2025 NFL Draft: RB Rankings (Preseason Edition)

All Access Football previews the 2025 NFL Draft running back class, along with a deep dive perspective into the latest trends and evolution of the position.

Volume XXIV Edition III | 2025 NFL Draft RB Preview

In this edition of the All Access Football Newsletter:

• Top 50 Draft-Eligible Running Backs

• Latest RB Draft Trends Past & Present

• Top RD1 RBs From The Past Decade

2025 NFL Draft Preview Series: QB | RB | WR | TE | OT | OG | C

Welcome to the AAF 2025 NFL Draft Running Back Preview Edition. The running back position has been devalued. We have seen it happen via the draft. It has also occurred in free agency, as established veterans struggle to match salary with other superstars at their respective positions. But when did this point of view actually begin amongst NFL decision-makers?

The line of demarcation could be found circa 2013. In the five previous years (2008 - 2012), the NFL produced sixteen 1,000-yard rushers on average per season, essentially half of the entire league. Since 2013, there has been sixteen 1,000-yard rushers in a single season on just two occasions. Both instances occurred recently, coming in 2019 and 2022.

For those curious, there were a dozen 1,000 yard rushers in 2023, a rather healthy number. Remarkably, no running back in the NFL had more than 300 carries last season, the first time such an instance has occurred since the turn of the century! Christian McCaffrey led the league with 280 rushing attempts.

Despite a minor resurgence of the run game in recent years, NFL teams still appear gun-shy when it comes to pulling the trigger on a running backs in round one. During the past five NFL Drafts (2020 - 2024), there have only been five running backs to hear their name called on the Day 1.

To expand that sample size even further, over the past decade, four of the past 10 drafts have resulted with zero running backs selected in the first round. By comparison, when we revisit the five-year window from 2008 - 2012, there was an average of three running backs chosen in the first round each year. That feat has transpired once during the past decade (2018).

This under appreciation of running backs is real and unfortunately, is here to stay in the short term. We’ll explain further as we explore the Class of 2025 below.

* Scroll down to view our rankings of the top first round running backs drafted during the past decade.

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2025 NFL DRAFT PRESEASON BIG BOARD: RB

As we continue our deep dive into running back trends, just two runners have been chosen in the first round over the past three drafts, both coming in 2023 (Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs). Not only has the running back position become depreciated but we have seen a far fewer total drafted overall. As recently as 2022, there were 24 backs chosen in the draft. However, the past two drafts have not produced more than 19 in total.

No school enters the year with a more potent backfield than Ohio State, which features the explosive TreVeyon Henderson, who gained 1,560 scrimmage yards, along with 19 touchdowns as a freshman but has been nagged by injuries the past couple of seasons and the gliding Quinshon Judkins, who gained 3,0006 scrimmage yards and 34 touchdowns during the past two seasons at Ole Miss. Both backs are viewed as potential top 100 prospects.

Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon is built to carry the workload. He proved that last season, rushing for 1,732 yards, surpassing 2,000 all-purpose yards and scoring 22 times on his way to winning the Doak Walker Award. His vision, inside run awareness, along with his ability to slice and dice defenders in the second level will make him a tantalizing player at the next level. However, a recent DUI arrest in which he was also speeding nearly 20mph over the limit will certainly put his character under the microscope.

An emerging prospect is 233-pound bulldozer Damien Martinez who transferred from Oregon State to Miami, in one of the more publicized transfer portal recruitments during the brief history of NIL. Through his first two seasons, Martinez has barreled his way for 2,167 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. Most impressive, is his 6.1 career rushing average.

A gritty, hard-nosed runner, Penn State back Nicholas Singleton flies under the radar for the Nittany Lions. He demonstrates physicality to gain the tough between the tackles yardage but also has the shake and bake required to cut it outside for big gains. The Reading, PA native is a high-powered locomotive who should become a well-known commodity by time draft season rolls around. 

Possibly the ‘safest’ pick amongst eligible prospects would be Donovan Edwards of Michigan. Don’t be duped by the lack of production a year ago, as the Wolverines didn’t need to call upon their bruising back very often due to the sensational season that Blake Corum enjoyed. This year, Edwards is anticipated to be the workhorse and should receive plenty of work. His bruising, one-cut and up running style is reminiscent of former Denver Broncos running back Mike Anderson (Utah).

RK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | YEAR | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY

1. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina, Jr, 5116, 219, 4.45 | (Photo credit: UNC)

A big, fast, physical runner capable of wearing defenders down, Hampton possesses a well-rounded skill-set. His change of direction for his size is impressive, as he just needs a crack in the door to bust it down. In addition to being an elusive runner, Hampton can also barrel over defenders to gain plenty of yards after contact. There hasn’t been a Heisman Trophy winning running back since Derrick Henry in 2015 but Hampton is viewed as a dark horse contender entering the 2024 season.

There were obvious flashes from Hampton as a true freshman when he contributed in a reserve role and kick returner. However, he elevated his overall game to new heights in 2023 with a breakout campaign, rushing for 1,504 rushing yards, while adding 222 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns, while averaging over six yards per touch. With quarterback Drake Maye (Patriots) off to the pros, Hampton is expected to be leaned on in an even larger capacity this year.

