2025 NFL Draft: Running Back Rankings – Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton & TreVeyon Henderson Headline Deepest Class in Years

The 2025 NFL Draft running back class is arguably the deepest position group in this draft cycle. With a loaded top tier and high-upside prospects scattered throughout Day 2 and Day 3, this group draws early comparisons to the legendary 2017 RB class that featured Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, and Aaron Jones. At the top, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty leads the way as a true three-down back with elite contact balance, receiving skills, and vision. North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton brings power and volume-runner ability, while TreVeyon Henderson is the class’s premier home-run hitter. Beyond the top names, backs like Quinshon Judkins, Kaleb Johnson, and Dylan Sampson offer starting-caliber traits and scheme versatility. 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. 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, dynamic do-it-all back with rare contact balance, vision, and elusiveness. His ability to explode through gaps and manipulate second-level defenders makes him a perfect fit in zone-based or pin-pull schemes. Also a natural pass-catcher with three-down value. A true franchise-caliber runner. Near Elite Tier – 1st/2nd Round Projection High-ceiling players with pro-ready traits who may need minor refinement to reach Pro Bowl potential. 2). 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. 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. 3) 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. 4) 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. 5) 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. 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) 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. 9) Jaydon Blue | Texas | Ht: 6'0" | Wt: 200 lbs Player Comparison:   N/A Analysis:  Blue is a vertical-speed threat with the tools to become a top-tier receiving back. He excels in space and flashes elite acceleration, but must improve vision, contact balance, and overall consistency to reach his potential. A third-down weapon with upside. 10) 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. 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. 11) Cam Skattebo | Arizona State Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 215 lbs Player Comparison:   Alfred Morris Analysis:  Skattebo is a rugged, no-nonsense power back with excellent contact balance and short-yardage toughness. He shines in gap/power run concepts, especially on early downs and in goal-line packages. Lacks top-end speed and receiving versatility but offers fullback flexibility and core special teams upside. 12) 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. 13) Devin Neal | Kansas | Ht: 5'11" | Wt: 210 lbs Player Comparison:   Michael Carter Analysis:  Neal is a compact, agile runner who excels in space and on perimeter runs. His one-cut ability and suddenness make him dangerous in zone-heavy schemes. Needs more consistency in pass protection and power runs, but offers strong change-of-pace value with third-down upside. 14) 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. 15) 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. 16) 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. 17) 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. 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.