The 2025 NFL Draft class is starting to take shape, and that means we’re getting a clearer picture of some of the top prospects and the position groups with the most depth.
The running back, tight end and offensive tackle positions seem to be the deepest and strongest on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, the edge defender group is as deep as we’ve seen in several years, dominating the projected top 50. There are also more impact defensive backs this year than a year ago, with plenty of options on all three days of the draft, specifically on Days 2 and 3.
Here are PFF's top running back prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with some initial scouting notes courtesy of lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema.
For the full ranking of draft prospects, along with their three-year player grades and position rankings, click here.
1. HB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
PFF Big Board Rank: 3
Jeanty is a total-package backfield playmaker with impressive balance, footwork, vision, explosiveness and big-play ability — reminiscent of Alvin Kamara. He is a first-round offensive weapon who can succeed behind any blocking scheme.
2. HB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
PFF Big Board Rank: 26
Hampton is one of the class' most physically gifted running backs with his combination of size, explosiveness and lower-body strength. He can be a productive slasher type of runner behind zone schemes, but his overall vision could make him a boom-or-bust producer, depending on his offensive line.
3. HB Cameron Skattebo, Arizona State
PFF Big Board Rank: 51
Skattebo plays the game in a manner that is easy to love: with a massive chip on his shoulder. NFL teams will gravitate toward his mentality, balance, tackle-breaking ability and after-contact consistency. He has the physical makeup of a three-down back.
4. HB Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
PFF Big Board Rank: 55
Sampson is a speedster who pairs explosiveness with patience and vision. He has big-play potential behind any blocking scheme and could develop into a plus receiver, though he must cut down on fumbles.
5. HB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
PFF Big Board Rank: 57
Johnson is a physically gifted running back who excels with the ball in his hands. As an early-down player, he can be successful behind any blocking scheme with good vision, light footwork and impressive burst and power. However, his lack of polish and reliability in third-down situations could keep him from being an every-down running back.
6. HB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
PFF Big Board Rank: 58
Henderson, when playing confidently, shines with his agility and long speed. He lacks some size for tackle-breaking and pass-blocking, but he remains a high-effort player in those areas. He seems like a good speed component of an NFL committee, including for receiving work out of the backfield.
7. HB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
PFF Big Board Rank: 65
Judkins is a strong north-to-south runner who generates impressive speed-to-power for consistent yards after the catch. However, his game lacks the creativity needed to consistently win in the NFL, independent of his offensive line. Behind a good line, he could rack up yards. Behind a subpar one, he could struggle to stand out.
8. HB RJ Harvey, UCF
PFF Big Board Rank: 71
Harvey ranks well in PFF's wins above average metric due to high missed tackles forced averages as a rusher and a receiver and his production in the passing game. If he plays with more urgency and violence, he could be a productive NFL running back.
9. HB Damien Martinez, Miami (FL)
PFF Big Board Rank: 80
Martinez is an early-down NFL back with good size and a play style to match, carrying high forced missed tackle averages. He will likely be the physical component of a committee unless he can significantly improve his pass-blocking fundamentals.
10. HB DJ Giddens, Kansas State
PFF Big Board Rank: 96
Giddens brings good eyes, patience and anticipation to a backfield, finding open space between the tackles with good one-cut ability and long strides for long speed. He needs to play with more violence to gain yards after contact if he is to truly make a name for himself in a running back rotation.
11. HB Devin Neal, Kansas
PFF Big Board Rank: 106
Neal's multi-sport background and natural playmaking mentality make him an alluring prospect for any NFL team. He is limited in long speed, but his fancy footwork and vision shine behind man- and gap-blocking concepts. He can also be a good third-down back, bringing receiving and pass-blocking reliability.
12. HB Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
PFF Big Board Rank: 132
Hunter is small, but he doesn't let that hinder his physicality. He is a high-intelligence player with good eyes and anticipation in all phases of the game. His ceiling is limited due to a lack of size and length, but he's a player every NFL coach would love to have on their roster or practice squad.
13. HB Jaydon Blue, Texas
PFF Big Board Rank: 137
Blue is one of the best athletes in the 2024 running back class, with top-tier long speed and short-area explosiveness. If he can add strength and improve his ball security, he has the potential to be a home-run threat in a two-back committee.
14. HB Brashard Smith, SMU
PFF Big Board Rank: 139
Smith could be a highly productive receiving back in an offense that emphasizes his skill set and ability to align anywhere on the field. While he likely doesn't have the frame to handle 20-plus touches per game, he could be a valuable weapon for 10-15, especially with his ability to create mismatches against inside defenders in the passing game.
15. HB Trevor Etienne, Georgia
PFF Big Board Rank: 144
Etienne won't be an every-down back like his older brother, but he has elite burst and quickness for the position. He could thrive as a complementary option in a zone scheme and showed at the Senior Bowl that he may have more receiving upside in the NFL than he did in college.
16. HB Kalel Mullings, Michigan
PFF Big Board Rank: 170
Mullings' game lacks some nuance and patience due to his limited stint as a full-time running back. But his linebacker background, special teams experience, size and mentality for yards after contact should lead to an NFL team taking a chance on him as he develops the rest of his skill set.
