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The running back position was devalued in recent years, but the position had a resurgence last season.
Saquon Barkley led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl title and had the most rushing yards ever in a single season, including the playoffs. Derrick Henry rumbled for over 1,900 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns.
Teams will be on the lookout for the next workhorse running back. The position group is considered to deep in this year’s draft.
NFL DRAFT RANKINGS: Ashton Jeanty tops deep running back class
Where will the top running backs be selected during April’s draft? USA TODAY Sports explores the best landing spots for the highest-rated running backs in the 2025 draft.
Best fit: Las Vegas Raiders
Jeanty’s size, speed and vision make him the consensus top running back in this year’s draft.
Jeanty’s 2,601 rushing yards last year were the second most ever in FBS history, trailing only Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders (2,628). The Boise State product compiled 2,739 yards from scrimmage, which was an NCAA best and third-most all time.
“Just being a three-down back,” Jeanty said of his traits at the NFL combine. “Obviously able to run the ball, catch it and then be on the field and pass protect on those third downs.”
Jeanty can be an every-down running back and an instant starter in the league.
The Raiders averaged an NFL-low 79.8 rushing yards per game in 2024. It was the lowest rushing average by a team in a single season since 2022. Head coach Pete Carroll has historically loved to run the ball, and the Raiders could upgrade their backfield in a big way with the addition of Jeanty.
Best fit: Denver Broncos
Hampton is a downhill running back who plays through contract. The 6-foot, 221-pound ball carrier is tough to tackle and is explosive at the line of scrimmage.
The North Carolina running back tallied 1,660 rushing yards last year. A total of 733 of his yards were on runs up the middle, including 18 runs that went for 10-plus yards.
Hampton’s 2,911 rushing yards ranks ninth in North Carolina history, while his 30 rushing touchdowns are sixth on the school’s all-time list.
Hampton’s confident he’ll make a big impact in the NFL.
“I’m a three-down back,” Hampton said at the NFL combine. “I can do everything. I can pass block, catch out of the backfield, I can make defenders miss at the third level. I can really do everything.”
Javonte Williams was the Broncos’ leading rusher in Denver’s backfield-by-committee approach with 513 yards. Williams departed in for the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.
The Broncos haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Phillip Lindsay in 2019.
Best landing spot: Dallas Cowboys
Henderson has good acceleration and is shifty enough to be a valuable running back and pass-catch option out of the backfield. Some scouts have him pegged as a first-round prospect in this year’s draft.
Henderson’s 3,761 career rushing yards ranks in the top five of Ohio State history. He ranks third in Buckeyes history in touchdowns from scrimmage (48) and all-purpose yards (4,614).
“The best part of my game I feel is my breakaway speed,” Henderson said at the NFL combine.
The Cowboys could very well draft a pass catcher with their first-round pick, but upgrading their backfield is another option. Dallas ranked 27th in the league in rushing and had an NFL-low six rushing touchdowns last year.
Rico Dowdle left for Carolina in free agency. The Cowboys replaced Dowdle with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Neither of the two are long-term solutions at the position.
All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter. Check out the latest edition: Titans seem to have clear choice at No. 1.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL draft landing spots: Perfect fits for top running backs
Continue reading...
Saquon Barkley led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl title and had the most rushing yards ever in a single season, including the playoffs. Derrick Henry rumbled for over 1,900 yards and 16 rushing touchdowns.
Teams will be on the lookout for the next workhorse running back. The position group is considered to deep in this year’s draft.
NFL DRAFT RANKINGS: Ashton Jeanty tops deep running back class
Where will the top running backs be selected during April’s draft? USA TODAY Sports explores the best landing spots for the highest-rated running backs in the 2025 draft.
NFL draft running back landing spots
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Best fit: Las Vegas Raiders
Jeanty’s size, speed and vision make him the consensus top running back in this year’s draft.
Jeanty’s 2,601 rushing yards last year were the second most ever in FBS history, trailing only Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders (2,628). The Boise State product compiled 2,739 yards from scrimmage, which was an NCAA best and third-most all time.
“Just being a three-down back,” Jeanty said of his traits at the NFL combine. “Obviously able to run the ball, catch it and then be on the field and pass protect on those third downs.”
Jeanty can be an every-down running back and an instant starter in the league.
The Raiders averaged an NFL-low 79.8 rushing yards per game in 2024. It was the lowest rushing average by a team in a single season since 2022. Head coach Pete Carroll has historically loved to run the ball, and the Raiders could upgrade their backfield in a big way with the addition of Jeanty.
Omarion Hampton, UNC
Best fit: Denver Broncos
Hampton is a downhill running back who plays through contract. The 6-foot, 221-pound ball carrier is tough to tackle and is explosive at the line of scrimmage.
The North Carolina running back tallied 1,660 rushing yards last year. A total of 733 of his yards were on runs up the middle, including 18 runs that went for 10-plus yards.
Hampton’s 2,911 rushing yards ranks ninth in North Carolina history, while his 30 rushing touchdowns are sixth on the school’s all-time list.
Hampton’s confident he’ll make a big impact in the NFL.
“I’m a three-down back,” Hampton said at the NFL combine. “I can do everything. I can pass block, catch out of the backfield, I can make defenders miss at the third level. I can really do everything.”
Javonte Williams was the Broncos’ leading rusher in Denver’s backfield-by-committee approach with 513 yards. Williams departed in for the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.
The Broncos haven’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Phillip Lindsay in 2019.
TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Best landing spot: Dallas Cowboys
Henderson has good acceleration and is shifty enough to be a valuable running back and pass-catch option out of the backfield. Some scouts have him pegged as a first-round prospect in this year’s draft.
Henderson’s 3,761 career rushing yards ranks in the top five of Ohio State history. He ranks third in Buckeyes history in touchdowns from scrimmage (48) and all-purpose yards (4,614).
“The best part of my game I feel is my breakaway speed,” Henderson said at the NFL combine.
The Cowboys could very well draft a pass catcher with their first-round pick, but upgrading their backfield is another option. Dallas ranked 27th in the league in rushing and had an NFL-low six rushing touchdowns last year.
Rico Dowdle left for Carolina in free agency. The Cowboys replaced Dowdle with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Neither of the two are long-term solutions at the position.
All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter. Check out the latest edition: Titans seem to have clear choice at No. 1.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL draft landing spots: Perfect fits for top running backs
Continue reading...
