The Running Back position is BACK! The 2024 football season was the RETURN OF THE BACK in a big way!! Ashton Jeanty ran past everyone in college for over 2600 yards and Saquon Barkley put the Eagles on his back and literally ran them to a Lombardy trophy. The 2025 NFL Draft boasts a rich class of running back prospects, each bringing unique talents to the field. In an era where back-by-committee is the norm, this crop of promising runners look like it may have a few bell-cow backs amongst its ranks. Here’s an in-depth look at my top five running backs, highlighting their strengths, weaknesses, NFL player comparisons, and potential team fits. Lets get into it!
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Strengths:
Jeanty is celebrated for his exceptional contact balance and compact frame, making him extremely difficult to tackle for defenders. Willing blocker in pass protection as well as a back that can make a defense pay catching the ball out of the backfield. His 2024 season was historic, amassing 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, showcasing his ability to handle a significant workload. 
Weaknesses:
While Jeanty possesses remarkable power and balance, there are questions about his top-end speed and ability to break away from NFL-caliber defenders. Additionally, the heavy collegiate workload raises concerns about potential wear and tear.
Player Comparison:
DeAngelo Williams. Former 1st rounder of the Carolina Panthers. Long speed with tremendous contact balance was a staple for DeAngelo as well as with Jeanty 
Potential Team Fits:
Dallas Cowboys. Having gone to high school in the Lone Star State, Jeanty would immediately be a fan favorite for the Cowboys. He would be a boost to a running game that ranked 27th (100.3 Rush YPG) during the 2024 season. Developing a run game like they had when Zeke was in his prime would be the best way to play football and protect Dak Prescott.
2. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Strengths:
Johnson combines size and speed, standing at 6-foot and weighing 225 pounds. Tremendous vision and patience allow him to navigate through defenses effectively, as evidenced by his 1,537 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024. Outside zone runner who is decisive and explosive into the second level. Little to no hips allows for him to break more tackles than most. Extremely slippery for a bigger back. 
Weaknesses:
A narrow base when running doesn't give way to good contact balance. Kaleb is good between the tackles but when he opens up and runs there are some contact balance issues because of his running base. Will have a tendency to use speed to the outside and bounce a play if there is quick penetration. Willing pass protector but technique could use some work. Will lose leverage on counter rush move.
Player Comparison:
Steven Ridley. Disciplined zone runner with great vision. Kaleb is a little faster than Steven was and Ridley ran with more physicality between the tackles. 
Potential Team Fits:
Denver Broncos. Head coach and offensive guru, Sean Payton, would welcome the speed that would be injected into that backfield in Denver. Starter Javonte Williams started his career in a promising way a few years ago but injuries have limited his impact. The team drafted Audric Estime out of Notre Dame last season. Speed is the need in Denver's backfield .
3. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Strengths:
Hampton is a powerful runner with a sturdy and thick lower body build, making him a difficult tackle for opposing defenders. His 2024 performance, with 1,660 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, shows he can be a bell-cow running back! With amazing contact balance, Omarion is a gap scheme runner and possesses second level eyes, meaning he can feel the bodies at the line of scrimmage while reading and setting up the second level. The kid also runs well behind pads and has ability to deal with quick penetration into the backfield.
Weaknesses:
Hampton’s game lacks the elite second level speed needed in the pro game that keeps opposing defenses up at night. His college stats say he had only 73 receptions in 3 years at North Carolina, which may talk NFL offensive coordinators from featuring Hampton in the passing game. I do believe because this kid is a tough tackle for a defender, the screen game could be huge for him.
Player Comparison:
David Montgomery. A little taller than Montgomery but Hampton possesses the eyes, power and toughness to be the heartbeat of an offense just like David Montgomery is for the Detroit Lions. 
Potential Team Fits:
New York Giants.
4. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Strengths:
Henderson is known for his explosive speed and ability to break big plays. This kid goes from 0-100 REAL QUICK! In 2024, he averaged 7.1 yards per carry, totaling 1,016 rush yards and 10 touchdowns, highlighting his efficiency and home-run threat capability. Also one of college football's best screen runners with tremendous timing and spacing to his blockers, Henderson can be featured in the passing game.
Weaknesses:
Injuries have plagued Henderson’s collegiate career, raising concerns about his durability. Additionally, he has to get better in pass protection. A catcher of bodies won't cut it in the NFL.
Player Comparison:
Jahmyr Gibbs. The speed and explosion jumps off the tape for both Gibbs and Henderson. The fear that Gibbs puts in defenders heart can also be said about Henderson's opponents. Not sure if Henderson can handle the workload of a lead, bell-cow back, but a 1B in a backfield could work with Henderson and another runner. 
Potential Team Fits:
The Las Vegas Raiders. New Head Coach Pete Carroll loves "special" guys and Henderson with that speed is exactly that! Also offensive coordinator, Chip Kelly, knows how to use a guy like Henderson since he was TreVeyon's offensive coordinator at Ohio State last season en route to a national championship.
5. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Strengths:
Judkins has an aggressive running style often initiating contact with defenders as he would rather run through you than around you. His exceptional contact balance allows him to break a lot of tackles in the box, between the tackles. Has tremendous vision in small spaces as he seems to always find an entry to the line of scrimmage. Even when there isn't one. His short area quickness and acceleration is his secret sauce. 
Weaknesses:
Quinshon does have limited top end speed that could make it difficult to separate from second level defenders in the NFL. The passing game limits his effectiveness as he still needs work on pass protection and he wasn't used much as a receiver in college. 
Player Comparison:
Knowshon Moreno. Both Moreno and Judkins are physical runners but its the short area quickness and always looking for contact component of their game that is special. Tremendous knee lift on contact is also a characteristic of both. 
Potential Team Fits:
Pittsburgh Steelers. With former 1st round pick, Najee Harris, not getting the 5th year option picked up, it looks like the Steelers will be in need for a younger more explosive lead back. Quinshon Judkins could be that early down back that keeps that offense on schedule while developing into a 3 down runner.
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