2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: RB

JimmyinSD wrote:

they had their OL, and QB in the fold already when they took Gibbs,  not to mention IIRC they had a pocket full of draft picks.  our  situation isnt quite to that level just yet.  IMO at least 1 year off from looking at a high round RB,  otherwise those premium picks would be better used on positions that have longer careers and or maybe take a year or two before they are ready to really roll.

Well I'm hoping we've addressed the offensive line in free agency prior to the draft and we have our QB already in the fold in JJ McCarthy. Maybe trading down really is the best option for us this year with the depth at running back, defensive line, and corner.

JimmyinSD wrote:

and you cant swing a dead cat without hitting 3 of them looking for work.  RB is likely the easiest position to fill which is why its really not a concern for me.  IOL is my primary concern,  then DB and IDL.

Just initial thoughts on the RB group and how I'd rank them;

1. Jeanty- The best of the bunch but won't be an option for the Vikings

2. Omarion Hampton- A classic bigger back that runs physical. Catches the ball well, 67 catches over the last two seasons. Not a lot of wiggle and more of a straight line guy. Doesn't have elite home run hitting speed but will consistently break a lot of 20, 25, and 30 yard type chunk runs.

3. Dylan Sampson- This kid would get a great fit in our offense. Twitchy, great stop and start ability. Catches the ball adequately. Incredible production in the SEC. I don't know if KOC is ever going to be a run first playcaller or consistently commit to running the ball, but Sampson is the type of big play threat he would want at running back.

4. Quinshon Judkins- Maybe my favorite back in the draft. Ranks a little lower on most lists due to sharing the load at OSU but his production at Ole Miss the prior two seasons is outstanding. Compact, physical
runner. Great feet, vision and ability to juke. I would not be surprised if he ended up as the best back out of this draft.

supafreak84 wrote:
Just initial thoughts on the RB group and how I'd rank them;

1. Jeanty- The best of the bunch but won't be an option for the Vikings

2. Omarion Hampton- A classic bigger back that runs physical. Catches the ball well, 67 catches over the last two seasons. Not a lot of wiggle and more of a straight line guy. Doesn't have elite home run hitting speed but will consistently break a lot of 20, 25, and 30 yard type chunk runs.

3. Dylan Sampson- This kid would get a great fit in our offense. Twitchy, great stop and start ability. Catches the ball adequately.  Incredible production in the SEC. I don't know if KOC is ever going to be a run first playcaller or consistently commit to running the ball, but Sampson is the type of big play threat he would want at running back.

4. Quinshon Judkins- Maybe my favorite back in the draft. Ranks a little lower on most lists due to sharing the load at OSU but his production at Ole Miss the prior two seasons is outstanding. Compact, physical
runner. Great feet, vision and ability to juke. I would not be surprised if he ended up as the best back out of this draft.

That's very similar to how I'd rank them. I have a friend who thinks Jeanty's overrated and is too small for the NFL. I just don't know how you can watch 5 minutes of that guy and say "oh that guy can't play." He's such a gifted runner. Speed, burst, balance. Love everything about him. And he's exactly the same size as Emmitt Smith was. 

Love Sampson's fit and I like Judkins more than most. Mostly I like that you have both of them over Skattebo and the Iowa back. I think Skattebo can carve out a role as a Taysom Hill-like gadget player, but I don't think he'll ever be a 3-down back in the NFL. I had the same reaction after 5 minutes watching him as I did with Laquon Treadwell. Requisite NFL movement skills are not there.

MaroonBells wrote:

That's very similar to how I'd rank them. I have a friend who thinks Jeanty's overrated and is too small for the NFL. I just don't know how you can watch 5 minutes of that guy and say "oh that guy can't play." He's such a gifted runner. Speed, burst, balance. Love everything about him. And he's exactly the same size as Emmitt Smith was. 

Love Sampson's fit and I like Judkins more than most. Mostly I like that you have both of them over Skattebo and the Iowa back. I think Skattebo can carve out a role as a Taysom Hill-like gadget player, but I don't think he'll ever be a 3-down back in the NFL. I had the same reaction after 5 minutes watching him as I did with Laquon Treadwell. Requisite NFL movement skills are not there.

Jeanty is probably the closest thing I've seen to Barry Sanders since Barry Sanders. Special skill set and special talent that you can build an offense around. I think the floor for where he gets drafted is Dallas at 12

On the Iowa back, I just didn't see a lot of juice on tape from him. Not real dynamic in the passing game or a lot of make you miss. 

I think most feel Skattebo's stock is going to heavily depend on measurables. I think he's probably a 4.58 type guy but I'll tell you what I do love about him though is his ability to absorb hits and either brush them off completely or keep plowing forward is second only to Jeanty in this class. He's excellent in the passing game and great lateral ability to cut and find the hole. Had an SEC team roll into town early this season and he blasted them for 262 yards rushing. The guy showed up huge in the biggest games and in the biggest moments. Dominated Texas in the bowl game. Probably a mid round grade on him currently.

