Rookie Running Back Landing Spots: Best Team Fits For 2025 NFL Draft Prospects

2024 was the offseason for free-agent running backs. 2025 is for the rookies.

As evidenced by the lack of money shelled out to free agents, NFL teams are eyeing a deep rookie class to fill roster gaps. This year's crop contains future stars and a laundry list of potential contributors, all at a cheaper cost.

Below, we examine the best landing spots for this year's rookie running backs and teams that can potentially spend a selection on the position.

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Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

Best fits: Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys

Jerry Jones appears to have lost his ability to construct a running back room. One year after whiffing on running backs in the 2024 draft and entering the season with Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle as Dallas' lead backs, the depth chart is even direr this offseason.

The Cowboys signed two running backs who lost their jobs in their previous cities, Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, and let Dowdle walk. He plans to select Ashton Jeanty in April, right?

He may not get the chance. The Boise State Bronco is the belle of the ball. Burst, speed, balance, vision, power -- Jeanty has it all. Opposing defenses knew they'd see a heavy dosage of Jeanty. It didn't matter. He averaged seven yards per carry, rushed for over 100 yards in every contest, and topped 200 in six games. Despite catching 23 passes in his final collegiate season, his tape shows a fluid pass-catcher.

Ashton Jeanty isn’t human. pic.twitter.com/X7i2ThaUwI

— Raiding The Kingdom🎙 (@RaidTheKingdom) March 13, 2025

Because he's a can't-miss prospect, he'd be a fit for most franchises. With fantasy football in mind, landing in a spot without an established running back is ideal.

The Denver Broncos fit that category, but it would be a shock to see Jeanty still on the board at pick 20. The Raiders roster Raheem Mostert, Sincere McCormick, and Zamir White. Adding a running back via the draft is essential, but is it necessary at the sixth pick? The Bears, who immediately regretted the contract given to D'Andre Swift, could also be players for Jeanty's services.

Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina

Best fits: Denver Broncos, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants

If Jeanty is in a class by himself, Omarion Hampton may also have a tier. There's been an up arrow on his stock throughout the offseason, and the North Carolina Tar Heel is getting some buzz as a first-round pick.

Hampton fits the bill of a workhorse running back. He tallied at least 20 carries in eight of 12 games. His battering ram style and absorption of contact give shades of Josh Jacobs or Nick Chubb.

As games continued, he wore down defenders and shed tackles behind the line of scrimmage. His yards per carry on runs when he was contacted behind the line of scrimmage matches almost any running back in the last decade.

Omarion Hampton posted an incredible 9.93 RAS with a 4.47 40 at 6’0, 221lbs 🐏

But how’s the tape? Well…

➖ contact balance
➖ burst through the LOS
➖ surprising open-field elusiveness
➖ drags tacklers for extra yards
➖ pass pro & solid hands

Day 1 plug-and-play starter. pic.twitter.com/KnhNYFXmAz

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) March 7, 2025

Denver is an obvious candidate for selecting Hampton in the first round. Javonte Williams is a Cowboy, leaving Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime as a mediocre tandem.

Hampton would also excel in Pittsburgh or New York. While he can accelerate into third gear, he's mostly a straight-line runner, and his route tree didn't expand past screens and swing passes. When he's done bruising linebackers, Jaylen Warren or Tyrone Tracy Jr. can mix it up with speed and pass-catching.

Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa

Best fits: Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers

Iowa's Kaleb Johnson may be the best pure runner of the bunch. He averaged 6.4 yards per carry in his final season as a Hawkeye and led the Big Ten with 1,537 rushing yards.

Kaleb Johnson in 12 Games this season:

➖262 Touches
➖1,725 Yards
➖23 TD’s

Out of 722 Running Backs, he had the 4th MOST Touches WITHOUT a Fumble..

What Matters MOST:

➖Size: 6’0, 225 lbs
➖Efficiency: 6.4 Yards Per Carry
➖Vision: 66 Missed Tackles Forced

He’s the TRUTH pic.twitter.com/FjXOoJTUHK

— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) January 31, 2025

Ironically, one of his comps (at least on the ground) is Najee Harris. He's a workhorse who turns short gains into moderate yardage and wears down defenders as the game progresses. He doesn't appear to have mastered receiving skills and was not strong in the pass-protection department. That is likely to keep him on the sidelines on third downs or two-minute drills early in his career.

That's also part of what makes him a perfect fit in the Steel City. Warren and Kenneth Gainwell can handle the receiving and change-of-pace work while Johnson does his best Harris impression. However, the Steelers gave away their second-round pick in the DK Metcalf trade. He could be available in the third round, but 83rd overall seems to be on the late side.

The Chargers inked Harris to a one-year deal earlier this month. Johnson could be trained as a protégé and shift into the leading role when Harris' contract expires.

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Best fits: Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears

Ohio State's one-two punch of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins bring different skill sets to the NFL. Henderson is the more explosive of the two, while Judkins may be the better down-to-down runner.

4.43 for TreVeyon Henderson!

He’s gonna be a great RB in the league. pic.twitter.com/cAB2Cy3pBH

— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) March 1, 2025

That's not to say Henderson can't be a lead back. He dominated touches as a true freshman in Columbus with 6.8 yards per carry. He upped that average to 7.1 in his final season. The seasons in between draw some concern. He battled injuries in 2022 and 2023 as he navigated a rigorous Big Ten schedule. Is that a coincidence, or will his body not hold up for a 17-game NFL season?

New Chicago head coach Ben Johnson may view Henderson as a Jahmyr Gibbs-esque back and attempt to replicate his Detroit success in the Windy City. Henderson is one of the best receivers in the running back position in this class. The Cowboys, as stated above, desperately need playmakers in the backfield.

The Cleveland Browns currently roster Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr. Ford is serviceable but better suited as an RB2 or 1B. He and Henderson could form one of the more explosive duos in football.

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

Best fits: Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders

Quinshon Judkins is better suited for a team that commits to giving him a steady workload. If he lands in a city and gets 15-18 touches per game, he'll be solid for fantasy football. For that to happen, he'll likely need to be a Round 2 pick.

Judkins handled 270+ carries in his first two collegiate seasons at Ole Miss. He led the SEC in rushing and touchdowns before transferring to Ohio State. The move lessened his load and saved his body for the professional level after scouts witnessed his ability to be an every-down back. He excels in short-yardage situations but lacks top-end speed.

Quinshon shake… pic.twitter.com/Kn2pfQzUrl

— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) January 1, 2024

The fit list looks familiar at this point of the article: Cleveland, Dallas, and Las Vegas seek starting running backs. The Giants and Bears could opt to replace the incumbent.

Other Prospects

Cam Skattebo, Devin Neal, Dylan Sampson, RJ Harvey, Brashard Smith (in no particular order), and a handful of other running backs comprise the next group, ranked depending on who you ask. Every NFL franchise also has a unique list.

This group projects to be second-stringers, at least initially. New Orleans, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Miami, and Houston could look to upgrade the depth chart behind the established starters.

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