2025 NFL Draft: The Running Back class

[Scoundrel]

Figuring out how to navigate this site…

 

[Scoundrel]

I have;
1. Jeanty
2. Hampton
3. Judkins
4. Henderson

Drop off (Bottom Round 3)
5. Sampson
6. Skattebo
7. Johnson

Rounding out the top 10.
8. James
9. Tuten
10. Hunter

Emoji Eyes

 

[cdumler7]

1. Jeanty
2. Henderson
3. Johnson
4. Hampton
5. Judkins

Is my top 5 and all top 64 grades

Honestly the more I think about the position my only disagreement would maybe be moving Hampton to 3 and Johnson to 4 but I really like both of them. Henderson at 2 has a ton of risk with it, but he could also become one of the best weapons from the RB position in the NFL not named Gibbs or Barkley.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

I have;
1. Jeanty
2. Hampton
3. Judkins
4. Henderson

Drop off (Bottom Round 3)
5. Sampson
6. Skattebo
7. Johnson

Rounding out the top 10.
8. James
9. Tuten
10. Hunter

I like this list and in its order.

 

[jarntt]

It's a very deep RB class. Is there good reason to go Hampton early when there are guys close enough to his level that will go in round 3 or even day 3?

That's your opinion. I disagree and I think many others do also. But of course, if you think that then no you wouldn't take him early. I have Hampton really really close to Jeanty and wouldn't at all be surprised if we looked back at him as the better player in a couple of years. Who knows. He could also be out of the league by then. That's why no one pays me for my opinions. I wouldn't be shocked if both are gone before the Cowboys are on the clock. Jeanty to the Raiders and Hampton to the Bears.

 

[Clayton]

I have;
1. Jeanty
2. Hampton
3. Judkins
4. Henderson

Drop off (Bottom Round 3)
5. Sampson
6. Skattebo
7. Johnson

Rounding out the top 10.
8. James
9. Tuten
10. Hunter

For me, I think Jeanty, Hampton and Henderson are in the top 3 but they're all separate tiers. Jeanty is the total package. Hampton is great but not on the same level. Henderson's blocking puts him above the other speed guys but he isn't going to bellcow like Jeanty and Hampton could.

From there, I think different teams are going to target different fits. I was joking in the mock draft topic that I think there are about 60 players with rd3 grades. 10 of those could be RBs. If you trade up for an RB, Im sure teams will gladly trade down and its cheap to trade around rd3.

 

[Shanemansj13]

Wouldn’t be surprised if Hampton ends up being the best back in this draft. He has it all.
Could be 3 RB’s drafted in the first.
Henderson is explosive and is the best pass protector in this draft but injuries are a concern. I think he is better suited for a 1-2 punch kinda backfield
Judkins can do it all. He is my #4 in this class but a wildcard. He has the side to side, power back for tough yards, he can catch and pass protect.

Sleepers for me are Giddens and Harvey. I like both those guys a lot in the 3-4 rounds. I will add Brooks but he is more in the 5th or so

Jayden Blue is an interesting guy. Explosive but I don’t think he is a great runner but he has great hands. At worst a 3rd and medium/long type of back you can put in there to catch the ball.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

I believe Bhayshul Tuten tested the fastest with a 4.32 in the 40 at the combine, and has put up some solid numbers during his stint at Virginia Tech. He's considered a late Day 2/early Day 3 pick, so some team might be grabbing a hidden gem here.

 

[Clayton]

Jayden Blue is an interesting guy. Explosive but I don’t think he is a great runner but he has great hands. At worst a 3rd and medium/long type of back you can put in there to catch the ball.

He seems like he is either the 2nd or 3rd best receiver of the RB class.

I think he also has the 2nd or 3rd least amount of reps as an RB. Low tread, high bust potential. Could be interesting for a team to add some gadget plays while everyone is worried about other players.

 

[fightinfunbags]

He seems like he is either the 2nd or 3rd best receiver of the RB class.

I think he also has the 2nd or 3rd least amount of reps as an RB. Low tread, high bust potential. Could be interesting for a team to add some gadget plays while everyone is worried about other players.

He’s exactly the kind of change of pace back I want to back up Barkley. I also don’t like the Eagles slot position so formations with 2 RBs doesn’t have the Eagles lose much.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Jeanty is the no brainier in a tier by himself. I got Hampton and Henderson in the next tier, very different running back. I've been leaning Henderson but waffle a bit on that. Hampton is the proto typical workhorse type, got the size, good enough athlete, more of as north south runner, not a lot of elusiveness, but physical, powerful and good contact balance. Henderson is explosive, good blocker, elusive but bit light to be workhorse back perhaps, can he hold up is a question. Probably comes down to landing spot with those two.

 

[PDay8810]

Jeanty is the no brainier in a tier by himself. I got Hampton and Henderson in the next tier, very different running back. I've been leaning Henderson but waffle a bit on that. Hampton is the proto typical workhorse type, got the size, good enough athlete, more of as north south runner, not a lot of elusiveness, but physical, powerful and good contact balance. Henderson is explosive, good blocker, elusive but bit light to be workhorse back perhaps, can he hold up is a question. Probably comes down to landing spot with those two.

100%

I'm just glad the masses around here think running back matters again.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

Not sure if this has already been linked, I'm too lazy to go thru 8 pages of posts. But this guy gives a nice rundown of his top 10 RBs in this year's draft:

 

[shopson67]

I believe Bhayshul Tuten tested the fastest with a 4.32 in the 40 at the combine, and has put up some solid numbers during his stint at Virginia Tech. He's considered a late Day 2/early Day 3 pick, so some team might be grabbing a hidden gem here.

He'll need to fix his turnover issues.

 

[Lake Shore Drive]

He'll need to fix his turnover issues.

Yes, and it's likely why he's not top 5 or 6 RB.

 

[cdumler7]

He'll need to fix his turnover issues.

A lot of these RB's need to fix their fumbling issues. Jaydon Blue fumbles once every 26.7 touches. NFL average is once every 90-100 touches. Bhayshul Tuten had 11 fumbles on 737 touches. RJ Harvey with 9 fumbles on 647 touches. Jeanty 10 fumbles on 832 touches. Skattebo 5 fumbles on 464 touches. Sampson 5 fumbles on 464 touches.

The rest of the top guys fall into at least acceptable levels but those guys you have to factor in that part of their game knowing that turnovers are one of the biggest indicators of victory or loss.

 

[shopson67]

A lot of these RB's need to fix their fumbling issues. Jaydon Blue fumbles once every 26.7 touches. NFL average is once every 90-100 touches. Bhayshul Tuten had 11 fumbles on 737 touches. RJ Harvey with 9 fumbles on 647 touches. Jeanty 10 fumbles on 832 touches. Skattebo 5 fumbles on 464 touches. Sampson 5 fumbles on 464 touches.

The rest of the top guys fall into at least acceptable levels but those guys you have to factor in that part of their game knowing that turnovers are one of the biggest indicators of victory or loss.

Tuten's stats are worse than that, since the majority of his were in the last 2 years (9 in 406). He's also almost exclusively an outside runner via a QB pitch, so his game needs to expand to be more than a change of pace back in the pros.

 

[cdumler7]

Tuten's stats are worse than that, since the majority of his were in the last 2 years (9 in 406). He's also almost exclusively an outside runner via a QB pitch, so his game needs to expand to be more than a change of pace back in the pros.

Very true. And this is why his draft stock even after a great combine hasn't really climbed a whole lot. Teams already knew he was athletic as they come, but football wise there is a lot to be desired.