RUNNING BACK
TOP 5 QB VIDEO
1
Bryce Young
2
CJ Stroud
3
Hendon Hooker
4
Dorian Thompson-Robinson
5
Jaren Hall
1
Ashton Jeanty
RB | BOISE ST. | 5’9 | 215
Strengths: Jeanty runs with incredible contact-balance. He is a bowling ball running back who can dominate in the short game and also create big plays. Jeanty invites contact and defenders just naturally bounce off of him. He is a typical work-horse who gets better as the game goes on. Jeanty runs with a nice balance of patience and urgency. His 2024 season was ridiculously productive Weaknesses: There aren’t many glaring holes to his game, but his top-speed isn’t necessarily eye popping for someone with this much attention. Bottom Line: Jeanty is an immediate workhorse who can keep your team ahead of the chains.
Grade: Round 1
M. Jones-Drew
2
Omarion Hampton
RB | UNC | 6’0 | 220
Strengths: Hampton is a well-built running back with great size. He is a violent downhill threat who just bounces off defenders. Hampton is a tough runner who can wear guys down. He is a no nonsense back with sound fundamentals. Hampton stays balanced and smooth. Weaknesses: Hampton is not overly elusive or creative and lacks elite breakaway speed, but he's still at a solid level in both areas Bottom Line: Hampton can become a lead workhorse back who produces in meaningful games.
Grade: Round 2
Josh Jacobs
3
Devin Neal
RB | KANSAS | 5’11 | 215
Strengths: Neal is one of my personal favourites in the draft. He’s a super agile mover who is efficient in tight quarters. Neal has a unique rhythm to his game, constantly playing at different speeds to deceive defenders. Neal plays with vision and patience. He is super versatile and adds a ton of upside as a pass-catcher Weaknesses: Neal isn’t overly powerful and is not going to be a bruiser in the NFL Bottom Line: Neal’s game is perfect for the modern NFL. He can be a coveted piece in today’s game.
Grade: Round 2
Big Bucky Irving
4
Kaleb Johnson
RB | IOWA | 6’0 | 225
Strengths: Johnson is a patient runner who possesses impressive vision. He effectively waits for blocking to develop and hits the hole with urgency. Johnson is a smooth glider who uses his movements efficiently. He has good contact balance and fights for extra yardage. Johnson has a nice blend of size and athleticism, which will make him a versatile back at the next level Weaknesses: Johsnon is not overly speedy or elusive and can sometimes get too upright out of structure Bottom Line: If Johnson is drafted to an outside-zone scheme with a quality o-line, he could become a very productive back in the NFL.
Grade: Round 2
Arian Foster
5
TreVeyon Henderson
RB | OHIO STATE | 5’9 | 208
Strengths: Henderson is a compact back with a physical demeanour. He plays with a low centre of gravity and a sturdy base. Henderson can get skinny and win reps in traffic. He is smart, elusive, and plays with good patience and vision. He has big play ability and untapped potential in the pass game Weaknesses: Henderson is a little smaller than you’d like for someone with his play-style and has been plagued by consistent injuries Bottom Line: Henderson is a dependable and versatile back who can be a nice piece in the NFL
Grade: Round 2
N/A
6
Quinshon Judkins
RB | OHIO STATE | 6’0 | 219
Strengths: Judkins is a compact back who plays with a sense of violence to his game. He loves seeking out contact and lower his shoulder. Judkins is a missed tackle generator and naturally falls through defenders. He looks good in open space, picking up steam downhill Weaknesses: Judkins is not the most elusive or fast back. He sometimes gets caught in the backfield and needs to display more evading agility Bottom Line: Judkins projects to be a high-end complimentary back, with potential to develop into something fun.
