2025 NFL DRAFT PREVIEW – RUNNING BACKS
Draft Grade Index:
90+: All-Pro Projection
85-89: Pro Bowl Projection
81-84: 1st Round – Year 1 starter
77-80: 2nd/3rd Round – Year 1 contributor, year 2-3 starter
74-76: Early Day 3: Cores special teamer and rotational player
71-74: Mid Day 3: Core special teamer and backup
68-70: Late Day 3: Developmental and special teamer
1: Ashton Jeanty – Boise State – 5’8/211
Grade: 86
Junior entry, two-year starter. Three-time All-Mountain West. Two-time All America, first team in 2024 in addition to winning both the Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards. His 2,601 yards in 2024 were the second most in FBS single season history, trailing only Barry Sanders (a record man have proclaimed could never be touched).
From the humble beginnings of growing up and learning the game in Italy to moving to Texas for high school football. From turning down high-paying transfer portal offers to finishing second in the Heisman voting. Jeant’s journey is both unique and rare. A do-it-all back, he specializes in breaking tackles. He led the nation over the past two years by a country mile. He bounces off defenders like he assumes he is not being taken down by initial contact and it led him to finishing as one of the most complete backs to ever come out with production, explosion, and efficiency all wrapped into one. This is a back who can be one of the best in the league during his rookie contract. His immense play-strength that creates elite contact balance is a cheat-code weapon he gets the most out of. He is both tough to square up and fast enough to gain initial positional advantages. There is finishing speed in the open field to create explosive plays as well. Jeanty had twice as many 70, 60, and 50-yard runs as the next back nationally. He simply plays a lot of explosive mistake-free football He does show tightness in his lower half when he tries to cut back, however. Jeanty also needs better hand technique to sustain a block in pass protection, as he’s been beaten there more times than he acceptable. At the next level, he will need to play with a little more urgency near the line of scrimmage. Jeanty’s biggest adjustment will be the speed of the game but he proved against most of his toughest competition he is more than capable of amping it up. This is an easy evaluation with the skill set that revolves around breaking tackles and yards after contact, traits that tend to carry over to the NFL.
*I’ve laughed a few times at the thought of Jeanty being the NYG pick at #3 overall. Not because I think it will happen, but more for the sake of going down memory lane in 2018 with Saquon Barkley at #2 overall. The slight difference that makes Jeanty make more sense? The quarterback class doesn’t have Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson. But enough of that, Jeanty won’t be the pick at three and to be blunt, he isn’t in the same tier as Barkley was anyway. He is a very solid prospect, but I do not anticipate greatness here.
2: Omarion Hampton – North Carolina – 6’0/221
Grade: 84
Junior entry. Three-year starter, Clayton, NC. Two-time first team All-ACC and two-time All-American.
Hampton arrived to Chapel Hill two years after breaking his ankle. He was wanted by everybody, but he opted to stay loyal to the in-state program that showed him loyalty after the injury. He was productive all three seasons, leaving as the program’s fourth all-time leading rusher, first among those that stayed just three seasons. Hampton is an every down, every situation contributor that will add multiple dimensions to the personality of an offense. He breaks tackles with brute physical force and elite contact balance. He is the only back with over 1,000 yards after contact in both 2024 and 2023. He is a threat for explosive plays every time he touches the ball. Only two backs have more rushes of 10+ yards since the start of 2023. He has been a consistent weapon for the passing game. Hampton caught 72 of 80 passes thrown his way with just two career drops. Simply put, this is a back with an old school, bruiser mentality that also possesses the modern desires of explosive potential and air attack contributions. Week one starter and year-one bellcow back.
*In most normal drafts, Hampton has a real shot at being the number one back. They come in bunches, I guess. Hampton actually reminds me a little bit of Saquon back in 2018 but he didn’t get the agility and pass-game boost Barkley received in the grading process. Hampton may not be for everyone. He is best between the tackles and any sort of wide zone-dependent concepts could easily result in him not playing fast enough. While he is explosive and big, he is not always sudden. He is the kind of guy that, if put in the tight position, is going to be a top-shelf producer and someone that shines late in the year in grind-it-out games. His level of functional strength and speed is rare.
