2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: RB

I think Damien Martinez needs a lot of credit from transitioning from such a zone heavy system at Oregon State to a gap heavy one at Miami. Might be way less scheme dependent than he gets credit for.pic.twitter.com/T0TaGffe4p

— Nick Martin (@themicknartin) February 22, 2025

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/raygque/status/1893500363501711625?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

If both Kaleb Johnson and Omarion Hampton landed in a neutral landing spot in the NFL draft...

Who would you draft in your rookie drafts? pic.twitter.com/qseV61SZFb

— Dynasty Nerds (@DynastyNerds) February 22, 2025

I can confirm this is not MB.

I don't hate Kaleb Johnson. Just have big issues with those who are calling him RB2. Here's how I'd rank them right now, but I will change my mind. 

Jeanty
Hampton
Henderson
Judkins
Harvey
Johnson
Then a 12-way tie between Sampson, Skattebo, Neal, Gordon and a half dozen others.  

Good to see Montrell Johnson getting some love. He won't likely be drafted, but he's a good looking potential UDFA.

I guarantee an UDFA is getting starter reps at some point. Guarantee.

JustInTime wrote:
I guarantee an UDFA is getting starter reps at some point. Guarantee.

Yep, this will be one of those classes where, a year or two later, you're wondering how All Pro RB-X went in the 4th round and Pro Bowl RB-Y went undrafted.

NFL Rookie Watch@NFLRookieWatxh
Ashton Jeanty could reportedly start as the RB1 on "over 80%" of NFL teams as a rookie according to an anonymous AFC executive.

Jeanty has reportedly been preparing to run between a 4.35-4.45 in the 40 and has been squatting 600 POUNDS.

One NFL scout reportedly believes Jeanty is on the same level as Christian McCaffrey in terms of being a blue-chip prospect, and is even better than Bijan Robinson was as a prospect.

"He's up there with the Saquon Barkley's, the Christian McCaffrey's, and quite frankly he’s a step ahead of Bijan Robinson."

The Bears, Vikings, Saints, and Cowboys are all reportedly the "leader's in interest" of Jeanty at this point in time.

Don’t be surprised when the Boise State RB comes off the board in the Top-10 ?

The more I'm looking at this, the more I'm liking the idea of taking a running back early. I know it's blasphemous to say that but with essentially a rookie quarterback taking over the reigns, giving him every opportunity to succeed is paramount for the franchise moving forward. McCarthy handing the ball off to Omarion Hampton, Henderson, or Judkins for the next 5 years and having that position squared away on a rookie contract sends a shiver down my leg.

I see D.J. Giddens moving up the draft board as of late. I don't know anything about him or have I tried to research him. Any thoughts on him? Seems like a shifty back. Is he an every down back?

supafreak84 wrote:
The more I'm looking at this, the more I'm liking the idea of taking a running back early. I know it's blasphemous to say that but with essentially a rookie quarterback taking over the reigns, giving him every opportunity to succeed is paramount for the franchise moving forward. McCarthy handing the ball off to Omarion Hampton, Henderson, or Judkins for the next 5 years and having that position squared away on a rookie contract sends a shiver down my leg.

100% - but for me it depends what they get accomplished in FA. 

I remember thinking what dodo's the Lions were for taking Gibbs and he's now the straw that stirs that offense.

purplefaithful wrote:

100% - but for me it depends what they get accomplished in FA. 

I remember thinking what dodo's the Lions were for taking Gibbs and he's now the straw that stirs that offense.

I think they are going to do everything they can in free agency to not leave any huge glaring deficiencies heading into the draft and we can take the best player on our board. This is being called a "historic" class of running backs with the quality and depth available. It just makes a ton of sense to give McCarthy another weapon and a player that can take some of the load off his shoulders for the next 4 to 5 years. 

