2025 NFL Draft: Ranking RB prospects, No. 1 to 31

I joined NFL Media back in 2015 but really began scouting prospects ahead of the 2016 NFL Draft, in which Ezekiel Elliott ultimately was taken fourth overall by the Dallas Cowboys. Zeke was an incredible talent coming out of Ohio State, but if I'm being truly honest, Jeanty is the best player at the position that I have scouted over the last decade. The ultra-athletic running back has all of the traits to become a superstar at the next level. At 5-foot-8 1/2 and 211 pounds, the compact Jeanty is an explosive, strong runner who is tough to tackle, routinely showcasing the ability to run through defenders.

The 5-10 1/8, 208-pound physical back has all of the traits to regularly contribute at the next level. He has great vision as a runner, good hands in the pass game and excels as a blocker in pass protection. Henderson is a big-time playmaker whose speed jumps off the tape, as evidenced by his 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine and his 75-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown against Texas in the College Football Playoff. That exceptional play was just one instance of Henderson playing his best football against great competition. He recorded at least 100 scrimmage yards in three of Ohio State's four College Football Playoff games this past season, helping pave the way for the Buckeyes to win the national title.

Skattebo is a football player through and through, as he routinely gives his all no matter his role. This along with his competitive nature was on display during Arizona State's CFP quarterfinal loss to Texas, a contest in which he was named the game's offensive MVP after recording 143 rushing yards, 99 receiving yards and a 42-yard touchdown pass. He has great patience and contact balance as a rusher, forcing 102 missed tackles on runs last season (second in the FBS, per Pro Football Focus, behind only Ashton Jeanty). Skattebo could thrive in a number of NFL systems as the last piece to an offensive puzzle. The only question I have about him is his game speed, but he has the potential to be a Day 1 starter with the right team.

Ohio State's backfield was incredible last season, with Judkins complementing TreVeyon Henderson extremely well. The former led the team in rush yards last season (1,060 to Henderson's 1,016), thanks to an explosive, physical running style that helps him run through tackles. Like others in this section, Judkins splashed against top competition, logging 121 scrimmage yards and three TDs in the national championship win over Notre Dame. He has room to improve as a pass catcher, but the compact Judkins has the goods to excel from the jump as a natural runner.

Giddens is a sleeper -- at least according to where most draft analysts rank him -- with insane suddenness. I've never seen a player make people miss the way the Kansas State star does, moving out of the way of tacklers in the drop of a dime. He's a long strider, yet his start-stop quickness is second to none. If he improves in the pass game as a receiver and blocker, he has the potential to become a three-down back at the next level.

This might be a surprise to some of you, but Harvey's versatility and potential at the next level ranks him above guys like Omarion Hampton, whom I'll get to in a second. The UCF prospect earns yards after contact by making defenders miss in a phone booth, and his ability to catch out of the backfield makes him a viable three-down back.

Hampton has the potential to be a bell cow at the next level, thanks to his patience to the hole and burst through it. The UNC product runs through contact and has an uncanny ability to get skinny through the hole despite his big frame (5-11 3/4, 221 pounds). He has long speed, but I'd like to see him improve his quickness.

Etienne follows in the footsteps of his brother, Jacksonville's Travis Etienne, but possesses a slightly different skill set. The younger brother doesn't have the speed of Travis, but he does have exceptional vision and shiftiness to make the first defender miss. Trevor is a good pass-catching option with soft hands and YAC ability. He might begin his pro career as a third-down back, but has the talent to eventually assume a bigger role. 

With Tuten having clocked a 4.32 40 at the combine, there's no question about the one-cut runner's speed. His ability -- on full display in his transcendent, four-TD performance against Boston College -- would provide an NFL offense with a powerful ball-carrier who runs through tackles and has three-down potential. I envision Tuten making an impact in a Kyle Shanahan kind of system -- like Isaac Guerendo did for the 49ers last season. 

As a former UCLA Bruin, I can't support Marks' decision to play for USC in his final year of eligibility, but I do like his game. The 5-10 1/8, 207-pounder -- who spent his first four years of college at Mississippi State -- is a patient one-cut runner with solid vision and anticipation. He has good short-area quickness and great burst through the hole but lacks home run speed (4.54 40 at the combine).

A player who enjoyed success at two SEC programs (Arkansas and South Carolina), Sanders is a strong runner with good quickness and burst when he anticipates the hole at the line of scrimmage. He is an asset in the screen game, boasting good hands and tackle-breaking ability in space. If he can correct his fumbling issues and improve in pass pro, Sanders could find some immediate work as part of a committee.  

The first word that comes to mind when watching Allen: TOUGH. The 6-0 1/8, 204-pound back has great contact balance and regularly breaks tackles, often dragging linebackers for extra yards. The sticky-handed Syracuse product led all FBS running backs with 64 catches last season and excels in pass protection. He's a long strider (similar to Tampa Bay's Rachaad White) and needs to work on his quickness, but Allen could earn a role early as a third-down option.  