3: TreVeyon Henderson – Ohio State – 5’10/205
Grade: 82
Four-starter year, Hopewell, VA. All-Big Ten all four years including first team honors in 2023.
The former five-star recruit arrived to Columbus with sky-high expectations and he delivered on them right away in 2021, setting an all-time program record for true freshmen with 19 touchdowns and second with 1,248 yards. He was second in the country in runs of both 40 (6) and 50 yards (4). Henderson missed multiple games each of the next two seasons because of multiple lower body injuries. While his per-touch production remained high, Henderson has not carried or caught as much volume in a single season since that historic freshman year. With that said, he is an explosive big play threat every time he gets his hands on the ball. He can fill any role a team wants out of a back at a high level and he will bring the winning team-first, physical mentality to the locker room. He rarely puts the ball on the ground, just one fumble over 650 career touches, and graded out as the best pass protector in this class. No matter what a team wants him to do, he can do it. The smart decision, however, would be to avoid giving him 20+ touches and pass block responsibility over and over all season long because he may not be durable enough. He is the sports car you show off and play around with for about 65% of the year, and let it relax and chill for the remaining 35%.
*Henderson has never left the top five in my stack and there were moments where I thought he would end up at number two. No matter the case and no matter where anyone has him, Henderson gets everybody excited. The explosives and everyone’s desire for them is obvious and easy to understand. But I’m not sure everyone grasps how much teams want guys that can protect the ball and protect the passer. Henderson may be the best in the class at both AND he is a 4.43 back with big time production. I put him in the first round of my mock draft months ago and that is where I think he belongs, especially in this class. The interesting debate is could NYG justify taking him at #34 if he is there? Sign me up.
4: Quinshon Judkins – Ohio State – 6’0/221
Grade: 80
Junior entry, three-year starter, Pike Road, AL. Played at Mississippi for two years where he earned first team All-SEC honors in both 2022 and 2023. Transferred to Ohio State in 2024 where he earned all-Big Ten honors.
Judkins exploded on to the national scene as a true freshman, rushing for 1,567 yards which is the second most all time behind Herschel Walker among first year running backs in the storied SEC. Judkins is simply a football player. He knows how to play the position, and he hates his opponent. He runs angry with a never-say-die attitude. The three-time 1,000+ yard rusher is a complete back that can handle the inside running game who is especially suited for a zone-blocking scheme that allows for some freedom as he moves downhill. While there is an athleticism shortcoming in the open field, his impact will be strong in condensed areas, and he can stay on the field all three downs. At 221 pounds, his level of pop and explosion at the combine caught everybody by surprise. His 11-foot broad jump crushed the other running backs and almost everybody else for that matter. His 1.51 ten-yard split tied for second best among all backs. Add that to his running style and he brings something special to the table.
*Judkins is not completely clean off the field but it is more maturity-based than anything. And for the record, Ohio State loved him. This is a back that makes your team more physical the second he puts the uniform on. Remember how Marshawn Lynch used to run? That is Judkins. He is loose enough to miss some contact and he has burst but he wants to run through tacklers and make them hurt. If NYG wants to get a more aggressive, physical team on the field Judkins is a guy you have to consider day two. Have to.
5: Cam Skattebo – Arizona State – 5’9/219
Grade: 80
Three-year starter, Rio Landa, CA. Big Sky Offensive player of the Year in 2022, his second season at Sacramento State. Transferred to Arizona State in 2023 and earned first team All-Big 12 honors in 2024 after a record-setting season.
Re-wrote the single season running back record book. Skattebo is a unique prospect that plays with a blend of anger, intelligence, and versatility that is hard to find. The low-to-ground running style and aggression to the hole combined with his never-say-die attitude is a personality-changer for an offense. He has a PhD in breaking tackles and finding the hidden yards every time he touches the ball. He brings effort and production whether he is carrying the ball, catching the ball, blocking, or even punting. He has experience at two levels putting the entire team on his back and there is something about him that screams winner.
