Ranking and evaluating the top-10 running backs in 2025 NFL draft

USA Today

14-04-2025

Ranking and evaluating the top-10 running backs in 2025 NFL draft
It's a good time for the New England Patriots to be in the market for a running back considering the 2025 class has one of the deepest pools of talent at the position in recent memory.
There will be opportunities in every round to add to the offensive backfield in New England. Even Patriots coach Mike Vrabel hinted at the possibility of the team acquiring a "good young runner."
"I think so, having a good young runner, that's potentially something we would like to do," Vrabel said at the NFL Annual Meeting, via Patriots.com's Evan Lazar.
If they decide to address the running back position, these are the top-10 options at the 2025 NFL draft. For those following this series, I broke down the quarterback position last week. Now, we're turning our attention to a solid group of running backs in this class.
Let's dive in.
10. Jordan James, Oregon
Jordan James is a compact, powerful runner with a well-rounded game that often flies under the radar due to his time in committee backfields. He's got strong burst, impressive leg drive, and a veteran-level sense of patience and pacing. James excels in short-yardage and red-zone situations, consistently finding ways to move the chains and punch the ball into the end zone.
He plays with great pad level and lateral agility, and his ball security is rock solid. Because of his limited usage in college, he enters the league with minimal wear and tear — a plus for a position that often takes heavy punishment. There are some concerns, though. He lacks elite top-end speed, isn't much of a receiving threat and needs development in pass protection.
There are also questions stemming from a 2024 head injury and other missed games that scouts will need to clear. Still, James offers late-round value as a change-of-pace or rotational power back who can thrive in a downhill scheme.
9. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Cam Skattebo is one of the most energetic downhill runners in this class. At 5-foot-10 and 215 pounds, he brings elite contact balance and a natural feel for the flow of the defense. He's a patient runner who presses the line of scrimmage well, then bursts through creases with power and vision. As a receiver, Skattebo has natural hands and is a reliable target in the passing game, adding to his versatility.
His jitterbug style and relentless energy make him a perfect change-of-pace back. He thrives in short-yardage situations and is a dependable option near the goal line. That said, his flaws are clear. He has fumbled 10 times over the past three years and lacks true long speed (4.64 40-yard dash). His pass protection is inconsistent, and he's shown a tendency to try too hard to make something out of nothing — often leading to negative plays. Durability is a concern due to his heavy usage in college, but Skattebo has the grit and skill set to carve out a meaningful NFL role.
8. Trevor Etienne, Georgia
Trevor Etienne — younger brother of NFL standout Travis Etienne — is one of the smoothest runners in this class. A transfer from Florida to Georgia, Etienne (5'9', 198 pounds) put up impressive testing numbers and shows electric burst, vision and cutting ability. He draws natural comparisons to Kenneth Walker with his ability to maintain speed through direction changes and create in tight spaces.
Etienne's receiving ability is highly underrated. He dropped just one of 63 career targets, catches away from his frame with ease and transitions into a runner almost instantly after the catch. His pass protection is solid for his size — he's willing and technically sound, but still developing.
At just 20 years old, he's still filling out physically and may not project as a true bell-cow back. However, his upside as a dynamic runner and pass catcher makes him one of the more exciting prospects in a deep class. Teams looking for an explosive, dual-threat back will love what Etienne brings.
7. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Dylan Sampson is an electric runner in a compact frame. At 5-foot-8 and 200 pounds, he packs a punch, with burst, agility and short-area quickness that make him a nightmare in open space. He excels in zone schemes thanks to his vision and decision-making. Sampson has an 80 percent conversion rate on third-and-short attempts, and he understands leverage well in pass protection.
He's a slasher — capable of making defenders miss with quick cuts and sharp spins. His size does raise concerns about his ability to handle a full workload. He also lost four fumbles in 2024 and has limited experience catching passes out of the backfield. There's some projection needed in terms of his role at the next level, but if used correctly, Sampson could thrive as a change-of-pace back or third-down option with explosive upside.
6. Devin Neal, Kansas
Devin Neal is a highly versatile back who brings fluidity, burst and polish to his game. He's got a quick first step and a natural feel for zone blocking schemes. Neal's change-of-direction skills are impressive. He's able to cut with minimal speed loss and stay balanced through traffic. He's fumbled only four times on 760 touches and has experience in both gap and zone concepts, adding to his pro-readiness.
