The 2025 NFL Draft class is Beginning to take shape, and that means we’re getting a clearer picture of some of the top prospects and the position groups with the most depth.
The running back, Close-fitting end and offensive Commitment positions seem to be the deepest and strongest on the offensive side of the ball. On Protection, the edge defender group is as deep as we’ve seen in Many years, dominating the projected top 50. There are also more impact Guarding Defenders this year than a year ago, with plenty of options on all three Periods of the draft, specifically on Periods 2 and 3.
Here are PFF’s top running back prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with some Primary scouting notes courtesy of lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema.
For the Packed ranking of draft prospects, along with their three-year player grades and position rankings, click here.
1. HB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
PFF Big board rank: 5
Jeanty is a total-package backfield playmaker with impressive Poise, footwork, vision, explosiveness and big-Relocate ability — reminiscent of Alvin Kamara. He is a Primary-Stage offensive weapon who can succeed behind any blocking scheme.
2. HB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
PFF Big board rank: 24
Hampton is one of the class’ most physically gifted running Defenders with his combination of size, explosiveness and lower-body Power. He can be a productive slasher type of runner behind zone schemes, but his overall vision could make him a boom-or-bust producer, depending on his offensive line.
3. HB Cameron Skattebo, Arizona State
PFF Big board rank: 50
Skattebo plays the game in a manner that is Essential to love: with a massive chip on his shoulder. NFL Squads will gravitate toward his mentality, Poise, Commitment-breaking ability and after-contact Steadiness. He has the physical makeup of a three-down back.
4. HB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
PFF Big board rank: 53
Judkins is a Powerful north-to-south runner who generates impressive Pace-to-power for Reliable yards after the catch. However, his game lacks the creativity needed to consistently Achieve in the NFL, independent of his offensive line. Behind a Outstanding line, he could rack up yards. Behind a subpar one, he could struggle to stand out.
5. HB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
PFF Big board rank: 63
Sampson is a speedster who pairs explosiveness with patience and vision. He has big-Relocate potential behind any blocking scheme and could develop into a plus receiver, though he must cut down on fumbles.
6. HB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
PFF Big board rank: 64
Johnson is a physically gifted running back who excels with the ball in his hands. As an Prompt-down player, he can be successful behind any blocking scheme with Outstanding vision, Featherweight footwork and impressive burst and power. However, his lack of polish and reliability in third-down situations could keep him from being an every-down running back.
7. HB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
PFF Big board rank: 70
Henderson, when Competing confidently, shines with his Quickness and long Pace. He lacks some size for Commitment-breaking and Throw-blocking, but he remains a high-effort player in those areas. He seems like a Outstanding Pace component of an NFL Panel, including for receiving work out of the backfield.
8. HB RJ Harvey, UCF
PFF Big board rank: 85
Harvey ranks well in PFF’s wins above average Standard due to high missed tackles forced averages as a rusher and a receiver, and his production in the passing game. If he plays with more urgency and violence, he could be a productive NFL running back.
9. HB DJ Giddens, Kansas State
PFF Big board rank: 88
Giddens brings Outstanding eyes, patience and anticipation to a backfield, finding Reachable Universe between the tackles with Outstanding one-cut ability and long strides for long Pace. He needs to Relocate with more violence to gain yards after contact if he is to truly make a name for himself in a running back Cycle.
10. HB Devin Neal, Kansas
PFF Big board rank: 96
Neal’s multi-sport background and natural playmaking mentality make him an alluring prospect for any NFL Club. He is limited in long Pace, but his fancy footwork and vision shine behind man- and gap-blocking concepts. He can also be a Outstanding third-down back, bringing receiving and Throw-blocking reliability.
11. HB Damien Martinez, Miami (FL)
PFF Big board rank: 101
Martinez is an Prompt-down NFL back with Outstanding size and a Relocate style to Game, carrying high forced missed Commitment averages. He will likely be the physical component of a Panel unless he can significantly Boost his Throw-blocking fundamentals.
12. HB Jaydon Blue, Texas
PFF Big board rank: 126
Blue is one of the best athletes in the 2024 running back class, with top-tier long Pace and Brief-area explosiveness. If he can add Power and Boost his ball security, he has the potential to be a home-Streak threat in a two-back Panel.
