Every fantasy season brings breakout stars, and the RB position is ripe with young talent ready to make the leap. Omarion Hampton, Tyjae Spears, Kaleb Johnson represent compelling breakout candidates who could significantly outperform their current draft cost.
Here's an in-depth look at 3 young players poised for significant leaps in production.
Omarion Hampton (RB, Los Angeles Chargers)
ADP: 61.8
Projected: 247.3 pts, RB19 finish
Key Metrics: 1074 projected rushing yards, 281 projected total touches
Omarion Hampton is poised for a breakout in 2025, supported by his projected 10.07 rushing touchdowns. This highlights his potential as a versatile asset in the Los Angeles Chargers' backfield. With an ADP of 61.8 and projected points at 247.3, Hampton is set to capitalize on early opportunities, especially with Najee Harris recovering from an offseason injury. Under Jim Harbaugh's run-heavy scheme, Hampton's breakaway runs and dynamic red-zone usage are expected to shine. The departure of J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards further cements his role. Fantasy managers should target Hampton for his high upside in a revamped offense, particularly in formats rewarding big plays and red-zone efficiency.
Tyjae Spears (RB, Tennessee Titans)
ADP: 116.4
Projected: 158.1 pts, RB36 finish
Key Metrics: 555 projected rushing yards, 175 projected total touches
Tyjae Spears is poised for a breakout in 2025, with his standout 2.60 yards after contact per attempt underscoring his resilience in the run game. Projected to average 4.23 yards per carry, Spears' efficiency is anticipated to heavily rely on his post-contact prowess, accounting for 61.5% of his gains. With Tony Pollard being the older back at 28 years old, Spears potentially could step into a lead role in a Titans offense transitioning to a more run-heavy scheme under rookie QB Cam Ward. The revamped offensive line is set to bolster his performance, while his dual-threat capability ensures a significant workload. With an ADP of 116.4 and projected 158.09 points, Spears is an undervalued target with high upside, potentially overshadowing peers like Tony Pollard.
Kaleb Johnson (RB, Pittsburgh Steelers)
ADP: 71.5
Projected: 216.5 pts, RB23 finish
Key Metrics: 1112 projected rushing yards, 289 projected total touches
Kaleb Johnson is poised for a breakout in 2025, bolstered by Pittsburgh's revamped offense under new OC Arthur Smith, known for his run-heavy schemes. With the departure of Najee Harris, Johnson steps into a promising situation, sharing the backfield with Jaylen Warren. Smith's history of utilizing multiple productive RBs and Aaron Rodgers' presence should create dynamic opportunities for Johnson, especially in the red zone. His ADP of 71.5 suggests undervalued potential given his projected 216.49 points. Training camp reports highlight his dual-threat capability, positioning him as a potential 1B option with significant upside. Fantasy managers should view Johnson as a high-upside flex or low-end RB2 with room to grow.
The Bottom Line: Your Draft Strategy
Targeting a breakout pick at the RB position can be a game-changing strategy in fantasy football. Players like Omarion Hampton, Tyjae Spears, and Kaleb Johnson are poised to surpass expectations, offering tremendous value. These emerging talents often fly under the radar, allowing savvy managers to seize high-upside assets in the middle to late rounds. When drafting running backs, consider these breakout candidates as potential RB2s or flex options who can provide explosive returns on a modest investment. Prioritizing upside and potential in your RB selections can be the key to outmaneuvering your league competitors.
