KNOXVILLE, TN - October 12, 2024 - Running back Dylan Sampson #6 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
As the clock begins to turn towards November, we start looking towards the NFL Draft. I previously discussed my top 10 Quarterbacks in the 2025 Draft; you can read that here.
Now we’ll jump into the running back class, starting with a Heisman leading candidate who compares favorably to a future hall of famer:
1 – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
My draft grade: Top 5
My comparison to Ashton Jeanty: Ladanian Tomlinson, RB, Los Angeles (San Diego) Chargers
Elite vision as a ball carrier. Elite contact balance running through lanes. A combo of long speed and burst that makes any carry a threat to go the distance.
All of these traits are what Ashton Jeanty brings to an NFL team. Even though his position may cause him to slide a bit come draft day, any team selecting him in the top 10 would be getting a bonafide star.
2 – Nick Singleton, RB, Penn State
My draft grade: Late 1st round
My Comparison to Nick Singleton: Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns
A super athletic freak at the running back spot, Nick has a nose for the end zone, finding consistent ways to push the ball across the goal line. He also runs with a lower center of gravity, maintaining balance through the line and always fighting for those extra yards.
Sometimes he can be a little too patient while waiting for holes to develop, so I’d like to see him hit the line consistently and get something out of his runs, even if it’s just 3 yards and a cloud of dust.
3 – Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
My draft grade: Early 2nd round
My comparison to Omarion Hampton: Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams
Omarion blends his size and speed well, showing a danger in the open field to be able to take any carry the distance. He also is very capable of running from shotgun and singleback formations because of his excellent burst from a standstill.
He can be inconsistent as a pass catcher, both in route running and in catching the ball, which limits his effectiveness. He also runs with a higher pad level, which puts a damper on how effective he is as a runner as well.
4 – Dylan Sampson, RB, Tennessee
My draft grade: Mid 2nd round
My comparison to Dylan Sampson: Shane Vereen, RB, New England Patriots/New York Giants
A running back with deadly speed, Dylan can take any carry to the house, if given the slightest bit of leverage. He also shows excellent vision and anticipation as a running back, so he can take advantage of any rushing lanes that appear in the line.
He is somewhat undersized, so there are questions about whether he can be a bell cow back at the next level, as well as there’s been some issues with ball security. Dylan will have some items to work on at the next level, but he has speed, and ultimately you can’t teach that.
5 – Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa
My draft grade: Mid 2nd round
My comparison to Kaleb Johnson: Cedric Benson, RB, Chicago Bears/Cincinnati Bengals
A scheme versatile running back, Kaleb Johnson can be effective in any rushing scheme, whether it be a gap or zone scheme. He is an effective downhill runner; barreling towards the line of scrimmage like a bowling ball down an alley.
His long speed, while good, isn’t the greatest, so he may be caught from behind on the breakaway runs. In addition, he is a true north/south runner, missing opportunities to cut the runs back frequently. His pad level also rises, meaning he leaves leverage on the field quite often, especially as the game wears on.
6 – TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
My draft grade: Late 2nd/Early 3rd Round
My comparison for TreVeyon Henderson: David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions
With his explosive acceleration, TreVeyon can get upfield in a hurry, and hit his top speed before leaving the second level. He also is the best pass catcher of this entire class, with natural hands that allow him to catch any pass thrown his way.
There are durability concerns for TreyVeyeon, as he’s missed time in the 2022 and 2023 seasons as well. He also shows hesitation when a defender rushes free in the backfield, which leads to negative plays happening more often than they should.
7 – Kyle Monangai, RB, Rutgers
My draft grade: Early 3rd round
My comparison for Kyle Monangai: Chase Edmonds, RB, Arizona Cardinals/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kyle has a powerful lower body that allows him to break tackles with ease, and gain yards after contact, which turns even the negative plays into positive yardage. He also shows a good sense of ball security, rarely putting the ball on the ground despite a full workload and plenty of physical contact.
Kyle does lack the elite top-end speed to consistently break away from defenders, so this will be a concern at the next level. He also struggles to separate in the passing game due to this speed concern, limiting his overall effectiveness as a running back. Kyle may be best suited for goal line/short yardage duties in the NFL.
8 – Woody Marks, RB, USC
My draft grade: Early 3rd round
My comparison for Woody Marks: Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears
Woody is a versatile weapon at the running back position, as he’s able to line up out wide as a wide receiver, in the lot, or in the backfield, creating mismatches for defenses across the board. He also has an excellent durability history, having taken snaps in 44 out of 45 possible games. He also shows good vision, and an ability to get north-south quickly as a runner.
While he is durable, he lacks the ideal size and bulk for an every down running back in the NFL. In addition, he also is not a home run hitter in terms of his long speed or short bust acceleration. He is also inconsistent on his balance when contacted by defenders, sometimes going down on the initial contact and rarely breaking tackles.
9 – Jordan James, RB, Oregon
My draft grade: Mid to late 3rd round
My comparison for Jordan James: Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami Dolphins
Jordan has a quick twitch athleticism that allows him to make defenders miss if given the ball in space. He also demonstrates a home run ability as well if he sees daylight, but also excels in short yardage duties, with a knack for finding the end zone.
Jordan lacks a prototypical NFL Frame, and may struggle with staying healthy at the next level because of this. He also is very raw in pass protection, needing some additional help with anchor strength and blitz recognition to remain on the field in passing down situations. He also needs to improve his ability to create when a play breaks down, as he is over reliant on his offensive line.
10 – Raheim Sanders, RB, South Carolina
My draft grade: Late 3rd Round
My comparison for Raheim Sanders: Derrius Guice, RB, Washington Commanders (When Healthy)
Raheem possesses a dominant NFL sized frame at the running back position (6-0, 230 lbs.) but still has surprising agility and speed for a man his size, hence his nickname of “Rocket.” He stands out from the crowd with his superior balance through contact, often breaking multiple tackles in a given run and ensuring he falls forward for additional yardage.
Ball security will be a problem for Raheim, as multiple fumbles in recent seasons show a needed improvement for holding onto and gripping the football. He also has shown a tendency of over aggression and seeking out unwarranted contact, which increases his risk for unneeded wear and tear as a runner.
Ultimately this running back class is a deep group, with many types of runners for each style (pass catchers, speedsters, bruisers) and many in between. If you don’t get the ultimate prize in Jeanty, you can rest assured that you’ll still be able to find a talent as the draft goes on, they just may require some additional seasoning before hitting the field.
Like what you read here? Disagree with my takes? Feel free to drop me a line/follow on “X” @sparkscouting, and let’s talk about it.