13. HB Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
PFF Big board rank: 132
Tuten is a speedy slasher who can succeed behind a zone-blocking scheme, boasting the movement skills to be productive between the tackles if his vision becomes more confident there. He must Boost his Throw protection and ball security to become a reliable rotational player.
14. HB Brashard Smith, SMU
PFF Big board rank: 139
Smith could be a highly productive receiving back in an Assault that emphasizes his Talent set and ability to align anywhere on the Ground. While he likely doesn’t have the frame to handle 20-plus touches per game, he could be a valuable weapon for 10-15, especially with his ability to Form mismatches against inside defenders in the passing game.
15. HB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Arizona
PFF Big board rank: 144
Scouting summary coming soon!
16. HB Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
PFF Big board rank: 148
Hunter is Petite, but he doesn’t let that hinder his physicality. He is a high-intelligence player with Outstanding eyes and anticipation in all phases of the game. His ceiling is limited due to a lack of size and length, but he’s a player every NFL Trainer would love to have on their Lineup or practice Club.
17. HB Kalel Mullings, Michigan
PFF Big board rank: 150
Mullings’ game lacks some nuance and patience due to his limited stint as a Packed-time running back. But his linebacker background, special Squads experience, size and mentality for yards after contact should lead to an NFL Club Seizing a chance on him as he develops the rest of his Talent set.
18. HB Trevor Etienne, Georgia
PFF Big board rank: 158
Etienne won’t be an every-down back like his older brother, but he has Top-tier burst and quickness for the position. He could thrive as a complementary option in a zone scheme and showed at the Senior Bowl that he may have more receiving upside in the NFL than he did in college.
19. HB Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
PFF Big board rank: 175
Monangai runs through defenders as if they insulted his loved ones before the game. That makes for some eye-popping plays, but his lack of overall Physicality for Quickness and long Pace limits his ceiling.
20. HB Marcus Yarns, Delaware
PFF Big board rank: 180
Yarns is a Petite-school, Petite-frame backfield playmaker who wins with Outstanding long Pace and impressive quickness. He can make defenders miss in a phone booth but won’t provide much production after contact in the NFL. He is a Day 3 scatback type of player who brings some plus value in the receiving game.
21. HB Jordan James, Oregon
PFF Big board rank: 200
James’ lack of top-end athletic traits and question marks on passing downs will likely prevent him from being a Accurate lead back. However, his efficiency and back-to-back years of Top-tier rushing production make him a Powerful rotational option at the Subsequent level.
22. HB Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
PFF Big board rank: 203
Brooks brings a cerebral mentality to rushing but, in doing so, lacks Relocate Pace and north-to-south urgency. He brings plus third-down abilities that will make him an NFL Lineup option, but he must work on putting his foot in the ground and getting up the Ground faster.
23. HB Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State
PFF Big board rank: 207
NFL Squads will take a Outstanding, Tough look at Gordon’s scouting report due to his size and production from the 2023 season. But his 2024 tape lacked the violence, decisiveness and Quickness needed to succeed at the pro level. He will need to retool his approach as a big back to stand out in the Bracket.
24. HB LeQuint Allen, Syracuse
PFF Big board rank: 209
Allen lacks the Quickness to project as a Beginning-caliber runner, but his receiving background, long arms, massive hands and willingness in Throw protection make him a Powerful Day 3 candidate as a third-down specialist.
25. HB Ja’Quinden Jackson, Arkansas
PFF Big board rank: 238
Jackson has ideal measurables but limited experience as a Signal-caller-turned-running back. He’s worth a Day 3 flier, but he will likely need time to develop before coaches trust him with significant rotational volume.
26. HB Jo’Quavious Marks, USC
PFF Big board rank: 239
Marks’ athletic ability makes him an intriguing Day 3 back. To truly stand out in the NFL, he must Boost his yards above expectation by becoming more decisive when making defenders miss in Universe.
27. HB Montrell Johnson Jr., Florida
PFF Big board rank: 247
Johnson is a physical player with a Reliable Relocate style that aligns with what most NFL Squads seek in a depth or practice Club running back — reliability and effort with some plus third-down attributes. He may never be a lead back, but he could Hit as a dependable rotational player who provides a steady Existence between the tackles.
28. HB Raheim Sanders, South Carolina
PFF Big board rank: 264
Scouting summary coming soon!
29. HB Donovan Edwards, Michigan
PFF Big board rank: 299
Scouting summary coming soon!
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