2025 NFL draft: Ashton Jeanty leads top 10 RB prospects in elite class

Posted by author February 5, 2025 NFL

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The running game is back in the NFL. In 2024, teams averaged 119.8 rushing yards per game, the second-highest figure in the last 20 years, only behind the 2022 season’s average of 121.6 yards per game.

Two of the biggest free agent moves ahead of the 2024 NFL season involved running backs. Saquon Barkley signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and Derrick Henry signed with the Baltimore Ravens. Those signings worked out very well; Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history with 2,000 rushing yards in a season and has powered the Eagles to a Super Bowl berth. Henry helped spearhead the No. 1 rushing offense in the NFL alongside Lamar Jackson in Baltimore.

As offenses league-wide shift to running the ball more, talent at running back has become more important. Luckily, the 2025 NFL draft has one of the best running back classes in years.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see 10 running backs selected in the first 100 picks come April. Here are the top 10 prospects at the position you need to know and their current draft projections.

2025 NFL draft RB rankings

1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Jeanty is one of the best running back prospects of the last decade. He provides an ideal combination of elite traits and college production to the next level.

Strengths: Generational contact balance with a thick frame at 5-foot-9 and 215 lbs. Patience to let blocks develop before hitting the hole. Great burst to accelerate out of contact or make a cut when needed. Gets stronger as the game wears on to exploit defenses. Explosive enough laterally to make multiple cuts in succession.
Weaknesses: Not a burner at the position. Pass protection could use some improvement.
Draft projection: Round 1 (top 15).

2. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

The Buckeyes won a national championship in 2024 with a strong running game featuring Judkins and teammate TreVeyon Henderson. He’ll likely hear his name called in the first two days of the NFL draft.

Strengths: Great size (6-feet, 219 lbs.) with the power to force missed tackles with his physical running style. Explosive burst and acceleration to outpace defenders before he even reaches his impressive top speed. Elite contact balance and good patience when waiting for blocks to develop. Shown flashes as a good receiver out of the backfield with soft hands. Split time in his final year of college.
Weaknesses: Pass protection needs improvement, more with technique than commitment. Can almost be too patient at times when choosing a lane. Not a lot of production as a receiver.
Draft projection: Late Round 1/early Round 2.

3. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

Johnson is another Big Ten running back who should hear his name called earlier than later in the draft due to his reputation as a bruising runner that will likely make him a productive starter as a rookie.

Strengths: Big, physical running back at 6-feet and 225 lbs. that makes him ideal for short-yardage situations. Runs tough with ideal combination of patience and vision. Impressive contact balance with great first step and burst out of the backfield. Zero fumbles in 2024 and a good pass protector.
Weaknesses: Not an elusive runner. Lacks the top speed of other backs in this class. Can struggle when blocks break down. Not productive as a receiver out of the backfield.
Draft projection: Late Round 1/early Round 2.

4. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

Hampton could be the first Tar Heel running back to go in first three rounds since Javonte Williams in 2021 thanks to his NFL-ready skill set.

Strengths: Strong, dense frame at 6-foot and 220 lbs. Downhill runner who explodes into the hole and takes on tacklers violently. Ideal mix of speed and power for the position. Very good contact balance and light feet. Elite speed that make him a constant threat to take it the distance. Capable receiver out of the backfield. Only one fumble in 2024.
Weaknesses: Doesn’t make cuts laterally. Not an elusive runner in the open field. Really needs to improve pass protection technique. Lacks ideal vision compared to other prospects in the class.
Draft projection: Late Round 1/early Round 2.

5. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Judkins’ running mate at Ohio State was potentially RB1 in last year’s draft class but elected to stay and win a national championship. Now, his time has come for the next level.

Strengths: Elusive in the open field with ideal speed as a burner with NFL size at 5-foot-11 and 215 lbs. Good enough balance to fight for extra yards after contact. Great vision, change of direction and explosion to get to the second level. Zero recorded fumbles in his four-year college career.
Weaknesses: Poor pass protection. Missed time in 2022 and 2023 with an injury. Was not used as a pass catcher out of the backfield with Ohio State.
Draft projection: Round 2.

6. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee

Sampson led the SEC in rushing yards in 2024 and enters the draft as one of the youngest prospects at the position.

Strengths: Aggressive runner in a 5-foot-11, 200-lb, frame with great contact balance. Can hit extra gears to get the most out of his carries. Great vision paired with quickness to hit holes or adjust to defenses. Willing pass protector in the backfield. Will turn 21 during the 2025 NFL season. Profiles as a good receiver out of the backfield.
Weaknesses: Slightly small frame that lacks power to gain lots of extra yards after contact. Fumbled four times in 2024. Needs to improve awareness as pass protector. Rarely used as a receiver out of the backfield in college.
Draft projection: Round 3.

7. Devin Neal, Kansas

Neal came to Lawrence as a two-sport star for the Jayhawks in baseball and football. After his first year, he committed to football only and should be a productive NFL running back.

Strengths: Great size at 5-feet-11 and 220 lbs. but still a shifty runner in the open field. Elite vision and recognition as a runner who knows where to go with the ball. Good speed to get to the second level. Versatile back who can work in different schemes. A threat on dump offs and screens. Only one fumble in 2024.
Weaknesses: Despite his frame, not a physical runner. Average contact balance at best. Lacks elite top-end speed. Logged 760 carries over four years in college.
Draft projection: Round 3.

8. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State

Skattebo was the focal point of the Sun Devils’ offense in 2024 that culminated in the program’s second-ever Peach Bowl appearance.

Strengths: Physical, aggressive runner at 5-foot-11 and 215 lbs. Patient runner with the vision to find and press the line of scrimmage. Rolls through arm tackles and is ideal for short-yardage situations. Very good receiving skill set and pass protection abilities at this stage.
Weaknesses: Not an elusive runner. Lacks the explosive traits other backs in the class possess. Fumbles have been an issue throughout his college career.
Draft projection: Round 4.

9. Damien Martinez, Miami

Martinez transferred from Oregon State to Miami for his final year of college and continued to produce at a rate that’ll attract NFL evaluators.

Strengths: Solid frame at 6-feet and 232 lbs. that takes on contact very well. Impressive amount of speed for his powerful frame and running style. Good footwork that combines with surprising burst out of the backfield. Patient runner who lets blocks develop before finding the right crease. Good lateral quickness and finishing attitude. Produced in both zone and gap schemes in college.
Weaknesses: Not a burner. Not used in the passing game much at any stop in college. Despite his size, struggles to anchor in pass protection.
Draft projection: Round 4.

10. RJ Harvey, UCF

Though he’s one of the shorter running backs in the class, Harvey will likely be off the board early on day three of the draft.

Strengths: Patient runner with a compact frame at 5-foot-8 and 208 lbs. Impressive footwork that pairs well with shiftiness and burst to make him a hard running back to tackle one-on-one. Knows how to follow lead blockers in different run concepts. Low center of gravity allows him to bounce off tacklers to get extra yards after contact.
Weaknesses: Lacks top-end speed like other backs in the class. Fumbles are a concern with nine in the last three seasons. Small stature likely puts a limit on his effectiveness in pass protection. One of the oldest prospects at the position in the class.
Draft projection: Round 4.