This of course comes with the caviat that KOC is going to committ himself more to running the ball. They've talked a good game about in the past as justification for giving Josh Oliver a 21 million dollar deal and becoming a more physical running team, but it never really came to fruition. If KOC just wants "the threat" of the run, and not the run itself...then you could re-sign Jones or throw anybody back there and not spend a high pick on a back. If KOC is indeed serious about running the rock in a more balanced attack (which after watching teams like the Eagles equates to playoff success), then I think drafting a running back this year would be a great pick.

Man, Bhayshul Tuten is fast as hell. He might crack sub 4.3 at over 200lbs.

Not sure how many prospects have ever done that, but that's at least 4.35 juice to my eye.

— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) February 23, 2025

5 fumbles last year and iffy pass blocker. Both can be fixed, but why draft a project when there are several other prospects proficient in these areas.

Ollie Gordon vs Devin Neal

Both had:
- Big 12 Comp
- Subpar QB Play
- No WR or TE to take away attention
- #1 defensive shut down assignment each week

Kansas hasn't had an OL drafted in the first 2 Rounds since 1971. One was able to produce consistently in both '23 & '24 😅 pic.twitter.com/2wTo48DJIL

— Zach Savage (@zaxavage) February 23, 2025

Devin Neal might be the most underrated Running Back in the entire 2025 Class..

➖244 Touches
➖1,528 Yards
➖17 TD’s

This year he finished with:

➖MORE 1st Downs than Kaleb Johnson
➖MORE Receptions than Ashton Jeanty
➖MORE Rush TD’s than Omarion Hampton

Absolute DAWG pic.twitter.com/zeA6KOFMyE

— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbott) February 24, 2025

My scouting report on TreVeyon Henderson...

Straight-A student off the field

High-octane weapon on ithttps://t.co/hcJgRiEiBJ

— Thor Nystrom (@thorku) February 24, 2025

Devin Neal is the RB I want us to draft with Harvey number two. Arguably the best player to come out of Kansas. Kid is just an absolute stud.

If we bring back Aaron Jones, I'd love to get a bigger RB that can be a feature guy.

I think Hampton is a little overrated, but he'd fit the mold. Just seems like he lacks the top end speed to be a true 3-down stud. Looks like a 1 speed runner to me.

Judkins will probably go a round later and has more juice in my eyes with the same physical running style. He's a guy I'm starting to love.

I also like Kaleb Johnson more than most, I think he gets dinged too much for the type of offense he was in and the quality of his OL.

If we want an Aaron Jones clone, take Henderson.

MAD GAINZ wrote:
If we bring back Aaron Jones, I'd love to get a bigger RB that can be a feature guy. 

I think Hampton is a little overrated, but he'd fit the mold.  Just seems like he lacks the top end speed to be a true 3-down stud.  Looks like a 1 speed runner to me.

Judkins will probably go a round later and has more juice in my eyes with the same physical running style.  He's a guy I'm starting to love.

I also like Kaleb Johnson more than most, I think he gets dinged too much for the type of offense he was in and the quality of his OL.

If we want an Aaron Jones clone, take Henderson.

Judkins could be one of those players where 3 years from now you shake your head and ask how the hell was he the #5 RB taken?

Jaydon Blue is going to put on a show this week at the combine. He is a SICK athlete https://t.co/9k2kJMAL63

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 25, 2025

.@MinaKimes highlights how the 2025 RB class can help "turbocharge" some of the established offenses in the league ⚡ pic.twitter.com/dv9k79xrZp

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 24, 2025

https://thedraftnetwork.com/2025/02/24/nfl-combine-rbs-raise-nfl-draft-stock-2025

JustInTime wrote:
https://thedraftnetwork.com/2025/02/24/nfl-combine-rbs-raise-nfl-draft-stock-2025

I'm not as big an Etienne fan as others are...

purplefaithful wrote:

I'm not as big an Etienne fan as others are...

He catches the ball as well as any back in this draft, but he's really small. Likely just a 3rd down back, but could be a pretty good one.

The #Vikings have a formal meeting set up with RB Ashton Jeanty, per @_RyanFowler_. pic.twitter.com/eKu31Krf7c

— VikingzFanPage (@vikingzfanpage) February 25, 2025