17. HB Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
PFF Big Board Rank: 206
Monangai runs through defenders as if they insulted his loved ones before the game. That makes for some eye-popping plays, but his lack of overall athleticism for agility and long speed limits his ceiling.
18. HB Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
PFF Big Board Rank: 211
Tuten is a speedy slasher who can succeed behind a zone-blocking scheme, boasting the movement skills to be productive between the tackles if his vision becomes more confident there. He must improve his pass protection and ball security to become a reliable rotational player.
19. HB Marcus Yarns, Delaware
PFF Big Board Rank: 213
Yarns is a small-school, small-frame backfield playmaker who wins with good long speed and impressive quickness. He can make defenders miss in a phone booth but won't provide much production after contact in the NFL. He is a Day 3 scatback type of player who brings some plus value in the receiving game.
20. HB Jordan James, Oregon
PFF Big Board Rank: 215
James' lack of top-end athletic traits and question marks on passing downs will likely prevent him from being a true lead back. However, his efficiency and back-to-back years of elite rushing production make him a strong rotational option at the next level.
21. HB Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
PFF Big Board Rank: 238
Brooks brings a cerebral mentality to rushing but, in doing so, lacks play speed and north-to-south urgency. He brings plus third-down abilities that will make him an NFL roster option, but he must work on putting his foot in the ground and getting up the field faster.
22. HB Raheim Sanders, South Carolina
PFF Big Board Rank: 240
Sanders has the size and production to be a three-down back, which he showcased with two SEC programs. Vision and tempo drive his game, showing up massively in short-yardage situations (79.5% conversion rate). His flaws with ball security and pass protection will hinder his ability to see the field if not fixed.
23. HB Corey Kiner, Cincinnati
PFF Big Board Rank: 242
Kiner's physical running style and ability to break tackles make him a strong early-down option in a committee backfield. His 82 missed tackles forced and 39 runs of 10-plus yards both ranked in the top 10 in the FBS last season, though his limited impact in the passing game caps his three-down potential.
24. HB Jo'Quavious Marks, USC
PFF Big Board Rank: 245
Marks' athletic ability makes him an intriguing Day 3 back. To truly stand out in the NFL, he must improve his yards above expectation by becoming more decisive when making defenders miss in space.
25. HB LeQuint Allen, Syracuse
PFF Big Board Rank: 247
Allen lacks the agility to project as a starting-caliber runner, but his receiving background, long arms, massive hands and willingness in pass protection make him a strong Day 3 candidate as a third-down specialist.
26. HB Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State
PFF Big Board Rank: 259
NFL teams will take a good, hard look at Gordon's scouting report due to his size and production from the 2023 season. But his 2024 tape lacked the violence, decisiveness and agility needed to succeed at the pro level. He will need to retool his approach as a big back to stand out in the league.
27. HB Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Arizona
PFF Big Board Rank: 262
Croskey-Merritt's path to the NFL has been long and winding, but now that he's in the mix, he brings an intriguing blend of burst and power. His upright running style and physicality make him a potential Day 3 depth option in a backfield rotation.
28. HB Montrell Johnson Jr., Florida
PFF Big Board Rank: 268
Johnson is a physical player with a consistent play style that aligns with what most NFL teams seek in a depth or practice squad running back — reliability and effort with some plus third-down attributes. He may never be a lead back, but he could serve as a dependable rotational player who provides a steady presence between the tackles.
29. HB Ja'Quinden Jackson, Arkansas
PFF Big Board Rank: 272
Jackson has ideal measurables but limited experience as a quarterback-turned-running back. He's worth a Day 3 flier, but he will likely need time to develop before coaches trust him with significant rotational volume.
30. HB Phil Mafah, Clemson
PFF Big Board Rank: 286
Mafah brings a power back profile to the table, with size that ranks above the 78th percentile in height, weight, and length among running backs. He's averaged over 3.2 yards after contact in each of the past four seasons, but his lack of top-tier agility, burst and long speed limits his upside. He projects best as a short-yardage or third-down option at the next level.
31. HB Lan Larison, UC Davis
PFF Big Board Rank: 299
Final scouting report coming soon!
32. HB Donovan Edwards, Michigan
PFF Big Board Rank: 329
Edwards broke off a number of huge runs during his Michigan career, but he struggled with his vision and tackle-breaking ability. In 2024, he averaged just 0.13 forced missed tackles per attempt, barely beating out his 2023 figure of 0.12. He also faltered in pass protection, posting a 29.8 PFF grade in the category last season. He has flashed some skills as a receiver, but in such a deep class, his best outcome may be as a priority free agent who can pick a team that will consider a switch to receiver for him.
33. HB Ulysses Bentley IV, Mississippi
PFF Big Board Rank: 352
Bentley is a sixth-year back whose production and efficiency dipped in 2024, as he averaged just 0.20 missed tackles forced per attempt. He's a solid all-around athlete but often lacks the creativity or standout traits to warrant a roster spot purely for a specialized role.
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