For the first time in quite a while, it's good to be a running back in the NFL draft – or to need one from the upcoming class.
The seemingly incessant debate about the position's worth underwent a significant shift in 2024, with Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley powering the Philadelphia Eagles' Super Bowl run after signing with the team last offseason. And with fellow free-agent acquisitions Derrick Henry and Josh Jacobs paying sizable dividends right away for their new teams, the value of a transcendent ball carrier to an already stellar offense was readily evident last year.
Yet last season's veteran spending spree might have been an aberration, with more teams likely to return their focus at the position to the draft – and with good reason.
After a year in which he piled up 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground, Boise State's Ashton Jeanty established himself as one of the marquee names of this entire class, with a solid chance to become just the third running back selected with a top-10 pick since Barkley was chosen No. 2 overall in 2018. But this class also features several promising potential sleepers who could be available on Day 2 or 3, giving teams hope that they can unearth the next Bucky Irving – the fourth-round pick out of Oregon who finished with 1,122 yards on just 207 carries in a sterling rookie campaign for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – somewhere in the middle rounds.
Here is USA TODAY Sports' ranking of the top 10 running backs for the 2025 NFL draft:
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
It's hard to delve into an assessment of the Heisman Trophy runner-up without indulging in some hyperbole, but it's fair to say Jeanty is the most complete running back prospect since Barkley. Rather than relying solely on pure speed or power, the 5-9, 211-pounder stands out thanks to preternatural instincts and a singular flair for creating yardage on his own by forcing missed tackles. That can mean shaking a defender in tight quarters with an effortless shimmy or bouncing off anyone who comes into contact with him. He might not be a true burner, but he has more than enough speed to take plays the distance once he gets an opening. With his success not contingent on any specific scheme, Jeanty figures to be the rare ball carrier capable of serving as an offensive centerpiece and changing the complexion of an attack with his mere presence.
2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
If not for Jeanty, Hampton likely would be the buzz of a robust running back class as a clear-cut first-round candidate. The 6-0, 220-pounder relishes contact and is never afraid to lower a shoulder when encountering an opponent. But he's also far more nimble than one might expect from a back with his build, as he can sidestep would-be tacklers almost as easily as he runs through them. Hampton's aggression too often kicks into overdrive, so developing better patience and vision will be key areas to work on. Still, so ...
