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The running back class is the deepest it’s been in years. There’s a lot of high-end talent at the top of the class. The class is also full of good role players throughout day three of the draft. I had draftable grades for over 30 running backs in the class. It wouldn’t shock me if every team drafted a running back this weekend. The class is excellent, and teams always want another young back on the roster.
Below is a quick rundown on the top 20 backs in the class. I’d like to acknowledge three backs who just narrowly missed the cut. Phil Mafah, from Clemson, is a big, bruising back with breakaway speed. Jordan James, out of Oregon, is a dedicated runner and one of the youngest players in the draft. Bhayshul Tuten from Virginia Tech is a fantastic athlete with a fatal fumbling issue.
The Browns desperately need a running back. Perhaps two backs, if they don’t plan on bringing back Nick Chubb. The team must find a reliable workhorse to pick up yards between the tackles. The team could also use a big-play speedster who can provide the Browns a dynamic threat. Hopefully, the Browns can land one of the top five backs in the draft. The backs in the first two tiers are complete backs who would greatly improve the Browns’ offense.
Here are the top 20 running backs in the NFL draft.
Ashton Jeanty is one of the best running backs in college football history. Jeanty led Boise State to the college football playoffs. Jeanty is a compact speedster. His 5-foot-8, 211-pound frame makes it hard for defenders to wrestle him to the ground. Jeanty has incredible contact balance for his size. Jeanty is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He has astounding vision and can succeed in zone or gap schemes. Jeanty is one of the five best players in the draft. He will immediately transform the offense of whichever team selects him.
Omarion Hampton is a good consolation prize for teams drafting later in the first round. Hampton is a powerful back at 5-foot-11, 221 pounds from North Carolina. He breaks through tackles with ease and has breakaway speed. Hampton is a home run threat who thrives in gap and zone schemes. Hampton. He isn’t a creative runner, but he’s impossible to stop once he gets going. Hampton is worthy of a first-round pick.
Kaleb Johnson is a powerful, bruising back out of Iowa. He is 6-foot-1, 224 pounds of muscle. Johnson is a great linear athlete with elite explosiveness and contact balance. He has great vision and patience to find creases in the line of scrimmage and get upfield. Johnson can run away from defenders if given a long enough runway to hit top speed. Johnson must improve his acceleration and maintain his top speed for longer to thrive in the NFL. He should have a lot of success running in zone-heavy schemes at the next level. Johnson is a throwback option at running back and should be selected in the first or second round.
TreVeyon Henderson had a breakout freshman season for Ohio State. The running back had a career high of 1,200 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Henderson spent his sophomore and junior seasons battling through injuries. When healthy, Henderson is one of the top backs in college football. The 5-foot-10, 202-pound running back plays bigger than his size. He’s powerful, fast, and quick. Henderson is a weapon in the passing game as either a receiver or a blocker. Henderson is a complete back, but his injury history has depressed his market. He never proved to be the bell cow back at Ohio State. Henderson is a complete running back, but his injury history suggests he must be part of a committee system. Henderson should go in the second round of the NFL draft.
Quinshon Judkins is a powerful athlete who runs like he’s mad at the world. Judkins is 5-foot-11 and 221 pounds of muscle. Judkins is an impatient runner who crashes through the line of scrimmage with ferocity. He doesn’t have the deep speed to break big runs with consistency. Judkins is productive in the pass game and offers tenacity as a pass blocker. Judkins is a bruising back who must refine his running style to thrive in the NFL. He is a physical runner who could develop into an every-down back for the right team.
Dylan Sampson is the youngest player in the NFL draft. The speedster from Tennessee is a 5-foot-8 200 200-pound blur between the tackles. Sampson is ridiculously quick and a fearless runner. Sampson is a creative runner who loves to cut back inside against the second level. He constantly keeps his feet moving and does a good job of spinning out of tackles. Sampson is a crafty running back who compensates well for his lack of physicality. He can play in zone and gap schemes and contribute in the passing game. Sampson must carve out a role in the NFL. He is a good prospect who could get pigeonhole into a minor role due to his size. Samspon could be an explosive weapon in the right hands. He would be a good pick in the third round of the NFL draft.
DJ Giddens is an agile and quick running back inside the body of a bruiser. The 6-foot, 212-pound back is a patient runner who can slip through tiny creases in the line of scrimmage. Giddens has good deep speed and can make defenders miss in space. He is a deft runner, but must run with more force at the next level. Giddens runs with a high pad level that robs him of his power. He could develop into a workhorse back in the NFL. Giddens is a good lottery ticket in the third round of the NFL draft.
