Bell: Ranking Top 15 Running Backs in 2025 NFL Draft Class
With the 2025 NFL Draft right on the horizon, and the Pittsburgh Steelers hyper-focused on the position, it’s time to rank the top running backs in the class.
It’s safe to say that this is truly an exceptional group all around and one of the best crops of talent that I’ve seen in my years evaluating players. From top-end talent to an absurd level of depth, this collection of ball carriers provides front offices every archetype of ball carrier that they could possible be searching for.
For context, there are nine running backs currently slated inside the top 100 of my 2025 NFL Draft big board, with a slew of early day three grades. The sheer volume of options could push some of these guys down boards, meaning the team they land with could see significant return on their investment. It should not shock anyone if we see multiple runners taken in rounds four through seven end up becoming starters in the league provided that they land in the right situation.
That should be music to the Steelers organization, which is low on NFL draft capital but still needs to find a complimentary piece to pair with Jaylen Warren. The odds are strong that one of these prospects listed below ends up wearing the black and gold in the fall.
Without further ado, here we go!
TOP 2025 NFL DRAFT RUNNING BACKS
1) Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Dominant workhorse with a low center of gravity and the capacity to sequence moves together in quick succession. Jeanty has all the necessary traits of a difference making running back: amazing vision, elite contact balance and good short area burst. So long as his body continues to withstand the mileage, it’s easy to imagine a reality in which he becomes one of the more unstoppable ball carriers that we’ve seen in quite some time.
2) Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Three-down bumper car who runs behind his pads and always seems to fall forward on contact. Hampton plays with an angry disposition, refusing to go down on first contact but also has the jump cut ability behind the line of scrimmage of a back twenty pounds lighter. He’s not the most creative back in the class, but he has a supreme understanding of who he is as a runner while checking all the necessary boxes of very good starter.
3) Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Wide zone savant that was extremely productive because of how he treads the fine line between decisiveness and patience. Johnson has inherent vision with a masters degree in reading first level defenders while simultaneously setting up linebackers to rip off explosive plays. He has a knack for absorbing blows and maintaining his footing, but his play style requires a runway to allow him to get rolling downhill to maximize what he does best.
4) TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Change of pace back with instant acceleration to obliterate pursuit angles en route to making house calls. Henderson is remarkable reliable, never puts the ball on the ground is and is advanced well beyond his years from a pass protection standpoint. His size and injury history necessitate a modest workload but an offensive coordinator will be able to trust him from day one regardless of assignment.
5) Damien Martinez, Miami
Downhill thumper who is a nightmare to try and wrangle to the ground due to the way that he finishes each run with authority. Martinez is a powerful dude who wears looks to beat opponents into submission but his feet are also surprisingly light for his build. His projection to third down work is murky, but teams can find solace in the fact that he’s going to keep the offense on schedule and close games out in the fourth quarter.
6) Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Aggressive power back that runs with a special brand of violence, consistently running his feet on contact with a wicked stiff arm that can embarrass aspiring tacklers. Judkins is built for gap-scheme rushing concepts, embodies the phrase “slow to, fast through” and plays with a tremendous amount of effort. 2024 showed a rugged, one-note runner but every team could use a battering ram like this when the situation calls for it.
7) Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Instinctual youngster that runs with great tempo in between the tackles and his smaller frame allows him to get skinny to sliver through the tiniest of creases in high-traffic areas. Sampson accelerates to his top gear in a flash but his creativity as a runner is what truly stands out, particularly some of the spin moves to leave defenders in the dust. Heavier box counts await him in the NFL, but it’s unfair to typecast him as simply a speedster.
8) Devin Neal, Kansas
Fundamentally sound slasher that operates with zero wasted movement thanks to his eyes and feet always being in sync. Neal churns out tough yardage, has a nose for the end zone and can use his dead leg move to make defenders look silly in a phone booth. Unfortunately, he’s a slightly below average athlete for NFL standards but his real value is derived from his ability to make something out of nothing in the backfield.
9) Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
Home run hitter in a compact frame blessed blurry straight-line speed. Tuten’s one-cut style is best suited for perimeter runs, mainly outside zone, where he’s shown the aptitude to find the crease and accelerate to daylight. His rare explosiveness and big-play prowess will torment defensive coordinators on the opposing sideline but none of that will come to fruition if he doesn’t learn to stop fumbling the football.
10) Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Bruiser with an affinity for truck sticking defenders and creating yards after contact but his play style is bound to take a toll on his body.
11) Trevor Etienne, Georgia
Complimentary back with upside that can make quick decisions and sharp cuts with the football but is still unproven as the go-to guy.
12) D.J. Giddens, Kansas State
Jump cut extraordinaire who terrorizes second and third level defenders but stalls out too quickly versus contact.
13) R.J. Harvey, UCF
Splash play provider with instant acceleration but could struggle to get on the field due to him being unreliable in pass protection.
14) Jaydon Blue, Texas
Extremely fast with real route running chops that could allow a team to go matchup hunting but is currently more of an idea instead of a running back.
15) Jacory Croskey-Merritt
Elder statesman in a loaded running back class but has the juice to destroy pursuit angles from defenders with his speed.