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The 2025 NFL Draft running back class is easily the deepest position group in this draft, featuring elite high-end talent at the top and mid-rounders who could be immediate impact players. This group has the potential to rival the legendary 2017 class, which featured Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, and Austin Ekeler. With workhorse backs, dynamic pass-catchers, and bruising short-yardage specialists, this class offers something for every NFL team.
At the top, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is the do-it-all playmaker with elite vision, contact balance, and receiving skills, making him the top RB on most draft boards. Behind him, Omarion Hampton is a downhill powerhouse with the footwork and balance to thrive as a bell-cow in an old-school rushing attack. TreVeyon Henderson rounds out the top tier as the ultimate home run threat, combining explosive burst with pass-catching versatility to be a true three-down weapon.
Beyond the top three, the depth of this class is what truly stands out. There are NFL-ready backs projected to go in the mid-to-late rounds who could take over starting roles as rookies. Whether teams are searching for a featured workhorse or a dynamic committee back, the 2025 RB class is poised to deliver star power throughout all three days of the draft.
Check out my 2025 NFL Mock Draft 3.0.
2025 NFL Draft: Running Back Rankings
Elite Tier - 1st Round Top 15 Projection
A rare, high-impact prospect with elite tools, athleticism, and football IQ. Polished with minimal weaknesses, they can dominate from day one and be franchise-altering talents.
1) Ashton Jeanty | Boise State | Ht: 5'9" | Wt: 210 lbs
Player Comparison: LaDainian Tomlinson
Analysis: Jeanty is a compact, versatile back with elite vision, balance, and agility. His ability to create yards after contact and make defenders miss in space makes him dynamic. An excellent receiver, he provides true three-down value. He fits any system—inside, outside zone, gap—you name it. Jeanty is as can’t-miss as it gets.
High-End Starter Potential - 2nd/3rd Round Projection
A projected top-tier starter with strong physical tools and solid technique. While they have some limitations, development can elevate them to near-elite status with consistent impact.
2) TreVeyon Henderson | Ohio State | Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 215 lbs
Player Comparison: Aaron Jones
Analysis: Henderson is a home-run hitter with elite burst and lateral agility. He manipulates defenders at the second level with ease and thrives in outside-zone and spread-based rushing attacks. His pass protection and durability concerns limit his workhorse upside, but he’s a game-changer when healthy.
Omarion Hampton | North Carolina | Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 220 lbs
Player Comparison: James Conner
Analysis: Hampton is a bruising power runner with excellent contact balance and finishing ability. He thrives in gap and power schemes, where he can build momentum and wear down defenses. Lacks elite speed but can hit the home run, so thats not a big issue. His physicality and volume-carry potential make him a strong three-down option.
4) Kaleb Johnson | Iowa | Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 225 lbs
Player Comparison: Larry Johnson (via Thor Nystrom)
Analysis: Johnson is a disciplined, north-south runner with great balance and patience. He fits best in zone-heavy schemes that allow him to press the line before cutting decisively. His power and vision make him a valuable early-down and short-yardage back with high-end potential.
5) Quinshon Judkins | Ohio State | Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 210 lbs
Player Comparison: Joe Mixon
Analysis: Judkins is a tough, decisive runner with strong burst and physicality. His ability to press the line and finish through contact makes him an ideal fit for inside-zone and power-run schemes. Not a breakaway threat, but his three-down skill set gives him NFL-ready value.
Mid-Level Starter Potential - 3rd/5th Round Projection
A solid starter with good tools and athleticism but lacking elite traits. Flashes high-level play but needs development, often taking 2-3 years to establish themselves.
6) Dylan Sampson | Tennessee | Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 201 lbs
Player Comparison: Devon Achane
Analysis: Sampson is an explosive, instinctive back with elite burst and contact balance. His quick acceleration and lateral agility make him a big-play threat in zone-heavy and spread offenses. Needs to improve as a receiver and pass protector to maximize his three-down value.
7) RJ Harvey | UCF | Ht: 5'9" | Wt: 210 lbs
Player Comparison: Not Available
Analysis: Harvey is a shifty, elusive back with excellent vision and footwork. His ability to create in space and make defenders miss makes him an ideal fit for inside-zone and gap-heavy rushing schemes. Ball security concerns and a smaller frame limit his workhorse upside, but he has third-down value.
8) Devin Neal | Kansas | Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 210 lbs
Player Comparison: Michael Carter
Analysis: Neal is a versatile, one-cut runner with explosive acceleration and sharp change-of-direction ability. His playmaking in space makes him a great fit for RPO-heavy and outside-zone offenses. Needs to improve power running and pass protection to become a complete three-down back at the NFL level.
