2025 NFL Draft: The Running Back class

[HaroldSeattle]

I just don’t think a 5’8 220 pound guys is going to thrive as a power back in the NFL. He’s small and slow but he has a history of proving people wrong.

Small? What do you consider big as a RB in the NFL?

 

[Clayton]

Small? What do you consider big as a RB in the NFL?

That a BMI of 33. I would certainly call that big.

That said, short back, small wingspan...probably some limitations in catching and blocking maybe.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

 

[HaroldSeattle]

That a BMI of 33. I would certainly call that big.

That said, short back, small wingspan...probably some limitations in catching and blocking maybe.

I'm not worried about his height, but he does has some deficiencies, not real fast, not a good blocker, seems fine at catching the ball from what I saw and his catching rating of 73 according to Draft Buzz.

 

[PhoenixEagles1]

Small? What do you consider big as a RB in the NFL?

Short would be better than small but he’s too slow.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Short would be better than small but he’s too slow.

He may be too slow, not sure about that, power runners normally don't have blazing speed and don't need it (nice if they do though). Lots of RBs 5'10 or shorter starting in the NFL Josh Jacobs, Alvin Kamara, Kyren Williams, Chase Brown, Andre Swift, Bucky Irving and the list goes on. 5'10 and 215 is plenty stout.

 

[PhoenixEagles1]

He may be too slow, not sure about that, power runners normally don't have blazing speed and don't need it (nice if they do though). Lots of RBs 5'10 or shorter starting in the NFL Josh Jacobs, Alvin Kamara, Kyren Williams, Chase Brown, Andre Swift, Bucky Irving and the list goes on. 5'10 and 215 is plenty stout.

For a RB, sure. For a power back… no. He was never a top 150 prospect and all I’m really getting at is “Why all the hype?” for a middle round prospect.
Could I be wrong? Absolutely. I’m saw James Harden live in college and said “No way is this guy a NBA player”.

 

[Clayton]

Ollie Gordon was the 2023 Doak Award winner for best RB

Did he regress in 2024 or just get lucky in 2023?


I think maybe he put on a little weight and it slowed him down a little bit but I think the bigger difference is Ok St put him in better positions in 2023 to get yards.

 

[Clayton]

Ashton Jeanty is 5'8 1/2" 211. Honestly, I think he is in the same ballpark as Ray Rice. I feel like thats not a name that carries much weight anymore but thats a 1st round comp.

I've seen Omarion Hampton compared to Joe Mixon. A hair smaller, a tad more explosive. Thats also probably a 1st rounder especially if you consider how many bad olines Joe Mixon has had in his career. I've also seen Quinshon Judkins get that comp. I guess they should be tiered together. Hampton I think is the better of the two but Judkins had 45TDs in college with only 27 starts.

TreVeon Henderson I've seen compared to Aaron Jones. Big difference at least in combine numbers suggests that Henderson has more home run potential as a runner. I think in a normal year you're maybe talking about him sneaking into the back end of rd1 but its more likely he is early 2nd. I'd imagine his ceiling might be like James Cook.

Kaleb Johnson I've seen compared to James Conner. Certainly if you're a Fantasy Football fan thats going to be of interest. Johnson might have a hair more long speed but I suspect that wont matter too much. Seems like a 2nd round profile but if by any chance he has that level of a career he'll outperform his draft position.

I had a rough comp with DJ Giddens to DeMarco Murray. I think his test probably shows a lot of similarities. Giddens' Vert score explains why he was so easily able to make LBers look silly trying to tackle him in space. I personally think Giddens looks like a 2nd rounder.

Devin Neal is someone I've seen compared to Kareem Hunt. Maybe a hair less quick than Hunt in his prime but also maybe a hair stronger. On paper that sounds like a 2nd rounder.

Damien Martinez RAS is probably a mid round pick but a good-but-not-great RAS and the 3rd best runner according to PFF is an RB still worth watching.

Skattebo had a near 40" Vert. Doesn't need speed drills. Nobody will want to tackle him.

The combine really makes this class look like its going to live up to the hype imo.

 

[Clayton]

Tahj Brooks. Short, sturdy, 6.9 3 cone, 1.56 10 yd split. Good for a team that has a great oline and wants a patient runner to set up blocks.


Run at 6:58 is a good showcase of his athleticism

 

[Fountain City Blues]

Most stacked RB class in a long time. Depth all the way into day 3. Good year to need a RB.

 

[PDay8810]

Most stacked RB class in a long time. Depth all the way into day 3. Good year to need a RB.

they don't matter




remember that twist you hammered for years

 

[Clayton]

Most stacked RB class in a long time. Depth all the way into day 3. Good year to need a RB.

Its a once-every-five years type of class. Possibly generational in that because the demands for the position have increased the athletes playing them at a high level in college are better suited for the NFL. Or something.

At the end of the day, if 4-2 and 2 high shells are popular then RBs eat for free. If the league goes back to 4-3 types of looks then the pendulum swings back.

 

[PDay8810]

At the end of the day, if 4-2 and 2 high shells are popular then RBs eat for free. If the league goes back to 4-3 types of looks then the pendulum swings back.

LOL

there is no fucking way anyone who ever played this game could say this.

this is ALMOST as stupid as saying a position in a team sport doesn't matter

 

[Clayton]

LOL

there is no fucking way anyone who ever played this game could say this.

this is ALMOST as stupid as saying a position in a team sport doesn't matter

Something must be getting lost in translation here because I think this RB class is great and important.

Its easier to run against light boxes. Forcing teams to go heavier boxes has value as does winning in those situations.

 

[Clayton]

The next James Cook?

 

[PDay8810]

Something must be getting lost in translation here because I think this RB class is great and important.

Its easier to run against light boxes. Forcing teams to go heavier boxes has value as does winning in those situations.

No...I understood your point about defensive alignments.

I think it was Russ Grimm who said the greatest feeling a player can have is moving a body a direction he doesn't want to go.

thus my point.

 

[Clayton]

No...I understood your point about defensive alignments.

I think it was Russ Grimm who said the greatest feeling a player can have is moving a body a direction he doesn't want to go.

thus my point.

My point would be that most defensive players in the box are bigger than RBs and bigger than they used to be.

The bar for being a good RB is really high. Speed, strength, ball security, vision, patience, durability, agility, blocking, catching, route running. Stiff arms. Occasionally hurdling and diving.

 

[PDay8810]

My point would be that most defensive players in the box are bigger than RBs and bigger than they used to be.

The bar for being a good RB is really high. Speed, strength, ball security, vision, patience, durability, agility, blocking, catching, route running. Stiff arms. Occasionally hurdling and diving.

it is clear you and moose never played this game past jr high. You couldn't have with these type of posts.

I know you guys are huge fans. It's a shame to always be an opinion based on an opinion you've read.

 

[Clayton]

it is clear you and moose never played this game past jr high. You couldn't have with these type of posts.

I know you guys are huge fans. It's a shame to always be an opinion based on an opinion you've read.

You would be correct on that front. I played baseball in high school and was in swimming and dabbled in basketball when I was younger. Basketball was a pretty major reality check. I remember one of my friends saying basketball was a sport to me and it was life to most people he knew. Stayed away from football. All of my friends from broken homes did. Mothers generally didnt want their kids in football.