The NFL spent the last decade trying to convince us that running backs don't matter. They called it a "devalued" position. They let superstars walk over a couple million bucks. But if you've been watching college ball lately, you know something big is shifting. The rb draft class 2025 isn't just another group of guys; it's a massive, talent-heavy wave that's going to force GMs to rethink their entire roster-building strategy.
It feels different this time.
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Honestly, the 2024 class was a bit of a snoozer for backfield enthusiasts. Jonathon Brooks was the first one off the board, and he didn't even go in the first round. But 2025? This is a completely different animal. We are looking at a group headlined by legitimate blue-chip prospects who don't just "hit the hole"—they destroy defensive game plans.
Ashton Jeanty and the Return of the Workhorse
If you haven't seen Ashton Jeanty play for Boise State, you're missing out on a human wrecking ball. He’s the crown jewel of the rb draft class 2025. People keep trying to find a flaw in his game, but it's tough. He has this low center of gravity that makes him nearly impossible to bring down on the first contact.
He’s thick. He’s fast. He catches the ball like a wideout.
Scouts are already drawing comparisons to guys like Maurice Jones-Drew or even a more explosive version of Doug Martin. What makes Jeanty the focal point of the rb draft class 2025 is his efficiency. He doesn't need 30 carries to hurt you, though he can certainly handle them. He creates yards where there are none. In a league that has become obsessed with "light boxes" and nickel defenses, a guy like Jeanty is a literal nightmare because he forces teams to put linebackers back on the field.
Then you have the sheer production. It's not just "good for the Mountain West." It’s historic. When you look at his forced missed tackle rate, it’s hovering in a stratosphere we haven't seen since Bijan Robinson or Saquon Barkley were coming out.
The Transfer Portal Powerhouses
The landscape of college football changed, and the rb draft class 2025 reflects that perfectly. Look at Quinshon Judkins. He was a god at Ole Miss, then moved to Ohio State to share a backfield with TreVeyon Henderson.
That move was smart.
It saved his legs.
Judkins is a pure power back with underrated agility. He’s the kind of runner who finishes every single play by falling forward. If you're an NFL team looking for a "closer"—a guy who can salt away a game in the four minute drill—Judkins is your man. He has that rare ability to see a gap before it actually opens, a sort of spatial awareness that you just can't coach.
But we can't talk about Ohio State without mentioning Henderson. He’s the lightning to Judkins' thunder. TreVeyon Henderson has been on the NFL radar since he was a freshman, and while injuries have nagged him at times, his ceiling is still remarkably high. He’s a home-run hitter. Give him a crease and he's gone.
Why the "Devaluation" Argument is Dying
NFL teams are starting to realize that while you can find "productive" backs in the fifth round, you can't find special ones there. The rb draft class 2025 is loaded with special.
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Think about the way the Detroit Lions used Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. That dual-threat approach is the new blueprint. Teams are no longer looking for one guy to carry the ball 350 times. They want a diverse stable of athletes who can stress a defense in different ways.
Ollie Gordon II from Oklahoma State is another name that keeps popping up. He’s a giant. At 6'2" and over 220 pounds, he looks more like a modern linebacker than a tailback, yet he moves with the fluidity of a much smaller man. His 2023 season was legendary, winning the Doak Walker Award. Even when defenses know he’s getting the ball, they can’t stop him. That’s the definition of an NFL-ready prospect.
Hidden Gems and Vertical Threats
Beyond the big names, the rb draft class 2025 has incredible depth. You have guys like Omarion Hampton from North Carolina. He’s a physical marvel who quietly put up massive numbers while the rest of the country was focused on flashy quarterbacks.
Hampton is a "pro’s pro."
He blocks.
He catches.
He runs with a violence that makes defensive backs second-guess their career choices.
And then there's the speed element. There are several backs in this class who are expected to flirt with the 4.3s at the Combine. This isn't just a "power" class; it's a track meet. The diversity of skill sets means that whether a team runs a zone-blocking scheme or a gap-heavy power system, they’ll find a fit in this draft.
The Medical Question Marks
It wouldn't be a draft discussion without talking about the risks. Running back is the most punishing position in sports. Scouts are looking closely at "tread on the tire."
- Ashton Jeanty: High volume, but high efficiency. Can he sustain the hits?
- TreVeyon Henderson: History of foot and lower-body injuries. Is he "brittle" or just unlucky?
- Quinshon Judkins: Heavy workload early in his career. Did the move to Ohio State save his NFL longevity?
These are the conversations happening in war rooms right now. A player's "injury history" is often just a fancy way of saying "luck," but GMs are paid to be paranoid.
How the 2025 Class Shifts the First Round
For a few years, it was almost taboo to take a running back in the first round. "Positional value" became the buzzword that killed the RB star. But look at what’s happened recently. The teams that invested high capital—the Falcons with Bijan, the Lions with Gibbs—saw immediate, transformative results.
The rb draft class 2025 might actually see two or three backs go in the first 32 picks.
Jeanty is almost a lock if he stays healthy. Gordon and Judkins have a very real shot depending on how the board falls. When a talent is so much better than the "replacement level" player available in free agency, you take the talent. Period.
You also have to consider the contract stuff. A first-round running back gives a team a fifth-year option. That means you get the absolute prime years of a back's career on a controlled cost before they hit that dreaded "age 30 wall." It’s actually a very smart business move, despite what the analytics Twitter accounts might tell you.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Dynasty Managers
If you're a fan of a team with a struggling run game—looking at you, Cowboys or Browns—this is the year to be excited. The talent isn't just at the top; it's everywhere.
Watch the "All-28" Tape
Don't just watch highlights. Look at how these backs behave when the play breaks down. Do they dance in the backfield or do they put their head down and get two yards? In the NFL, "making something out of nothing" is the difference between a starter and a backup.
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Keep an eye on the Combine
For the rb draft class 2025, the 10-yard split is going to be more important than the 40-yard dash. NFL games are won in short bursts. If a guy like Omarion Hampton or Ollie Gordon shows elite burst in the first ten yards, their stock will skyrocket.
Don't ignore the receivers
The modern NFL requires backs to be part of the passing game. If a back can't pass protect or catch a swing pass, they’re a two-down player. Two-down players don't get drafted in the first round anymore. Check the targets. Who is being used on third downs? That's your future NFL star.
The hype is real. The talent is undeniable. The rb draft class 2025 is about to remind everyone why the running game is the soul of football. We've spent years acting like the position was dead, but these kids are about to bring it back to life with a vengeance.
Stop listening to the "RB don't matter" crowd. Start watching the tape.
Next Steps for Evaluation:
- Monitor the Injury Reports: Check the final health status of Henderson and Gordon as they approach the pre-draft process.
- Analyze the Schemes: Look at which college offenses most closely mimic the heavy-zone or duo-blocking schemes of NFL teams like the 49ers or Rams to find the best pro fits.
- Check the Weigh-In: Pay close attention to the official weights at the Senior Bowl or Combine; "playing weight" versus "testing weight" is a massive indicator of NFL durability.