Our Top 10 Running Backs entering the 2025 NFL Draft

ASHTON JEANTY

By John Mesenbrink @JohnMesenbrink

Boise State (JR), RB

Have you seen this dude with his shirt off? It’s like the football gods chiseled him to be RB1. Add in the fact that he is an explosive back with the moves that’ll make linebackers blush, Jeanty could continue to move the needle for running backs drafted in the top 10 (see Bijan Robinson). Recently on a national sports talk show, the Las Vegas GM recently said that his oldest son would leave the family if Jeanty wasn’t selected with the team’s first pick, creating a media frenzy that he becomes a Raider at №6. Oh, did I mention that the Silver and Black desperately need a running back? So, taking him at six makes sense. The Bears also have interest at pick ten. Winner of the Doak Walker Award for best RB in the nation, the 5’9”, 215-pound Jeanty finished 2nd in the Heisman voting behind Travis Hunter. Starting all 14 games in 2024, he led the NCAA with 2,601 rushing yards and 2,750 all-purpose yards, while leading FBS with seven yards per carry and ranked second in FBS with 29 rushing TDs. Fun fact: Jeanty had runs of 50+ yards in nine of his 14 games.

Pluses:

• Burst
• Vision
• YAC (Yards After Contact)
• Exceptional Pass Protector
• Runs with Balance
• Gains Momentum with Speed
• Immediate RB1

Concerns:

• Slightly Undersized
• Route Running
• College Overuse
• Ball Protection

OMARION HAMPTON

By Brandon Lane

North Carolina (JR), RB

Hampton played three seasons for the Tar Heels, having a standout sophomore year where he rushed for 1,504 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. He also recorded 29 receptions for 222 yards and an additional touchdown. In his final year, he built on that success, accumulating 1,660 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, 38 receptions, and 373 receiving yards, along with 2 more touchdowns. Omarion has the skill set to be a three-down back in the NFL. His aggressive running style and exceptional contact balance enable him to effectively challenge any defender attempting to tackle him. Expect him to be the second running back selected in the draft, following superstar Ashton Jeanty.

Pluses:

• Frame/Size/Strength
• Bellcow potential
• Great burst/Conatact Balance/Speed (4.46 40-Yard Dash)
• Pass-catching abilities
• Ball Security

Concerns:

• Upright runner/stiff hips
• One-Cut-and-Go Back
• Sometimes lacks vision
• Room to improve Pass Protection

QUINSHON JUDKINS

By Brandon Lane

Ohio State (JR), RB

Judkins started his collegiate career at Ole Miss, where he made a significant impact during his freshman year by rushing for 1,567 yards and scoring 17 total touchdowns. His impressive performance earned him recognition as a semifinalist for the Doak Walker Award. He continued to build on that success in his sophomore year, rushing for 1,158 yards and again scoring 17 total touchdowns.

In 2023, he transferred to Ohio State, where he joined superstar TreVeyon Henderson. Despite sharing the backfield, Judkins still managed to rush for 1,060 yards and 14 total touchdowns. Known for his powerful running style, solid footwork, and low center of gravity, Judkins impressed at the combine and is projected to be drafted in the second round as one of the top five running backs in this year’s NFL Draft.

Pluses:

• Early down bruiser with a low center of gravity
• Powerful stiff arm
• Good vision
• Athletic
• Good burst

Concerns:

• Lacks long speed and elusiveness
• Needs work on route running
• Needs to improve pass pro

TREVEYON HENDERSON

By Brandon Lane

Ohio State (SR), RB

Henderson, a former five-star recruit, is an explosive running back who isn’t afraid of contact. He had a standout freshman season, rushing for 1,248 yards and scoring 19 total touchdowns. However, he faced injuries in the following two seasons, which raised concerns about his durability, leading the team to adopt a committee approach in his final year. This decision proved successful as he finished a healthy season with 1,016 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns, and added 27 receptions for 284 yards and another touchdown. His skills as a reliable receiver, combined with excellent blocking ability, make him a strong option for all three downs. Keeping his durability issues in mind it will be interesting to see how heavily he is utilized in the NFL.

Pluses:

• Explosive runner
• Good vision
• Excellent acceleration
• Exceptional blocker
• Receiving skills

Concerns:

• Durability concerns
• Upright running style

KALEB JOHNSON

By Brandon Lane

Iowa (JR), RB

A former three-star recruit put the league on notice during his senior year by rushing for 1,537 yards and scoring 23 total touchdowns. His finesse and tackle-breaking abilities, along with his proficiency in the passing game, make him stand out from other running backs of his size. His size and durability give him the potential to be a feature back in the NFL. While he lacks elite speed with a 4.57-second 40-yard dash, he plays deceptively fast once he reaches his top speed. Expect him to be selected as one of the top five running backs in the NFL Draft.

