RUNNING BACK
TOP 5 QB VIDEO
1
Bryce Young
2
CJ Stroud
3
Hendon Hooker
4
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
5
Jaren Hall
1
Ashton Jeanty
RB | BOISE ST. | 5’9 | 215
Strengths: Jeanty runs with exceptional contact balance. He’s a bowling-ball back who can dominate in the short game while still creating explosive plays. Jeanty embraces contact, and defenders naturally bounce off him. He’s a classic workhorse who gets stronger as the game goes on, running with a great mix of patience and urgency. His 2024 season was incredibly productive. Weaknesses: There aren’t many glaring holes in his game, but his top-end speed isn’t eye-popping given the hype. Bottom Line: Jeanty is an immediate workhorse who can keep your offense consistently ahead of the chains.
Grade: Round 1
M. Jones-Drew
2
Omarion Hampton
RB | UNC | 6’0 | 220
Strengths: Hampton is a well-built running back with great size. He’s a violent downhill runner who bounces off defenders and wears them down. Hampton is a tough, no-nonsense back with sound fundamentals, staying balanced and smooth through contact. Weaknesses: He’s not the most elusive or creative runner and lacks elite breakaway speed for a back of his caliber. Bottom Line: Hampton has the tools to become a lead workhorse who delivers in meaningful moments.
Grade: Round 2
Josh Jacobs
3
TreVeyon Henderson
RB | OHIO STATE | 5’9 | 208
Strengths: Henderson is a compact back with a physical demeanor. He plays with a low centre of gravity and a sturdy base, able to slip through traffic and win tough reps. He’s smart, elusive, and runs with patience and vision. Henderson also offers big-play potential and has untapped upside as a pass-catcher. Henderson is pro-ready and shows an incredible ability in pass-protection Weaknesses: He’s a bit smaller than ideal for his play style and has struggled with some injuries. Bottom Line: Henderson is a dependable, versatile back who can be a very valuable piece in an NFL backfield.
Grade: Round 2
Breece Hall
4
Kaleb Johnson
RB | IOWA | 6’0 | 225
Strengths: Johnson is a patient runner with impressive vision. He waits for blocks to develop and hits the hole with urgency. A smooth glider, he uses his movements efficiently and shows good contact balance, consistently fighting for extra yards. Johnson has a strong blend of size and athleticism, making him a versatile back at the next level. Weaknesses: He’s not particularly fast or elusive and can run too upright when plays break down. Bottom Line: If Johnson lands in an outside-zone scheme with a strong offensive line, he has the tools to become a highly productive NFL back.
Grade: Round 2
Arian Foster
5
Devin Neal
RB | KANSAS | 5’11 | 215
Strengths: Neal is one of my personal favorites in the draft. He’s a highly agile runner who moves efficiently in tight spaces. Neal has a unique rhythm to his game, constantly shifting speeds to deceive defenders. He plays with strong vision and patience, and his versatility adds real upside as a pass-catcher. Weaknesses: Neal isn’t especially powerful and won’t be a bruiser at the next level. His true breakaway speed remains a question mark. Bottom Line: While long speed may cap his ceiling, Neal’s vision, football IQ, and production can position him to emerge as a legitimate lead back in the NFL.
Grade: Round 2
Aaron Jones
6
DJ Giddens
RB | KANSAS ST. | 6’1 | 212
Strengths: Giddens is a naturally imposing, physical back with good size. He’s highly effective between the tackles, slipping off defenders and navigating traffic with control. He runs with patience and vision, and can create separation with impressive lateral agility. Giddens also adds value as a reliable pass-catcher. Weaknesses: He runs with a more upright style, and improved pad level would help him maximize his power. He can also be prone to getting caught in the backfield at times. Bottom Line: Giddens’ combination of size, agility, and vision gives him real potential to emerge as a workhorse back at the next level.
Grade: Round 3
N/A
7
Quinshon Judkins
RB | OHIO STATE | 6’0 | 219
Strengths: Judkins is a compact back who plays with a sense of violence. He loves seeking out contact and lowering his shoulder. He’s a missed-tackle generator who consistently falls forward through defenders. In open space, he builds momentum and looks dangerous running downhill. Weaknesses: Judkins isn’t overly fast or elusive, though he has solid overall athleticism. He can get caught in the backfield and needs to better utilize his agility in tight situations. Bottom Line: Judkins projects as a solid NFL back who can develop a more nuanced skill set to elevate his game.
Grade: Round 3
N/A
8
Cam Skattebo
RB | ASU | 5’11 | 215
Strengths: Skattebo is a versatile back who put together a tremendously productive season. He plays with a low centre of gravity and excels in tight spaces. Skattebo shows patience and vision, consistently waiting for blocks to develop. He seeks out contact and seems to relish punishing defenders. His contact balance is impressive, often staying upright through heavy traffic. Weaknesses: Skattebo has an unconventional, bowling-ball build and lacks true home-run speed. Bottom Line: Skattebo is a natural football player who should carve out a valuable role at the next level.
Grade: Round 3
N/A
9
Dylan Sampson
RB | TENNESSEE | 5'11 | 201
Strengths: Sampson is a well-rounded, instinctual back who plays with patience and vision, consistently waiting for lanes to open. He can get skinny in traffic and runs with a low, sturdy base. A high-effort player, Sampson slips off tacklers and knows how to utilize his top speed. Weaknesses: He’s a bit undersized and lacks physical presence between the tackles. Ball security will need to improve at the next level. Bottom Line: Sampson is a smart, fast, productive, and dependable back who makes sound decisions. He projects as a strong complementary piece in an NFL backfield.
Grade: Round 4
N/A
10
RJ Harvey
RB | UCF | 5’9 | 208
Strengths: Harvey is a quick, elusive back who creates separation with ease. He has impressive short-area burst and excels when bouncing runs to the outside. Harvey is a patient runner who operates with vision and creativity. Weaknesses: He’s definitely undersized for a between-the-tackles role at the NFL level, and at times his creativity can backfire, leading to negative plays behind the line of scrimmage. Bottom Line: Harvey has the skill set to be a solid complementary or rotational back in the NFL.
Grade: Round 4
N/A
11
Bhayshul Tuten
RB | VIRGINIA TECH | 5’11 | 205
Strengths: Tuten is a small, compact back who runs with a low centre of gravity. He shows strong contact balance and plays with effective vision. Tuten has been highly productive throughout his college career. He also brings great speed, allowing him to win to the outside and create explosive plays. Weaknesses: He’s a bit undersized and doesn’t offer much in terms of physicality. Bottom Line: Tuten’s blend of vision, contact balance, and athleticism makes him a fun and effective rotational back.
Grade: Round 4
N/A
12
Damien Martinez
RB | AUBURN | 5’10 | 209
Strengths: Martinez is a big, physical back who runs with noticeable patience—he allows blocks to develop before hitting the hole with authority. With a bruising frame, he excels at punishing defenders downhill. Martinez also shows solid contact balance and surprising agility for his size. Weaknesses: He lacks true top-end speed and may struggle to get to the edge or generate explosive plays. Additionally, he doesn’t offer much in terms of versatility. Bottom Line: Martinez has the size and agility to serve as an early-down back, particularly effective in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
Grade: Round 5
James Conner
13
Brashard Smith
RB | SMU | 5’10 | 196
Strengths: Smith is a quick, explosive back with jitterbug athleticism. A former wide receiver, he brings real value as a pass-catcher and thrives in open space. Smith has excellent acceleration and short-area burst. Tacklers naturally slip off him, and he navigates traffic with ease. Weaknesses: Smith is undersized and will need to add some mass at the next level. To his credit, he embraces contact and isn’t afraid to deliver hits. He remains raw at the position but is still developing after making a position switch. Bottom Line: Smith has the athleticism and playmaking ability to be a dynamic complementary back in the NFL.
Grade: Round 5
N/A
14
Trevor Etienne
RB | GEORGIA | 5’9 | 205
Strengths: Etienne is a quick and versatile back who shows good vision and patience at the line of scrimmage. In open space, he’s a sudden, decisive runner capable of making defenders miss and hitting home runs. He adds value as a pass-catcher and a creative weapon. Weaknesses: Etienne is a bit undersized and doesn’t bring much physical urgency—he’s not the type to wear defenses down. Bottom Line: Etienne projects as a solid complementary back who can provide a reliable change of pace.
Grade: Round 5
N/A
15
Ollie Gordon II
RB | OKLAHOMA ST. | 6’2 | 225
Strengths: With his combination of age, size, and production, Gordon II is an intriguing prospect. He has a large, imposing build that stands out on the field. When he finds open space, Gordon can pick up steam downhill and defenders often bounce off him. Weaknesses: Gordon runs upright and lacks lateral agility and true explosiveness. In tight spaces, he can appear lethargic and sluggish. Bottom Line: Gordon’s frame, youth, and production give him high-upside potential, but he’ll need to improve his agility to become a true impact player at the next level.
Grade: Round 5
Braelon Allen
16
Jaydon Blue
RB | TEXAS | 6’0 | 200
Strengths: Blue is a fast and elusive back with strong versatility. He’s extremely dynamic in open space and plays with a suddenness that makes him dangerous. Blue adds value as a potential mismatch in pass-catching situations. Weaknesses: He’s a bit undersized and not physically imposing. His college production has been underwhelming, and he’s not a universal scheme fit—he’ll need to land in the right system (like Miami). Bottom Line: Blue has the speed and explosiveness to carve out a role in the right offensive scheme.
Grade: Round 5
N/A
17
Raheim Sanders
RB | SOUTH CAR. | 6’0 | 230
Strengths: Sanders is a big back who runs with a physical edge. He has excellent size and knows how to use it, with defenders often slipping off him in open space. He navigates traffic well and shows patience behind the line of scrimmage. Sanders also adds some value as an occasional pass-catcher. Weaknesses: He has some mileage and has dealt with injuries. While adequate, he’s not particularly elusive or athletic. Bottom Line: Sanders has the tools and technique to be a solid rotational back who offers value in the right role.
Grade: Round 5
N/A
18
Jordan James
RB | OREGON | 5’10 | 210
Strengths: James is a dense, reliable back with strong processing skills and impressive vision. He’s patient, decisive, and runs with urgency. James shows solid burst and quickness, along with the ability to consistently break tackles. Weaknesses: He’s not particularly large and lacks true breakaway speed. Bottom Line: James has a dependable skill set that should allow him to be a productive complementary back in the NFL.
Grade: Round 5
N/A
19
LeQuint Allen
RB | SYRACUSE | 6’0 | 201
Strengths: Allen Jr. is a versatile back and a strong pass-catcher—this will likely be his ticket to a meaningful NFL role. He’s an impressive route-runner who can do real damage as a pass-game extension. Allen Jr. stays calm in traffic and plays with a smooth pace and rhythm. Weaknesses: While his athleticism is adequate, it doesn’t jump off the page. He’s not especially physical and doesn’t invite contact. Bottom Line: Allen Jr.’s pass-catching ability gives him a potential path to carving out a role in the NFL.
Grade: Round 5
N/A
20
Woody Marks
RB | USC | 5’10 | 208
Strengths: Marks is a well-proportioned back with appealing traits. He displays good agility and lateral quickness, with clear burst on film and the ability to hit another gear in open space. Marks also adds value as a pass-catcher, making him a versatile offensive piece. Weaknesses: He’s undersized for the position and doesn’t run with much physicality. Prior to 2024, his production was relatively modest. Bottom Line: Marks has the skill set to develop into a solid change-of-pace back at the next level.
Grade: Round 6
N/A
21
Jarquez Hunter
RB | AUBURN | 5’10 | 209
Strengths: Hunter is a compact, well-grounded back who plays with good pad level. His production steadily improved, culminating in a breakout 2024 season. Though smaller, he has a well-built frame and shows strong elusiveness and breakaway speed to create explosive plays. While still developing, Hunter flashes the tools and upside to contribute as a pass-catcher. Weaknesses: He’s not particularly big and doesn’t bring much of a physical element to his game. Bottom Line: Hunter has the skill set and mobility to be an effective rotational, change-of-pace back.
Grade: Round 6
N/A
22
Tahj Brooks
RB | TEXAS TECH | 5’10 | 215
Strengths: Brooks is a well-sized, well-proportioned back with strong career production. For his size, he operates surprisingly well in tight spaces and shows impressive elusiveness. He plays with a sturdy base and has good footwork. Weaknesses: Brooks has decent speed but lacks true breakaway ability in the open field. While productive, he also comes with a lot of mileage. Bottom Line: Brooks is a fairly well-rounded back who can contribute as part of a committee.
Grade: Round 6
N/A
23
Donovan Edwards
RB | MICHIGAN | 6’1 | 212
Strengths: Edwards is a balanced running back with an athletic, well-distributed frame. He’s an efficient mover with good speed and agility. His biggest asset is his ability as a pass-catcher—he has the tools to thrive in that role and make the most of manufactured touches. Edwards also displays solid footwork and quickness in space. Weaknesses: He never quite lived up to expectations at Michigan and needs to improve his vision. At times, he appears to shy away from contact. Bottom Line: Edwards has the tools to be a rotational back in the NFL, but his value will primarily come from his pass-catching ability.
Grade: Round 7
N/A
24
Kalel Mullings
RB | MICHIGAN | 6’2 | 233
Strengths: Mullings is a big, physical back who plays with a clear willingness to invite contact. He thrives in traffic and does a good job navigating through it, making him a valuable asset in red-zone situations. Weaknesses: He lacks top-end speed and elusiveness, operating more as a straight-line power runner. Bottom Line: Mullings projects as an effective early-down back with solid rotational value.
Grade: Round 7
N/A
25
Kyle Monangai
RB | RUTGERS | 5’9 | 209
Strengths: Monangai is an explosive and quick back. He’s able to effectively navigate traffic, utilizing his elusiveness. For a smaller back, I appreciate Monangai’s willingness to seek out contact. He has good vision and is able to generate big plays in open-space Weaknesses: Monangai is definitely a smaller back and may struggle to survive NFL attrition. Also, for his profile, I wish he was more advanced as a pass-catcher Bottom Line: Monangai could provide a fun change of pace option—similar to a Keaton Mitchell.