Framing the Draft: Tierable Running Back Profiles
Are Running Backs back? It really feels like they are back. After a great 2024 for NFL rushers, we have a bonkers rookie class in 2025.
I am going to put a bit of a twist on rankings, as this series will not just break down top-5s. Top 5s are important, of course, but it gets tedious to read about the same handful of prospects across multiple platforms. Therefore, we will be going deeper, taking a couple of players to analyze from a few “tiers” of consensus rankings.
As you have heard countless times, this running back class is insane. The class has over 30 draftable prospects (almost 1 for each team!!) with high-end talent and depth. The last couple of RB classes have had one or maybe two worthwhile early prospects, but 2025 puts those numbers to shame. This is a great year to need a running back or two!
Utilizing the consensus big board from www.nflmockdraftdatabase.com. The top 20 names are on the left, while my top 20 are on the right. Note: These rankings are purely for my projections as NFL prospects, not necessarily for fantasy! We will utilize the consensus as a breakdown for tiers: Top-50 picks, Next-50 probables, and Day 3 shots. Another note: All statistics references will come from PFF’s database.
Tier 1 – Top 50 picks:
Players in this group: Jeanty, Hampton, Henderson, Judkins, Johnson (1-5 on consensus board). Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton are locked in first-round picks and have gotten thorough discussion this offseason. Therefore, we will pass on them (they both freaking rock) and drop to the following two names from Ohio State. All five of these backs have fantasy RB1 potential if they land in the right spot!
RB4: TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Framing the draft: Henderson was the lightning to Judkins’ thunder in 2024. Like Judkins, Henderson struggled after an electric freshman season before 2024. He returned to form this season while splitting reps with Judkins, showing what made him a Devy darling. Henderson is getting some NFL round 1 hype, though he is most likely closer to 50 than 30.
Tierable profile: As the “lightning” tab implies, Henderson’s game is electric. He makes his name with unreal start-stop and agility while having great burners, too. Henderson may not be big enough to handle 25 touches a game, but he can excel as a 3rd down-plus back. Much like Aaron Jones, he should start as a 1b change of pace but can grow into a 1a and borderline RB1. He is a natural receiver and works great in space (see the screen touchdown versus Texas). What really raises his floor is his pass-protection prowess. You will find, dear reader, that I am a sucker for pass-pro RBs and run-blocking WRs. Henderson is a dynamo against the blitz. As a rusher, Henderson has tremendous agility and balance, utilizing his speed well. He is an excellent combination of floor and ceiling and should go in the top 12 drafts.
RB3: Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State (Ole Miss)
Framing the draft: Judkins had one of the most productive freshman seasons in SEC history in 2022. He followed this up with a sub-par sophomore campaign before transferring to Ohio State this season. He is now one of the more polarizing backs in this class after an up-and-down 2024 (pre-playoffs). He has shown flashes of first-round play and others where you question if he was the same player.
Tierable profile: Judkins is, first and foremost, an absolute nightmare to tackle. He has the ideal size to pair with great strength, power, and overall explosiveness. He has the power to break through almost any tackle and great burst to accelerate and evade defenders too. Consistency has been an issue, especially with vision. At times this season, he would try to turn every play into a home run, leading to negative plays and missed opportunities. Despite his ability to break plays open, he thrives in the grinder game, churning out first downs. He shows talent as a receiver and as a blocker but is unproven. If he lands in a good system and stays within himself, he could be another Josh Jacobs-type.
Tier 2 – Next-50 picks
Players in this group: Skattebo, Sampson, Giddens, Martinez, Tuten (6-10 on consensus board). This is another fun group! None of these guys have real RB1 potential, but you can see a world where they become a high-end RB2. The range has a variety of flavors, with pure speed, grinders, and jack-of-all-trade types.
RB6: Cam Skattebo, Arizona State (Sacramento State)
Framing the draft: Skattebo rose to fame during the CFP, with an incredible performance against Texas. He is a limited athlete but one of the most tenacious players in the class. He will remain a fan favorite as he plays with a massive chip on his shoulder.
Tierable profile: As a runner, Skattebo is tougher than nails, lowering his shoulder and absorbing any hit. He has excellent hands and is a solid route runner. He also will stand firm in pass protection, taking on blitzers. His athletic limitations show up on tape, as he is stiff with tackle evasion and is not able to truly break away. While his calling card is his toughness, it can sometimes fight against him, wearing himself down. His game is reminiscent of Rhamondre Stevenson, another very good player who should not be a true bell-cow. Skattebo, like Stevenson, will never be a top-level RB but is a good floor pick in the 2nd round of rookie drafts.
RB7: Damien Martinez, Miami (Oregon State)
Framing the draft: After two strong years at Oregon State, Martinez moved to Miami as the Pac-12 disbanded. Miami became pass-heavy to counter an awful defense, but this allowed Martinez to show his full game. He is a big, powerful back with a well-rounded game and a real chance to go on day 2.
Tierable profile: Martinez makes his money as a big, powerful runner who breaks seemingly every tackle. His tackle-breaking metrics are up there with the best in the country. While his speed is not elite, he is a functional athlete with enough agility. His powerful running style reminds me of fantasy darling Marlon Mack. Like Mack, he has talent in the pass game but is not nearly as refined. He has decent hands and shows effort as a blocker but needs coaching in both aspects. If Martinez can refine his passing down work, he could become a sneaky shot to be a back-end RB1. He is one of my favorites and is worth a top-20 fantasy pick, but he may fall to the 3rd.
Tier 3 – Day 2 shots:
Players in this group: Neal (11 on consensus board) and on! The top-10 names in this class are awesome players and would make a strong class. Thankfully for us, that is not where it ends! The following 10 names are also damn good players who could easily outplay draft capital. Depth is the name of the game, and this is where you find it.
RB10: Devin Neal, Kansas
Framing the draft: Neal is a favorite in many draft circles despite his limitations. His playstyle and commitment to a middling Kansas program are marks in his favor in the league. Neal is seen as a great teammate and a player to bet on.
Tierable profile: Neal is another jack-of-all-trades type in this class. He does not have any one trait that sets him apart, but he has very few real weaknesses. Neal is a natural and functional athlete, though his lack of long-speed does cause some concern for his upside. He is a patient runner with great vision and IQ, seeing lanes appear and letting them develop. Neal is a major asset in the pass game, with good route-running and hands. He, like David Montgomery, is an all-around back who can be a team’s 1a/1b if they can add a real supporting option. His limited athletic ability makes him more scheme-dependent, but he has a high floor overall. In the right scheme, Neal can be a steal in rookie drafts – likely in the late 20s.
RB13: Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
Framing the draft: A relatively anonymous prospect in a deep class, Hunter should not be overlooked. He has produced well in 4 years, improving each season. His size and athleticism limit the upside, but he will be loved by team staff and can become a real RB2.
Tierable profile: Despite being undersized for an RB, Hunter is incredibly powerful and violent as a runner. He breaks tackles at an extremely high rate (5th in FBS in 2024), ahead of many highly ranked backs. This tenacity goes beyond the run-game, as he is a great pass protector, too. Hunter has been a solid dump-off target, too, with almost 60 catches/450 yards in the past 3 years. The violence and strength in a compact build put Hunter somewhere on the Ray Davis-Kyren Williams scale. Most likely, he will become a good team RB2, but if he gets a shot, he could become a star. As another late-round RB, Hunter will get lost in the shuffle. But there are few chances that a team could take with a higher floor and payoff than Hunter. He is absolutely worth a flyer after the first 30 rookie picks!