The NFL draft isn’t just about snagging elite rookie talent, but securing reliable veterans who can anchor iffy offenses as well. That’s especially important in 2025, as a herd of healthy wide receivers could take on more injury risk than usual and the top running backs are expected to deal with varying degrees of RB1 health luck.
In this range, I’m targeting a few veteran lottery tickets who may be undervalued. Javonte Williams is a solid option, as he ranked 13th in missed tackles last season (per Fantasy Points Data) and has little competition for carries from Miles Sanders and fifth-round rookie Jaydon Blue. In addition, he’s the rare running back who can also offer significant PPR points, as his career-high 94.4 target share and 6.7 TD upside show.
Meanwhile, Anthony Richardson is a safe play in the early second, as his hefty carries fueled a RB18 finish last year. In terms of his underlying stats, he actually ranked better than Saquon Barkley in both rushing yards and expected touchdowns last season despite missing time with injuries. Finally, Tyson Spears is a sleeper worth considering in the third round, as his elusiveness showed flashes as a 2023 rookie and he should be the team’s lead back given the Chargers’ low rate of 11 personnel. If he can return to his 2023 form, Spears is poised for an RB2 finish.