*I was late to come around on Skattebo. He kinda came out of nowhere but when I went back and watched his tape from September/October, it was impressive right away. He was not just a guy that got hot toward the end of the season. He went for 262 against Mississippi State week 2. He averaged over seven yards per carry in consecutive weeks against Utah and Kansas. I watched his tape after I wrote the Jeanty tape and I walked away saying these two were awfully similar. Skattebo isn’t as athletic and there are some attitude concerns with him. I could see him falling based on tools alone but I think he plays with enough of a chip on his shoulder than can elevate the room. The million dollar question? Will he hold up with the level of violence he plays with?
6: Kaleb Johnson – Iowa – 6’1/224
Grade: 80
Junior entry, Hamilton, OH. Two-time All-Big Ten, first team in 2024 in addition to being named a Doak Walker Award finalist.
Johnson is a big, strong, and physical but nimble-footed back capable of winning in several ways. He finished third in the country in yards after contact and his 21 rushing touchdowns set an Iowa program record. He scored in every 2024 game, also a first in program history. Johnson evolved into a big play threat (ranked third in the nation with 28 15+ yard runs) but also made a name for himself on a grind-it-out, between the tackles style that can bring a physical brand to a backfield. He can deliver the blow to the defender, often playing the role of the aggressor while subtly missing enough contact to consistently fall forward and pick up extra yards. Johnson checks a lot of boxes when it comes to what teams want out of a lead power back that leans toward outside zone blocking concepts. The question with him will be pure play speed and pad level. But he is a guy that doesn’t fumble (zero in 262 touches in 2024), breaks tackles, and has a long list of explosives. He is an ideal fit for a dual backfield attack that has some superstar deep inside.
*Johnson is not for everybody. I have fallen for these guys a few times and the high-hipped frame and lack of explosive twitch and agility can create too much slowness. But when I watch his film, he misses so much contact with late, subtle movement. He is lighter on his feet than some people think. He anticipates the defense well. And man he is a load to take down when he gets going. If he works hard (some shortcomings there), Johnson can be a true number one guy. In this class he could be available in the third/fourth round. Hard to pass on that and I don’t care who you have in your backfield.
7: Dylan Sampson – Tennessee – 5’8/200
Grade: 78
Junior entry. One-year starter, Baton Rogue, LA. First-Team All-SEC in 2024 in addition to being named the conference Offensive Player of the Year and an All-American. Sampson set program single season records in rushing yards and touchdowns respectively.
The high school track star and 4.0 student grew up idolizing Reggie Bush and while he had to wait his turn as a backup and rotational piece, it is easy to see that play style in his game. Sampson has a swift looseness to his lower body that creates missed tackles and explosive plays in the open field. He can flip a switch and alter his weight distribution as he changes direction with ease. There are a lot of options he can and does use to evade tacklers. Once he hits open space, his top gear can get away from almost all defenders. Sampson ran behind a gap blocking scheme more than all but one back nationally in 2024. There are a lot of things an offense can do with an explosive back like this. However, he was never a big part of that passing game (backs rarely are) and he looks lost in pass protection. Sampson also does not push a tacklers backward. While his running style is not soft, it may not be aggressive enough to be more than a secondary back in the NFL.
*Sampson is a fun watch. Get your hands on the right film (Alabama, Kentucky) and you may want to put him up there with TreVeyon Henderson. The majority of his tape, though, left me wanting him to do more. Again, very similar to Reggie Bush. His timed speed was not special (4.42 at his Pro Day) but the ease in which he skates with the ball in his hand reminded me of James Cook a bit. The Tennessee offense is simply hard to project though, so his evaluations are going to be all over the place.
8: Damien Martinez – Miami – 6’0/217
Grade: 78
Junior entry. Three-year starter, Lewisville, TX. Spent two seasons at Oregon State where he was All-Pac 12 both years, first team in 2023. Transferred to Miami in 2024 where he earned All-ACC honors.
Martinez is a plus-sized power back that runs to a physical brand week to week. While he thrives after contact and is a load to get to the ground, he shows sneaky-fast lateral movement that pairs well with his vision and body control. This is the kind of back a coach can trust to feel and find the running lanes via patience and football intelligence. He is not the most explosive or fastest big play guy, but he knows how to get the most out of a play. The advanced footwork and loose hips are not common for a back with this kind of frame. Martinez shows top notch blocking capabilities, consistent per carry production (six-plus yards all three years), and a balanced skill set that can be used in a variety of ways. He can be a starting back or thunder to someone’s lightning in a dual attack.