There were significant improvements a year ago in his pass protection, as Hampton does a nice job picking up the blitz. He also improved his ball security significantly, something that haunted him early on in his career and has proven to be an effective pass-catcher out of the backfield. While it could be difficult to break into the first round, the North Carolina product stands a very strong chance to be the top running back prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft, should he decide to declare.

2. Donovan Edwards, Michigan, Sr, 6010, 204, 4.49

3. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State, Sr, 5100, 214, 4.60

4. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State, Jr, 5112, 219, 4.50

5. Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State, Jr, 6010, 210, 4.50

6. Nicholas Singleton, Penn State, Jr, 6000, 220, 4.45

7. Jayden Ott, California, Jr, 5105, 208, 4.48

8. Kyle Monangai, Rutgers, Sr, 5090, 210, 4.58

9. Damien Martinez, Miami, Jr, 5117, 241, 4.57

10. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State, Jr, 5082, 217, 4.50

11. Trevor Etienne, Georgia, Jr, 5085, 205, 4.44

12. Jo'quavious Marks, USC, rSr, 5094, 204, 4.55

13. Raheim Sanders, South Carolina, rJr, 6000, 236, 4.70

14. Devin Neal, Kansas, Sr, 5105, 209, 4.53

15. DJ Giddens, Kansas State, rJr, 6001, 216, 4.55

16. Kaytron Allen, Penn State, Jr, 5102, 222, 4.53

17. CJ Donaldson, West Virginia, Jr, 6010, 240, 4.60

18. Ulysses Bentley, Mississippi, rSr, 5100, 184, 4.50

19. Montrell Johnson, Florida, Sr,  5107, 215, 4.58

20. Nathan Carter, Michigan State, rSr, 5093, 196, 4.40

21. Jordan James, Oregon, Jr, 5092, 205, 4.46

22. Roman Hemby, Maryland, rJr, 6002, 208, 4.48

23. Roydell Williams, Florida State, Sr, 5087, 202, 4.53

24. Phil Mafah, Clemson, Sr, 6004, 225, 4.58

25. Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech, rSr, 5090, 228, 4.60

26. Noah Whittington, Oregon, rSr, 5080, 201, 4.47

27. Jaquez Moore, Duke, Sr, 5090, 201, 4.50

28. Marcus Carroll, Missouri, Sr, 5085, 212, 4.55

29. Nate Noel, Missouri, Sr, 5100, 184, 4.47

30. Jarquez Hunter, Auburn, Sr, 5090, 206, 4.55

31. Marion Lukes, Central Michigan, Sr, 5091, 194, 4.60

32. Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech, 5090, 205, 4.50

33. Cory Kiner, Cincinnati, Sr, 5090, 215, 4.55

34. Ja’Quinden Jackson, Arkansas, rSr, 6017, 234, 4.65

35. Antario Brown, Northern Illinois, Sr, 5096, 221, 4.53

36. Logan Diggs, Mississippi, Sr, 6000, 211, 4.60

37. RJ Harvey, UCF, rSr, 5082, 201, 4.48

38. Jalen White, Georgia Southern, Sr, 5116, 209, 4.60

39. Josh Williams, LSU, 5090, 203, 4.57

40. John Emery, LSU, Sr, 5105, 224, 4.55

41. Leshon Williams, Iowa, rSr, 5093, 211, 4.55

42. Penny Boone, UCF, Sr 6010, 235, 4.75

43. Marcus Yarns, Delaware, 5102, 185, 4.45

44. Cam Porter, Northwestern, rSr, 5092, 220, 4.75

45. Isaiah Jacobs, UAB, 5092, 211, 4.56

46. Rashod Dubinion, Arkansas, Jr, 5094, 192, 4.55

47. Lan Larison, UC-Davis, 5106, 209, 4.50

48. DeCarlos Brooks, Arizona State, rSr, 5092, 221, 4.60

49. DeaMonte Trayamun, Kentucky, Sr, 5110, 235, 4.40

50. Deion Hankins, Texas State, rSr, 5106, 235, 4.57

    CLICK HERE FOR OUR 2025 NFL DRAFT PRESEASON QB RANKINGS

TOP RD1 RUNNING BACKS OF THE PAST DECADE

Over the past 10 NFL Drafts, there has been a total of 14 running backs selected in the first round. Most of the top runners have panned out to some degree, even ‘Playoff Lenny’ who comes in at No.10 on our list owned a career defining moment for his contributions during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl LV run. The first round hit-rate for running backs is much higher than most positions. Let’s have a look at how they rank.

1. Christian McCaffrey (2017) | (photo credit: San Francisco 49ers)

2. Ezekiel Elliott (2016)

3. Todd Gurley (2015)

4. Josh Jacobs (2019)

5. Saquon Barkley (2016)

6. Bijan Robinson (2023)

7. Jahmyr Gibbs (2023)

8. Travis Etienne Jr. (2021)

9. Najee Harris (2021)

10. Leonard Fournette (2017)

11. Melvin Gordon (2015)

12. Sony Michel (2016)

13. Rashaad Penny (2016)

14. Clyde Edwards-Helaire (2020)

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