X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

3 Fantasy Football Rookie Running Backs Sleepers - Jarquez Hunter, Dylan Sampson, Trevor Etienne

Jarquez Hunter - Fantasy Football Rankings, NFL Rookies - icon rotoballer

Andrew's 2025 fantasy football rookie running backs sleepers to target in drafts. Expert fantasy football player analysis for Jarquez Hunter, Dylan Sampson, and Trevor Etienne.

There's (almost) always one.

From Bucky Irving to Chase Brown to Kyren Williams to Rhamondre Stevenson to Tony Pollard (we can go back further if you like), at least one Day 3 running back becomes a fantasy football asset (2020 being the lone exception in recent history). The dopamine hit when fantasy managers strike gold on a late-round running back is unlike anything else.

The fourth-round running backs are popular choices this year. Bhayshul Tuten and Cam Skattebo are the favorites, but the trio of Jarquez Hunter, Dylan Sampson, and Trevor Etienne are candidates too, depending on who you ask.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Jarquez Hunter, RB, Los Angeles Rams

Is a rookie coming to take Williams' job?

That has been a (not the) drumbeat for the second straight offseason. Blake Corum was selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Williams dispelled any notion that the Michigan product would eat into his workload by rushing for 1,299 yards and 14 touchdowns in 16 games. Corum tallied 207 yards on 58 carries.

This offseason, fourth-round pick Hunter is the shiny new fascination. The Rams traded up to select Hunter, addressing the running back room for the second time in as many offseasons. What does that say about Corum? Or what does it say about Williams?

The incumbent starter is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and a big payday is due. Williams led the league in rushing yards (95.3) and trailed Christian McCaffrey in PPR points per game (21.3) in 2023. The efficiency numbers slipped with increased attempts per game, but he still breaks tackles at a top-5 rate and averages over one touchdown per game as a full-time starter.

A giant question next offseason will be if the Rams want to pay Williams to remain in Los Angeles. Since making Todd Gurley the highest-paid running back in the league in 2018, Sean McVay and Co. have gone the cheap route: Darrell Henderson Jr., Sony Michel, Cam Akers, and Williams himself. All four running backs played for the Rams on their rookie contract.

That's where Hunter comes into the picture. The selection may have been a bigger-picture look at the position following the 2025 season. To know what they have, it requires getting Hunter or Corum on the field. The Rams clearly have a type. Williams, Corum, and Hunter are 5'9" or shorter, and their best skill is breaking tackles with lower-body strength.

Hunter was involved in the Auburn offense from the moment he stepped on campus, averaging 6.3 yards per carry over his four-year stint with the Tigers. Thanks to a 278-yard effort against Kentucky, Hunter's weekly average surpassed triple digits. He logged a breakaway run on over 10 percent of his carries.

However, Hunter is not the strongest pass-catcher, and his tape doesn't show a reliable pass-protector. Corum isn't suited for that role either. If Williams is to lose touches in 2025, it won't be on high-value third downs or near the red zone.

Hunter is a taxi squad candidate for dynasty fantasy football leagues, but his redraft value is well outside standard-sized draft range. Unless something happens to Williams, Hunter won't see more than spot usage, even if he beats out Corum for the second spot on the depth chart.

 

Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns, notably, double-dipped at the quarterback position in the NFL Draft. Less notably, they also took two swings in the backfield.

Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins filled a massive need for the Browns roster. Cleveland's third all-time leading rusher, Nick Chubb, was uncertain about returning in 2025. Judkins and Jerome Ford would form a nice one-two punch as Cleveland enters a new era. Then, general manager Andrew Berry pulled the trigger on a second running back, Tennessee's Sampson, in the fourth round, slamming the door on another year of Chubb and making a mess of a backfield.

Sampson led the SEC with 1,491 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns in his final season at Knoxville en route to an SEC Offensive Player of the Year title.

