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A three-round 2025 NFL mock draft, but only for running backs. Where will the top RB prospects land, and how do their skill sets fit with their potential teams?
It’s no secret at this point that this class of running backs has the potential to be special. From the day they enter the NFL, they are bound to shake up the fantasy football landscape.
Now a couple weeks into free agency, we have seen running back-needy teams like Dallas and the Los Angeles Chargers take shots at addressing the position. This free-agent class feels more like band-aid fixes, however, and the real long-term solutions await in late April.
With teams shifting back toward valuing the running back position and looking at it more as an “offensive weapon” than a replaceable running back, mixed with the depth of this class, I projected 13 running backs to come off the board within the first two days of the NFL Draft. This may be a little high and some of these players could fall to Day 3, but there is a lot of need at the position across the league right now so never say never.
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First Round NFL Draft Projections
10. Chicago Bears - Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
While many mocks project Ashton Jeanty to the Cowboys at 12, talks of the Boise State star going off the board at 10 to the Bears are heating up. After buffing their offensive line significantly in free agency and through trades, the one thing Chicago’s offense needs to take the next step is a star running back.
It makes too much sense. One final weapon to take the pressure off Caleb Williams. Jeanty to the Bears would be a fantasy football dream come true.
This angle of Ashton Jeanty's TD run is 🔥🔥🔥@BroncoSportsFB pic.twitter.com/cKhBpuhVB1
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 7, 2024
20. Denver Broncos - Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Denver has lacked a workhorse running back and has also lacked rushing production throughout Sean Payton’s tenure. While in New Orleans, Payton liked to run the ball with star running backs. There is no question that he would like to add one to the fold in Denver.
Omarion Hampton would be an instant workhorse should he land with the Broncos. This backfield currently contains Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson. Hampton would add another element to the Broncos offense.
Second Round NFL Draft Projections
44. Dallas Cowboys - Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
The Cowboys did just sign Javonte Williams, but injuries have marred his production and the deal is just a one-year, low-cost deal. Don’t be mistaken, this team will still draft an RB1.
Quinshon Judkins has produced since he was a true freshman at Ole Miss, and after tearing the combine up, he only further boosted his stock. In Dallas, he would be the star running back this team has lacked since Ezekiel Elliott’s prime.
52. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
After letting Najee Harris walk in free agency, there is a big hole at running back in Pittsburgh. Kaleb Johnson would be a great draft selection to backfill the workhorse thumper role that Harris once held in the Steel City.
Iowa’s star running back has been compared to former Steeler Le’Veon Bell in the way that he runs. He would become an instant fan favorite.
58. Houston Texans - TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Joe Mixon was productive last season for Houston, but he will turn 29 before the season begins. Mixon’s efficiency is still down, which ultimately led to his departure from Cincinnati last season. Behind Mixon, the depth chart includes Dare Ogunbowale and Dameon Pierce. This team would benefit from adding a running back, especially an explosive one.
TreVeyon Henderson would bring an element to the Texans offense that it does not currently have. After Tank Dell’s injury, the team lacks explosive playmakers outside of Nico Collins. Mixon and Christian Kirk are great move-the-chain guys, but this offense needs more speed for third-year quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Former Buckeye teammate TreVeyon Henderson would fill that gap immediately. Henderson would be best utilized as a committee back due to his past injuries, so letting Mixon take early downs would be a dream scenario.
61. Washington Commanders - Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
After an amazing run to the NFC Championship, Washington’s goal heading into 2025 is to strengthen the roster around star quarterback Jayden Daniels. While Brian Robinson Jr. has been effective and Austin Ekeler played well when healthy last season, neither player offers high-end speed.
Bhayshul Tuten was the fastest running back at the combine this year, and he is not just undergarment-fast. His speed shows in-game as well. The Commanders could use a home-run hitter in this offense after surrounding Daniels with subpar weapons as a rookie.
63. Kansas City Chiefs - Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Isiah Pacheco was not the same running back after returning from a fibula injury late in the season. While he will have time to heal over the offseason, Kansas City needs to add to the backfield even if Pacheco does fully recover. It signed Elijah Mitchell, but he, too, has had his career defined by injuries. Carson Steele is the only other running back currently on the roster.
Dylan Sampson broke out as a junior with 1,491 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns, carrying the Volunteers offense this past season. He offers a rare size-speed combo that NFL teams covet, sitting at 200 pounds with a projected 4.46 speed -- he did not run the 40-yard dash at the combine. He would slot in nicely alongside Pacheco in Kansas City’s backfield.
Third Round NFL Draft Projections
67. Cleveland Browns - Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Cam Skattebo captured America’s heart during Arizona State’s dark-horse run to the College Football Playoff with his gritty running style. With Cleveland letting Nick Chubb walk after a considerable drop in his efficiency post-injury, running back is a major hole.
Skattebo has workhorse size and skill, and would likely compete with Jerome Ford for the RB1 job if he landed in Cleveland. He would become an instant fan favorite and could merit considerable fantasy football relevancy should he land in northern Ohio.
68. Las Vegas Raiders - Devin Neal, Kansas
The Raiders have many needs and a highly drafted running back is not the smartest decision for the organization, but grabbing a productive one in Round 3 is the way to go. After letting Josh Jacobs walk in free agency, Las Vegas could not get the ground game going. Sincere McCormick, Zamir White, and Dylan Laube are still on the roster heading into 2025.
Devin Neal was productive for four straight seasons at Kansas. He has no red flags to his game and should be able to step in and produce immediately as a rookie. Grabbing him in Round 3 instantly buffs the rushing attack in Las Vegas.
69. New England Patriots - RJ Harvey, UCF
New England still has Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson under contract, but both players have been benched throughout their careers for fumbling issues. Mike Vrabel’s regime very well could overhaul the rushing attack, given he has no ties to either player.
The Patriots’ focus this offseason is surrounding second-year passer Drake Maye with talent, and adding a running back they can trust is not the top priority but it is a priority. RJ Harvey was one of the most productive running backs in college football over the past two seasons, and his home-run speed would add a new element to the offense.
81. Cincinnati Bengals - Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Chase Brown has cemented himself as the RB1 in Cincinnati after a productive Year 2, but he showed at the end of the season after being worn down by injuries that 25 touches a game is just not sustainable.
The Bengals already added a familiar face in Samaje Perine to take some of the pressure off Brown, but adding an early down thumper in Ollie Gordon II to round out the backfield is a great move.
86. Los Angeles Chargers - Brashard Smith, SMU
The Chargers added Najee Harris in free agency, but do not have much else after letting Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins walk. Last year’s sixth-round pick, Kimani Vidal, has not shown much, so adding a receiving back to pair with Harris is a priority for Los Angeles.
Brashard Smith is very similar to Tyrone Tracy Jr. in that he moved to running back for just one season after transferring from Miami to SMU. Smith was productive in his lone season at the position, recording 1,332 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, 327 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns. He adds another element to the offense, making him a great third-round pick.
88. Jacksonville Jaguars - Damien Martinez, Miami
Liam Coen finds his Bucky Irving at the end of the third round. Yes, Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby are on the roster. Yes, Damien Martinez is not similar to Irving in play style. But this is a team that many people believe is set at running back, much like Tampa Bay last season before drafting Irving.
Coen has already proved that he is going to clean house and make this team his, as he shipped Christian Kirk to Houston and cut bait with tight end Evan Engram. Etienne could be next, leaving a hole at running back.
Martinez is young, was productive for three straight seasons in two different programs, and offers 4.5 speed at 6-foot, 232 pounds. He has all of the intangibles along with the production to translate into an NFL workhorse.
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