Grade: Round 3
N/A
7
DJ Giddens
RB | KANSAS ST. | 6’1 | 212
Strengths: Giddens is a naturally imposing and physical back with great size. He’s truly impressive between the tackles. Giddens slips off defenders and really understands how to navigate traffic. He plays with good patience and vision, and is able to create separation with lateral agility. Giddens also provides added value as a pass-catcher Weaknesses: Giddens runs with a more upright style, and I’d like to see him maintain better pad level. Sometimes he is prone to getting caught in the backfield Bottom Line: Giddens’ blend of size, agility, and vision will position him as a potential workhorse at the next level
Grade: Round 3
N/A
8
Cam Skattebo
RB | ASU | 5’11 | 215
Strengths: Skattebo is a versatile back who had a tremendously productive season. He plays with a very low centre of gravity and really excels in traffic. Skattebo plays with patience and vision, constantly waiting for blocks to develop. He seeks out contact and truly enjoys punishing defenders. Skattebo has impressive contact balance, remaining upright even when knocked through traffic Weaknesses: Skattebo has an unconventional bowling ball build and doesn’t have homerun speed Bottom Line: Skattebo is a natural football player who should be able to find a valuable role at the next level.
Grade: Round 3
N/A
9
Dylan Sampson
RB | TENNESSEE | 5'11 | 201
Strengths: Sampson is a well-rounded and instinctual back. He plays with a ton of patience and vision, always waiting for the gap to develop. Sampson can get skinny in traffic and stays low with a sturdy base. He is a high effort player who can slip off tacklers and utilize his top speed Weaknesses: Sampson is a little undersized and isn’t very imposing between the tackles. He’ll need to improve ball security at the next level Bottom Line: Sampson is a smart, fast, productive, and dependable back who makes good decisions. He should be a nice compliment in the NFL.
Grade: Round 4
N/A
10
RJ Harvey
RB | UCF | 5’9 | 208
Strengths: Harvey is a quick and elusive back who can create a ton of separation. He has impressive short-area burst and is really good when taking it to the outside. Harvey is a patient runner who plays with vision and creativity. Weaknesses: Harvey is definitely undersized as a between the tackles NFL back. Sometimes his creativity can work against him, getting caught behind the LOS Bottom Line: Harvey has the skillset to be a solid complimentary/rotational back.
Grade: Round 4
N/A
11
Ollie Gordon II
RB | OKLAHOMA ST. | 6’2 | 225
Strengths: With his combination of age, size, and production, Gordon II is an enticing prospect. He has a very large build that stands out on the field. When Gordon finds open space, defenders bounce off of him. Weaknesses: Gordon is an upright runner who lacks later agility and true explosiveness. In tighter quarters, he looks lethargic and slow Bottom Line: Gordon’s frame, age, and production make him a high upside pick. He’ll need become more agile if he wants to be a featured workhorse.
Grade: Round 4
Braelon Allen
12
Raheim Sanders
RB | SOUTH CAR. | 6’0 | 230
Strengths: Sanders is a big back who plays with a physical demeanour. He has excellent size and knows how to use it. Tacklers naturally slip off of him in open space. Sanders knows how to navigate through traffic and does a good job at staying patient behind the LOS. He adds value as an occasional pass-catcher too Weaknesses: Sanders has some mileage on him and has battled through injuries. He’s not overly elusive or athletic, although adequate in those areas Bottom Line: Sanders has the tools and technique to become a solid rotational back who can provide some versatility
Grade: Round 4
N/A
13
Damien Martinez
RB | AUBURN | 5’10 | 209
Strengths: Martinez is a big and physical back. It’s evident on tape that he plays with a unique patience, allowing blocks to develop, and immediately attacking the hole. He’s got a bruising frame and can really punish people downhill. Martinez has solid contact balance and agility for his size Weaknesses: He lacks true speed, and may struggle getting out to the edge or generating big plays. Additionally, Martinez won’t provide much versatility Bottom Line: Martinez has the size and agility to be an early-down back, capable of producing in short-yardage situations and the red zone.