He's shown steady improvement as a pass-catcher, though his hands still aren't considered natural. He lacks elite contact balance and can be brought down by first contact more than you'd like. He also needs work in pass protection, especially in identifying blitzers and staying square. But the upside is clear — Neal is a smooth athlete with home-run ability and the versatility to fit into a variety of NFL schemes.
5. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Quinshon Judkins is one of the most explosive backs in the class. At 6-foot-2 and 221 pounds with a 4.48 40-yard dash, he posted elite vertical, broad jump and 10-yard split numbers — and that athleticism shows up on tape. Judkins runs with power and precision, bouncing off tackles and making defenders miss with stiff arms and subtle cuts. His vision and awareness at full speed are excellent.
Judkins thrives in short-yardage and high-leverage situations. He has incredible ball security (just three fumbles over 800 collegiate touches), and he consistently grinds out extra yards. His top-end speed isn't elite, and he can get a bit tight when trying to string multiple cuts together. He also needs improvement in pass protection — both in terms of technique and recognition. Still, he's one of the best power backs in this class with enough wiggle and explosiveness to be more than just a short-yardage option.
4. Caleb Johnson, Iowa
Caleb Johnson brings old-school toughness to the position. At 6-foot-1 and 224 pounds with a 4.57 40-yard dash, he's a strong, physical runner who embraces contact and gets stronger as the game goes on. Johnson displays excellent vision and tempo — often leaning into contact and maximizing every yard. His pad level is consistently low, and he does a great job of pressing the hole before exploding through it.
He's not flashy, but he's dependable. Johnson isn't much of a receiving threat, and he lacks top-end breakaway speed. His hands are average, and his pass protection needs improvement. But what he lacks in finesse, he makes up for in grit and reliability. He's the type of back that can earn a role early as a rotational power back and has long-term starter potential for a downhill scheme. Teams looking for a steady between-the-tackles presence will like what Johnson brings to the table.
3. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
TreVeyon Henderson is a dynamic home-run threat with elite acceleration and the vision to make defenders miss at every level. He's one of the most explosive backs in this class and brings value both as a runner and a pass protector. Henderson excels in space, using his burst and lateral agility to create big plays. His second-level vision is exceptional, helping him set up blockers and find lanes in the open field.
He's a well-rounded player with soft hands, strong pass-blocking skills and rare quickness. Henderson's cuts are sudden and sharp, and his contact balance makes him a nightmare in one-on-one situations. That said, there are a few areas of concern. He missed extended time in both 2022 and 2023 with injuries, and there's a tendency for him to get overly creative — dancing in the backfield instead of just hitting the hole. He can also bounce runs outside prematurely, which may not work as consistently in the NFL. Still, Henderson's upside is undeniable.
2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Omarion Hampton is a powerful, explosive runner with a rare blend of size (6'0", 221), speed (4.46 40-yard dash) and athleticism (38-inch vertical). His tape is violent in the best way — constantly churning through tackles and running with a downhill, punishing style. He showed a strong ability to find tight seams and explode through them, even behind a poor offensive line.
Hampton has strong burst and decisive running instincts. Once he identifies a hole, he hits it hard and finishes his runs. His hands are soft, and he catches well through contact. He thrives when building momentum and is tough to bring down when he gets going.
However, he still needs refinement in pass protection. He tends to rely on cut-blocking techniques and doesn't always square up with his hands and pad level. His route tree is also limited, consisting mostly of swing passes and screens. Still, he's one of the most complete backs in the class and will push for a first-round selection.
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
At 5-foot-8 and 211 pounds, Ashton Jeanty may not blow you away with his physical build, but his tape says it all — he's a special, potentially generational talent. He's the closest prospect we've seen to Saquon Barkley in quite some time. Jeanty has elite contact balance and vision, with the burst and long speed to break away once he finds daylight. He's a legitimate threat as both a runner and pass-catcher, featuring soft hands and an impressive catch radius.
Despite his size, Jeanty shows incredible durability and thrives under heavy workloads. He's built like a workhorse, with the pad level and leg drive to power through contact. In pass protection, he's well above average for a college back, capable of diagnosing blitzes and holding his own.
There are a few holes in his game. The only knocks are his compact frame and a somewhat limited route tree. Load management could be a concern given how heavily he was used in college, but even that is minor when compared to his upside. He's a top-10 pick in this class and should make an instant impact in the NFL.
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