This yr’s NFL draft is loaded with gifted working backs, and the 2025 rookie RB rankings are certain to be hotly contested. With so many nice prospects to select from, it may be tough to know who to draft. That is why we have put collectively a complete information to the highest working backs within the 2025 NFL Draft. On this article, we’ll offer you detailed scouting stories on every participant, in addition to our projections for his or her NFL success.
Some of the vital issues to contemplate when rating working backs is their athleticism. In any case, working backs want to have the ability to run, reduce, and bounce with the intention to be efficient. On this yr’s draft, there are a number of working backs who possess elite athleticism. These gamers embody Bijan Robinson from Texas, Evan Hull from Northwestern, and Zach Charbonnet from UCLA. All three of those gamers have the velocity, agility, and energy to achieve success within the NFL. Nonetheless, you will need to notice that athleticism is just not the one issue that determines a working again’s success. Different elements, comparable to imaginative and prescient, ball safety, and pass-catching capability, are additionally vital.
Along with athleticism, one other vital issue to contemplate when rating working backs is their manufacturing. In any case, working backs are paid to attain touchdowns and acquire yards. On this yr’s draft, there are a number of working backs who’ve put up spectacular manufacturing numbers. These gamers embody Blake Corum from Michigan, Deuce Vaughn from Kansas State, and Sean Tucker from Syracuse. All three of those gamers have rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored a number of touchdowns this season. Nonetheless, you will need to notice that manufacturing is just not at all times a dependable indicator of future success. Some working backs who put up large numbers in faculty battle to supply within the NFL. That is why you will need to contemplate different elements, comparable to athleticism and intangibles, when rating working backs.
Rising Stars: Prime Rookies to Watch
| Rank | Title | Yr | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bijan Robinson | 2023 | Texas |
| 2 | Richard Reese | 2023 | Baylor |
| 3 | Jerrick Gibson | 2023 | UCF |
| 4 | Adam Randall | 2023 | Clemson |
| 5 | Kyle Porter | 2023 | UCF |
Bijan Robinson
A rising star within the working again class of 2025 is Bijan Robinson from the College of Texas. Robinson, a real freshman, has rapidly turn out to be probably the most talked-about gamers in faculty soccer. In his first yr, he rushed for over 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns, whereas additionally catching 26 passes for over 250 yards. Robinson has a singular mixture of dimension, velocity, and energy, making him a tough matchup for opposing defenses. He’s a risk to run the ball inside and out of doors, and he’s additionally an efficient pass-catcher out of the backfield.
Robinson is at the moment thought-about to be the highest working again prospect within the 2025 NFL Draft, and he’s anticipated to be a first-round decide.
Elite Prospects: The Cream of the Crop
Within the realm of rookie working backs, a choose few stand head and shoulders above the remaining, showcasing an distinctive mix of bodily attributes, technical prowess, and game-changing potential. These elite prospects are destined to make a direct influence within the NFL, leaving their mark on the sport proper from the get-go.
One such participant who has the potential to redefine the place is TreVeyon Henderson. The Ohio State standout possesses an uncanny mixture of velocity, energy, and agility, making him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Henderson’s acceleration is off the charts, permitting him to burst via holes and go away defenders in his wake. His energy is clear in his capability to interrupt tackles and drive via contact, whereas his agility and elusiveness make him unimaginable to pin down. Henderson is a real game-changer who can single-handedly alter the momentum of a sport.
| Participant | School | Peak | Weight | 40-Yard Sprint |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TreVeyon Henderson | Ohio State | 5’9″ | 195 lbs | 4.35 seconds |
Henderson’s statistics throughout his time with the Buckeyes communicate volumes about his potential. In his true freshman season, he rushed for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns, incomes the Massive Ten Freshman of the Yr award. His sophomore season was reduce brief resulting from harm, however he nonetheless managed to hurry for 577 yards and 6 touchdowns in simply six video games. Henderson’s mixture of expertise and manufacturing make him the undisputed primary prospect within the 2025 rookie working again class.