Despite his speed, there weren't many (two over 40 yards, to be exact) breakaway runs. Rather, he was a volume king, leading the conference in carries (258) and notching eight games with over 20 totes. The Volunteers could trust their guy to easily pick up five or six yards, patiently waiting for his blockers to open gaps.

Judkins, known as a physical runner, meshes well with Sampson's speed. On paper, it's a great pair for the future of the backfield.

But Ford will be a thorn in 2025, the final season of his contract. The veteran averaged five yards per carry on the league's lowest-scoring offense. That's an offense, behind quarterback play from Kenny Pickett, Joe Flacco, or a rookie, that likely won't show much improvement.

So, the immediate returns on Sampson likely won't be fruitful. Judkins and Ford are projected to dominate backfield touches. Even if Sampson usurps Ford, the offense won't offer running backs a chance to find the end zone often. Hopefully, for the first time since Bernie Kosar, the Browns can find a franchise quarterback and right the offensive ship in 2026. Sampson's long-term value hangs on it.

 

Trevor Etienne, RB, Carolina Panthers

The younger brother of Jacksonville's Travis Etienne Jr. enters the NFL without his sibling's pedigree or draft capital. He's smaller, lighter, and less athletic than his brother and never dominated backfield touches in college. But don't write him off just yet.

Etienne became a fourth-round selection by the Carolina Panthers to round out a running back room with a vacant spot left by the injured Jonathon Brooks (knee). He, Chuba Hubbard, and Rico Dowdle will be the trio active on game days, barring a surprise in training camp.

Hubbard established himself as a workhorse in 2024 with 1,195 yards and 11 total touchdowns in 15 games and was rewarded with a four-year, $33M contract. The Panthers added a second 1,000-yard rusher when Dowdle inked a one-year deal to return to his home state. The top of the depth chart is, by all intents and purposes, set for 2025.

While Carolina wasn't the best landing spot for Etienne, there is a path toward playing time. He confirmed his skills as a pass-catching running back at the Senior Bowl and can quickly diagnose blitzes and protect his quarterback. Hubbard and Dowdle are passable in those areas, but neither excels.

Ultimately, his size prevents him from being a three-down back, limiting the number of weekly opportunities. It's doubtful any potential receiving work Etienne would be enough to crack redraft rosters.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Evan Bouchard

Enjoys Three-Point Period In Game 2 Against Panthers
Connor McDavid

Joins Rare Company with Three-Assist Effort
Sam Bennett

Makes NHL History with Another Goal Friday
Seth Jones

Fills Stat Sheet in Game 2 Against Oilers
Anton Lundell

Notches Two Assists in Friday's Win
Brad Marchand

Leads Panthers to Victory in Game 2 Against Oilers
Tee Higgins

Trying to Prevent Injuries
Lamar Jackson

Extension for Lamar Jackson on Ravens Docket
Anthony Volpe

Leaves Early Friday With Elbow Contusion
Gabriel Moreno

Exits Early on Friday With Hand Injury
Tyreek Hill

Won't Catch Passes Until August
Shane Bieber

Shut Down From Throwing Until Next Week
Ryan Mountcastle

Out 8-12 Months With Grade 2 Hamstring Strain
Rome Odunze

Anticipates Big Year 2
Shea Langeliers

A's Place Shea Langeliers on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Keilan Robinson

Joins Eagles
Ladd McConkey

Focused on Staying Healthy
Logan O'Connor

to Miss 5-6 Months Following Hip Procedure
Ezequiel Tovar

Rockies Place Ezequiel Tovar on 10-Day Injured List With Oblique Strain
Francisco Lindor

Out Again on Friday With Toe Injury
Tyler Seguin

Nursing a Shoulder Injury
DAL

Pete DeBoer Fired by Stars
Stuart Skinner

Seeks Sixth Consecutive Win Friday
Sergei Bobrovsky

Looks to Return to Winning Ways Friday
A.J. Greer

Remains Out Friday
Corbin Burnes

to Undergo Tommy John Surgery
Bryce Harper

Day-to-Day With Sore Wrist, Not Playing on Friday
Luis Robert Jr.

