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Mike Fanelli's best fantasy football landing spots for the top 8 running backs who in the 2025 NFL Draft. Being drafted by these teams can help maximize fantasy value.
The 2025 NFL Draft is just around the corner. While last year’s running back draft class lacked superstar firepower, this year’s group has multiple talented prospects.
Yet, most mock drafts have only one running back coming off the board in the first round of the NFL Draft. However, don’t be surprised if two or three running backs are Day 1 picks.
Let’s look at the best fantasy football landing spot for the top eight running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
- Best Landing Spot → Las Vegas Raiders – Round 1, Pick 6
Jeanty was the top running back in college football last season. While he fell short of breaking Barry Sanders’ rushing record, the Boise State star led the country in rushing attempts (374), yards (2,601), and touchdowns (29). Yet, Jeanty is also a solid option in the passing game, making him a three-down running back prospect.
ASHTON JEANTY IS UNSTOPPABLE ⚡️@BroncoSportsFB scores a third TD before the half 😤 pic.twitter.com/2Xek565tR5
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 7, 2024
The Raiders would be the perfect landing spot for the superstar. Raheem Mostert is the current starting running back, with Zamir White as the No. 2 option. New head coach Pete Carroll made Marshawn Lynch the face of the offense during his time with the Seattle Seahawks. He will do the same with Jeanty.
Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
- Best Landing Spot → Denver Broncos – Round 1, Pick 20
While he isn’t an elite prospect like Jeanty, Hampton should be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. The North Carolina star led the ACC in rushing attempts (281) and yards (1,660), totaling 17 offensive scores. He is a physical runner with the ability to make defenders miss.
Despite losing Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine in free agency, the Broncos didn’t add anyone to their backfield. After using multiple inefficient running backs last season, expect Denver to spend an early pick on the backfield, with Hampton being the likely target. He would be perfect as the featured guy in Sean Payton’s offense.
TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
- Best Landing Spot → Washington Commanders – Round 1, Pick 29
Ohio State had the best one-two punch at running back in college football last season. Henderson had over 1,000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns last year, averaging a career-high 7.1 yards per attempt despite splitting the backfield workload. Furthermore, Henderson is a dangerous weapon in the passing game.
#OhioState RB TreVeyon Henderson motions out wide and shows off his tracking skills. TH vs. a LB in space is mismatch.
His big-play potential as a runner and receiver is going to be a great fit in an NFL offense. pic.twitter.com/ghuhMSYU5B
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) November 11, 2024
The Commanders had a solid backfield last season with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler. However, both running backs are heading into the final year of their contracts in 2025. Furthermore, they lack big-play upside. Henderson would give Washington a home-run element in the backfield to pair with Jayden Daniels.
Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
- Best Landing Spot → Chicago Bears – Round 2, Pick 39
After two outstanding years at Ole Miss, Judkins transferred to Ohio State last season to pair with Henderson. Despite splitting the backfield work, Judkins had over 1,000 rushing yards and at least 14 touchdowns for the third consecutive season. He is a physical runner with underrated speed and explosiveness.
Many think the Bears could use their first-round pick in the NFL Draft on a running back. However, they are more likely to take a running back with one of their two early second-round picks. Judkins would be perfect to fill the David Montgomery role in new head coach Ben Johnson’s offense.
Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
- Best Landing Spot → Dallas Cowboys – Round 2, Pick 44
Last year, the Cowboys didn’t add a running back during the NFL Draft despite having a massive need. While the team signed Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency, don’t be surprised when it uses a Day 2 pick on a running back, especially if one of the top options slides to it in the second round.
While he ran a disappointing 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, Johnson is an outstanding running back prospect. The Iowa star is a physical runner with excellent contact balance to break tackles. He would easily take the starting role from Williams and Sanders, even as a rookie.
KALEB JOHNSON SHEDDING TACKLERS FOR 72 YARD TD pic.twitter.com/1ZWpzsgaFd
— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) November 30, 2024
Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
- Best Landing Spot → Kansas City Chiefs – Round 2, Pick 63
Most draft rankings have a significant drop-off from the first five running backs and whoever they have sixth. However, Sampson is no consolation prize. The Tennessee star was arguably the best running back in the SEC last year, leading the conference in rushing attempts (258), yards (1,491), and touchdowns (22).
Unfortunately, Isiah Pacheco missed time last season with an injury. Furthermore, he is heading into the last year of his contract in 2025. While the Chiefs re-signed Kareem Hunt and added Elijah Mitchell this offseason, Sampson would, at worst, be Pacheco’s co-starter in 2025 before taking over as the lead guy the following season.
Devin Neal, Kansas
- Best Landing Spot → Cleveland Browns – Round 3, Pick 67
Nick Chubb is still a free agent, leaving the door open for him to return to Cleveland. However, he has dealt with multiple significant injuries in his career, and his days as a superstar are over. While Jerome Ford has been solid with Chubb out of the lineup in the past two seasons, he is heading into the final year of his contract.
Therefore, expect the Browns to use a mid-round pick on a running back. Neal ran a 4.58 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, the fourth slowest among the running backs. However, the Kansas star plays faster than he tested. More importantly, Neal is a scoring machine, totaling 16 rushing touchdowns in back-to-back seasons to end his college career.
DEVIN NEAL AGAIN
Devin Neal scores his fourth TD of the day for @KU_Football 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ChZWndxIFP
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) November 23, 2024
Jaydon Blue, Texas
- Best Landing Spot → Houston Texans – Round 3, Pick 89
Texas has produced several productive running back prospects over the past few years. Blue is the next one in line after a productive 2024 season. He finished with 134 rushing attempts for 730 yards and eight touchdowns, setting career highs in every category. Blue also led the team in rushing touchdowns and offensive scores (14).
Furthermore, the Texas star is an outstanding weapon in the passing game. Blue finished fourth on the team in receptions (42) and receiving touchdowns (six). Reportedly, he ran a 4.25 40-yard dash at his pro day. Blue would be an excellent change-of-pace option behind Joe Mixon, providing fantasy value as a pass-catching specialist.
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