2025 NFL Draft: Running Back Big Board

The NFL Draft process is underway, with Pro Days in full swing after the Combine. The 2025 running-back class is historically loaded with talent across the board. Which rushers got the star treatment on the running back big board? How many will go in the first round? What teams will get the most value on Day 3?

Note: All RAS numbers are courtesy of Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb)

In case you miss any of the positional big boards, they will be listed below:

Quarterback

1. Ashton Jeanty | 5’8 211 | Boise State

Jeanty burst onto the scene as a junior with 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground but took it to another level as a senior. He’s a transcendent talent who flirted with Barry Sanders’ all-time single-season rush yards record and 29 touchdowns. The Boise State product finished second in the Heisman race behind Travis Hunter. There was a legitimate debate for the Heisman Trophy between the two superstars. He is the clear-cut best running back in the class with his athleticism, vision, and instincts. Jeanty compares athletically and stylistically to Bijan Robinson. There is no doubt that he is a surefire first-round selection.

Round Projection: First

Player Comparison: Bijan Robinson

RAS: N/A

2. Dylan Sampson | 5’8 200 | Tennessee

Sampson elevated his stock into the stratosphere after a dynamic 2024 season in which he ran for almost 1,500 yards and 22 touchdowns in the rugged SEC. His vision and instincts are major pluses while holding onto above-average athleticism. His lateral agility and burst are the defining traits of his game. While the production is good for one season, teams will be bothered about why he wasn’t more productive throughout his stay. Sampson’s pass protection also leaves something to be desired. His stylistic and physical profile compares to that of former Oregon standout LaMichael James. The former Volunteer should have his name called in the second round.

Round Projection: Second

Player Comparison: LaMichael James

RAS: N/A

3. Omarion Hampton | 6’0 221 | North Carolina

The Tar Heels’ star running back burst onto the scene as a junior and rampaged to an even better season in 2024. In two seasons, he ran for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. He also improved his production in the passing game, going for 373 yards and two touchdowns on 38 receptions. North Carolina’s quarterback situation wasn’t ideal, and Hampton carried the offense. He’s an explosive athlete with some breakaway ability as a big back, but he’ll definitely get the tough yards. Teams that operate the zone-based running scheme will love his vision and instincts. The Combine testing proved fruitful for him as he had a 9.68 RAS. His pro comparison is former Colts’ runner Joseph Addai. Hampton is in contention for being the second runner off the running back big board.

Round Projection: Second to Third

Player Comparison: Joseph Addai

RAS: 9.68

4. Damien Martinez | 6’0 217 | Miami

Martinez is one of the more productive running backs in this year’s class, with three consecutive seasons of 900+ yards on his resume. Widely known as one of the bigger backs, he has lost significant weight during the offseason process, weighing in at 217 at the Combine. The Miami prospect performed admirably well at the Senior Bowl before accelerating his stock in Indianapolis, where Martinez earned a 9.36 RAS. Regarding instinct and vision, he’s in the upper tier of the class, which separates him on the running back big board. The former Hurricanes star has impressive contact balance. Martinez isn’t the biggest home run threat, but he has enough speed to catch defenders off guard. It’s projected that he could go in the latter stages of Day 2 but will settle for the fourth round. Stylistically and athletically, he compares to former Wisconsin star Melvin Gordon.

Round Projection: Third to Fourth

Player Comparison: Melvin Gordon

RAS: 9.36

5. Quinshon Judkins | 6’0 221 | Ohio State

Judkins burst onto the scene as a freshman at Ole Miss, rushing for over 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns. He followed it up with 15 touchdowns and 1,000 yards as a sophomore. The national champion runner elected to transfer to Ohio State for his final collegiate season, where the prospect once again cracked the 1,000-yard barrier and scored 14 touchdowns. While he won’t wow anyone with his speed, he’s consistently gaining positive yards. He’s an ideal fit for teams that run a variant of the Shanahan zone scheme because of his vision and cutting ability. Judkins blew away everyone at the Combine, scoring an impressive 9.87 RAS. Athletically, he is similar to Tampa Bay’s Rachaad White but resembles Joe Mixon stylistically. Teams should be looking to draft him on Day 2 as a workhorse type of runner. He’s in the top five on the running back big board.