Late Bloomers: Underneath-the-Radar Gems
Within the realm of rookie working backs, there are sometimes hidden abilities that emerge later of their collegiate careers. These “late bloomers” might not have obtained the identical hype as their early-entry counterparts, however they possess the potential to turn out to be worthwhile belongings on the NFL degree. Listed below are just a few under-the-radar gems to control within the 2025 NFL Draft:
1. Zack Charbonnet, UCLA
Charbonnet is a bodily runner who has improved every season at UCLA. He’s a robust inside runner with good imaginative and prescient and steadiness, and he additionally has the velocity to interrupt away for large good points. Charbonnet has rushed for over 1,000 yards in every of the previous two seasons, and he’s on tempo to take action once more in 2024. He may very well be a late-round steal for groups searching for a workhorse working again.
2. CJ Donaldson, West Virginia
Donaldson is a smaller working again, however he makes up for it together with his athleticism and instincts. He’s a shifty runner who could make defenders miss within the open discipline, and he additionally has the velocity to get to the skin. Donaldson has rushed for over 1,000 yards in every of the previous two seasons, and he’s on tempo to take action once more in 2024. He may very well be a mid-round decide for groups searching for a change-of-pace working again.
3. Donovan Inexperienced, North Carolina
With lightening velocity,
| Participant | Faculty | 2024 Stats |
| Donovan Inexperienced | North Carolina | 193 rushes, 2,012 yards, 25 TDs |
Inexperienced’s rise to stardom has been fueled by his pure expertise and unwavering dedication. Earlier than his breakout season, he labored tirelessly within the offseason, honing his abilities and making ready for his likelihood to shine. His dedication and resilience are evident in his distinctive efficiency on the sector. Because the draft approaches, NFL scouts shall be keen to guage Inexperienced’s dynamic talents, and he’s undoubtedly poised to turn out to be a extremely sought-after prospect.
Dynasty Dominators: Gamers to Construct Round
The 2025 NFL Draft is shaping as much as be a loaded one, particularly on the working again place. A number of gifted prospects are anticipated to declare, and so they might all have a significant influence on dynasty leagues. Listed below are 4 working backs to focus on in dynasty drafts:
Bijan Robinson, Texas
Robinson is a 5-star recruit who is taken into account the most effective working again prospects within the nation. He’s a bodily runner, weighing in at 6’0″, 215 lbs. Robinson additionally has nice velocity and agility, making him a risk to attain from wherever on the sector.
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Nick Singleton, Penn State
Singleton is a 4-star recruit who is taken into account to be probably the most explosive working backs within the nation. He’s a home-run risk each time he touches the ball. Singleton additionally has good imaginative and prescient and pass-catching capability, making him a flexible weapon within the passing sport.
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Evan Hull, Northwestern
Hull is a 3-star recruit who is taken into account to be probably the most productive working backs within the nation. He has rushed for over 1,000 yards in every of the previous two seasons. Hull is a troublesome, bodily runner who can be a superb receiver out of the backfield.
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Kaytron Allen, Florida
Allen is a 4-star recruit who is taken into account to be probably the most versatile working backs within the nation. He’s a gifted runner, receiver, and returner. Allen has the potential to be a do-it-all participant within the NFL.
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| Title | Staff | Place |
|---|---|---|
| Bijan Robinson | Texas | Working again |
| Nick Singleton | Penn State | Working again |
| Evan Hull | Northwestern | Working again |
| Kaytron Allen | Florida | Working again |
Sleeper Picks: Potential Worth Steals
Whereas the highest tier of working again prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft is well-established, there are a number of under-the-radar gamers who might emerge as worthwhile belongings in fantasy soccer. These sleeper picks possess intriguing ability units and have the potential to shock scouts and analysts alike.
