2025 NFL Free Agency and Draft: RB

Elijah Mitchell to the Chefs

Former #Broncos RB Javonte Williams is signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the #Cowboys, per sources. Max $3.5M with incentives. pic.twitter.com/nkMPB95Rsl

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 10, 2025

If we want Hampton we’re going to have to get in front of Pittsburgh. Unless the Steelers like Warren enough to make him the lead dog. I don’t hate the idea of moving up for Jeanty if he gets past Vegas. You probably have to get to the 9 slot. 

Never thought we’d be two days out of FA and the only glaring need is a field tilting RB. We’re setting up for a return to the 70s without the disco ball.

JustInTime wrote:
If we want Hampton we’re going to have to get in front of Pittsburgh. Unless the Steelers like Warren enough to make him the lead dog. I don’t hate the idea of moving up for Jeanty if he gets past Vegas. You probably have to get to the 9 slot. 

Never thought we’d be two days out of FA and the only glaring need is a field tilting RB. We’re setting up for a return to the 70s without the disco ball.

Love to find a way to draft Jeanty. Not ready to buy Hampton as RB1b though. I think Jeanty is generational and on a separate level from everyone else. I'd consider giving up our '26 1st to get him. 

I think there's a 2a and 2b though, and that's Henderson and Hampton, and they change order for me just about once a week.

I think we go Judkins at this point and call it a day. Just trade back a few spots and get a pick. We just need to find a partner. I like Judkins a ton.

One of the first prospects to benefit from re-grading this week: North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton.

He's a first-rounder on my scale.

Scores a trait bonus (7 or higher) in EVERY SINGLE graded category. His vertical ability is awesome, but he can also slash and press like this. pic.twitter.com/lZHEyNPRUd

— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) March 12, 2025

MaroonBells wrote:

Love to find a way to draft Jeanty. Not ready to buy Hampton as RB1b though. I think Jeanty is generational and on a separate level from everyone else. I'd consider giving up our '26 1st to get him. 

I think there's a 2a and 2b though, and that's Henderson and Hampton, and they change order for me just about once a week.

I think the gap between the two is closer in my eyes only. I’m not seeing anyone else with the same opinion. 

I prefer Hampton due to the triangle numbers, level of competition, and wear and tear. But, if Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith had a baby, you’d have Jeanty.

This was my favorite run of Omarion Hampton's from the GT game.

There's some duo action to clear the strong-side C-gap. Hampton slow-plays it to draw the linebackers into their blocks, then rips through once they're corralled.

Shows his potential as a multi-tempo runner. pic.twitter.com/2asmqCjKpM

— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) March 12, 2025

A little LeVeon Bell here.

JustInTime wrote:
https://x.com/ic_draft/status/1899799993835299174?s=46&t=TjjB9Q4BmOwmN74RrrMjoQ

I think the gap between the two is closer in my eyes only. I’m not seeing anyone else with the same opinion. 

I prefer Hampton due to the triangle numbers, level of competition, and wear and tear. But, if Barry Sanders and Emmitt Smith had a baby, you’d have Jeanty.

This was my favorite run of Omarion Hampton's from the GT game.

There's some duo action to clear the strong-side C-gap. Hampton slow-plays it to draw the linebackers into their blocks, then rips through once they're corralled.

Shows his potential as a multi-tempo runner. pic.twitter.com/2asmqCjKpM

— Ian Cummings (@IC_Draft) March 12, 2025

A little LeVeon Bell here.

Hampton would be great. Give me him or one of the Ohio State backs on draft day and I'm a happy camper..

Something to also keep in mind if we are looking at running backs is both Denver (20) and Pittsburgh (21) both have big needs at running back now. We could see a run (no pun intended) on running backs

Canthony wrote:
I think we go Judkins at this point and call it a day. Just trade back a few spots and get a pick. We just need to find a partner. I like Judkins a ton.

I'll say this about Judkins, among the bigger backs like Hampton and Johnson, he has better lateral quickness and agility. I think he might have the highest floor too. I like Henderson more than him only because he's a little faster, a little bit better receiver and he's probably the best pass protector among the top 4 backs. That's a big deal for our offense.

MaroonBells wrote:

I'll say this about Judkins, among the bigger backs like Hampton and Johnson, he has better lateral quickness and agility. I think he might have the highest floor too. I like Henderson more than him only because he's a little faster, a little bit better receiver and he's probably the best pass protector among the top 4 backs. That's a big deal for our offense.

I dont think Henderson will be there at 24 if I was a betting man...He'll be the 2nd or 3rd back taken. 

I hAve a feeling Jeanty wont get past Chicago.

purplefaithful wrote:

I dont think Henderson will be there at 24 if I was a betting man...He'll be the 2nd or 3rd back taken. 

Well the problem is we now have two RB needy teams picking directly ahead of us, so you might be right.

MaroonBells wrote:

I'll say this about Judkins, among the bigger backs like Hampton and Johnson, he has better lateral quickness and agility. I think he might have the highest floor too. I like Henderson more than him only because he's a little faster, a little bit better receiver and he's probably the best pass protector among the top 4 backs. That's a big deal for our offense.

Pass protections is a big plus for Henderson. I just like Judkins. He has that attitude about him. Confident, work ethic, smarts, and just a well rounded back. 