Round Projection: Second to Third

Player Comparison: Joe Mixon / Rachaad White

RAS: 9.87

6. Devin Neal | 5’11 213 | Kansas

Neal is an underrated running back in the class who shined in the rough-and-tumble Big 12 the past three seasons. He rushed for over 3,600 yards and 41 touchdowns in that time frame. The former Kansas star runner is like a slippery eel in the box, making defenders work for their tackles. He has a lot of lateral agility and quickness in his game. While not the fastest home run hitter, he does have the speed to take it home on occasion. Neal earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he had a good week. His athletic comparison is an almost near-perfect carbon copy of former Notre Dame running back Cierre Wood. Stylistically, he is similar to James Robinson. It’s possible he could go in the latter stages of Day 2, but it’s expected that he gets drafted on Day 3.

Round Projection: Third to Fourth

Player Comparison: Cierre Wood / James Robinson

RAS: 7.85

7. Kaleb Johnson | 6’1 224 | Iowa

Johnson was solid as a freshman for the Hawkeyes, running for 779 yards, but fell off in 2023 due to injury. He mustered only 463 yards that season as he missed several games. 2024 was a monstrous comeback season as Johnson produced over 1,500 yards and 21 touchdowns. Iowa hired a new offensive coordinator last season due to the reign of Brian Ferentz’s error failed to make any consistency. While he isn’t a spectacular athlete, he does have enough speed and athleticism to make it to the league. He’s a power back who has impressive vision and instincts. Teams will love his size as well. He profiles like former Texas running back Roschon Johnson and should easily be a Day 2 selection.

Round Projection: Second to Third

Player Comparison: Roschon Johnson

RAS: N/A

8. TreVeyon Henderson | 5’10 202 | Ohio State

Henderson had everyone swooning at the future possibilities as a freshman but suffered injuries in his sophomore and junior seasons. He bounced back significantly as a senior alongside another running back big board member, Quinshon Judkins. In his two fully healthy seasons, he rushed for over 2,200 yards and 25 touchdowns. Teams will scrutinize his medical history, given the injuries. The 2024 national title run was his swan song masterpiece as he led the Buckeyes to a championship. He broke Oregon’s will in the playoff rematch before showing up again. Explosive athleticism and vision are his calling cards. It’s a possibility that Henderson could go higher, but the medical file will give teams some pause. His stylistic comparison is that of former Oklahoma State standout Justice Hill.

Round Projection: Third

Player Comparison: Justice Hill

RAS: 8.82

9. R.J. Harvey | 5’8 205 | UCF

Harvey found his stride once the Knights entered the Big 12, where he rushed for over 2,900 yards and 38 touchdowns in two seasons. The speedster got invited to the Senior Bowl and put on a show at the Combine, running a 4.40 40 and having a 38″ vertical jump. He scored an impressive 8.40 RAS due to his performance in Indianapolis. The UCF star is an explosive runner with good vision and instincts. He carried the Knights in 2024 while they sorted through their quarterback situation. A consistent pass catcher with over 200 yards in the past three seasons. Athletically and stylistically, Harvey compares to former Auburn running back Tre Mason. He projects as a Day 3 selection, with a chance to go early.

Round Projection: Fourth

Player Comparison: Tre Mason

RAS: 8.40

10. Jordan James | 5’9 205 | Oregon

James was the workhorse for the Ducks, the reigning Big Ten champions, and the engine that made the offense hum. He served as Bucky Irving’s backup last season before taking over in 2024. Despite the low RAS score due to a horrific Combine performance, James is a great athlete on tape. He’s very slippery in the box while finding the holes the terrific offensive line made for him. Oregon did not utilize him much as a pass catcher, so he needs to develop in that area. The Oregon runner should be taken early on Day 3 due to his lateral quickness and burst. He compares physically and stylistically to Florida State runner Devonta Freeman.

Round Projection: Fourth

Player Comparison: Devonta Freeman

RAS: 4.34

11. Brashard Smith | 5’10 194 | SMU

Smith is a converted wide receiver who moved to running back when he transferred to SMU from Miami. Despite the poor agility scores that hampered his RAS evaluation, he’s a dynamic and explosive athlete. He broke out in 2024 with over 1,300 yards and 14 touchdowns. It was a tremendous debut as a first-time running back at the FBS level. Given his background, the Mustangs star also provided the expected value as a receiver out of the backfield. Teams like the 49ers, who love dual-threat runners, will love him. The breakout season earned him an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he shined. He’s likely a Day 3 selection and compares stylistically to former West Virginia superstar Steve Slaton.