5. John Doe, College of XYZ
Regardless of not being a family title at this level, John Doe has all of the instruments to be a productive working again within the NFL. He boasts distinctive go off the road of scrimmage, fast ft, and a knack for locating holes within the protection. Doe additionally has good dimension and energy, making him a risk as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. Whereas he might not possess the breakaway velocity of among the different prime prospects, his total ability set means that he may very well be a dependable and constant contributor within the execs.
| Title | School | Strengths | Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| John Doe | College of XYZ | Burst, fast ft, hole-finding capability | Breakaway velocity |
Keep watch over these sleeper picks because the draft approaches. With their distinctive abilities and potential, they might present fantasy house owners with worthwhile depth and upside within the 2025 season and past.
Excessive-Threat, Excessive-Reward Choices
T.J. Pledger, USC
Regardless of going through stiff competitors at USC, Pledger has flashed his potential as a dynamic playmaker. Along with his explosive velocity and agility, he can create large performs within the open discipline. Nonetheless, his sturdiness considerations (he is missed video games resulting from accidents) and smaller dimension (5’9″) make him a high-risk, high-reward prospect.
Eric Grey, Tennessee
Grey is a flexible working again with a compact construct and good athleticism. He is a easy runner with fast ft and a low middle of gravity. Nonetheless, he lacks the breakaway velocity of another prospects and might battle towards larger defenders.
Jaydn Ott, Cal
Ott is a real freshman who made a direct influence for Cal in 2023. He is a bodily runner with a robust body and good imaginative and prescient. Nonetheless, he wants to enhance his cross safety and turn out to be extra constant as a receiver.
Dillon Johnson, Texas A&M
Johnson is a gifted pass-catching specialist who excelled within the slot at Texas A&M. He is fast, elusive, and has robust palms. Nonetheless, his dimension (5’10”, 190 lbs) and lack of expertise as a conventional working again might restrict his upside.
Jaren Kanak, Oklahoma
Kanak is a giant, bodily runner who has the potential to be a workhorse within the NFL. He is a robust runner with good steadiness and imaginative and prescient. Nonetheless, his lack of athleticism and straight-line velocity might make him much less efficient within the open discipline.
Byron Cardwell, South Carolina
Cardwell is a uncooked however gifted working again with a uncommon mixture of dimension (6’1″, 235 lbs) and velocity. He is a tough runner with good burst and acceleration. Nonetheless, he must develop his approach and turn out to be extra constant.
| Rank | Participant | Staff |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bijan Robinson | Texas |
| 2 | Rueben Owens | Louisville |
| 3 | Richard Reese | Baylor |
| 4 | Chris Johnson | Florida |
| 5 | Israel Abanikanda | Pittsburgh |
| 6 | T.J. Pledger | USC |
| 7 | Eric Grey | Tennessee |
| 8 | Jaydn Ott | Cal |
Scouting Studies: In-Depth Participant Evaluation
7. [Player Name]
Standing at [Height] and weighing [Weight], [Player Name] possesses an intriguing mix of dimension and athleticism. His sturdy body permits him to soak up and shed tackles with ease, whereas his nimble ft and fast burst make him a risk in each the working and passing sport.
One among [Player Name]’s most notable attributes is his capability to create yards after contact. He displays glorious steadiness, imaginative and prescient, and a robust decrease physique, enabling him to achieve further yardage via missed tackles and damaged tackles. His brief and fast steps permit him to vary course and keep away from pursuit, making him a tough participant to carry down.
Along with his dashing prowess, [Player Name] can be a reliable receiving again. He has gentle palms, runs exact routes, and possesses the flexibility to make contested catches over the center. His versatility in each points of the sport makes him a worthwhile asset to any offense.
| Attribute | Score |
|---|---|
| Velocity | 8/10 |
| Energy | 9/10 |
| Agility | 7/10 |
| Receiving | 8/10 |
| Imaginative and prescient | 9/10 |
Along with his mixture of physicality, athleticism, and receiving abilities, [Player Name] has the potential to be a do-it-all working again. He initiatives to be a high-impact participant on the subsequent degree, able to making a major contribution to any NFL group.
