The 2025 NFL Draft is littered with quality running backs. In the Two-Point Conversion’s draft guide (available now for just $1 by the way…), we listed 10 running backs in the top-100. This list is my own personal rankings (different from what you’ll find on the draft guide), but I’m still incredibly high on this group.
Running back is the most fun position to scout, at least in my opinion. There’s a ton of guys to sort through – and according to Dane Brugler’s “Beast”, there are 30 players worth selecting this year (way more than usual).
Let’s dive into the list.
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Ashton Jeanty is one of the best running back prospects of the last half-decade, only behind Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson. Jeanty has the speed, power, and contact balance to make any play a home-run threat, and is one of the only players in this draft class who has the potential to shift the entire calculus for an offense.
Jeanty put up video game numbers in the Mountain West last season – 374 carries for 2601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns. That’s just ridiculous, and to make it more incredible, Jeanty totaled over 1900 yards *after contact*. No other college running back had that many yards total.
There will be some who question Jeanty’s competition level, and that’s more than fair. But he also put up PlayStation numbers against teams such as Oregon (25-192-3). Jeanty is simply too good a player not to take early, even if some will question taking a running back in the top 10. Whoever selects Jeanty is getting as close to a guaranteed All-Pro as you can get in the Draft.
Grade: Top-5 Pick
2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Omarion Hampton is a powerful running back who has the athleticism and hands to be an every-down option at the NFL level – and one that should play at a consistent Pro Bowl caliber level. Standing at 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, Hampton is a large, physical force that should wear down defenses as games progress – he’s the type of player that earns his stripes in the second half of games.
Despite playing in an inept offensive ecosystem at times with North Carolina, Hampton still produced at an elite level – he tallied over 1500 yards in each of the past two seasons, with a combined 33 scrimmage touchdowns in that time frame. Hampton has a reputation for being a bigger, bruising back, which is true – but that also leads some to underestimate his home run-hitting ability – he had the most 10+ yard carries of any RB at a “Power Four” school (as well as nearly 40 receptions).
Hampton makes sense as early as the 10th overall pick to the Chicago Bears, who recently brought him in on a 30 visit. The Cowboys, Bengals, Broncos, and Chargers all profile as potential landing spots as well. It’s hard to envision a world where Hampton is making it out of the first round.
Grade: Early First Round
Get the 2025 Draft Guide from The Two-Point Conversion – available for $1 for a limited time.
3. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
TreVeyon Henderson is an explosive running back whose efficient play style complemented the Buckeye’s Quinshon Judkins (who we’ll talk about soon) in college football’s best backfield tandem.
Henderson will get the obvious comparison to Jahmyr Gibbs, who played in a similar role at Alabama (and for the Detroit Lions). And it’s a fair comparison – Henderson averaged over seven yards per carry at Ohio State this past season on 144 carries. And while Henderson doesn’t necessarily project as a player that can handle a bellcow workload, he’s going to excel in late down situations as an offensive accelerator.
Henderson’s combination of speed and agility makes him a better fit for zone schemes at the NFL level, especially with coaches willing to utilize running backs in the passing game. The Vikings and Commanders make sense towards the end of the first round, and the Patriots and Browns could scoop him up in the early second, if he makes it there.
Grade: Late First Round
4. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Kaleb Johnson is a big running back who has the patience and spatial awareness to fit zone schemes at the NFL level. He will be an appealing running back prospect to some teams, but won’t be on the board for others due to his lack of high-end speed and relative scheme-independence.
Johnson was ultra-productive for the notorious Iowa Hawkeyes offense – he produced over 1500 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024, showing solid short-area burst, great vision, and the ability to power through arm tackles.
Johnson will look to come off the board somewhere in the second round. If the Bears pass on a running back with the 10th pick, they could snag Johnson with one of 39 or 41.
Grade: Early Day Two Pick
5. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Quinshon Judkins is an explosive back whose main focus at Ohio State was getting north. He’s got exceptional early-down ability, but will scare some off with his lack of vision at Ohio State – he seemed almost too focused on finding big plays rather than taking what the defense gave.