Grade: Round 4
James Conner
14
Brashard Smith
RB | SMU | 5’10 | 196
Strengths: Smith is a quick and explosive back who plays with jitterbug athleticism. He adds value as a pass-catcher who works very well in open space. Smith has good acceleration and short-area burst. Tacklers just naturally slip off of him, and he’s really able to navigate traffic well Weaknesses: Smith is an undersized back who will need to add some mass in the NFL. Although to his credit, he seeks out contact and delivers blows Bottom Line: Smith has the athleticism and playmaking tools to be a fun complimentary back in the NFL.
Grade: Round 5
N/A
15
Bhayshul Tuten
RB | VIRGINIA TECH | 5’11 | 205
Strengths: Tuten is a small and compact back who plays with a good low centre of gravity. He shows good contact balance and plays with effective vision and elusiveness. Tuten has been very productive over his college career. He has great on-paper speed, but I'd like to see him utilize it a bit more Weaknesses: Tuten is a little undersized and is not physically imposing. His frame and play style will serve more as a compliment Bottom Line: Tuten has the vision and contact balance to be a rotational change of pace back
Grade: Round 5
N/A
16
Jordan James
RB | OREGON | 5’10 | 210
Strengths: James is a dense and reliable back. He’s a very good processor with impressive vision. James is patient, decisive, and runs with urgency. He is solid burst and quickness and an additional ability to consistently break tackles Weaknesses: James is not overly large and lacks true breakaway speed Bottom Line: James has the reliable skillset to be a productive complimentary back.
Grade: Round 5
N/A
17
Woody Marks
RB | USC | 5’10 | 208
Strengths: Marks is a well proportioned back with likeable traits. He shows good agility and lateral quickness. Marks has clear burst on film and he’s able to kick into another gear in open space. Marks adds additional value as a pass-catcher, making him a versatile piece Weaknesses: Marks is undersized at the position and does not run with a physical demeanour. Before 2024, his production was modest Bottom Line: Marks has the skillset to become a nice change of pace back
Grade: Round 5
N/A
18
Donovan Edwards
RB | MICHIGAN | 6’1 | 212
Strengths: Edwards is a balanced RB with nicely distributed and athletic frame. He’s an efficient mover with good speed and athleticism. Edwards can add value as a pass-catcher and take on manufactured touches. He shows good footwork and agility Weaknesses: Edwards was never able to produce to expectation at Michigan. He needs to improve his vision and also seems to shy away from contact at times Bottom Line: Edwards has the tools to become a rotational back in the NFL
Grade: Round 6
N/A
19
Kalel Mullings
RB | MICHIGAN | 6’2 | 233
Strengths: Mullings is a big and physical back. He plays with a willingness to invite contact and thrives in traffic. Mullings does a good job at navigating through contact and he’ll be an asset in the red zone Weaknesses: Mullings is not overly fast or elusive, and is more of a straight-line power runner Bottom Line: Mullings can be an effective early-down back with rotational value
Grade: Round 6
N/A
20
Kyle Monangai
RB | RUTGERS | 5’9 | 209
Strengths: Monangai is an explosive and quick back. He’s able to effectively navigate traffic, utilizing his elusiveness. For a smaller back, I appreciate Monangai’s willingness to seek out contact. He has good vision and is able to generate big plays in open-space Weaknesses: Monangai is definitely a smaller back and may struggle to survive NFL attrition. Also, for his profile, I wish he was more advanced as a pass-catcher Bottom Line: Monangai could provide a fun change of pace option—similar to a Keaton Mitchell.
Grade: Round 6
N/A
21
Jarquez Hunter
RB | AUBURN | 5’10 | 209
Strengths: Hunter is a compact and grounded back who plays with a good pad-level. He had consistent improvement in his production, leading to a breakout 2024 campaign. Hunter is on the smaller side, but has a well-built frame. He shows good elusiveness and breakaway speed to hit home runs. While not there yet, Hunter shows the tools and upside to contribute as a pass-catcher Weaknesses: Hunter is not overly big and doesn’t play with too much of a physical element Bottom Line: He has the skills and mobility to be a rotational change of pace back