2025 Pre-Draft Rookie Running Back Rankings

By Matthew Hill

If you have been or are planning on taking part in an early best ball draft, be careful
when building your running back corps; running back depth charts are fragile. The 2025 running
back class is as deep as it is talented. Starters will be replaced, committees will have new lead
backs, elite handcuffs will be established, and several potential bell-cows will emerge…and with
that, many veteran-RB heavy best ball teams will be dead before the season begins.
On the flip side, rookie running back ADP remains soft, including some players who are
projected to go in the first and second rounds of the NFL Draft, all but ensuring significant
touches from the start. Targeting rookie runners at value, before the inevitable post-draft ADP
spikes that happen every year once landing spots are known, presents an opportunity for
fantasy gamers willing to take a chance on talented players producing before knowing landing
spots and draft capital.

My initial running back rankings are based on a combination of skill set, college
production, combined metrics, and film. Rankings will change upon learning two of the most
important factors in creating redraft and dynasty projections—draft capital and landing spots.
For now, the rankings reflect what order I will be targeting players in pre-NFL Draft best ball
leagues.

In order of rank:

Ashton Jeanty is the definition of a “safe,” pre-draft rookie selection. He is an NFL-Draft,
first-round lock, that could be selected within the first ten picks. He should step into a
three-down role and it would not be surprising to see him finish the season near the top
of the total touch leaderboard. Jeanty is the consensus 1.01 of both single and super flex
rookie drafts, and worthy of a pick near the last first/early second of best ball.

Like Ashton Jeanty, expected first-round draft capital, combined with elite athleticism
and top-tier college production, makes Omarion Hampton a safe, early best ball
selection. Unlike Ashton Jeanty, you will not need to invest a late first/early second to
secure him. Hampton, who ran a 4.46 at 6’, 220 pounds, and has been compared to
players such as Joe Mixon, Jonathan Taylor, and Matt Forte, is readily available in the
late fourth/early fifth round of early best ball drafts.

Quinshon Judkins and TreyVeyon Henderson are in a tier of their own, slightly behind
Hampton, but ahead of the next group of running backs. The Ohio State backfield mates
both profile at worst as a lead back in a committee, with Henderson being the more
accomplished receiver and big play threat, who is frequently comped to Aaron Jones,
while Judkins combines bell-cow size (6’0” 219), speed (4.48) and serviceable receiving
ability. I have Judkins slightly ahead of Henderson, as someone who could end up with
more total touches, but both backs are fine selections in the sixth/seventh rounds.

Kaleb Johnson, one of college football’s most productive backs in 2024, has been
discounted by some based on his “only” running a 4.57 40 at 6’1”, 224 pounds. Do not
let him slide down your rankings based on a quality, albeit not spectacular 40 time.
Johnson has every-down back size, production, rushing ability, and one of the most
impressive tapes of any back in the class.

If Kaleb Johnson is sliding down some boards based on his combine, Bhayshul Tuten has
been on the mirror opposite post-combine trajectory after turning in a4.32 40 at 5’9”,
206 pounds. Tuten is not just a workout warrior as evident by his 2,342 total yards and
29 touchdowns for Virginia Tech the past two seasons.

Damien Martinez has been frequently labeled “bruiser back,” but don’t let that
description lead you to believe that he is nothing more than a big, powerful, goal line option. While Martinez is big, powerful and “runs angry,” he is yet another running back
who put on a show at the combine, running a 4.51 40, with a 35” vertical, and 10’4”
broad jump at 6’1” 217 pounds.

Devin Neal finished his Kansas career with over 5,000 total yards (5,054), 77 receptions,
and 53 touchdowns. The 5’11” 213 complete back comps well with David Montgomery,
someone who may not excel in any one area, but who does not have a noticeable flaw
in his game either.

RJ Harvey is being largely overlooked in what appears to be a generational running back
class, but make no mistake about it, Harvey is a remarkable athlete (5’8” 205, 4.40 40,
38” vertical, 10’7” broad jump) who displays exceptional patience and burst as a runner,
who should step into an immediate role. Concerns about his age (24) may cause him to
slide in dynasty rookie drafts, but should not affect his ability to produce as a rookie.

Ollie Gordon is one of the more polarizing running backs in this class after running for a
disappointing 880 yards in 2024 coming off of a dominant 1732-yard 2023 season. A
view of Gordon’s tape shows a powerful, bruising back that is active in the passing game
and plays faster than his 4.61 40 time (at 221 pounds).

Dylan Sampson currently ranks as my 11 th back, which speaks volumes about the
ridiculous depth of this class. Sampson took a massive leap 2024, going from 604 yards
rushing in 2023 to 1491 on the ground last season. Sampson did not run at the combine,
but is expected to run around the 4.4 range at his pro day. His 5’8” 200-pound frame
gives me concern about his ability to be an every-down back.

Cam Skattebo was one of 2024’s true workhorse backs, amassing 2,320 total yards with
24 touchdowns. Skattebo was relied heavily upon in the Arizona State passing game,
securing 45 receptions for 605 yards, an average of 13.4 yards-per-reception. Despite
the elite college production, there are concerns about his high end spend and if his
overall athleticism will translate to the NFL. Questions about his speed will be answered
at his pro day, as he did not run the 40 at the combine, but for now, he is my #12
running back.

The remaining top-twenty running backs each possess at least one strong trait, with many
that would be considered a top-ten back in a class that was not as deep as this one. While the
primary focus of this article is early best ball, the number of backs seemingly poised to step into a fantasy-relevant role illustrates just how valuable second-round picks will be in rookie drafts.
While most dynasty gamers are reluctant to move their first-rounders, seconds are not always
valued as highly as they should be and it would be advantageous to try and work out trades for
seconds before they rise in value post-NFL Draft.