Ollie Gordon II is a fun running back to watch. The 6-foot-1 226 226-pound back gallops around the field, kicking his feet in every direction. Gordon shakes tacklers off or makes them miss with awkward but constant strides. His style is similar to how Kareem Hunt runs, but without the tenacity. Gordon is a good receiving threat and a solid pass protector, he can play on obvious passing downs. Gordon is a promising prospect who could develop into a three-down back. He must continue slimming down as he lacks speed at his size. Gordon has the rare skill set to develop into a three-down back. He is a third-round talent.
Trevor Etienne runs like a professional running back. The 5-foot-8, 200-pound back is a smooth mover. He displays great patience and vision, often setting up blocks in the second level. He runs with a great blend of agility, speed, and power. Etienne is hard to bring down in open space. There’s a lot of concern around Etienne’s size and availability. Etienne was not a primary back during his three years in college, and it’s unclear how large of a workload he can carry in the NFL. Etienne is a talented running back, but he’ll be relegated to committee work in the NFL until he proves he can take the lion’s share. He is a gifted and polished prospect worth a third-round pick.
Devin Neal is another agile back dressed up as a bruiser. The 5-foot-10 220 220-pound running back was incredibly productive. He finished his career with the most rushing yards in Kansas football history. Neil is a patient runner with excellent vision, he can peer into the second level and avoid oncoming tacklers. Neil has a great burst and can make defenders miss in a phone booth. Neal is an exceptional receiver; he’s a skilled route runner and tracks the ball well. The biggest concern around Neal is his lack of power, which makes him a liability inside the tackles. He also lacks a top gear to tear 10-yard runs into 50-yard runs. Neal is a good developmental prospect for a team looking to add consistency to their running game. He should go between rounds three and four.
Brashard Smith is a speedster at running back. He’s a slim 5-foot-9, 195 pounds. Smith began his collegiate career as a receiver at the University of Miami before converting to running back when he committed to Southern Methodist University in 2024. Smith is a raw running back who relies on his quick feet and top gear to outrun defenders. He is a good receiving back; he tracks the ball well and catches with proper technique. Smith isn’t a technically refined runner. He’s impatient and doesn’t tempo his runs adequately. Smith is a powerful runner for his size and can easily escape arm tackles. Smith is a promising running back prospect. He can immediately contribute to the receiving game as he develops as a runner. Smith would be a great option on day three for offenses trying to generate explosive plays.
Tahj Brooks ended his career as one of college football’s most productive running backs. The 5-foot-9 225 225-pound back is a stoutly built runner with oily hips. Brooks had a great collegiate career at Texas Tech. Brooks can run around defenders or run through them. He just can’t run past many defenders. Brooks is a fantastic back who uses excellent vision and acceleration to churn 10-yard gains consistently. Brooks is an effective pass catcher and pass protector. He is a complete running back who will provide a high floor for the team that drafts him. Brooks could develop into a starting running back in the NFL. Brooks is a talented player in a deep running back class. He would be a good option on day three of the draft.
R.J. Harvey is another home run hitting running back. Harvey is a 5-foot-7 207 207-pound speedster from the University of Central Florida. Harvey is a patient runner who can burst through creases in the line of scrimmage. Despite his slight frame, he is a forceful runner who is hard to drag down. Harvey is a 24-year-old prospect with little room to grow. Teams looking for an explosive back should target Harvey during day three in the NFL draft.
Cam Skattebo led Arizona State to the College Football Playoffs. The 5-foot-9, 220-pound back runs like a bowling ball full of butcher knives. He is all shoulders and knee caps when he bursts through the line of scrimmage. Skattebo plays with great urgency and forcefulness. He is a pain for defenders to tackle. Skattebo can contribute to the passing game. Skattebo is an average athlete without any dominating traits, he won’t run away from defenders. His dynamic skill set makes him an ideal choice for teams looking for a short-yardage back or a receiving back. Skattebo would be a good selection on day three of the NFL draft.
Marcus Yarns is a speedster out of the University of Delaware. The 5-foot-10, 189-pound satellite back lacks the strength to run between the tackles consistently. However, he is a weapon in open space. He gets to top speed quickly, he routinely runs away from defenders in the FCS. Yarns is a technically sound back, who lacks the creativity to create yards from nothing. As a result, he’s a very boom-or-bust runner. The 23-year-old is a promising prospect who must get stronger and more creative at the next level. He could develop into a starting-caliber running back. He’s a great lottery ticket on day three of the draft.
