2025 NFL Draft: The Running Back class

[Ragnarok]

On the other side, though, saying Walter is garbage is extremely suspect unless its politically motivated.

No, I know Walt personally, I've done drafts at his house, was a member of his forum for years, so this isn't about his political views. He does go out of his way to say reactionary things that he doesn't fully believe to get more clicks, but that's not exactly uncommon.

I think that the quality of his football-related work has dropped off significantly over the past decade. Not everything is wrong of course, but it's not nearly as good as it was.

Charlie's quality of work is consistently great though.

 

[Clayton]

No, I know Walt personally, I've done drafts at his house, was a member of his forum for years, so this isn't about his political views. He does go out of his way to say reactionary things that he doesn't fully believe to get more clicks, but that's not exactly uncommon.

I think that the quality of his football-related work has dropped off significantly over the past decade. Not everything is wrong of course, but it's not nearly as good as it was.

Charlie's quality of work is consistently great though.

We had someone who used to own this site who went out of his way to say reactionary and stupid things to get people's attention so that kind of makes sense. I was actually on the forums for a year or two way back in the day.

I do think Charlie Campbell is objectively one of the best mock drafters so I use his lists pretty regularly.

 

[Ragnarok]

We had someone who used to own this site who went out of his way to say reactionary and stupid things to get people's attention so that kind of makes sense. I was actually on the forums for a year or two way back in the day.

I do think Charlie Campbell is objectively one of the best mock drafters so I use his lists pretty regularly.

I was there from like 2010 until 2017 or so when bots took over the forum and Walt didn't do anything to maintain it.

We agree on Charlie.

 

[Clayton]

I was there from like 2010 until 2017 or so when bots took over the forum and Walt didn't do anything to maintain it.

We agree on Charlie.

It was the worst maintained website for a very long time. It was weird that they seemed to be way ahead of the curve on mock draft coverage and never fully took advantage of that.

 

[shopson67]

It was the worst maintained website for a very long time. It was weird that they seemed to be way ahead of the curve on mock draft coverage and never fully took advantage of that.

Still looks like a time warp to websites 20 years ago. Could use some website investment.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

Mcshay talks to much.

Yeah, for somebody who is paid to talk, you'd think he'd know better.

 

[Ragnarok]

Still looks like a time warp to websites 20 years ago. Could use some website investment.

He just did! That's the sad part.

 

[Ragnarok]

It was the worst maintained website for a very long time. It was weird that they seemed to be way ahead of the curve on mock draft coverage and never fully took advantage of that.

I remember us bringing it up constantly, and he just never put in the time or money to really fix it up.

 

[shopson67]

He just did! That's the sad part.

The pop-ups are so annoying.

 

[Ragnarok]

The pop-ups are so annoying.

Yeah, they are brutal.

 

[Sharkonabicycle]

The pop-ups are so annoying.

He went WAAAAAY overboard with the pop ups/ads. Even when you have ad blocker there's an ad in between EVERY mock draft pick or free agent grade. If you scroll down far enough, even a computer with a great processor/memory the page starts to chug. Adblock doesn't work and you have to refresh like 3 times to get the "Continue with adblocker". I mean I get the site needs monetization but good fuckin' lord.

Fortunately NordVPN (which I use primarily for other reasons) just blocks it all together. I don't dare go to that site without it connected.

And yah, he keeps referencing how the site went through an upgrade, but it still looks and feels the same. He only did it (and the bare minimum) because I think in like 2022 or something the site basically crashed during the draft.

I still reference his site, but some of his takes have gotten a little off. His grades are sometimes head scratching and a lot of times he should revisit grades after contract details are out. Like he puts D Law at a D grade and lists 3 years $42M... $10M of that is incentives, and the guaranteed is only $18M of which a good chunk is this year.... Seattle can cut him next year for $4.5M (bit more if incentives are met) which is nothing lol. That's not a D grade. He's a 1 year rental at this point for a $7.5M cap hit.

I usually prefer Charlie's mocks more these days.

 

[Ragnarok]

Back to the class - am I on crack for liking Kaleb more than Omarion? Vision and feet are my most important RB traits and Kaleb's are top notch.

 

[jarntt]

 

[Clayton]

Back to the class - am I on crack for liking Kaleb more than Omarion? Vision and feet are my most important RB traits and Kaleb's are top notch.

I think thats a fine take. With the Chiefs I'd even rather have Henderson than Omarion.

 

[shopson67]

I think thats a fine take. With the Chiefs I'd even rather have Henderson than Omarion.

Omarion and Kaleb are similar in style overall, but Omarion has more speed and burst IMO. Henderson is the better pass pro guy, most likely of the 3 to be a 3 down back.

 

[cdumler7]

Back to the class - am I on crack for liking Kaleb more than Omarion? Vision and feet are my most important RB traits and Kaleb's are top notch.

