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Dynasty Rookie RB Rankings 2025 (Running Back)

Updated on 2:35pm UTC 4/29/25

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Detailed View

Player
1Ashton Jeanty RB LVR1.011021.4237.87011170214692
Jeanty went from a 1,900 total yard sophomore season to a 2,700 total yard junior season. He boasts elite contact balance, burst, and receiving ability. Jeanty’s landing spot in Vegas should support some massive workloads over the next few seasons.
2Omarion Hampton RB LAC1.02522.1173.9502790134348
Hampton has carried the North Carolina offense for two years (including when Drake Maye was the QB). The former four-star recruit tallied two straight years of 1,500+ rushing yards and 15 TDs, and he brings solid receiving potential. A shifty runner who can hit the home run, Hampton showed his athleticism by crushing the Combine with a 4.48 40-yard dash and a 38" vertical. He landed in a dreamy long-term spot with HC Jim Harbaugh and the... Show More »
3Quinshon Judkins RB CLE1.061021.5175.6456720124141
Judkins has a chance to become a three-down back for the Browns immediately as a rookie. Though Jerome Ford will still have a role, the early second-round draft capital makes Judkins intriguing. Judkins answered questions about his athleticism with a 4.48 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and tied for second among RBs with a 1.52 10-yard split.
4TreVeyon Henderson RB NE1.051422.5162.2438702119837
Henderson was highly recruited and is insanely explosive when given space. He also shows elite receiving ability but doesn't break through contact. Henderson may be more of a third-down receiving back in the NFL. He ran as expected at the Combine with a 4.43 40-yard dash and tied for second among RBs with a 1.52 10-yard split. 
5Kaleb Johnson RB PIT1.09921.7156.239364298729
Johnson fits the Steelers as a hard nosed between the tackles runner with great contact balance and power. He should immediately fill the Najee Harris role and split with Jaylen Warren. If Johnson shows three-down ability, he could become the lead back as a rookie.
6RJ Harvey RB DEN1.111424.3156.438457976324
Harvey was a surprise second round pick, but two straight years of 1,400 rushing yards and good receiving skills could make him the “Alvin Kamara” of Sean Payton’s offense. He likely won’t immediately be a three-down back, but there is long term upside to get there for a Broncos team that likes to run.
7Bhayshul Tuten RB JAC2.091223.285.731249588716
Tuten carried the Virginia Tech offense for two years after transferring from North Carolina A&T. He has excellent speed and vision, and is also a top-notch returner. Though Tuten's short area quickness leaves a lot to be desired, he flashed receiving upside as a sophomore. He posted elite numbers at the NFL Combine as the fastest RB in the 40-yard dash, running a 4.32. He also had the best Vertical (40.5"). Tuten has clear upside in a loaded RB... Show More »
8Cameron “Cam” Skattebo RB NYG2.051123.2130.628344980514
Skattebo will get plenty of hype as a hard-nosed runner with 1,711 rushing yards this season. Arizona State utilized him in the passing game plenty, but he doesn’t present top-notch athleticism. Skattebo did show his explosion at the NFL Combine with a 39.5" vertical. Day 2 draft capital is in play here.
9Dylan Sampson RB CLE2.101020.676.32394188039
Sampson is a bit light in the pants, but he moves so fluidly, making him tough to bring down. He had six straight 100+ yard rushing games this past season for Tennessee. Being paired on the Browns with RB Quinshon Judkins makes Samspon an intriguing third down and pass catching back.
10DJ Giddens RB IND3.081421.749.32724277298
Giddens had two straight 1,000 yard rushing season for Kansas State showing power and quickness as the lead back after Deuce Vaughn. He may not quite have the full range of NFL athleticism, but could be a solid contributor. He could work his way into being the back-up RB for the Colts.
11Trevor Etienne RB CAR3.111120.856.62453856585
Etienne showed some flashes at Florida of being a potential lead back in the NFL, but fell second fiddle to a true freshman after transferring at Georgia. Like his brother Travis, Trevor has pass catching ability that should be utilized in the pros, but he may be more third down back than starter in a committee.
12Jarquez Hunter RB LAR4.03622.441.32383826814
Hunter made a name for himself dominating Alabama as a sophomore, but saved his best season for his senior year this past year. With 1,201 yards rushing and another 155 through the air, he is an intriguing two-way player with a strong lower body to work in traffic. Could be a role player in the NFL if given the opportunity.
13Devin Neal RB NO2.121221.744.12413796484
Neal broke out as a true freshman on a terrible Kansas team, rushing for 707 yards and eight TDs. Since then he has had three straight 1,000 yard seasons including 1,266 and 16 TDs in 2024. He also caught at least 20 passes in each of those three seasons. He could find some snaps on a Saints team that has been desperate for a RB to pair with Alvin Kamara.
14Jordan James RB SF4.02921.147.82213485932
James is a young and explosive runner who is an ideal zone scheme fit. He had 1,267 yards rushing for Oregon this season in a split backfield. One-cut runner with great vision and deep speed. He joins a 49ers team that fits his talents in terms of scheme, but will likely be buried on the depth chart for awhile.
15Ollie Gordon II RB MIA3.06621.340.82193445891
A tale of two years. Gordon had over 2,000 total yards as a sophomore flashing great change of direction and vision. He was dangerous in space and used as a receiver in the flat. In his junior season, Gordon couldn’t seem to find any running room and tried to go for the big play too often. His Combine was mediocre running a 4.61 40-yard dash with pedestrian numbers across the board. Gordon could revert back to being a stud, but also has tons of... Show More »
16Jaydon Blue RB DAL3.04721.3671923236000
Blue was expected to be the next big Texas RB after Sophomore CJ Baxter went down with an injury. However, struggles with his vision early in 2024 led to a pass-catching role for the former four-star recruit. Blue ran a 4.38 at the NFL Combine despite nursing a torn muscle in his groin. His 4.25 Pro Day time may be more accurate to his actual speed. As the first RB drafted by the Cowboys, Blue has a golden opportunity to seize playing time next... Show More »
17Brashard Smith RB KC5.01622.141204329590-1
Similar to Tyrone Tracy, Brashard Smith spent most of his collegiate career as a WR. After transferring to SMU from Miami, Smith changed positions to RB and was the central part of their offensive success. Lining up both wide and in the backfield, he is an intriguing weapon with great short area quickness and ability. He is a true sleeper in this deep RB class.
18Jo'Quavious “Woody” Marks RB HOU4.071424.462.4198307532-1
Marks is the perfect receiving back in the NFL with over 1,400 career receiving yards from the RB position. He is an average athlete, but ran a ton of routes at both Mississippi State and USC. Good fundamentals with great effort makes Marks an interesting late round pick in the NFL and a potential PPR contributor.
19Tahj Brooks RB CIN6.101223.044.5196312554-2
Two straight 1,500-yard rushing seasons with double-digit TDs marks Brooks’ success at Texas Tech. His shifty feet lead to very few hard hits, and Brooks can certainly hit the homerun. Outside of missing one game in 2024 with an arm injury, Brooks has been healthy despite being a bellcow with 576 carries over the past two seasons. Though the downfield passing offense rarely targeted him as a receiver, that may be Brooks’ best role in the NFL.
20Damien Martinez RB SEA3.101021.325.1186292500-4
Martinez transferred from Oregon State to Miami and had a solid year for the Hurricanes. He had 1,002 rushing yards and 10 TDs. Martinez also added another 204 yards through the air. A tough, balanced runner, Martinez could develop into having a lead role in the NFL. Though he won’t be a dynamic pass catcher, he adds to a great class.

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