Raheim Sanders is a powerful short-yardage back. The 6-foot, 224-pound back has dominated the SEC since his freshman year in 2021. Sanders is a technically sound running back, he has good vision and patience. He’s a skilled route runner with strong hands at the catch point. Sanders’ fatal flaw is his pad level. Sanders runs high, which robs him of his power and speed. He is an explosive athlete with limited top-end speed. Sanders could develop into a great short-yardage back while providing a punch in the passing game. He would be a good option on day three.
LeQuint Allen Jr. is one of the youngest prospects in the draft. The 20-year-old is a 6-foot, 207-pound satellite back. Allen is dangerous in the passing game. He can run routes from the backfield, slot, and outside spots. He catches the ball naturally and pass-protects with determination. Allen is a rudimentary runner who relies on brute force to get through the line of scrimmage. Allen’s high pad level must be corrected in the NFL. He’s a promising receiving back who could develop into a dangerous weapon. Allen is worthy of a pick during the first half of day three.
Jarquez Hunter is a weight room demon. The 5-foot-9, 212-pound bruising back has terrorized the SEC for the past four seasons. Hunter runs with great power, contact balance, and speed. He’s a dangerous one-cut runner who doesn’t lose speed when he changes direction. Hunter is an athletic marvel, but he’s not a technically sound runner. He’s impatient, he doesn’t read the second level of the defense. He can create yards but doesn’t always take the yards blocked up for him. Hunter plays poorly in the passing game. He’s not a reliable receiving threat, and he turns into a mouse when pass protecting. Hunter is a talented player with game-breaking ability, but he’ll be forced to be an early down back if he cannot correct his bad blocking. Hunter is an early day-three talent.
Damien Martinez is the best bruiser in the class. The 5-foot-11 226 226-pound bag runs with incredible power and determination. Martinez is an upright runner who lacks the athleticism to create explosive plays. He is a tough football player willing to do the dirty work. He is a good pass protector in great and short-yardage situations. Martinez is a good pass protector in great and short-yardage. Martinez projects to be a short-yardage back on a deep committee. He would be a good option in the fifth round of the NFL draft.
Jaydon Blue is an explosive receiving threat. The 5-foot-9 196-pound back is a great route runner with soft hands. Blue has the top-end speed to create explosive plays in the NFL. Blue isn’t a good runner; he’s impatient and weak. He struggled with fumbles during his career. Blue will be a dynamic receiving threat in the NFL. He may never develop into a complete running back, but he would make an exciting satellite back for an offense. He should be drafted in the middle of day three.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Top 20 RBs the Browns should target in the NFL draft
Continue reading...
Below is a quick rundown on the top 20 backs in the class. I’d like to acknowledge three backs who just narrowly missed the cut. Phil Mafah, from Clemson, is a big, bruising back with breakaway speed. Jordan James, out of Oregon, is a dedicated runner and one of the youngest players in the draft. Bhayshul Tuten from Virginia Tech is a fantastic athlete with a fatal fumbling issue.
The Browns desperately need a running back. Perhaps two backs, if they don’t plan on bringing back Nick Chubb. The team must find a reliable workhorse to pick up yards between the tackles. The team could also use a big-play speedster who can provide the Browns a dynamic threat. Hopefully, the Browns can land one of the top five backs in the draft. The backs in the first two tiers are complete backs who would greatly improve the Browns’ offense.
Here are the top 20 running backs in the NFL draft.
1. Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
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Ashton Jeanty is one of the best running backs in college football history. Jeanty led Boise State to the college football playoffs. Jeanty is a compact speedster. His 5-foot-8, 211-pound frame makes it hard for defenders to wrestle him to the ground. Jeanty has incredible contact balance for his size. Jeanty is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He has astounding vision and can succeed in zone or gap schemes. Jeanty is one of the five best players in the draft. He will immediately transform the offense of whichever team selects him.
2. Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
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Omarion Hampton is a good consolation prize for teams drafting later in the first round. Hampton is a powerful back at 5-foot-11, 221 pounds from North Carolina. He breaks through tackles with ease and has breakaway speed. Hampton is a home run threat who thrives in gap and zone schemes. Hampton. He isn’t a creative runner, but he’s impossible to stop once he gets going. Hampton is worthy of a first-round pick.
3. Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
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Kaleb Johnson is a powerful, bruising back out of Iowa. He is 6-foot-1, 224 pounds of muscle. Johnson is a great linear athlete with elite explosiveness and contact balance. He has great vision and patience to find creases in the line of scrimmage and get upfield. Johnson can run away from defenders if given a long enough runway to hit top speed. Johnson must improve his acceleration and maintain his top speed for longer to thrive in the NFL. He should have a lot of success running in zone-heavy schemes at the next level. Johnson is a throwback option at running back and should be selected in the first or second round.
4. TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
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TreVeyon Henderson had a breakout freshman season for Ohio State. The running back had a career high of 1,200 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Henderson spent his sophomore and junior seasons battling through injuries. When healthy, Henderson is one of the top backs in college football. The 5-foot-10, 202-pound running back plays bigger than his size. He’s powerful, fast, and quick. Henderson is a weapon in the passing game as either a receiver or a blocker. Henderson is a complete back, but his injury history has depressed his market. He never proved to be the bell cow back at Ohio State. Henderson is a complete running back, but his injury history suggests he must be part of a committee system. Henderson should go in the second round of the NFL draft.
5. Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
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Quinshon Judkins is a powerful athlete who runs like he’s mad at the world. Judkins is 5-foot-11 and 221 pounds of muscle. Judkins is an impatient runner who crashes through the line of scrimmage with ferocity. He doesn’t have the deep speed to break big runs with consistency. Judkins is productive in the pass game and offers tenacity as a pass blocker. Judkins is a bruising back who must refine his running style to thrive in the NFL. He is a physical runner who could develop into an every-down back for the right team.
6. Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
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Dylan Sampson is the youngest player in the NFL draft. The speedster from Tennessee is a 5-foot-8 200 200-pound blur between the tackles. Sampson is ridiculously quick and a fearless runner. Sampson is a creative runner who loves to cut back inside against the second level. He constantly keeps his feet moving and does a good job of spinning out of tackles. Sampson is a crafty running back who compensates well for his lack of physicality. He can play in zone and gap schemes and contribute in the passing game. Sampson must carve out a role in the NFL. He is a good prospect who could get pigeonhole into a minor role due to his size. Samspon could be an explosive weapon in the right hands. He would be a good pick in the third round of the NFL draft.
7. D.J. Giddens, Kansas State
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DJ Giddens is an agile and quick running back inside the body of a bruiser. The 6-foot, 212-pound back is a patient runner who can slip through tiny creases in the line of scrimmage. Giddens has good deep speed and can make defenders miss in space. He is a deft runner, but must run with more force at the next level. Giddens runs with a high pad level that robs him of his power. He could develop into a workhorse back in the NFL. Giddens is a good lottery ticket in the third round of the NFL draft.
8. Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
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Ollie Gordon II is a fun running back to watch. The 6-foot-1 226 226-pound back gallops around the field, kicking his feet in every direction. Gordon shakes tacklers off or makes them miss with awkward but constant strides. His style is similar to how Kareem Hunt runs, but without the tenacity. Gordon is a good receiving threat and a solid pass protector, he can play on obvious passing downs. Gordon is a promising prospect who could develop into a three-down back. He must continue slimming down as he lacks speed at his size. Gordon has the rare skill set to develop into a three-down back. He is a third-round talent.
9. Trevor Etienne, Georgia
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Trevor Etienne runs like a professional running back. The 5-foot-8, 200-pound back is a smooth mover. He displays great patience and vision, often setting up blocks in the second level. He runs with a great blend of agility, speed, and power. Etienne is hard to bring down in open space. There’s a lot of concern around Etienne’s size and availability. Etienne was not a primary back during his three years in college, and it’s unclear how large of a workload he can carry in the NFL. Etienne is a talented running back, but he’ll be relegated to committee work in the NFL until he proves he can take the lion’s share. He is a gifted and polished prospect worth a third-round pick.
10. Devin Neal, Kansas
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Devin Neal is another agile back dressed up as a bruiser. The 5-foot-10 220 220-pound running back was incredibly productive. He finished his career with the most rushing yards in Kansas football history. Neil is a patient runner with excellent vision, he can peer into the second level and avoid oncoming tacklers. Neil has a great burst and can make defenders miss in a phone booth. Neal is an exceptional receiver; he’s a skilled route runner and tracks the ball well. The biggest concern around Neal is his lack of power, which makes him a liability inside the tackles. He also lacks a top gear to tear 10-yard runs into 50-yard runs. Neal is a good developmental prospect for a team looking to add consistency to their running game. He should go between rounds three and four.