It's hard to ignore what guys likes Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry have done this season and while Aaron Jones was definitely an upgrade over what we've had recently, his performance trailed off when we needed him most. I would be fine with bringing Jones back for one more year, but I'd like to add a younger power back to pair with him and eventually take over.

Obviously, the interior line needs to be addressed too, but there were too many times this year when they needed the running game to step up and it just wasn't there. They were terrible at protecting the lead with the running game and honestly, this would have been a bigger topic of conversation if the D hadn't bailed them out with so many game saving INTs. I'd like to actually have a good enough running game to get a couple 1st downs when it matters and if that is not possible, I'd like to see O'Connell be more aggressive keep going for scores rather than failing to run out the clock like they did this year. Runs shouldn't have to feel like wasted downs.

This draft is so deep at RB & they come in all different flavors. The prospects will have similar grades but teams will stack them differently based on fit/need. Day 2 is going to be a RB bonanza.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 25, 2025

MaroonBells wrote:
https://x.com/PurpleForTheWin/status/1884280601655861659

I would be delighted with him or Judkins...

Supa hit it on the head earlier; Judkins is a Montgomery type and Henderson more of a home run guy.

I would probably like either over the kid from Iowa.

purplefaithful wrote:

I would be delighted with him or Judkins...

Supa hit it on the head earlier; Judkins is a Montgomery type and Henderson more of a home run guy.

I would probably like either over the kid from Iowa.

It's funny, PFF has both Henderson and Judkins ranked lower than most, so in the last mock draft I did on their site, I traded down a couple times, picked up another 3rd and drafted my corner late in the 1st (Barron), and then drafted both Henderson and Judkins with two 3rd rounders. And, no, I don't think that's feasible or advisable. But they are quite a pair. I think the last time two backs from the same backfield were ranked as high was the two Auburn backs Cadillac Williams and Ronnie Brown. Both went top 5.

MaroonBells wrote:
https://x.com/PurpleForTheWin/status/1884280601655861659

Was listening to McShay yesterday and he thinks Trayvion Henderson might be RB #2 in this draft and he doesn't think he gets out of the 1st round. Thinks he'll be a better pro than college player and the scouts love that he is an every down back and probably the best pass protector in this draft group. 

To me, this is probably the most interesting position in this draft to watch the process play out and who separates themselves from the pack

supafreak84 wrote:

Was listening to McShay yesterday and he thinks Trayvion Henderson might be RB #2 in this draft and he doesn't think he gets out of the 1st round. Thinks he'll be a better pro than college player and the scouts love that he is an every down back and probably the best pass protector in this draft group. 

To me, this is probably the most interesting position in this draft to watch the process play out and who separates themselves from the pack

I'd be very happy with Henderson. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (heretofore JCM) was very impressive last night in the Shrine game. 5-10, 206, good hands and speed, runs hard. I think I read he only played in one game during the regular season due to some sort of discipline issue. If that gets sorted out, he could be a helluva day three pick.

A name I haven't heard much about is Devin Neal. I think for a pick at the end of 3rd or early 4th would be a great get. He is really the total package. Chose to stay home to play for Kansas. Ended his college career as one of if not the best player to ever come out of Kansas. Here are just a few of his strengths. I think he would be perfect in this offense. Total safety net for McCarthy.

He’s a natural pass catcher, at his best pulling in swing passes and heading upfield. He’s a natural in the screen game as well. His hands are good enough that Neal can line up in the slot.
Neal often thrived in the screen game, transitioning upfield quickly and showing a knack for following his blocks. He has the size and strength to pass protect.
He has the athleticism, quick feet and functional strength to set the edge and open running lanes.
His passing game skills are strong. He’s a natural hands catcher who turns upfield quickly in the screen game, and he shows a great feel for setting up wheel routes.
His vision is outstanding, and he has an innate understanding of when to go and when to sit back and wait for blocks to develop. Neal thrives as a one-cut back
He’s extremely dangerous in the open field, showing the vision and creativity to run through entire defenses.

Canthony wrote:
A name I haven't heard much about is Devin Neal. I think for a pick at the end of 3rd or early 4th would be a great get. He is really the total package. Chose to stay home to play for Kansas. Ended his college career as one of if not the best player to ever come out of Kansas. Here are just a few of his strengths. I think he would be perfect in this offense. Total safety net for McCarthy.