9) DJ Giddens | Kansas State | Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 212 lbs
Player Comparison: Latavius Murray
Analysis: Giddens is a well-rounded back with good vision and contact balance but lacks breakaway speed. His best fit is in a gap-heavy scheme where his patience and burst can be maximized. Pass protection and decisiveness at the line need refinement.
10) Cam Skattebo | Arizona State | Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 215 lbs
Player Comparison: Alfred Morris
Analysis: Skattebo is a powerful, downhill runner with elite contact balance and short-yardage value. His tough, physical style makes him an asset in goal-line situations, but he lacks long speed. Best suited for a power/gap-based system, but can contribute as a pass protector. I also see dome fullback versatility in his future.
11) Damien Martinez | Miami | Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 232 lbs
Player Comparison: Josh Jacobs
Analysis: Martinez is a bruising, tackle-breaking runner with surprising lateral agility for his size. His vision and patience make him a fit for power/gap schemes, but he also thrives in inside-zone. Must improve pass protection to reach lead-back status.
12) Jaydon Blue | Texas | Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 200 lbs
Player Comparison: Not Available
Analysis: Blue is a home-run threat with elite speed and high level receiving ability. His best role is in an outside-zone or spread offense where he can maximize his quickness in space. Struggles with contact balance and vision but has high upside as a third-down back.
Mid-Level Starter Potential - 4th/7th Round Projection
A solid starter with good tools and athleticism but lacking elite traits. Flashes high-level play but needs development, often taking 2-3 years to establish themselves.
13) Ollie Gordon II | Oklahoma State | Ht: 6'2" | Wt: 220 lbs
Player Comparison: Braelon Allen
Analysis: Gordon is a powerful, patient downhill runner with excellent contact balance and finishing ability. He thrives in gap/power-based rushing attacks but lacks elite breakaway speed. Best suited for a two-back system where he can be a volume runner and short-yardage specialist.
14) Bhayshul Tuten | Virginia Tech | Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 209 lbs
Player Comparison: Raheem Mostert
Analysis: Tuten is an explosive, compact runner with elite straight-line speed and excellent balance. His tackle-breaking ability makes him dangerous in space, but he needs to improve vision, ball security, and pass protection. Best fit in a zone-heavy scheme.
15) Trevor Etienne | Georgia | Ht: 5'9" | Wt: 205 lbs
Player Comparison: Michael Carter
Analysis: Etienne is a quick, elusive back with solid vision and acceleration. His lateral agility and receiving ability give him rotational value, but he lacks top-end speed and power to be a full-time workhorse. Ideal for zone-based rushing attacks.
16) Jordan James | Oregon | Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 210 lbs
Player Comparison: Dameon Pierce
Analysis: James is a tough, physical runner with strong burst and vision. He thrives in gap/power schemes and short-yardage situations but lacks elite breakaway speed. Projects as a reliable rotational back in a run-heavy offense.
17) Kalel Mullings | Michigan | Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 235 lbs
Player Comparison: Gus Edwards
Analysis: Mullings is a bruising power back with impressive agility for his size. His ability to break tackles and pass protect adds value, but his limited receiving profile and late breakout raise concerns. Best suited for a short-yardage or rotational role.
18) Kyle Monangai | Rutgers | Ht: 5'9" | Wt: 209 lbs
Player Comparison: Mark Ingram
Analysis: Monangai is a compact, powerful back with excellent balance and vision. His ability to press gaps and break tackles makes him a strong fit in zone and duo-heavy rushing schemes. Lacks elite speed but offers RB2 potential in a run-heavy offense.
19) LeQuint Allen | Syracuse | Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 200 lbs
Player Comparison: Not Available
Analysis: Allen is a well-rounded back with three-down potential. His vision, lateral agility, and receiving ability make him a valuable rotational back with RB1 upside. Needs to improve top-end speed and acceleration to maximize his effectiveness.
20) Tahj Brooks | Texas Tech | Ht: 5'10" | Wt: 230 lbs
Player Comparison: Mike Davis
Analysis: Brooks is a powerful, low-center-of-gravity runner with excellent contact balance. He excels in inside-zone and power schemes but lacks top-end speed. His short-yardage and pass protection skills make him a valuable rotational RB2 with starter upside.
21) Donovan Edwards | Michigan | Ht: 6'1" | Wt: 210 lbs
Player Comparison: Alvin Kamara (Believe me)
Analysis: Edwards is an explosive, dynamic weapon with elite receiving ability. Best utilized in space, whether as an outside runner, receiving back, or gadget player. Inconsistent vision and contact balance limit his every-down value.