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The Washington Commanders need to revamp the running game, and could take advantage of a really deep running back class in the 2025 NFL draft. If general manager Adam Peters decides to wait until after their first two rounds of the draft to select a running back, he has plenty of sleeper options that could make an immediate impact that aren't being talked about enough.
Jarquez Hunter is hands down my favorite Day 3 running back in the draft, and I think he's worthy of pick 104 for Washington. Jarquez has the perfect blend of speed and strength to be an every-down back in the NFL. The former Tiger lacks size at 5-foot-9 and 204 pounds, but it doesn't show on film with his contact balance and physical playing style. Hunter uses his size to his advantage, especially when running through gaps and finding an open lane to break upfield.
When targeting the A and B gaps on a run, Hunter averaged eight yards per attempt on 92 carries, and 27% of his runs went for more than 10 yards. Hunter fits into multiple run schemes at the next level with 88 zone attempts and 98 gap attempts in 2024. He rushed for over 2,000 yards in his last two seasons and would be an excellent addition to the running back room for Washington. The Commanders met with Hunter at the Senior Bowl, Auburn's Pro Day, as well as a Zoom meeting recently.
I debated putting Giddens on this list because he's likely a third-round draft pick and Washington doesn't have a third-round pick, but he's too underrated not to be on the list. If Washington trades back from 61 and collects a pick in the 70-90 range, I'm hoping for Giddens. DJ Giddens is an elite athlete with the ceiling of a premier every-down back in the NFL. Giddens plays with patience and vision, and flips the switch to speed and power when it's time to get up the field.
He has a 6-foot, 212-pound frame to mix with his athleticism of 4.43 40-yard dash speed (1.49 10-yard split), and 10-foot-10 broad jump. Giddens rushed for over 2,569 yards in the last two seasons and also added 11.6 yards per reception in that same time frame, making him a complete threat in the backfield. He's a big play waiting to happen as he finished tied for 7th in the country with 25 runs of 15+ yards in 2024. Washington would have their RB1 for a long time if they drafted DJ Giddens. This is my dream pick after the second round.
Woody Marks is a familiar target for the Washington Commanders, as they've met with the running back at the Senior Bowl, at USC's pro day, and a formal meeting at the NFL combine. It's easy to see why Washington is interested in the running back when you watch his film and see his short-area explosiveness and home run threat with his long speed. Washington loves experienced players who can come in as a rookie and contribute right away, and Marks transferred to USC from Mississippi State for his last season, making him a five-year starter. Woody Marks ended his career on a high note in the Big Ten with 1,133 rushing yards (5.7 ypc) and nine touchdowns on the ground.
Marks also finished his career with ample experience as a receiver in the backfield, having made 261 catches for 1,546 yards. Woody is an elite athlete with true acceleration at the running back position, making him a touchdown waiting to happen type of threat. My favorite Woody Marks play this season happened to be a high effort play against Michigan when DT Kenneth Grant recovered a strip sack fumble from USC, and Marks chased the first-round defensive tackle down, ripped the ball out, and recovered it for his offense. That's the kind of play that Dan Quinn and Adam Peters will circle back to when building their boards.
Jordan James doesn't have the same athletic profile as the other running backs listed, but all he does is run the ball at a high level. After splitting the backfield with stud rookie running back Bucky Irving in 2023, James became the leading back for a stacked Oregon team in 2024, making the most of his opportunity. The Oregon back had his carries increased from 108 in 2023 to 233 in 2024, and still maintained a PFF rushing grade of 90.9 (5th highest in the country). James has also NEVER fumbled in his 386 career rushing attempts, making him one of the most dependable backs in the league.
Jordan James is a very patient runner, but when his vision shows him where to go, he displays elite decisiveness and sharp cuts to get there. He runs behind his pads and is every linebacker's nightmare in the second level with his quick burst and ability to break tackles. On his 233 carries, he forced 58 missed tackles and gained 740 of his 1,268 rushing yards after contact. James has already shown that he can be elite in a running back committee, but as a premier back, he is not. Washington met with Jordan James at Oregon's pro day and had a formal meeting with him at the NFL combine as well.
