As fantasy football managers prepare for the 2025 season, the battle for the top running back spot is shaping up to be a thrilling showdown between Bijan Robinson and Saquon Barkley. Both players come into the year with high expectations due to their impressive performances and key roles on their respective teams, making Bijan Robinson 2025 fantasy football RB1 contender a hot topic in draft discussions.

Comparing Top Running Backs: Barkley’s Return to Form and Robinson’s Rise

Saquon Barkley enjoyed a career-best campaign in 2024 with the Philadelphia Eagles, finishing as the overall RB1 for the first time since 2018. His dominance was clear, producing multiple top-scoring weeks and surpassing 2,000 rushing yards, a milestone that cements his elite status. Barkley’s ability to contribute consistently helped him rank inside the top 10 for fantasy running backs in over half the games.

Conversely, Bijan Robinson’s 2024 season marked his confirmed breakout after a strong rookie year. Finishing as the RB3 overall, Robinson combined heavy usage with highly efficient play, ranking among the top five in carries, targets, and PFF grades for runners and receivers alike. His role as a workhorse back, employed in all down-and-distance situations, sets him up as one of the safest and most versatile options for fantasy football managers in 2025.

Running Game Involvement Highlights Role Differences

Barkley led the Eagles’ backfield in 2024 with an unmatched volume, averaging 24 opportunities per game through combined carries and targets. He was the primary ground force except in short-yardage and late-down situations, where quarterback Jalen Hurts frequently took over, somewhat limiting Barkley’s touchdown opportunities despite his high usage.

Robinson’s role with the Atlanta Falcons was even more comprehensive. He was the go-to runner in all scenarios, including short-yardage and goal-line carries, which gave him around 20 opportunities per game. This constant high-touch workload, paired with his second-best PFF grade among running backs, establishes Robinson as a highly reliable fantasy contributor heading into the new season.

The Impact of Passing Game Usage on Value

Although Barkley excelled as a rusher, his target volume in the Eagles’ passing attack was relatively modest. With just 39 targets over the season, placing him barely inside the top 30 among running backs, Barkley’s passing involvement was secondary to his rushing workload. Given Philadelphia’s strong receiving corps, this limited passing role was expected and remains adequate within the team’s overall offensive approach.

Robinson, in contrast, was much more integrated into Atlanta’s passing game. He averaged nearly four receptions per game and scarcely recorded fewer than two catches in any match, showcasing impressive consistency. Despite this, Robinson scored just one receiving touchdown in 2024. However, with his continued reception volume, it is reasonable to anticipate an increase in receiving scores for 2025, making him an even bigger asset in point-per-reception (PPR) formats.

Red Zone and Scoring Range Roles Reveal Scoring Potential

One key distinction between the two backs lies in their involvement near the goal line. While Barkley maintained significant touches in these scoring situations, Jalen Hurts was the primary short-yardage finisher, carrying the ball 25 times within the goal-to-go zone and converting 13 touchdowns. Barkley had 22 goal-to-go carries but only five from two yards or less, resulting in three touchdowns. Hurts’ role clearly capped Barkley’s scoring ceiling in close quarters.

Robinson emerged as Atlanta’s clear scoring option in the red zone. He handled 26 goal-to-go attempts and scored 10 times, demonstrating the Falcons’ trust in him to finish drives. This high red-zone presence suggests Robinson will continue to be the preferred scoring back in 2025 and may even see an increase in touchdown opportunities as the offense develops.

Team Context: Offensive Styles Supporting Each Running Back

The Eagles ran the ball more than any other NFL team in 2024, benefiting from an elite rushing tandem in Barkley and Hurts and one of the league’s best offensive lines. Despite often facing heavy defensive pressure and stacked boxes, Barkley’s volume and the team’s run-heavy scheme show no signs of diminishing, providing strong support for his production outlook in 2025.

While the Falcons were not quite as run-focused, they still finished seventh in team run rate, furnishing Robinson with a consistent flow of opportunities. Atlanta’s offensive line, highly rated for run blocking and efficiency, remains mostly intact aside from a change at center, ensuring Robinson continues to operate behind a top-tier ground game foundation. This stability bodes well for Robinson’s continued fantasy success.

Backfield Competition and Its Effect on Workload

Barkley’s primary challenge for carries in Philadelphia remains Jalen Hurts, whose prominent rushing role includes short-yardage and goal-line situations. Additionally, A.J. Dillon, a newcomer recovering from injury, carries some potential competition for goal-to-go touches based on his prior role in Green Bay. However, with Hurts and Barkley established as the main rushers, Dillon is unlikely to significantly diminish Barkley’s workload.

In Atlanta, Tyler Allgeier serves as a secondary back but has seen his role decline considerably since Robinson’s arrival. Allgeier’s touches and usage were notably reduced in 2024 compared to 2023, and the Falcons’ offense has emphasized Robinson as their definitive lead back. This clear hierarchy secures Robinson’s volume and reduces concerns over meaningful competition in 2025.

Implications for Fantasy Draft Strategy

Both Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson enter the 2025 season as premier running back options with unique strengths. Barkley’s exceptional rushing volume in a run-heavy Eagles offense offers a strong floor, while Robinson’s versatility and prominent role in all facets of Atlanta’s attack provide an appealing high ceiling. Fantasy managers weighing these two talents must consider not only their past performance but also the evolving team contexts and red-zone roles that could influence touchdown opportunities.

Those preparing for their drafts should closely monitor updated rankings and evaluations to make informed decisions about which player to prioritize for the coveted RB1 spot in their 2025 fantasy lineups. Both backs present compelling cases to lead the position, ensuring a highly competitive race for supremacy.