*I believe I am higher on Martinez than most. I was drawn into him last year when I watched him against Washington State and in 2022 against Oregon. He was on my radar for a long time. He just recently turned 21 and his running style looks advanced far beyond what I would assume. It is the late lateral shiftiness that I think will translate well to the next level. Not a big play type, but a steady move the chains back. His basement is Chris Rodriguez from Washington.
9: RJ Harvey – Central Florida – 5’8/205
Grade: 78
Two-year starter, Orlando, FL. Two-time All-Big 12, first team in 2024 in addition to All-American honors after leading the conference (and finishing third nationally) in regular season rushing yards. Harvey left Central Florida number two on the program’s list in both career and single season yards on the ground. The high school quarterback that went 21-5 as a starter began his career at Virginia where he redshirted in 2019. He missed the 2021 season with a torn ACL suffered in preseason camp.
His movement traits and vision will create production on their own respectively. Add in the speed that can run away from players like Travis Hunter (9/28/24) and his receiver-caliber hands, Harvey will be useful in multiple areas of the offense. The quick burst and low-to-ground running style is the type of trait combination that can create a yard if he is given an inch, and ten yards if he is given one. He may not be complete enough to be a top back for a team, but as a complementary piece his value can be the difference maker an offense needs. He offers an excellent charge of pace for a thundering ram and plays with enough pop and strength to be more than a scat back. His glaring issue is he needs to provide more impact as a pass blocker. Both his effort and effectiveness are poor.
*Last year I was very high on Bucky Irving out of Oregon. He lasted until the fourth round and ended as, by far, the best rookie running back in the league. Another check mark for those that want to wait until day three for a back. The second I began watching Harvey, I got a similar vibe. The body type, movement style, and toughness all stand out. He runs low and is hard to square up. But more than you would assume, Harvey can play strong. Then I watch him run away from Travis Hunter. He runs a 4.40 with excellent change of direction and feel. So, like Irving, if Harvey gets hooked up with a complementary role, he is a guy that can be in the Rookie of the Year talk. I believe in his skill set that much.
10: Trevor Etienne – Georgia – 5’9/198
Grade: 77
Junior entry, one-year starter. Brother to Jacksonville’s running back Travis Etienne.
This is a multi-use back that can check a lot of boxes as a backup at the next level. His specialty is in the passing game where he has proven himself over the last two years in two different offenses. He has caught 62 of 63 career targets and does his best work in space. Etienne is a tough back to square up with his small but densely built frame and twitchy footwork. He understands angles and spacing, showing the ability to make defenders miss and move at different tempos. Etienne can also impact the game as a returner, making him an ideal backup that wears a lot of hats on gameday. There were maturity concerns with him at Florida but in all reality he has never been a troublemaker. The question will be how effective he is in any one area or he is simply average across the board. The lack of size and lack of a standout trait could make teams look elsewhere.
*The character concern with Etienne is nothing that impacted his grade. He just began his career with a little too much confidence because of his last name. In all reality, this was a kid that started off his career on fire with a lot of impressive plays. Injuries mounted up and the situation around him made things extra difficult. The transfer to Georgia was the right move and between the two programs, he solidified he can be a pass game weapon. I’m not sure I see as much value as a pure ball carrier but he is an ideal back for today’s NFL in a lot of ways in a committee approach.
11: Tahj Brooks – Texas Tech – 5’9/214
Grade: 77
Three-year starter, Manor, TX. Two-time All-Big 12, first team in 2023. Brooks is a two-time team captain that was the focal point of the Red Raiders offense for two seasons.
He finished top four nationally in carries both years respectively while also adding over 50 catches and was used at an above average rate as a pass blocker. Brooks is a throwback football player that knows how to play the position. He has standout vision and timing that can help him make up for a lack of top-notch speed and burst. He often seemed a step ahead of the defense and his ability to break tackles in the open field with a blend of different traits will open several doors to production. Brooks is truly one of the top cutback runners in the class. The way he can see it but also plant his foot in the ground and burst laterally has been on display for years. While his speed is nothing to go crazy about and he does tend to get caught from behind, his vision and aggression can get him playing fast enough. The play-style and intangibles complement each other well and they make him a safe bet to be a productive number two back at the next level.