Pluses:

• Tackle breaker with good contact balance
• Patient runner
• Good blocker
• Competent pass catcher
• Solid long speed

Concerns:

• Lacks burst and elusiveness
• Vision lacking at times
• Takes a while to get to top-speed

CAM SKATTEBO

By Brandon Lane

Arizona State (SR), RB

Skattebo began his collegiate career at Sacramento State before transferring to Arizona State after his freshman year. In his final season with the Sun Devils, he established himself as one of the top running backs in his class. He rushed for 1,711 yards and scored 21 touchdowns, while also making 46 receptions for 605 yards and three additional touchdowns. His outstanding performance earned him a spot as a Heisman Trophy finalist. Skattebo is a powerful running back with excellent contact balance, and underrated speed and burst. He has the skill set to be a three-down back at the next level and is expected to be selected in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft.

Pluses:

• Big bodied hammer back
• Efficient runner with great contact balance
• Solid pass catcher
• Good burst and acceleration

Concerns:

• Lacks long speed
• Pass Blocking

DYLAN SAMPSON

By Brandon Lane

Tennessee (JR), RB

A three-star recruit with a track background, he spent his first two seasons with the Volunteers waiting for his opportunity. He finally got his chance to be the lead back in his junior year, where he made the most of it by turning 258 carries into 1,491 rushing yards and an impressive 22 touchdowns. Although he wasn’t heavily utilized in the passing game, he still recorded 20 catches for an additional 143 yards. Standing at 5’8” and weighing 200 lbs, he possesses a solid frame and is an efficient runner with excellent contact balance. Whenever the team needed tough yards, he was almost guaranteed to deliver, converting 33-of-36 short-yardage opportunities. Heading into the NFL Draft, I have him ranked as my RB7 in this class, but he could go higher if a team falls in love with his skill set.

Pluses:

• Short yardage specialist
• Speed (4.42 40-Yard Dash)
• Contact balance
• Efficient runner with good vision

Concerns:

• Pass Pro
• Limited receiving usage
• Long speed?
• Size to withstand a heavy workload?

DAMIEN MARTINEZ

By Brandon Lane

Miami (JR), RB

Martinez, a three-star recruit, began his college career at Oregon State, where he had two highly successful seasons, culminating in a semifinalist spot for the Doak Walker Award during his sophomore year. He then transferred to Miami for his junior year, starting all 13 games and surpassing the 1,000-yard mark once again before declaring for the NFL Draft. He is a physical runner with good vision and burst, though he lacks receiving skills.

Pluses:

• Bruiser/Mauler
• Speed
• Fluid runner/Shifty
• Vision

Concerns:

• Pass Pro
• Receiving
• Lacks long speed
• Upright running style/High pad level

DEVIN NEAL

By Brandon Lane

Kansas (SR), RB

Neal was a highly regarded four-star recruit who set Jayhawk records for career rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and 100-yard games. He is a versatile running back with quick feet, good vision, and strong receiving skills. Although he is projected to be a change-of-pace back at the next level, his four years as a starter at Kansas demonstrate his durability and ability to handle a heavy workload. Following his impressive career at Kansas, he continued to build momentum with a solid performance at the Senior Bowl and a strong showing at the combine. While Neal may not be receiving as much attention as some other running backs in this draft class, I believe he has a good chance to be one of the standout selections this year’s NFL Draft.

Pluses:

• Good contact balance/hard to tackle
• Pass-catching abilities
• Quick feet with sneaky change of direction
• Vision

Concerns:

• Pass Pro
• Room to improve route running
• Questionable power for short yardage

RJ HARVEY

By Brandon Lane

UCF (SR), RB

Harvey initially committed to Virginia but transferred to UCF after a redshirt year. Unfortunately, his first season with the Golden Knights was cut short due to an ACL injury. He made a strong comeback, putting up impressive numbers in his final two seasons, including rushing for 1,577 yards and 22 touchdowns in his senior year. He finished third in rushing yards, behind Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton.

Harvey is an elusive runner with a stocky build. Given his size, he demonstrates decent strength between the tackles. He has good vision but tends to bounce runs outside a bit too often. I have him ranked as the tenth-best running back in the class, he will likely be selected on Day 3 of the draft.

Pluses:

• Speed/Burst (4.4 40-Yard Dash)
• Contact balance
• Vision
• Athletic
• Big-play ability

Concerns:

• Bounces runs outside too often
• Pass production liability