Cut price Bin Bonanzas: Discovering Expertise on the Low cost
Quantity 8: Deuce Vaughn
Vaughn was the main rusher within the Massive 12 in each 2021 and 2022, averaging over 120 dashing yards per sport. He stands at a compact 5’6″, however he makes up for his lack of dimension together with his distinctive velocity, agility, and quickness. Vaughn has a knack for locating holes within the protection and might flip a routine run into a giant play together with his explosive strikes. Regardless of his smaller stature, he has proven the flexibility to tackle defenders and acquire powerful yards. Vaughn’s receiving capability additionally provides worth to his profile, as he caught 21 passes for 240 yards and three touchdowns in 2022.
| Yr | Makes an attempt | Yards | TDs | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 187 | 1,404 | 18 | ||||||||||||
| 2022 | 195 | 1,483 | 18
Vaughn’s NFL Draft inventory could also be barely decrease resulting from his dimension, however he has the potential to be a worthwhile asset to an NFL group. His distinctive athleticism and playmaking capability make him a viable possibility as a beginning working again or a dynamic change-of-pace possibility in a high-octane offense. Fantasy house owners ought to control Vaughn within the later rounds of drafts, as he might present a major return on funding together with his explosive play model. Harm Projections: Mitigating Threat### Understanding Harm Chance Understanding the probability of an harm occurring can assist fantasy soccer managers make knowledgeable roster selections and mitigate threat. Elements comparable to utilization, play model, and harm historical past can present worthwhile insights right into a participant’s potential to maintain an harm. For instance, working backs with a historical past of a number of concussions or ACL tears might carry the next threat of re-injury. ### Evaluating Utilization The variety of touches a working again receives per sport can considerably influence their harm threat. Working backs with excessive workloads are extra vulnerable to put on and tear and have a larger likelihood of sustaining an harm. For example, working backs who common over 20 touches per sport have a considerably larger harm fee in comparison with those that common lower than 15 touches per sport. ### Play Fashion Concerns Sure play types also can improve a working again’s harm threat. Working backs who’re identified for his or her physicality and energy working could also be extra more likely to maintain an harm because of the elevated contact they expertise. Alternatively, shifty and elusive working backs who depend on quickness and agility are inclined to have decrease harm charges. ### Evaluating Harm Historical past A working again’s harm historical past can present a worthwhile indication of their future harm threat. Gamers with a historical past of a number of accidents, particularly important ones like concussions or ACL tears, might carry the next threat of re-injury. Contemplating a working again’s harm historical past alongside different elements can assist fantasy managers make knowledgeable selections about their potential for staying wholesome and contributing to their fantasy groups. Fantasy Affect: Predicting Rookie Contributions10. Bijan Robinson, TexasRobinson is a gifted working again who has the potential to be a star within the NFL. He has an ideal mixture of dimension, velocity, and energy, and he’s additionally an excellent receiver out of the backfield. Robinson is predicted to be a workhorse for the Longhorns in 2023, and he ought to put up some spectacular numbers. He’s a participant who might make a direct influence within the NFL, and he is without doubt one of the most fun prospects on this yr’s draft class. Robinson is at the moment ranked because the No. 10 working again prospect within the 2025 NFL Draft by ESPN. He’s projected to be a first-round decide, and he may very well be one of many first working backs taken off the board. Robinson has the potential to be an excellent fantasy soccer participant, and he may very well be a worthwhile addition to any fantasy group. Here’s a desk that summarizes Robinson’s key statistics:
2025 Rookie RB RankingsWith the 2025 NFL Draft quickly approaching, it is time to begin looking on the prime working again prospects who might make an influence on the subsequent degree. Listed below are my prime 5 rookie RBs for 2025:
Individuals Additionally Ask About 2025 Rookie RB Rankings
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