Underrated RBs

Today is about guys that are flying under the radar, but shouldn’t be. It’s 5 RBs that deserve way more attention in your drafts … in two minutes or less.

5. Bhayshul Tuten (JAX), ADP 160.2, RB48

Tuten ran a 4.32, which was the FASTEST 40 among all RBs. He’s also recently flashed it in the preseason with a violent 8-yard touchdown where he dragged defenders into the end zone. But despite the speed, his profile is still raw. He had the 2nd-lowest first down/touchdown rate in the class and the 2nd-worst stuff rate, meaning nearly 1 in 4 carries went nowhere. So he’s not polished, but he landed in Liam Coen’s RB-friendly system, where Coen just made Bucky Irving a star by scheming space with pre-snap motion and top-3 screen volume. Tuten posted a higher career missed tackle rate and more yards after contact per carry than Irving, and he’s 14 pounds heavier. So if the coaching staff hands him the keys, this pick could SMASH ADP by midseason.

4. Jaydon Blue (DAL), ADP 139, RB43 

Blue had the most receiving touchdowns of any RB in the class, and ranked TOP-3 in both yards per route run and target rate on passing downs. But he's now dealing with a bruised ankle and missed reps in a backfield that’s already a committee mess. Javonte Williams is getting starter snaps and Miles Sanders is trying to get healthy from a knee issue. So the job is wide open, but Blue is the only back with real juice. He ran a 4.38, was used as a true slot receiver at Texas, and brings the exact element Dallas doesn’t have: speed and pass-game burst. If he flashes when healthy, this could go from late-round flier to RB1 in the league’s 7th-easiest rushing schedule.

3. Braelon Allen (NYJ), ADP 174.5, RB53

Allen has been called the “star of camp” by Jets beat writers, and they’re saying the backfield looks more like 1A/1B than Hall plus backups. But Allen’s rookie-year metrics were brutal. He ranked 46th of 47 in rushing yards over expectation, had the worst explosive rush rate of any qualified RB, and was bottom-20 in missed tackle rate. So you’re drafting the hype, but it IS backed by an opportunity shift. If Breece Hall, who the team reportedly shopped this offseason, loses even 30% of his role, Allen is one injury away from inheriting volume behind a restructured O-line and in an offense with the 5th-easiest passing schedule in the league. That makes him a locked-in lottery ticket at the end of drafts.

2. Trey Benson (ARI), ADP 160, RB47 

Benson was a 3rd-round pick in 2024 with 4.6 YPC last year and a 16% missed tackle rate… and now Arizona says they want two RB1s. But last season, Benson was just a rotation back: only 69 total touches, and didn’t top 15 snaps in 12 of 13 games. So the role was quiet, but the coaches aren’t. Both Gannon and James Conner have publicly said this will be a shared backfield, and Conner turns 30 coming off back-to-back 280-touch seasons. Arizona also faces the 6th-easiest rushing schedule in the league, and Benson added 7 pounds of functional weight this offseason while claiming he’s even more explosive. This is the type of profile that turns into a top-24 RB when the work opens up.

1. Jordan Mason (MIN), ADP 113.5, RB38 

Mason is a yards machine. He ranked TOP-10 in true YPC, breakaway runs, explosive run rate, and yards after contact per attempt. But Aaron Jones is still listed as the starter, and he just posted 1,546 total yards as a do-everything bellcow. So Mason doesn’t need the job to hit. ESPN says Minnesota’s shaping up for a true 50/50 split, and Mason is already getting first-team work in camp. When he played starter snaps in San Francisco, he averaged 21.3 touches and 111.8 yards across six games. If Jones ever goes down (which he has in 3 of the last 5 seasons), Mason becomes a top-12 fantasy back overnight, in one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses.

So draft these players and you’re well on your way to winning your league.

As promised, in two minutes or less.

Over 12,000 players used this to prep last season. My 2025 Draft Kit is open now, but only a few dozen spots are available this year. I’m keeping it limited so I can give members my full attention.

See you tomorrow,

-Joe