Draft Busters 2025 NFL Draft Running Back Rankings
With the 2024 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it is never too early to look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft. Trey has released his Running Back rankings for next season, and the Draft Busters will be doing the same in this one. This class is significantly better than the class from this past draft, so if you are bummed that your favorite NFL team didn’t grab one this year don’t fret, there is way more talent coming in next April.
*Disclaimer, Trey is crazy in the best way possible and gave you his top 25, we are going to be going over our top ten. Chickster’s rankings will be at the bottom of the post*
10: Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
We start off our list of the 2025 NFL Draft Running Back rankings with one of the better receiving backs in the class in Ashton Jeanty from Boise State. Jeanty finished fifth in RB receptions last year and could go well past that this season. But he is also a production monster on the ground, finishing with 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns. He has nice top-end speed, not sure if it is totally home run quality, but has the footwork to find the hole in the line.
9: Raheim Sanders (South Carolina)
Raheim “Rocket” Sanders has bowling ball tendencies but can also really move. His stock took quite a hit last season, as he spent most of it injured but transferring to South Carolina gives him an opportunity at a bigger program to re-establish himself as one of the better backs in the country. Sanders’ last healthy season was 2022 where he finished with just over 1,400 yards and ten touchdowns. If that guy shows up again, we are talking about one of the better backs in the class.
8: Omarion Hampton (UNC)
Omarion Hampton is my biggest question mark out of the 2025 NFL Draft Running Backs. He was probably the third priority defenses looked out for on this UNC offense last season, and with Drake Maye and Devontez Walker both gone, can he produce at the same level or even take that next step? Hampton is thicker than a Snicker in the lower half, can make the cuts you need, and rushed for over 1500 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. But with him being the featured guy on the offense, can he keep it up?
7: Trevor Etienne (Georgia)
Bold prediction time: I wouldn’t be overly shocked if Trevor Etienne ends up as the RB2 in the 2025 NFL Draft. I think he’s that good. He doesn’t bring a ton of upside in the passing game, but was a touchdown machine at Florida the last two seasons, finishing with 14 combined. 5.9 yards per carry is nothing to sneeze at either from your backup. He is likely going to be the lead back at Georgia this year where we could see a serious uptick in production. Someone to keep an eye on.
6: TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
I want to be high on TreVeyon Henderson, I really do. But this injury history terrifies me, especially from a running back. Former five-star recruit and the number one RB in the country. 32 rushing touchdowns across three seasons is stellar but has never really been the traditional bell cow because he has been banged up a ton. If he can stay healthy, he more than deserves to be higher on my list, but that history is a bit off-putting. If he balls out this year, I will be more than happy to eat my crow on that one.
5: Donovan Edwards (Michigan)
Here’s another guy who could easily move up the 2025 NFL Draft rankings. Donovan Edwards is the better back between him and Blake Corum, Trey talked about it last year as well, and this season as the lead back he should prove that. I think it was wise for Edwards to stay one more year to help boost his stock. He looks like he’s shot out of a cannon every time he touches the ball, and that is the kind of guy I want on my roster.
4: Damien Martinez (Miami)
Damien Martinez transferring to Miami is a massive get for the Hurricanes and Mario Cristobal. Martinez was the best Running Back in the Pac-12 last season, earning him all-conference honors after rushing for almost 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns. Big time thumper, quicker than he is fast, and can help out in pass protection as well for Cam Ward.
3: Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
Yes, Ohio State has two of the best Running Backs in the 2025 NFL Draft on the same team. Quinshon Judkins was not a massive recruit coming out, but stepped onto the big stage in a huge way at Ole Miss, rushing for 2,725 yards and 30(!) touchdowns in two seasons. The move to Ohio State is an interesting one, as he’s not likely to be the lead back dominating touches as he was for the Rebels. Based on that, I don’t really see a way he moves up boards.
2: Ollie Gordon (Oklahoma State)
I think I am all in on Ollie Gordon. Gordon exploded on the scene last season, rushing for over 1,700 yards and 17 touchdowns. He runs with violent intent and often does not go down on the first hit, and I think he has a little juice to him. I don’t think he has home run speed by any means, but I think there is more than enough there. He’s also going to be a big threat in the passing game as well, which opens up the offense. Can he repeat this production in 2024? I think he could, and it is vital he does if he wants to maintain or raise his draft stock.
1: Nick Singleton (Penn State)
While Nick Singleton did not reach all-time Big Ten status, he is far and away the best running back in the 2025 NFL Draft and still has so much room to grow. This Penn State offense was terrible last season, but with new OC Andy Kotelnicki at the helm, we should see an innovative offense that will benefit Singleton. Singleton is thick with as many C’s as you like, underrated speed, and is not easy to take down. I wouldn’t be surprised if Singleton finishes in the ballpark of 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns. Remember, he is still splitting carries with Kaytron Allen (who is also a really nice back).
Chickster’s Rankings:
- 1) Ollie Gordon (Oklahoma State)
- 2) Omarion Hampton (UNC)
- 3) TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
- 4) Donovon Edwards (Michigan)
- 5) Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
- 6) Trevor Etienne (Georgia)
- 7) Damien Martinez (Miami)
- 8) Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
- 9) Jayden Ott (Cal)
- 10) Devin Neal (Kansas)