Peters loves to find his value picks in the draft and could decide to prioritize other positions that aren't as deep in the draft before selecting a running back. A lot of the depth in the running back class would go much earlier in any other draft, so you could find a second or third-round running back on day 3 of the draft this year.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 4 sleeper running back targets for Commanders in the 2025 NFL draft
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Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
Jarquez Hunter is hands down my favorite Day 3 running back in the draft, and I think he's worthy of pick 104 for Washington. Jarquez has the perfect blend of speed and strength to be an every-down back in the NFL. The former Tiger lacks size at 5-foot-9 and 204 pounds, but it doesn't show on film with his contact balance and physical playing style. Hunter uses his size to his advantage, especially when running through gaps and finding an open lane to break upfield.
When targeting the A and B gaps on a run, Hunter averaged eight yards per attempt on 92 carries, and 27% of his runs went for more than 10 yards. Hunter fits into multiple run schemes at the next level with 88 zone attempts and 98 gap attempts in 2024. He rushed for over 2,000 yards in his last two seasons and would be an excellent addition to the running back room for Washington. The Commanders met with Hunter at the Senior Bowl, Auburn's Pro Day, as well as a Zoom meeting recently.
DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
I debated putting Giddens on this list because he's likely a third-round draft pick and Washington doesn't have a third-round pick, but he's too underrated not to be on the list. If Washington trades back from 61 and collects a pick in the 70-90 range, I'm hoping for Giddens. DJ Giddens is an elite athlete with the ceiling of a premier every-down back in the NFL. Giddens plays with patience and vision, and flips the switch to speed and power when it's time to get up the field.
He has a 6-foot, 212-pound frame to mix with his athleticism of 4.43 40-yard dash speed (1.49 10-yard split), and 10-foot-10 broad jump. Giddens rushed for over 2,569 yards in the last two seasons and also added 11.6 yards per reception in that same time frame, making him a complete threat in the backfield. He's a big play waiting to happen as he finished tied for 7th in the country with 25 runs of 15+ yards in 2024. Washington would have their RB1 for a long time if they drafted DJ Giddens. This is my dream pick after the second round.
Jo'Quavious "Woody" Marks, RB, Southern Cal
Woody Marks is a familiar target for the Washington Commanders, as they've met with the running back at the Senior Bowl, at USC's pro day, and a formal meeting at the NFL combine. It's easy to see why Washington is interested in the running back when you watch his film and see his short-area explosiveness and home run threat with his long speed. Washington loves experienced players who can come in as a rookie and contribute right away, and Marks transferred to USC from Mississippi State for his last season, making him a five-year starter. Woody Marks ended his career on a high note in the Big Ten with 1,133 rushing yards (5.7 ypc) and nine touchdowns on the ground.
Marks also finished his career with ample experience as a receiver in the backfield, having made 261 catches for 1,546 yards. Woody is an elite athlete with true acceleration at the running back position, making him a touchdown waiting to happen type of threat. My favorite Woody Marks play this season happened to be a high effort play against Michigan when DT Kenneth Grant recovered a strip sack fumble from USC, and Marks chased the first-round defensive tackle down, ripped the ball out, and recovered it for his offense. That's the kind of play that Dan Quinn and Adam Peters will circle back to when building their boards.
Jordan James, RB, Oregon
Jordan James doesn't have the same athletic profile as the other running backs listed, but all he does is run the ball at a high level. After splitting the backfield with stud rookie running back Bucky Irving in 2023, James became the leading back for a stacked Oregon team in 2024, making the most of his opportunity. The Oregon back had his carries increased from 108 in 2023 to 233 in 2024, and still maintained a PFF rushing grade of 90.9 (5th highest in the country). James has also NEVER fumbled in his 386 career rushing attempts, making him one of the most dependable backs in the league.
Jordan James is a very patient runner, but when his vision shows him where to go, he displays elite decisiveness and sharp cuts to get there. He runs behind his pads and is every linebacker's nightmare in the second level with his quick burst and ability to break tackles. On his 233 carries, he forced 58 missed tackles and gained 740 of his 1,268 rushing yards after contact. James has already shown that he can be elite in a running back committee, but as a premier back, he is not. Washington met with Jordan James at Oregon's pro day and had a formal meeting with him at the NFL combine as well.
Peters loves to find his value picks in the draft and could decide to prioritize other positions that aren't as deep in the draft before selecting a running back. A lot of the depth in the running back class would go much earlier in any other draft, so you could find a second or third-round running back on day 3 of the draft this year.
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: 4 sleeper running back targets for Commanders in the 2025 NFL draft
Continue reading...
