Fantasy Football Running Backs and Tight Ends Who will Improve in 2025 | Bucky Irving, Sam LaPorta, Tyrone Tracy Jr., Tucker Kraft and More

After looking at some quarterbacks and wide receivers who would improve in 2025, let's now look at running backs and tight ends who could improve.

I'll be using ESPN's scoring leaders page, and PPR settings when discussing things. 

A week ago, I put together stories on fantasy football players who would regress in 2025. We looked at quarterbacks and wide receivers in one story and running backs and tight ends in the other. 

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Running Backs

Jonathan Taylor, Bucky Irving" data-toggle="modal" data-target="#player-pop-up" href="/nfl_player_news/Bucky_Irving/">Bucky Irving and Tyrone Tracy Jr. are the three running backs I want to discuss.

Taylor was the No. 12 fantasy PPR running back in 2024. That's a pretty good feat considering he only played 14 games.

Durability is an issue for Taylor, but when he's on the field, he's a fantasy stud. He jumps to No. 7 in fantasy points per game at the position.

I think Taylor improves his numbers in 2025. He's still just 26 years old, and should be at the center of the Colts' offense.

He had 1,431 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 303 carries in 2024. I think those will rise in 2025 as the Colts try to figure out the quarterback position. Taylor added 136 yards and a score on 18 grabs and 31 targets in the passing game, which are numbers that line up pretty well with his career totals.

It was Taylor's second-most rushing yards per game in his career, and I expect another monster season in 2025. Getting a more reliable quarterback in place could take Taylor's fantasy game to the top level again, and that's what I expect to happen.

Irving was a big-time asset in the Buccaneers' offense as a rookie, and I expect his role to grow in year two.

In 17 games, Irving had 1,122 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 207 carries. He added 392 receiving yards on 47 grabs and 52 targets.

That was all while splitting the backfield with Rachaad White. With the team needing cap space, it would make sense to move on from White, especially because he'd be making more than Irving, who should be the No. 1 back for the team in 2025.

Even if White is around, I expect Irving to get more touches in 2025. The Bucs' offense is going to remain dynamic, and Irving is going to be a weekly starting option. After finishing 13th overall last season, I think Irving has a great chance to finish inside the top 10, and push for a top-five spot.

Tracy was the No. 26 PPR running back in 2024, but I think he'll soar up the leaderboard in 2025.

Tracy played in all 17 games, but started just 12 of them. As the Giants continue to rebuild, giving the young Tracy the majority of the backfield workload seems like a very likely outcome.

In 2024, he rushed for 839 yards and five touchdowns on 192 carries. He added 284 receiving yards and a score on 38 grabs and 53 targets.

I think there's a chance the Giants move on from veteran back Devin Singletary, and then add another rookie back or two in the draft. Regardless of what other backs are on the team, Tracy seems like a good bet to lead the backfield in 2025, and I think he is a weekly starting option, especially if the team can lock in a decent quarterback.

Tight Ends

Sam LaPorta, Tucker Kraft and Isaiah Likely are three tight ends I see improving in 2025.

LaPorta was one of the top-drafted fantasy tight ends in 2024, but ended up taking eighth in PPR leagues. He was ninth on a per-game basis. His struggles were surprising, especially with all the points and yards the Lions' offense put up.

LaPorta played in 16 games, making 60 grabs on 83 targets for 726 yards and seven touchdowns. It was a far cry from his 86-catch, 120-target, 889-yard and 10-touchdown campaign in 2023.

The Lions lost their offensive coordinator already this offseason, but most of the core players on offense should be back in the fold for 2025. I think Detroit's offense remains a top-end unit, and LaPorta will bounce back a bit.

He might not put up numbers like he had in his rookie season, but even getting somewhere in between his two seasons will turn LaPorta into a much better fantasy asset. We'll see where LaPorta is going in fantasy drafts next fall, and if he is a draft steal option, or is still one of the top-drafted tight ends.

Kraft came into the season as the Packers' No. 2 tight end in a lot of people's eyes. He was outplaying No. 1 Luke Musgrave in the early going, and then Musgrave got hurt, allowing Kraft to lead the way for the whole season. I think Kraft could be in store for an even better season in 2025.

In 17 games in 2024, Kraft had 70 yards and seven touchdowns on 50 receptions and 70 targets. He also rushed three times for six yards.

Green Bay has some cap space to play with, and are likely going to keep adding to their offense after the team's big group of pass catchers failed to have a true go-to receiving threat.

If the Packers do add on offense, it seems like they'd add at wide receiver, not tight end. Green Bay isn't slated to lose any of its big offensive contributors from 2024, but one or two guys might be moved in place of a veteran free agent or draft picks.

With a little more pass-catching talent expected, I think things will open up for Kraft more. I already think he's going to be more heavily involved in 2025, and if the couple offseason moves I expect come true, Kraft could emerge as one of the league's best fantasy tight ends.

Likely seems like another younger tight end destined for a bigger role in 2025.

Many people are thinking that Baltimore's No. 1 tight end Mark Andrews could be moved in the offseason in an effort to open up cap space and make room for Likely to shine.

In 16 games this past season, Likely was still able to thrive despite Andrews being out there at the same position. Likely had 477 yards and six touchdowns on 42 catches and 58 targets.

Even if the Ravens end up keeping Andrews on the roster, I think Likely has a better chance of being more involved next season. Baltimore has several free agent wide receivers, and could end up revamping that position outside Zay Flowers.

There's a chance Baltimore moves enough money around to bring in a veteran pass catcher, but they'll more likely find pass-catching talent in the draft.

Quarterback Lamar Jackson seems to prefer trusting veteran players most often, and that could mean Likely is one of the team's top pass catchers. 

Jackson and Andrews have a good connection, and Flowers and the QB also have a connection. Outside those two though, there's not many pass catchers on the roster yet that have worked with Jackson.

I think Baltimore ends up moving on from Andrews, but even if they don't, I see Likely playing a bigger role and delivering better fantasy results.