He’s a natural pass catcher, at his best pulling in swing passes and heading upfield. He’s a natural in the screen game as well. His hands are good enough that Neal can line up in the slot.
Neal often thrived in the screen game, transitioning upfield quickly and showing a knack for following his blocks. He has the size and strength to pass protect.
He has the athleticism, quick feet and functional strength to set the edge and open running lanes.
His passing game skills are strong. He’s a natural hands catcher who turns upfield quickly in the screen game, and he shows a great feel for setting up wheel routes.
His vision is outstanding, and he has an innate understanding of when to go and when to sit back and wait for blocks to develop. Neal thrives as a one-cut back
He’s extremely dangerous in the open field, showing the vision and creativity to run through entire defenses.

He was before my time (barely), but I might put Gayle Sayers ahead of Neal in terms of best Kansas player. I like Neal. I just think he's in that area on day two where there are probably gonna be a 7 or 8 backs get drafted. The order they go in is probably going to be about fit.

MaroonBells wrote:

He was before my time (barely), but I might put Gayle Sayers ahead of Neal in terms of best Kansas player. I like Neal. I just think he's in that area on day two where there are probably gonna be a 7 or 8 backs get drafted. The order they go in is probably going to be about fit.

I agree that he will go in that area where a bunch will get drafted. It's a deep class for RBs. The more I look at Neal however, the more he doesn't really have a weakness. I really hope we can move back from 24 and get a couple day two picks somehow. I know its a stretch, but if we can somehow trade back to the early 2nd round and get a couple picks. Maybe it can look something like this. 

(Early 2) CB: Barron/Revel Jr

(3) S: Watts/Winston Jr/Mukuba/Hook (If we can net another 3 from trading back)

(4) RB: Neal/Sampson/Skattebo (we already know as we have had this conversation lol)

(4-5) G: Kandra

That may seem more of a pipe dream, but we would need someone to fall for a team to have that kind of trade package. It isn't impossible but this would be a great outcome

Canthony wrote:

I agree that he will go in that area where a bunch will get drafted. It's a deep class for RBs. The more I look at Neal however, the more he doesn't really have a weakness. I really hope we can move back from 24 and get a couple day two picks somehow. I know its a stretch, but if we can somehow trade back to the early 2nd round and get a couple picks. Maybe it can look something like this. 

(Early 2) CB: Barron/Revel Jr

(3) S: Watts/Winston Jr/Mukuba/Hook (If we can net another 3 from trading back)

(4) RB: Neal/Sampson/Skattebo (we already know as we have had this conversation lol)

(4-5) G: Kandra

That may seem more of a pipe dream, but we would need someone to fall for a team to have that kind of trade package. It isn't impossible but this would be a great outcome

There seems to be a big disagreement on Barron. I see him in round 2 on a lot of sites, but Daniel Jeremiah has him 9th overall.

LaQuint Allen is a back I think the Vikings will like. Kiper has him ranked 3rd behind only Jeanty and Hampton. Most others have him end of day two. But this is an interesting guy. Slight frame at 6-0, 200 lbs. Despite that he's unusually effective at the goal line. Don't see elite speed from him, but he's probably the best pass catching back in the draft. Catches the ball like a WR, just ridiculous hands. And he's a very good pass blocker too, which we all know is crucial for any back hoping to play for KOC. 

LeQuint Allen LOVES to block.

He took 144 snaps in pass pro (the most of any 2025 Draft RB) and allowed just 1 pressure and 0 sacks. He won’t blow you away with big hits but he’s hyperaware, proactive, and aggressive.

The best pass protecting RB in the draft, easily. pic.twitter.com/Ut7qomxo2b

— NFL Draft Files (@NFL_DF) February 3, 2025

Yep, been saying this for a while. There are going to be day-two type backs in the 5th and 6th round this year. Of course, to justify taking two backs, we have to do some serious trading down. But I'm sure we will. 

Although the @Vikings only have 4 picks in the upcoming #NFL draft, @Alec_Lewis “wouldn’t be shocked if [the Vikings] took 2 RBs”

Lewis noted he didn’t have any intel on this but noted that “if you look at the amount of RBs available and the need for it for the Vikings, it just… pic.twitter.com/ahMncNol0w

— The Purple Persuasion (@TPPSkol) February 5, 2025

Quinshon Judkins’ footwork looks absolutely INSANE 😳

Many NFL scouts reportedly believe Judkins is a “first round prospect” with some even comparing him to Alvin Kamara.

Judkins is currently training with Josh Hicks, who has trained several great RB’s including Ezekiel… pic.twitter.com/P2a9wvTDxe

— Rookie Watch (@RookieWatxh) February 8, 2025

MaroonBells wrote:
https://x.com/NFLRookieWatxh/status/1888344768066765240

Who do you think the better back is between the two OSU running backs? The only thing Henderson scares me about is his injury history. Never bodes well in the NFL.

Canthony wrote:

Who do you think the better back is between the two OSU running backs? The only thing Henderson scares me about is his injury history. Never bodes well in the NFL.

I think Henderson is the more complete back, but Judkins is going to make more "wow" type runs and has the higher upside IMO. Just depends on what you want and how they fit into different schemes.