There is a little more projection when it comes to Kaleb than Omarion because Iowa plays so much zone and we do not get to see how Kaleb handles Gap all that much. Given though it isn't hard for RB's to make that adjustment. They either have vision or they don't. There is not much in between.

I'm with you in I like Kaleb more than Omarion especially with where many have them projected to be drafted. Hampton runs into the back of his OL way too often really showing that lack of vision. When he hits the right hole though it could be a homerun every single time it just happens less than you would like for a guy that many are considering a 1st round pick. He also doesn't have much outside of his work up the middle. He is ok receiving option but nothing special and his pass blocking is below average especially when you look at some of the guys in this class.

Personally I like Henderson more if the medicals check out than Hampton and would probably rank the RB's...

1) Jeanty
2) No one because Jeanty deserves a spot in between him and the other RB's
3) Henderson
4) Sampson--Might have the best vision of any RB in this class.
5) Hampton
6) Johnson--I say I like Johnson more than Hampton but that is because most have Johnson going round 2. I like his value in the 2nd more than Hampton in the 1st.

 

[Ragnarok]

There is a little more projection when it comes to Kaleb than Omarion because Iowa plays so much zone and we do not get to see how Kaleb handles Gap all that much. Given though it isn't hard for RB's to make that adjustment. They either have vision or they don't. There is not much in between.

I'm with you in I like Kaleb more than Omarion especially with where many have them projected to be drafted. Hampton runs into the back of his OL way too often really showing that lack of vision. When he hits the right hole though it could be a homerun every single time it just happens less than you would like for a guy that many are considering a 1st round pick. He also doesn't have much outside of his work up the middle. He is ok receiving option but nothing special and his pass blocking is below average especially when you look at some of the guys in this class.

Personally I like Henderson more if the medicals check out than Hampton and would probably rank the RB's...

1) Jeanty
2) No one because Jeanty deserves a spot in between him and the other RB's
3) Henderson
4) Sampson--Might have the best vision of any RB in this class.
5) Hampton
6) Johnson--I say I like Johnson more than Hampton but that is because most have Johnson going round 2. I like his value in the 2nd more than Hampton in the 1st.

Agree with #1. Agree with #2. I might go Kaleb, Omarion, Sampson, Henderson.

I think Sampson and Henderson will be more 3rd down guys. And I'm a Vols fan who loves Sampson.

 

[Clayton]

There is a little more projection when it comes to Kaleb than Omarion because Iowa plays so much zone and we do not get to see how Kaleb handles Gap all that much. Given though it isn't hard for RB's to make that adjustment. They either have vision or they don't. There is not much in between.

I'm with you in I like Kaleb more than Omarion especially with where many have them projected to be drafted. Hampton runs into the back of his OL way too often really showing that lack of vision. When he hits the right hole though it could be a homerun every single time it just happens less than you would like for a guy that many are considering a 1st round pick. He also doesn't have much outside of his work up the middle. He is ok receiving option but nothing special and his pass blocking is below average especially when you look at some of the guys in this class.

Personally I like Henderson more if the medicals check out than Hampton and would probably rank the RB's...

1) Jeanty
2) No one because Jeanty deserves a spot in between him and the other RB's
3) Henderson
4) Sampson--Might have the best vision of any RB in this class.
5) Hampton
6) Johnson--I say I like Johnson more than Hampton but that is because most have Johnson going round 2. I like his value in the 2nd more than Hampton in the 1st.

What are your thoughts on Etienne? I feel like he is being slept on a bit

 

[cdumler7]

Agree with #1. Agree with #2. I might go Kaleb, Omarion, Sampson, Henderson.

I think Sampson and Henderson will be more 3rd down guys. And I'm a Vols fan who loves Sampson.

Henderson I put so high because he has true RB ability up the middle, can hit the homerun with any touch, has some sneaky route running ability as a RB, and might be the best pass blocking RB in this draft. I don't think there is another like him.

Sampson it comes down to that vision side of things for me. That is one of the biggest assets that translates well to the NFL. His size wouldn't indicate a RB good in goal line/short yardage situations but he might be the best RB in the class in those situations.

And like I said I really do like Hampton. I just worry about his vision a bit when it comes to the next level. Some of the bad reps I do think you can pin on him not having a great OL and having to get out in a hurry if he stood a chance of a big play. My issue will be has he developed the bad habits to the point he cannot show the patience you see with a lot of the great runners in the NFL?

 

[cdumler7]

What are your thoughts on Etienne? I feel like he is being slept on a bit

I like Etienne. He won't be your #1 RB for a team but so many teams any more are a 2-back system anyway and he can be a nice 10-12 touch kind of guy and help on 3rd down in the passing game while also offering some decent ability when getting the ball in the backfield. Not my favorite RB by any means but I would have him in my top-14 for this draft and that is pretty good considering there are like 30 that are possibly draftable.