*Brooks, like Martinez, is someone I am higher on than what I’ve seen out there. He just knows how to make guys miss and he knows what to look for every time he gets the ball. He is situationally aware and can be a factor on all three downs. I bet he is there day three and I bet he outperforms a few guys drafted ahead of him.
12: Jaydon Blue – Texas – 5’9/196
Grade: 76
Junior entry. One-year starter, Houston, TX. Blue’s calling card at the next level centers around his speed and explosion. The high school track star will immediately become one of the fastest backs in the league. That top gear is complemented by his vision and burst to make him a big play threat every time he gets his hands on the ball. Blue had to wait for his turn, sitting behind the likes of future pros Bijan Robinson, Roschon Johnson, and Jonathan Brooks. When 2024 came around, Blue took off. He tied for the lead among FBS running backs with six touchdown catches while leading the team in yards per carry for the second straight year. He is not a bell cow back that will handle a full load of touches week in, week out but he is an ideal accessory to the backfield that can make plays in a variety of ways. As an accessory option, however, he has to clean up the mistakes. He dropped five passes and fumbled five times in 2024 alone.
*Teams will be doing extra work on Blue as the draft nears. He is not clean off the field and there will likely be a few decision makers that cross him off the board. If you push that aside, Blue has elite speed and game-breaking traits. His routes are clean and he can get north in a hurry. The debate will be how hard he works and how good of a teammate he will become.
13: Ollie Gordon II – Oklahoma State – 6’1/226
Grade: 76
Junior entry. Two-year starter, Forth Worth, TX. Two-time All-Big 12 including first team honors in 2023 in addition to being named All-American and winning the Doak Walker Award.
Gordon II exploded on to the scene as a first-year starter and set an almost unfair and unrealistic bar to reach on a team that went from ten wins in 2023 to just three in 2024. He saw over 100 less touches and never quite gained the momentum he had plenty of the season prior. There is enough on tape over that span, however, to label him a capable contributor at the next level. He is a massive, well-built back capable of breaking tackles routinely and picking up the tough yards. There is more to his game than being a simple bruiser and even though there are physical limitations to his game, he can help an offense in multiple ways. He is a pile pusher that creates movement against defenders but also a smooth receiver (zero drops in 2024) with over 80 career catches and a violent one-strike blocker in pass protection. His high pad level creates some heavy movement in tight areas and if he does not get that runway in front of him, it is questionable if he can play fast enough.
*Gordon is your typical case of “impressive highlight tape but underwhelming game tape”. Looking at his size (and he is MASSIVE) and big play potential, it is common to put him much higher than this. I wouldn’t knock if anybody had him in the top 5. In a group of several impressive backs, it is easy to have many of them blend together. Look at how many grades I have in the 76-78 range alone. You need something to stand out that gets you ahead of these guys and size is his calling card. If NYG felt they had a good enough line to create space consistently up front, Gordon would be fun.
14: DJ Giddens – Kansas State – 6’1/212
Grade: 76
Junior entry, one-year starter, Junction City, KA. Two-time All-Big 12. Giddens is a tall and long, loose-hipped runner that moves with an elusive style. He broke a lot of tackles over the last two seasons, showing a combination of toughness and an open-field arsenal that left defenders eating dirt. He is at his best once he gets moving downhill with space to work with. He excels at putting his foot in the ground and sharply changing directions. Giddens is a physical player that runs behind his pads but will pose as a big play threat as well. The slasher can contribute as a receiver as well. He is an immediate versatile contributor that can handle the majority load for an NFL backfield but must improve his urgency between the tackles and improve his latch as a blocker.
*Giddens is yet another guy some people really like and will have in their top seven. Again, do not look at the rank or where they are in the stack. Look at the grade. Giddens has a unique running style that can create a lot of explosives. The movement traits are loose and fast. With his size? It can create a lot in the open field. The high-hipped frame can make his pad level a slight issue and we will see if he can be sturdy enough against NFL contact. Fun player to have in your backfield and unique day three experiment for NYG to chew on. He is really talented.