Still, the talent is undeniable with Judkins – he’s produced three seasons of 1000+ yardage in college, having played his first two years at Mississippi. Judkins, like most NFL backs, will likely need a top-end offensive line to be effective. That’s not a slight to Judkins, but he is a slight step down from the caliber of player that the four guys ahead of him are.
Judkins makes sense most towards the latter half of the second round. If the Steelers still had their second-round pick, they would be a great destination. Baltimore and Denver are also intriguing landing spots.
Grade: Day Two Pick
6. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Dylan Sampson and TreVeyon Henderson are cut from the same cloth – both are explosive players who can change the complexion of NFL offenses. What makes Sampson a lesser prospect, though, are some pretty glaring weaknesses.
Sampson has a smaller frame, had more fumbling issues, and struggled as a pass protector throughout his college years. That doesn’t mean he’s a bad prospect – but it’s a key factor as to why Henderson will go 1-2 rounds earlier.
Sampson, though, is still a fun running back who can hit home runs and brings a ton of elusiveness to Tennessee’s wide-open offense in 2024. His speed and vision make him an intriguing bet on day two. Potential fits include the Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, and Dallas Cowboys.
Grade: Day 2 Pick
7. Devin Neal, Kansas
Devin Neal is a fundamentally sound back who should give whoever selects him quality, consistent carries. Standing at 5-foot-11, 213 pounds, Neal isn’t going to blow anyone away with his burst or speed, but his vision and patience give him a high floor at the NFL level.
Neal produced at a considerable level for the Kansas Jayhawks, tallying over 1000 rushing yards in each of the past three seasons. Still at only 21 years old, Neal has a lot of tread left on the tires. He just jumps off the screen as a player who will have a long, productive career in the NFL – even if he’s not someone who will reach the highs of, say, Ashton Jeanty.
The Seahawks, Chargers, and Chiefs profile as teams that could use a consistent, chain-moving back on their roster – and Neal is likely to be selected anywhere from the third to fifth round.
Grade: Day 2 Pick
8. Damien Martinez, Miami
Damien Martinez is a powerful early-down back who should provide consistent reps as a gap runner for a team that needs an innings-eater. Martinez has a physically imposing frame, and tested better than expected at the 2025 NFL Draft Combine – he stands at 6-foot-1, 217 pounds, and ran a 4.51 40-yard dash.
Martinez isn’t the most explosive player in the draft, nor is he someone who is going to get a consistent run on third downs, which will drop his value for some teams. Martinez is likely to be selected on the early part of day three, though I have him graded higher than that.
Some teams that could take a long look at Martinez include the New York Giants, the Tennessee Titans, and the New Orleans Saints.
Grade: Late Day 2 Pick
9. Trevor Etienne, Georgia
Trevor Etienne is an explosive, late-down back with the pedigree and physicality to outplay his draft position, but has physical limitations and some scheme questions that may push him to day three.
Etienne looks to be a high-ceiling prospect in terms of his pass-catching and one-cut abilities, but he needs to land on a zone-blocking team that can use Etienne in open space to create explosive plays. The brother of Jacksonville Jaguars back Travis Etienne, Trevor has a smaller frame, and teams will need to clear his character (Etienne was arrested in early 2024) before selecting him in the 2025 draft.
The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles are two teams that Etienne would seemingly thrive with.
Grade: Late Day 2 Pick
10. Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
Hunter is a high-floor early-down back who is one of the better pure runners in this class – his combination of patience, vision, and downhill ability will endear him to coaches looking for reliable ball-carriers.
Hunter tested well at the combine – running a 4.44 40-yard dash – but may not be the size that many typically think of when they think of an “early-down back.” Still, Hunter is a player that could see 10-15 quality carries per game at the NFL level – and is someone that profiles to have a long, productive career – even if he’s never a team’s true RB1.
The Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, and Houston Texans make sense as teams that could look to add Hunter.
Grade: Late Day 2 Pick
