We might be able to call the 2024 season the year of the running back. A number of big-name running backs changed teams in the offseason, including the Eagles adding Saquon Barkley and the Ravens signing Derrick Henry.
There were others who also changed teams with success, as NFL teams made the most of free agency because the NFL Draft wasn’t deep with running backs.
This year, however, things look a little different. In fact, ESPN’s Mel Kiper is on record as saying he has more than 30 running backs with draftable grades available this year.
Boise State’s Ashton Jenty leads the way, but is hardly the only high-quality runner available. And they come in all shapes and sizes.
1. Ashton Jenty, Boise State, 5-8 1/2, 211 lbs. – An elite talent at the college level, Jenty quite literally carried Boise State into the college playoffs. He’s an explosive, high-volume runner. Some might be scared away by his heavy workload, but Jenty was injury-free in college. He’s tough and physical with breakaway ability.
2. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State, 5-10 1/8, 202 lbs. – Teams looking for the next Jamhyr Gibbs might look to Henderson earlier than we might think in this draft. He’s a home-run hitter with good hands. While Henderson isn’t the biggest back, he’s outstanding in pass protection, a key ingredient to early playing time.
3. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina, 5-11 3/4, 221 lbs. – Hampton has good speed and runs with an aggressive nature. He runs extremely hard, sometimes to his own detriment. He could slow things down a bit to pick his holes better, but he has enough speed to outrun defenders and barrel over those he doesn’t.
4. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State, 5-11 5/8, 221 lbs. – A hard-nosed runner who catches the ball well out of the backfield, Judkins has the power to run inside and the patience to get outside on zone runs. The sub-4.5 40 speed he showed off at the NFL Scouting Combine doesn’t hurt, either.
5. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State, 5-9 1/2, 219 lbs. – For a player without home-run speed, Skattebo breaks off a lot of long runs because of his excellent contact balance. He’s impossible to get on the ground. But that running style also leads to Skattebo taking a lot of punishment. He’s very good in the passing game, as well.
Sleeper: Damien Martinez, Miami (Fla.), 5-11 5/8, 217 lbs – Martinez was the Pac-12 Offensive Rookie of the Year at Oregon State and a 1,000-yard season as a true sophomore before transferring to Miami, where he posted another 1,000-yard season. With his size, he’s the bruising runner you’d expect. But he also averaged more than 6 yards per carry in each of his three college seasons, has good contact balance and is a solid pass protector. He looks NFL ready to be the thunder portion of an NFL committee, with the potential to be an every-down back.
This is a truly exceptional running back class and could be the strongest position group in this entire draft class. This group of running backs has a true superstar at the top of the list, plenty of projectable starters at the next level, great depth all through the entire draft, and a very wide variety of players at this position. The 2025 running back group has someone for everyone, but as the draft goes along, it might also provide excellent value on the third day of the draft. In fact, don’t be surprised if several undrafted players at this position go on to have very successful NFL careers.
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, 5-8 1/2, 211 lbs. – Jeanty is a rare and elite running back prospect-two terms that get thrown around way too much when evaluating draft prospects. There is a case that this is the best player in the 2025 NFL Draft. He’s the total package with gaudy production, particularly after first contact.*
2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina,* 5-11 3/4, 221 lbs. – Hampton is a big back with great bit play abilities as both a runner and receiver who runs away from defenders in the open field. This is a very physical downhill runner that delivers an awful lot of contact. His pass protection skills could use more work and Hampton isn’t the shiftiest guy in this class, but he projects as a feature back at the next level.
3. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State, 5-10 1/8, 202 lbs. – Henderson was fantastic in the college playoffs this season and is a big play waiting to happen every time he touches the football. While he probably doesn’t project to a high-carry workhorse role in the league, Henderson will give his new team an immediate jolt. Henderson has good size for a back with his dynamism while also excelling in pass protection.
4. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa, 6-1, 224 lbs. – Johnson is coming off a big season for the Hawkeyes. He is extremely well built but can run a little bit high at times. Johnson has very good vision and patience and is best suited for a predominantly zone scheme. He is somewhat of a linear athlete, but Johnson has very good long speed for a back his size.
5. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State, 5-11 5/8, 221 lbs. – Judkins and Henderson made for an outstanding one two punch in the National Champions backfield this season with their complementary styles. Judkins is much more of a banger than Henderson with great aggression but isn’t in Henderson’s realm in terms of breakaway speed.
Sleeper: Jordan James, Oregon, 5-9 1/2, 205 lbs. – Oregon is a major college football program so it isn’t like their top running back is a true sleeper that would fall through the cracks. But James backed up Bucky Irving (who went on to have an exceptional rookie season) a year ago, making James just a one-year starter and therefore, doesn’t have as many carries at the college level as many of these prospects. James has excellent vision and contact balance but is somewhat limited thus far as a receiver. James has a low center of gravity and runs with aggression without compromising big play ability. He is best in a gap scheme, but also shows excellent potential as a zone runner.