Returning on Friday
Ryan Ritter

Promoted to Major Leagues
Gardner Minshew II

Throwing at OTAs
Rondale Moore

Active at OTAs
Colston Loveland

Could Return Soon
Kyle Monangai

has "Really Stepped Up"
Anthony Richardson

No Structural Damage to Anthony Richardson's Shoulder
Sean O'Malley

Set For A Rematch
Merab Dvalishvili

Set For His Second Title Defense
Kayla Harrison

Could Become The New UFC Champion
Julianna Peña

Julianna Pena Set For Co-Main Event
Joe Pyfer

A Favorite At UFC 316
Kelvin Gastelum

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Mario Bautista

Looks For His Eighth Consecutive Win
Isaac Guerendo

Taking Part in OTAs
Patchy Mix

Makes His UFC Debut
Evan Engram

Off to a Good Start at OTAs
Alvin Kamara

Not Present for OTAs
Vicente Luque

An Underdog At UFC 316
Kevin Holland

Set To Open Up UFC 316 Main Card
Derek Carr

Didn't Want to "Just Take the Saints Money"
Trevor Lawrence

Making Progress at OTAs
Framber Valdez

Dominates the Pirates on Thursday
Marcus Semien

Goes Deep Twice on Thursday
Alex Caruso

Shines Off the Bench in Game 1
Luguentz Dort

Knocks Down Five Triples in Game 1
Cason Wallace

Moves into the Starting Lineup in Game 1 Loss
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Scores 38 Points in Game 1 Defeat
Obi Toppin

Drops 17 Points in Game 1
Aaron Nesmith

Posts a Double-Double in Pacers Game 1 Victory
Pascal Siakam

Leads the Pacers with 19 Points in Game 1 Win
Tyrese Haliburton

Hits Game-Winning Shot as Pacers Steal Game 1
Davante Adams

Making Positive Impact on Puka Nacua
Anthony Richardson

Expected to be Ready for Training Camp
Michael Pittman Jr.

OK But Likely to be Held Out of Minicamp With Knee Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers

Quindell Johnson Heading to Pittsburgh
Karl-Anthony Towns

Undergoes Treatment for Knee, Finger Issues
Nate McCollum

Waived by Seahawks
Kevin Durant

Knicks Reportedly Make an Offer for Kevin Durant
Tyler Soderstrom

Slugs Two Homers in Blowout Win Over Twins
Kyle Teel

Being Called Up by White Sox
Shea Langeliers

Exits Early on Thursday
Shane Bieber

Scratched With Elbow Soreness
Zack Wheeler

Phillies Expect Zack Wheeler to Return Early Next Week
Josh Naylor

Day-to-Day With Multiple Injuries
Brandon Woodruff

Pulled Off Rehab Assignment After Elbow Injury
Giancarlo Stanton

Could Return in Mid-June
Nicolas Batum

Clippers Expect Nicolas Batum to Return for Next Season
Tyus Jones

Reportedly on Kings Radar
Jeff Green

Wants to Play for Two More Years
Steven Adams

Rockets Desperate to Get Steven Adams Under a New Contract
Fred VanVleet

Likely to Remain in Houston
Nate Schmidt

Logs Pair of Helpers Wednesday
Carter Verhaeghe

Registers Two Assists In Game 1 Loss Against Oilers
Sam Bennett

Establishes New Franchise Record with 12 Postseason Goals
Kasperi Kapanen

Stays Productive in Finals Opener
Connor McDavid

Records Two Assists in Wednesday's Win
Leon Draisaitl

Scores Twice in Game 1 Win Against Panthers
Kristaps Porzingis

to be Moved This Offseason?
Phoenix Suns

Jordan Ott Named Suns Head Coach
Zion Williamson

to Remain Pelicans "Focal Point"
Nikita Kucherov

Takes Home Second Ted Lindsay Award
Derek Forbort

Sticking with Canucks for One More Year
Noah Cates

Lands Four-Year, $16 Million Extension
Rico Hoey

a Decent Dark-Horse Option at TPC Toronto
Harry Hall

a Decent Option at TPC Toronto
Beau Hossler

Not Appealing Ahead of RBC Canadian Open
Taylor Pendrith

Could See Success at RBC Canadian Open
Ryan Fox

a Solid Option at TPC Toronto
Mackenzie Hughes

is a Risky Option at TPC Toronto
Eric Cole

Not A Great Option For RBC Canadian Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

a Volatile Option at TPC Toronto
Quade Cummins

Hard to Trust at RBC Canadian Open
PGA

Matti Schmid a High-Risk, High-Reward Play at TPC Toronto
Jake Knapp

a Boom-or-Bust Option at RBC Canadian Open
Doug Ghim

a Sneaky Value Play at RBC Canadian Open
Gary Woodland

a Solid Value Play at RBC Canadian Open
Rory McIlroy

Eyes Third RBC Canadian Open Title
Wyndham Clark

Hoping to Reverse Slide at RBC Canadian Open
Erik Van Rooyen

Erik van Rooyen Continues Rocky 2025 Campaign
Sahith Theegala

Trying to Find Positives in 2025
Justin Rose

Enjoying Career Renaissance at 44
John Pak

Striving to Improve on PGA Tour
Kurt Kitayama

Roller-Coaster Season to Continue in Canada
Max Homa

Motivated for RBC Canadian Open
New York Knicks

Knicks Fire Head Coach Tom Thibodeau
Bronny James Jr.

May Have Regular Role with Lakers Next Season
Dante Exum

and Mavericks Have "Mutual Interest" to Work Out New Deal
Ludovit Klein

Outclassed At UFC Vegas 107
Mateusz Gamrot

Bounces Back In The Win Column
Ramiz Brahimaj

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Billy Ray Goff

Gets Submitted
Bruno Lopes

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Dustin Jacoby

Scores First-Round Knockout
Ketlen Vieira

Dominates at UFC Vegas 107
Macy Chiasson

Dominated At UFC Vegas 107
Duško Todorović

Dusko Todorovic Drops Three Fights in a Row
Zachary Reese

Gets Back In The Win Column
Joey Logano

Puts Together a Clean Race and Finishes In the Top Five At Nashville
William Byron

Steady Performance Earns Him a Top-Five Finish At Nashville
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Finally Returns to the Top 10 At Nashville
Kyle Larson

Rollercoaster Day At Nashville Ends In the Top 10
Tyler Reddick

Makes A Top-10 Recovery At Nashville
Ryan Blaney

Denny Hamlin Factors for Nashville Win Until Ryan Blaney's Three-Wide Pass
Ryan Blaney

Joey Logano Runs Better Than Expected, Still No Match for Teammate Ryan Blaney
Erik Jones

Delivers Best Run Since 2022 at Nashville
Christopher Bell

Recovers From Stage 2 Crash to Finish 10th
Ross Chastain

Mildly Disappointing at Nashville but Still Runs Decently
Chase Briscoe

Dominates Early but Struggles in Traffic
Carson Hocevar

a Great DFS Option to Consider for Nashville Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Solid Value Option For Nashville DFS Lineups
Justin Haley

Should DFS Players Roster Justin Haley At Nashville?
Todd Gilliland

Is A Safe Value Play For Nashville DFS Lineups
Denny Hamlin

the Favorite to Win at Nashville, Could Have to Miss Race
Ross Chastain

Always Strong at Nashville
Kyle Larson

Struggling to Find Speed at Nashville
Chase Elliott

Can Chase Elliott Snap Winless Streak at Nashville?
Alex Bowman

Still Searching for First Top-10 Finish at Nashville
Ty Gibbs

Can Ty Gibbs Turn Things Around at Nashville?
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF