Top Running Backs for NFL Draft 2025

Frank Coyle/ Publisher

The running back position made an incredible comeback in 2024 with several high profile NFL runners switching teams and having breakout seasons. NFL veterans Saquan Barkley, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Aaron Jones, Joe Mixon and Tony Pollard all left in Free Agency and made major impact on their new offenses with all producing impressive numbers and becoming key performers on playoff clubs, except for Pollard. The position has been diminished over the past decade with virtually all performers failing to obtain a second contract, even after getting the Franchise tag for one season. Barkley and Henry were the key catalyst on the Eagles and Ravens run to the Conference championship games. Barkley hopes to complete his season with a final performance in Super Bowl LIX vs the Kansas City Chiefs.

This year’s rookie running back class is a strong group with at least one prospect, Ashton Jeanty expected to be selected in the first round. Several other runners, Johnson, Hampton, Sampson and Skattebo are expected to be chosen on the 2nd day of the draft process and in the top overall 100 selections. Expect many surprise NFL runners chosen in the final rounds with a few winning starting jobs over their careers. Running backs usually make a quick impact in the NFL where their natural talent rise quickly to the occasion and win key roles in an NFL offense.

Draft Insiders’ will publish Positional Rankings for every position this week after the Senior Bowl and East-West Shrine games

Top Running Backs (25)

1 Ashton Jeanty Boise State Jr 5-9 210

2 Kaleb Johnson Iowa Jr 6-0 225

3 Dylan Sampson Tennessee Jr 5-10 210

4 Omarion Hampton North Carolina Jr 6-0 220

5 Cameron Skattebo Arizona State Sr 5-10 220

6 RJ Harvey UCF Sr 5-8 205

7 TreVeyon Henderson Ohio State Sr 5-10 215

8 Tahj Brooks Texas Tech Sr 5-9 230

9 Quinshon Judkins Ohio State Jr 5-10 220

10 DJ Giddens Kansas State Jr 6-0 215

11 Trevor Etienne Georgia Jr 5-9 205

12 Jonah Coleman Washington Sr. 5-9 230

13 Kyle Monangai Rutgers Sr 5-9 210

14 Devin Neal Kansas Sr 5-11 220

15 LeQuint Allen Jr. Syracuse Sr 6-0 205

16 Ja’Quinden Jackson Arkansas Sr 6-2 225

17 Jacory Croskey-Merritt Arizona Sr 5-10 205

18 Jarquez Hunter Auburn Sr 5-9 210

19 Ollie Gordon Oklahoma State Jr 6-1 235

20 Donovan Edwards Michigan Sr 5-11 215

21 Damien Martinez Miami Jr 5-11 225

22 Raheim Sanders South Carolina Jr 6-0 225

23 Phil Mafah Clemson Sr 6-0 235

24 Kalel Mullings Michigan Sr 6-2 235

25 Woody Marks USC Sr 5-10 215