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Fantasy players have heard the hype surrounding the 2025 NFL Draft running back class for over a year. While the 2024 running back class lacked significant fantasy upside, this year’s unit might be the best in recent memory.
Last year, Jonathon Brooks was the only running back drafted in the first two rounds. However, many NFL Draft experts believe we will see at least five running backs selected in the first 64 picks this year.
That said, the 2025 running back class is loaded with fantasy-relevant prospects. Here are my top-10 running backs in the upcoming NFL Draft class.
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Running Backs No. 10-6
10) Jaydon Blue, Texas
Unfortunately, Texas lost CJ Baxter to a significant knee injury in August, forcing the team to lean on Blue and Tre Wisner in the backfield. While Wisner led the team with 226 rushing attempts and 1,064 yards, Blue had the most rushing scores, totaling eight. Furthermore, he was the better option in the passing game.
Blue and Wisner had a similar workload in the air, each totaling between 42 and 44 receptions. However, the third-year running back had six receiving touchdowns, including one in the playoff loss to Ohio State. While he won’t be a three-down guy in the NFL, Blue should become an excellent weapon out of the backfield for quarterbacks.
QUINN EWERS IN A BUCKET TO JADON BLUE#PMSCFPESPN2 #HookEm pic.twitter.com/Ps2O1PJP7u
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 11, 2025
9) Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Tennessee has produced several promising running back draft prospects lately, including Jaylen Wright last year. Sampson broke out in 2024 with Wright heading to the NFL, totaling 258 rushing attempts for 1,491 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading the SEC in every category. The explosive running averaged 5.9 yards per rushing attempt in his career.
Sampson is an outstanding runner with excellent vision to set up his blocks. He has elite speed and should run one of the fastest 40-yard dashes during the pre-draft process. Scouts will question if Sampson can handle a full workload. However, his lack of wear and tear (462 career touches) will appeal to many in the scouting world.
8) Cameron Skattebo, Arizona State
No one expected Arizona State to make the College Football Playoffs this year. However, they won the Big 12 and earned a top-four seed because of Skattebo. He played a massive role in the team’s success this past season. After having 164 rushing attempts for 783 yards and nine touchdowns in 2023, Skattebo had a breakout year in 2024.
The physical runner finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy Award after totaling 293 rushing attempts for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns in 13 games this season. Skattebo led the conference in rushing attempts and yards, averaging 5.8 yards per rush. While some scouts question his horizontal athleticism, Skattebo should have a role as an early down bruiser in the NFL with high-end touchdown upside.
7) Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Many had high expectations for Gordon this past year. The former Oklahoma State star was a potential first-round NFL Draft pick after an outstanding 2023 sophomore season. He finished the year with 285 rushing attempts for 1,732 yards and 21 touchdowns, leading the country in yards and the Big 12 in touchdowns.
Unfortunately, Gordon’s production severely regressed this past season. His yards per rushing attempt dropped from a career-high 6.1 in 2023 to a career-low 4.6 in 2024. While he had double-digit rushing touchdowns for the second consecutive year, Gordon went from a clear-cut first-round pick to a mid-round selection. Yet, he could be a steal in dynasty rookie drafts, depending on his landing spot.
Ollie Gordon for a @CowboyFB TD! 🤠🙌 pic.twitter.com/ptv0bPZqkY
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 2, 2024
6) Devin Neal, Kansas
The Big 12 has several talented running back prospects in this year’s draft class. Unfortunately, Neal hasn’t gotten much national attention. Yet, he had one of the more underrated college careers. Neal had at least 700 rushing yards and eight touchdowns every season at Kansas. Furthermore, he was outstanding to end his college career.
Last year, Neal had 1,266 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. It was his second consecutive season with over 1,260 rushing yards and 16 scores, averaging at least 98.5 yards per game in both years. Scouts love Neal’s quick feet and ability to elude tackles consistently. However, some worry about his overall athleticism and speed.
Running Backs No. 5-1
5) Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
After two outstanding seasons at Ole Miss, Judkins transferred to Ohio State last year. He had at least 1,000 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns every season of his college career, leading the SEC in yards and scores in 2022 and touchdowns in 2023. Splitting time with TreVeyon Henderson impacted Judkins’ 2024 production. Yet, he was still an elite running back.
While Ohio State’s freshman superstar Jeremiah Smith got most of the media’s attention, Judkins and the rushing attack were the heart of the team’s offense. The star running back had three rushing touchdowns in the National Championship Game win over Notre Dame. Judkins is a physical runner who has no problem plowing through defenders.
4) Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Hampton is a powerful runner with outstanding short-area burst and explosiveness. The former North Carolina star is more of a North-South runner than a guy who will make defenders miss in space with elusiveness. However, he makes up for the lack of elite shiftiness with power and strength to run through tackles.
Last year, Hampton was clearly the top running back in the conference. He led the ACC in rushing attempts (281) and yards (1,660) for the second consecutive season. Furthermore, the former North Carolina star had 15 rushing touchdowns in back-to-back years. While he likely won’t be a first-round selection, Hampton will come off the board in the first 60 picks.
Every Omarion Hampton Rushing TD from 2024 #NFLDraft2025 pic.twitter.com/NYuZkEUm6e
— Ray G (@RayGQue) February 20, 2025
3) Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Some believe Johnson is the top running back in the draft class, not named Ashton Jeanty. The former Iowa star had a solid first two years, totaling 268 rushing attempts for 1,242 yards and nine touchdowns. However, he had a breakout season in 2024, finishing with 240 rushing attempts for 1,537 yards and 21 scores.
Furthermore, Johnson led the Big 10 in rushing yards and touchdowns despite playing in the same conference as several elite running backs. Scouts love his vision and ability to quickly hit the hole with an excellent mix of speed and force. The former Iowa star also has elite home run speed. Johnson could sneak into the first round of the NFL Draft.
2) TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Henderson could have declared for the 2024 NFL Draft and been the first running back selected year after totaling 156 rushing attempts for 926 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games as a junior. However, Henderson returned to Ohio State with the goal of helping the Buckeyes win the National Championship.
Ohio State came away victorious this year, thanks largely to their elite 1-2 punch in the backfield. Henderson had 1,016 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, his third season with double-digit scores in his career. Furthermore, he averaged a career-high 7.1 yards per rushing attempt. Some believe Henderson could be the next Jahmyr Gibbs.
1) Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
The Heisman Trophy Award runner-up had one of the best running back seasons in college football history in 2024. Jeanty was outstanding in 2023, leading the Mountain West Conference in rushing attempts (220) and yards (1,347). Yet, he took his game to another level last year.
Unfortunately, Jeanty just missed out on breaking Barry Sanders’ rushing record. However, the superstar led the country in rushing attempts (374) and yards (2,601). He also ranked first in the conference with 29 rushing touchdowns. Jeanty is the only running back guaranteed to be a first-round pick this year, possibly coming off the board in the top 10 selections.
ASHTON JEANTY IS UNSTOPPABLE ⚡️@BroncoSportsFB scores a third TD before the half 😤 pic.twitter.com/2Xek565tR5
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 7, 2024
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