Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) reacts after the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

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Top Running Back Prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft – A List of Top 5 RBs in the 2025 Draft Class

The 2025 NFL draft features a deep running back class!

In spite of the position not receiving as much importance as it once used to, last season proved that the running back role is still of utmost importance. Eagles’ Saquon Barkley and Ravens’ Derrick Henry had magnanimous seasons that helped their teams reach the playoffs.

Running backs nowadays are doing more in the pass-catching part of the game as well. Thus, they are being evaluated not only for their ability to find gaps, break tackles, and power forward with the ball, but also for their ability to catch and run for short-yard pickup.

Top 5 RB Prospects at the 2025 NFL Draft

The 2025 draft class for running backs is considered to be a strong one. These days, with little value placed on the position, it is rare to see more than a couple running backs drafted in the first round of the draft.

Ashton Jeanty – Boise State

The clear favorite in this year’s draft class is Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. He is at the top of the board for nearly every expert and analyst and many are of the opinion that he could be drafted within the top 5.

Last season, Jeanty led the NCAA Division I FBS with an astonishing 2,601 rushing yards on his way to earning several honors, including the Maxwell Award and being named a Unanimous All-American. Jeanty is the all-around running back who is equally adept at catching the ball, and his explosiveness, balance, and footwork are all top-notch.

Omarion Hampton – North Carolina

North Carolina Tar Heel running back Omarion Hampton is a physically gifted running back, standing 6 feet tall and weighing approximately 221 lbs. Despite his size, he is explosive and has excellent lower-body strength. A positive aspect of his game is his willingness to power forward for extra yards, even if it means dragging tacklers with him.

Hampton has the potential to be selected in the first round, and most experts have him as their number 2 overall running back this year behind Jeanty. He finished his 3-year college career with over 3,500 rushing yards, 36 touchdowns, and earned first-team All-ACC and first-team All-American honors in both his sophomore and junior seasons.

Also Read: Mike Tomlin Answers What Impact Aaron Rodgers Will Have on Their Draft Plans

TreVeyon Henderson – Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeye, TreVeyon Henderson, is known for his speed who is outstanding in third-down situations as a pass catcher or even a blocker. Henderson is probably the best pass-protecting running back in this year’s draft class.

Moreover, the Virginia native is also known for his leadership qualities which is always a plus. In 2024, Henderson had over 1,000 yards on the ground and was a key part of the Buckeyes’ CFP National Championship-winning run.

Cam Skattebo – Arizona St.

Cameron Skattebo from Arizona State is one of the best running backs for short-yardage runs that include picking up short first downs and goal-line situations. He is excellent between the tackles, but his lack of speed limits him from being a big threat for longer runs.

Despite using his power as a physical runner, Skattebo makes good use of his feet with cuts that earn him more yards. Skattebo is coming off a strong season last year where he rushed for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns, earning First-team All-Big 12 and First-team All-American honors.

Quinshon Judkins – Ohio State

Quinshon Judkins is another Buckeye to feature on this list. He split the ball-carrying duties with TreVeyon Henderson as the duo had over 1,000 yards each on the year. Judkins also played a crucial role in the Buckeyes’ run to the CFP National Championship.

Judkins is known to perform at a much higher level behind a good offensive line, but if he is behind a subpar line, there is good reason to believe that he may struggle. He is a strong north-south runner with an aggressive style of play.

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Ashton Jeanty

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Devavrat Kulkarni

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I am a content writer for the NFL team, and joined The Playoffs after working with Sportskeeda and NFL Analysis as an NFL writer. After starting my professional career as a French-to-English translator, working as a content writer is a new adventure for me. I started out in the sports media field for two main reasons: my love for sports in general, especially the NFL, NBA, and Tennis, as well as my passion for writing. The best part of this job is that I get to write a variety of pieces with the freedom to explore content from various angles. It also enables me to stay up to date with the sporting world, which otherwise can be difficult to do in the day-to-day grind. In a world full of chaos, sports unite and entertain like nothing else!