With a running style similar to fellow Florida product Dameon Pierce, this Gator is strong and great at limiting negative runs. The 5-11 3/8, 212-pounder has good burst as a downhill runner but needs to work on his lateral quickness.

The 2024 Big Ten Running Back of the Year is a smooth operator with good speed and vision. The 6-1, 224-pounder runs with great tempo to the hole and gets skinny through it. Reminiscent of Arian Foster when he came into the NFL, Johnson thrives as a zone runner and routinely breaks through tackles, racking up the fifth-most rush yards after contact in the FBS last season with 1,060, per PFF. He has a lot of upside but must improve in the pass game to earn a bigger role at the next level.

At 5-11 1/8, 213 pounds, Neal is a smaller version of Iowa's Kaleb Johnson as a back with good patience, contact balance and feel as a zone runner. With soft hands and vision in space, Neal also has the ability to help in the pass game.

The shifty SMU product has the ability to be a running back or gadget guy for the team that drafts him. Showing elite speed at the combine by running a 4.39 40, Smith has nice burst and vision and quick feet in the run game. He also possesses great hands and route-running ability in the pass game. He could be a third-down asset from the jump.

Playing at Delaware for five seasons, Yarns proved to be much better than the competition when healthy in 2024. He is a long strider and one-cut runner with good vision, but most importantly, he has the ability to contribute in the pass game at the next level due to his reliable hands, savvy route-running and feel in space with the ball.

Monangai is very physical and can make defenders miss in a phone booth, thanks to his suddenness and compact frame (5-8 1/4, 211 pounds). The Rutgers product has pass-catching ability but wasn't used much in that aspect during his five seasons with the Scarlet Knights. One of his biggest positives is that he didn't fumble once in 669 college carries.

Blue is a talented playmaker who is super explosive and has good vision. The speedster's biggest asset is his pass-catching ability, as he can stretch the field and make defenders miss in space. The 5-9, 196-pound back needs to get bigger and stronger to earn touches in the run game.

Brooks runs with good patience and vision, especially in a gap scheme. He is extremely physical, forcing 154 missed tackles over his final two seasons at Texas Tech (third-most in the FBS during that span, per PFF, behind only Ashton Jeanty and Cam Skattebo). He enjoyed a ton of success in college but will need to improve his speed and explosiveness to contribute at the next level.

Much like Tahj Brooks, Edwards has the potential to be a solid pro but needs time to improve. He is a straight-line runner with good speed but often fails to break the first tackle. He gets what is blocked for him but needs to create more opportunities on his own.

Sampson posted sparkling numbers -- 1,491 yards and 22 TDs on 258 carries (5.8 ypa) -- in his lone season as the Volunteers' starter. The north-south runner routinely found lanes in the team's spread-out offense, and while he has good speed/burst when he sees the hole and ability to shake off defenders, he'll need time to adjust to the pro game. 

A good zone runner, Kiner gets downhill quickly but has one speed, and he isn't extremely fast (4.57 40 at the combine). He often breaks the first tackle and has pass-catching ability.  

Another one-speed runner, Jackson lacks the burst to get to the second level quickly and has experienced some issues with fumbling. The 6-1 1/2, 229-pound back does run with good pad level and blows through contact.

The Clemson product has good speed as a downhill runner but struggles to earn additional yards outside of what is blocked for him. He has the size (6-0 5/8, 234 pounds) to break tackles but struggles with his lateral movement.

Hunter is a very physical, north-south runner with good contact balance and speed. The Auburn Tiger offers kick-return experience, but I'd like to see him improve his agility. 

James made a name for himself in his first season as the Ducks' starter, racking up 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground. He has good feet through the hole and contact balance to help him earn the tough yards in short-yardage situations. Showcasing more explosiveness out of the backfield would improve his value.

Martinez, who averaged 6.2 yards per carry on more than 500 college totes at Oregon State/Miami, runs with good patience and burst. Last season's 30-yard touchdown run against Louisville illustrates Martinez's tackle-breaking ability and physicality. He just lacks breakaway speed. 

Mullings is a strong, north-south runner who's at his best when his shoulders are square. He possesses good contact balance and will break tackles, but he lacks elusiveness in the open field.  

Gordon is a big, athletic running back whose violent style causes defenders to fall off him. The long strider is a natural pass catcher who can also protect the QB.

The 5-9 7/8, 201-pound running back has good vision, burst and shiftiness with the ball in his hands. After averaging 5.7 yards per carry in three seasons at SMU, Bentley lacked that explosiveness in his three years with Ole Miss. He has reliable hands and experience as a kick returner.