The narrative surrounding the 2025 rookie class shifted fast. For a while, everyone said the "bell-cow" back was a dying breed, a relic of the early 2000s that the NFL had moved past in favor of messy committees. Then the draft happened. When the Las Vegas Raiders snatched up Ashton Jeanty at sixth overall, it became clear that teams aren't actually bored of dominant runners—they were just waiting for a special enough reason to pay for one.
If you're looking at this year’s crop of talent, forget what you know about recent draft droughts. This isn't like 2024. We have size. We have sub-4.4 speed. Most importantly, we have guys who can catch the ball without looking like they’re trying to catch a greased watermelon.
Honestly, the "dead position" talk was always a bit of a reach. You’ve seen what a guy like Saquon or Breece Hall does for an offense. The 2025 class is basically an infusion of that same high-end juice.
Why Ashton Jeanty is in a Tier of His Own
Let’s get the obvious out of the way first. Ashton Jeanty is a freak. There’s really no other way to put it. At Boise State, he wasn't just good; he was historical. We’re talking about 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in a single season. He nearly caught Barry Sanders’ ghost.
People worry about the "tread on the tires" because he handled 374 carries last year. It’s a valid concern. That's a lot of hits. But when you watch the tape, you see why the Raiders didn't care. Jeanty runs like a bowling ball made of muscle. He has this low center of gravity that makes him almost impossible to topple on the first hit.
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- Height/Weight: 5'8 1/2", 211 lbs
- Best Trait: Contact balance that looks like a glitch in a video game.
- The "Raiders" Factor: Landing with Pete Carroll and Chip Kelly in Vegas is a dream scenario. Carroll wants to run the ball until the defense’s spirit breaks. Jeanty is the perfect hammer for that.
He is effectively the 1.01 in every dynasty fantasy draft this year. No debate. If you have that pick and you take anyone else, you're overthinking it.
The Los Angeles Chargers and the Omarion Hampton Power Trip
If Jeanty is the lightning-fast hammer, Omarion Hampton is the industrial press. Jim Harbaugh didn't waste any time. Taking Hampton at 22nd overall for the Chargers was the most "Harbaugh" move possible.
Hampton is 6'0" and 221 pounds of North Carolina grit. He ran a 4.46 at the combine, which is terrifying for a guy that size. Most backs that big are "lumbering." Hampton isn't. He has this weird, loose running style where he can make a safety miss in the hole and then immediately switch back to "truck mode" to finish the run.
Some scouts think his vision is a bit spotty. He’ll occasionally run right into the back of his own guard. It happens. But in a Greg Roman offense? Vision matters less than the ability to hit the gap hard and fall forward for six yards. With Najee Harris there on a one-year deal, Hampton is clearly the future.
The Ohio State Dilemma: Judkins vs. Henderson
It’s rare to see two top rookie running backs come from the same backfield, but Ohio State was just built differently last year. Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson are both going to be starters in this league, but they do it in completely different ways.
Judkins is the grinder. He’s the guy you want on 3rd and 2 when you absolutely need a first down. He’s violent. He doesn't avoid contact; he seeks it out. The Cleveland Browns took him in the middle of the draft, and it feels like the end of the Nick Chubb era is officially here. Judkins isn't the most creative runner—he basically takes what the line gives him—but he’s reliable. He rarely fumbles.
Henderson is the home-run hitter. He’s faster (4.43 40-yard dash) and much more fluid in the passing game. He landed with the New England Patriots, and while they have Rhamondre Stevenson, Henderson provides a speed element they haven't had in years.
- Quinshon Judkins: Power, goal-line specialist, volume-driven.
- TreVeyon Henderson: Speed, receiving upside, efficiency-driven.
Don't Sleep on the Day 2 and Day 3 Values
Everyone focuses on the first-rounders, but the middle of the draft is where the real value usually hides. Take RJ Harvey out of UCF. He went to the Denver Broncos in the second round (60th overall). Sean Payton has a specific "type" for his backfields—think Alvin Kamara. Harvey has those same slippery, elusive traits. He's not going to run anyone over, but he’s going to make three guys miss in a phone booth and turn a check-down into a 20-yard gain.
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Then there's Kaleb Johnson. The Pittsburgh Steelers took him because he looks like a Steeler. He’s 6'1", 224 pounds, and he runs like he’s trying to break the earth. He might not have elite breakaway speed (4.57), but his decisiveness is top-tier. In that Pittsburgh system, which is always run-heavy, he’s going to get plenty of "dirty" yards.
What Most People Get Wrong About Draft Capital
There’s this idea that if a running back isn't drafted in the first round, they aren't an elite talent. That’s just not true anymore. The NFL has devalued the position, not the player.
A second-round back in 2025 is often just as talented as a first-round back from ten years ago. Teams are just smarter about the salary cap. When you see a guy like RJ Harvey or Kaleb Johnson go on Day 2, don't assume they're just "depth." In many cases, they’re the preferred starters who just happened to play a position with a lower market price.
Real-World Impact: Fantasy and Beyond
If you’re drafting for fantasy, the hierarchy is pretty set. Jeanty is the tier-one king. Hampton is the tier-two workhorse. After that, it gets murky.
Honestly, RJ Harvey might be the biggest "steal" of the year. Sean Payton's offense is designed to funnel targets to the running back. If Harvey earns that Kamara-lite role, he could easily outscore some of the guys drafted ahead of him.
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Actionable Insights for Your Roster:
- Target Volume: Jeanty and Hampton are the only two rookies with a clear path to 250+ touches.
- Watch the Injury Reports: TreVeyon Henderson has had lower-body issues in the past. If he stays healthy, he’s a top-12 talent, but that "if" is doing a lot of heavy lifting.
- Scheme Fits: Look for "Gap" scheme runners like Judkins in power offenses. Avoid speed backs in systems that don't utilize outside zone.
The 2025 class isn't just a bounce-back year for the position. It’s a full-on revolution. We have a mix of old-school power and new-age versatility that makes this the most exciting group of runners we've seen since 2017.
Keep a close eye on the preseason usage. In the NFL, "starter" is just a label; "touches" are the only currency that matters. If a guy like Ollie Gordon II—who fell to the Dolphins in the sixth round—starts getting first-team reps in August, pay attention. Mike McDaniel is a wizard at finding production in late-round speedsters.
To truly capitalize on this class, you need to look past the jersey numbers. Watch how these teams use their rookies in pass protection. A back who can't block won't see the field, no matter how fast they are. Henderson and Gordon are ahead of the curve there, which might give them the early edge in playing time. Focus on the landing spots where the offensive line is actually competent, and you'll find the true winners of the 2025 draft.