Don't get me wrong, I like them both, but for some reason I trust Judkins more.

supafreak84 wrote:

Hampton would be great. Give me him or one of the Ohio State backs on draft day and I'm a happy camper..

Something to also keep in mind if we are looking at running backs is both Denver (20) and Pittsburgh (21) both have big needs at running back now. We could see a run (no pun intended) on running backs

Let’s say Jeanty goes to Vegas, Chicago, or Dallas. Denver could go Henderson or Hampton. Pittsburgh I could see Hampton, Johnson or Judkins. 

Worst case scenario is Johnson is the best RB left. With our reconfigured iOL, I think that’s an ok option any other year. Depending on the CBs, iDL, S left I go elsewhere. 

Emmanwori would be such a fun chess piece. Revel would give the CB room size. Harmon or Alexander would provide great rotational options and depth. Then assuming additional draft capital is acquired, hit RB with Harvey and Martinez. That works.

JustInTime wrote:

Let’s say Jeanty goes to Vegas, Chicago, or Dallas. Denver could go Henderson or Hampton. Pittsburgh I could see Hampton, Johnson or Judkins. 

Worst case scenario is Johnson is the best RB left. With our reconfigured iOL, I think that’s an ok option any other year. Depending on the CBs, iDL, S left I go elsewhere. 

Emmanwori would be such a fun chess piece. Revel would give the CB room size. Harmon or Alexander would provide great rotational options and depth. Then assuming additional draft capital is acquired, hit RB with Harvey and Martinez. That works.

I'd be sad to see some of these potential field tilters go, but yah -- those teams could very well scoop-up the top 3-4 rated backs. 

Truth is, our defensive backfield is our biggest area still in need of starters.

JustInTime wrote:

Let’s say Jeanty goes to Vegas, Chicago, or Dallas. Denver could go Henderson or Hampton. Pittsburgh I could see Hampton, Johnson or Judkins. 

Worst case scenario is Johnson is the best RB left. With our reconfigured iOL, I think that’s an ok option any other year. Depending on the CBs, iDL, S left I go elsewhere. 

Emmanwori would be such a fun chess piece. Revel would give the CB room size. Harmon or Alexander would provide great rotational options and depth. Then assuming additional draft capital is acquired, hit RB with Harvey and Martinez. That works.

Do me a favor and watch Johnson and Martinez back to back. Similar size, but Martinez can move laterally. His feet are so much better. And Martinez is a 4th rounder at best. I don't hate Johnson. I don't think he's going to be a bust necessarily. I just think we can do better. There are at least 5 or 6 backs I'd take ahead of KJ. 

Didn't really watch the safeties since I didn't think we'd go there, but now it's a real possibility. Emmanwori is 6-3, 220 lbs, has a 10.00 RAS, a 4.39 forty and a 43 vert. That's insane. BFlo's gotta be salivating. But is he Kyle Hamilton or Taylor Mays?

MaroonBells wrote:

Do me a favor and watch Johnson and Martinez back to back. Similar size, but Martinez can move laterally. His feet are so much better. And Martinez is a 4th rounder at best. I don't hate Johnson. I don't think he's going to be a bust necessarily. I just think we can do better. There are at least 5 or 6 backs I'd take ahead of KJ. 

Didn't really watch the safeties since I didn't think we'd go there, but now it's a real possibility. Emmanwori is 6-3, 220 lbs, has a 10.00 RAS, a 4.39 forty and a 43 vert. That's insane. BFlo's gotta be salivating. But is he Kyle Hamilton or Taylor Mays?

You know I’ve been on Martinez for months. I’ll just say a RB from Miami is quite the karma pick. Definitely has niftier feet. Johnson is a beige Ford Taurus. 

Mays was always better suited for Wil, which I think he eventually ended up at. Emmanwori is Atwater, Easley on steroids. Coverage skills to play big nickel. You could play him at LB on passing downs. I think I’d sell my soul to have 3 picks in the top 80.

From GBN;

Also earlier this week, Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson, another player who did not run at the combine, reportedly was clocked in the 4.45 range for the 40 at the Vols pro day. However, that was a hand-timed clocking which as we have noted in the past can be as much as a tenth of a second slower than electronic times meaning that it is very likely Sampson’s actual time is likely to be more in the low 4.5 range which is not necessarily the kind of speed scouts were hoping to see from a 5-8, 200-pound scatback type

supafreak84 wrote:
From GBN;

Also earlier this week, Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson, another player who did not run at the combine, reportedly was clocked in the 4.45 range for the 40 at the Vols pro day. However, that was a hand-timed clocking which as we have noted in the past can be as much as a tenth of a second slower than electronic times meaning that it is very likely Sampson’s actual time is likely to be more in the low 4.5 range which is not necessarily the kind of speed scouts were hoping to see from a 5-8, 200-pound scatback type

That seems to match his lack of explosive plays. Quick but not fast. Probably a change of pace guy.

JustInTime wrote:

That seems to match his lack of explosive plays. Quick but not fast. Probably a change of pace guy.

Probably so, but damn...almost 1500 yards last year in the SEC with 22 TD's. Good in the receiving game. I thought he was being a little underrated and getting lost in the shuffle, but was hoping to see some better numbers athletically. Still only 20 years old

Career production from 2025 RB prospects pic.twitter.com/kfugPwmgGd

— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) March 14, 2025

StickierBuns wrote:

R.....J......Harvey.

He doesn't suck.