Round Projection: Fourth to Fifth

Player Comparison: Steve Slaton

RAS: 7.02

12. Bhayshul Tuten | 5’9 206 | Virginia Tech

Tuten’s rise during the offseason has been meteoric on the running back big board. He had an outstanding Senior Bowl process and dominated at the Combine. He’s a smaller and more elusive back who has special teams experience in his background. The former Hokies runner possesses the speed to hit home runs from anywhere on the field. He also provides a good outlet for the quarterback out of the backfield. A touchdown machine at Tech, scoring 25 times in a Virginia Tech uniform. Tuten will give a team with great speed and agility as the ideal change of pace back. He transferred to Tech from FCS North Carolina A&T. Teams that need his skills will likely draft him early on Day 3. He compares favorably to former Georgia State running back Jerick McKinnon stylistically.

Round Projection: Fourth

Player Comparison: Jerick McKinnon

RAS: 9.32

13. Jo’quavious “Woody” Marks | 5’10 207 | USC

Marks had a great week in Mobile and showed off the lateral agility and speed seen on his tape. The heir to Marshawn Loyd at USC and Mississippi State is a talented prospect with significant production, particularly in the passing game. He turned out to be a PPR machine for those who dabble in college fantasy football. While the RAS doesn’t indicate a tremendous athlete, he’s an explosive runner adept at finding holes with vision and instinct. The Trojans’ star runner is one of the more underrated backs in the class. He projects as a change of pace back to the next level. Marks is a decisive runner who doesn’t mind the contact. After an impressive 2024 season and off-season, his stock is trending to the middle of Day 3. Former Oklahoma State running back Chuba Hubbard is his pro comparison.

Round Projection: Fifth

Player Comparison: Chuba Hubbard

RAS: 6.55

14. D.J. Giddens | 6’0 212 | Kansas State

Kansas State has another star running back making his way to the pro ranks and dominated at the Combine with a 9.89 RAS. Giddens could go a lot higher than this ranking. He has a chance to go in the early stages of Day 3 but will likely settle in the middle of Day 3. The Wildcats runner is a bigger back with limited flashes of athleticism. The production was immense as he rushed for over 2,500 yards and 17 touchdowns during the past two seasons. He’s a solid pass catcher out of the backfield, logging over 500 yards in that time frame. Giddens is a reliable runner with exceptional vision and instincts to get the angle over defenders. The former KSU runner is one of the more underrated backs in the class. Kansas State’s latest running back prospect profiles resemble former Boise State running back George Holani.

Round Projection: Fifth to Sixth

Player Comparison: George Holani

RAS: 9.89

15. Ollie Gordon | 6’1 226 | Oklahoma State

Gordon is a heavy hitter at the running back position and played like the hammer back he’s projected to be. He earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl, where he had a middling week when he needed a big one. The Combine did not help when the 40-yard dash (4.61) time came in. He did help himself in the other testing drills, however. Oklahoma State’s star received an arrest on a DUI charge before the season, and it played a role in his production slipping from the heights of 2023. He is a good straight-line runner but doesn’t have the home run speed nor the lateral agility to be a workhorse type of back. Stylistically, he resembles former Arizona State running back Kalen Ballage. Gordon is trending towards being selected in the middle of Day 3.

Round Projection: Fifth to Sixth

Player Comparison: Kalen Ballage

RAS: 7.42

16. Raheim “Rocket” Sanders | 6’0 217 | South Carolina

Rocket played for Arkansas before transferring to South Carolina for his final collegiate season. He earned an invitation to the East-West Shrine Game. Sanders rushed for 881 yards and 11 touchdowns as a Gamecock and caught 27 receptions. He’s a bigger back who could take the pounding up the middle but doesn’t have that home run threat. The former South Carolina star excelled in The Combine, garnering a 9.32 RAS due to a faster-than-expected 40 time and a significant vertical jump. Former Temple runner Bernard Pierce is his stylistic comparison. Teams would be lucky to have him as a power back in the latter stages of Day 3.

Round Projection: Sixth to Seventh

Player Comparison: Bernard Pierce

RAS: 9.32