omarion Hampton, Chargers
Hampton was the other running back to be taken in the first round of the draft this past April and will make his debut on Friday when the Chargers face the Chiefs in Brazil. The 221-pound battering ram out of North Carolina looked impressive in training camp and is expected to get plenty of work in Jim Harbaugh/Greg Roman’s offense.
TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots
Henderson will get his first taste of pro action when the Patriots host the Raiders on Sunday. The rookie out of Ohio State will start the season backing up Rhamondre Stevenson but given his skills as a pass-catcher, many believe that he could be the X-factor of the New England offense this year.
Pittsburgh let veteran Najee Harris walk in free agency this offseason, opting to draft Johnson in the third round as his replacement. The Iowa tailback has the potential to be the primary early-down ball carrier for the Steelers, but enters Week 1 listed behind Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell on the depth chart. We’ll see how much work he gets against the Jets on Sunday.
When looking at running backs and odds, you want big favorites with high point totals. That allows the lead back to handle more work, as the team won’t need to throw the ball to make up points in the fourth quarter. If your rostered back only sees work on passing downs, then you’ll likely want his team to trail or at least be in a position where they’ll need to throw the ball more than hand it off.
Ravens at Bills (-1.5) — 52.5
Lions at Packers (-2.5) — 47.5
Bengals (-5.5) at Browns — 47.5
Cowboys at Eagles (-7.5) — 47.5
Highest implied individual team totals
Eagles 27.5, Bills 27, Bengals 26.5, Commanders 26, Ravens 25.5, Packers 25
Steelers (-2.5) at Jets —37.5
Titans at Broncos (-7.5) —41.5
Cardinals (-5.5) at Saints — 42.5
Raiders at Patriots (-2.5) —43.5
Vikings (-1.5) at Bears —43.5
Lowest implied individual team totals
Titans 17, Jets 17.5, Saints 18.5, Giants 19.5, Cowboys 20, Steelers 20
Cowboys at Eagles (-7.5)
Titans at Broncos (-7.5)
Giants at Commanders (-6.5)