15: Devin Neal – Kansas – 5’11/213
Grade: 76
Four-year starter, Lawrence, KS. Three-time All-Big 12. Left Kansas as the program’s leading rusher by over 500 yards despite carrying the ball less times than the next three on the list. Neal is a stocky but savvy back that excels at the small, finer components of the position. His production was not by mistake nor was it engineered by scheme alone. Neal does not have the best movement traits, but he does a nice job of staying ahead of the defense and trusting his blockers. He proved he can add the passing game as both a receiver and blocker which will open doors for his immediate impact and multiple usages. He should be a quick-learner and adapt to a solid backup role early on. If he can prove to play fast enough and create without so much space, he could be a majority-carry back.
*So as I speak about specific guys and their unique physical traits that can get them ahead of this cluster, Neal is the guy that can be overlooked and drop because of that. He does not have the standout talent. If anything, he underwhelms there a bit. But when it comes to the know-how of the position and high floor? Neal can be the one you feel really safe with. Several backs in the league play with this kind of style. The short-stepper has such good balance and feel. He had a ton of space to work with in college, though, and I do wonder if he can excel against faster defenses.
16: Bhayshul Tuten – Virginia Tech – 5’9/206: 76
17: Montrell Johnson – Florida – 5’11/212: 75
18: Kyle Monangai – Rutgers – 5’8/211: 74
19: LeQuint Allen – Syracuse – 6’0/204: 72
20: Brashard Smith – SMU – 5’10/194: 72
21: Jarquez Hunter – Auburn – 5’9/204: 72
22: Jordan James – Oregon: 5’9/205: 72
23: Woody Marks – USC – 5’10/207: 71
24: Ja’Quinden Jackson – Arkansas – 6’1/229: 71
25: Josh Williams – LSU – 5’8/196: 71
26: Jacory Croskey-Merritt – Arizona – 5’11/208: 71
27: Donovan Edwards – Michigan – 5’11/205: 71
28: Raheim Sanders – South Carolina: 6’0/217: 71
29: Marcus Yarns – Delaware: 5’11/193: 70
30: Kilal Mullings – Michigan – 6’1/226
31: Phil Mafah – Clemson: 6’1/234: 70
32: Ulysses Bentley – Mississippi: 5’10/201: 70
33: Corey Kiner – Cincinnati – 5’9/209: 70
34: ShunDerrick Powell – Central Arkansas: 69
35: Marcus Major – Minnesota – 6’0/213: 68
NYG APPROACH
Before I get into the NYG running backs specifically, it is worth noting this running back group is among the best I have ever scouted. It is incredibly deep. On average there are about 15-20 drafted per year. It is a position many want to wait on in general because of the talent that is always available day three. And the spread of versatility within this group alone stands out. There are plenty of power backs that can add a physical element to the offense, There are plenty of explosive big play threats that can add to the ceiling of this scheme. There are plenty of pass catchers that can feed off what NYG has at receiver for the sake of balance. This will be a tricky position to approach draft weekend.
Tyrone Tracy showed enough as a rookie to warrant the lead back role in 2025. While he has that kind of potential, I do wonder if his best role would be one that is purely complementary. If Tracy is your second best back and Singletary is the veteran backup, that means there is a stud at the top of the depth chart. If NYG wants that stud, day two will be the place to grab him. Is #34 overall too high for a Henderson (if you want explosives) or Judkins (if you want power)? Or do you wait until the third round and pursue Sampson (if you want explosives) or Martinez (if you want power)? This is where the NYG front office needs to prove they aren’t playing checkers. The potential to make this offense better via this position WILL be there at several points. When to strike based on their projection of who will be available later on and who will not is going to make or break this draft class overall. A running back should be added, no question. With the future in mind (not just 2025), the better plan is to lean into the explosives when the time is right. NYG will likely have a young quarterback under center this year or next and having a weapon that can create on his own in space as a dump off receiver and screen game weapon will do wonders. Get that guy in the building now if the opportunity is there. Henderson is on my shortlist at the top of the second round. Remember, best player available.