11. Brashard Smith, SMU
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Brashard Smith is a speedster at running back. He’s a slim 5-foot-9, 195 pounds. Smith began his collegiate career as a receiver at the University of Miami before converting to running back when he committed to Southern Methodist University in 2024. Smith is a raw running back who relies on his quick feet and top gear to outrun defenders. He is a good receiving back; he tracks the ball well and catches with proper technique. Smith isn’t a technically refined runner. He’s impatient and doesn’t tempo his runs adequately. Smith is a powerful runner for his size and can easily escape arm tackles. Smith is a promising running back prospect. He can immediately contribute to the receiving game as he develops as a runner. Smith would be a great option on day three for offenses trying to generate explosive plays.
12. Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
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Tahj Brooks ended his career as one of college football’s most productive running backs. The 5-foot-9 225 225-pound back is a stoutly built runner with oily hips. Brooks had a great collegiate career at Texas Tech. Brooks can run around defenders or run through them. He just can’t run past many defenders. Brooks is a fantastic back who uses excellent vision and acceleration to churn 10-yard gains consistently. Brooks is an effective pass catcher and pass protector. He is a complete running back who will provide a high floor for the team that drafts him. Brooks could develop into a starting running back in the NFL. Brooks is a talented player in a deep running back class. He would be a good option on day three of the draft.
13. R.J. Harvey, UCF
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R.J. Harvey is another home run hitting running back. Harvey is a 5-foot-7 207 207-pound speedster from the University of Central Florida. Harvey is a patient runner who can burst through creases in the line of scrimmage. Despite his slight frame, he is a forceful runner who is hard to drag down. Harvey is a 24-year-old prospect with little room to grow. Teams looking for an explosive back should target Harvey during day three in the NFL draft.
14. Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
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Cam Skattebo led Arizona State to the College Football Playoffs. The 5-foot-9, 220-pound back runs like a bowling ball full of butcher knives. He is all shoulders and knee caps when he bursts through the line of scrimmage. Skattebo plays with great urgency and forcefulness. He is a pain for defenders to tackle. Skattebo can contribute to the passing game. Skattebo is an average athlete without any dominating traits, he won’t run away from defenders. His dynamic skill set makes him an ideal choice for teams looking for a short-yardage back or a receiving back. Skattebo would be a good selection on day three of the NFL draft.
15. Marcus Yarns, Delaware
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Marcus Yarns is a speedster out of the University of Delaware. The 5-foot-10, 189-pound satellite back lacks the strength to run between the tackles consistently. However, he is a weapon in open space. He gets to top speed quickly, he routinely runs away from defenders in the FCS. Yarns is a technically sound back, who lacks the creativity to create yards from nothing. As a result, he’s a very boom-or-bust runner. The 23-year-old is a promising prospect who must get stronger and more creative at the next level. He could develop into a starting-caliber running back. He’s a great lottery ticket on day three of the draft.
16. Raheim Sanders, South Carolina
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Raheim Sanders is a powerful short-yardage back. The 6-foot, 224-pound back has dominated the SEC since his freshman year in 2021. Sanders is a technically sound running back, he has good vision and patience. He’s a skilled route runner with strong hands at the catch point. Sanders’ fatal flaw is his pad level. Sanders runs high, which robs him of his power and speed. He is an explosive athlete with limited top-end speed. Sanders could develop into a great short-yardage back while providing a punch in the passing game. He would be a good option on day three.
17. LeQuint Allen Jr., Syracuse
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LeQuint Allen Jr. is one of the youngest prospects in the draft. The 20-year-old is a 6-foot, 207-pound satellite back. Allen is dangerous in the passing game. He can run routes from the backfield, slot, and outside spots. He catches the ball naturally and pass-protects with determination. Allen is a rudimentary runner who relies on brute force to get through the line of scrimmage. Allen’s high pad level must be corrected in the NFL. He’s a promising receiving back who could develop into a dangerous weapon. Allen is worthy of a pick during the first half of day three.
18. Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
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Jarquez Hunter is a weight room demon. The 5-foot-9, 212-pound bruising back has terrorized the SEC for the past four seasons. Hunter runs with great power, contact balance, and speed. He’s a dangerous one-cut runner who doesn’t lose speed when he changes direction. Hunter is an athletic marvel, but he’s not a technically sound runner. He’s impatient, he doesn’t read the second level of the defense. He can create yards but doesn’t always take the yards blocked up for him. Hunter plays poorly in the passing game. He’s not a reliable receiving threat, and he turns into a mouse when pass protecting. Hunter is a talented player with game-breaking ability, but he’ll be forced to be an early down back if he cannot correct his bad blocking. Hunter is an early day-three talent.
19. Damien Martinez, Miami
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Damien Martinez is the best bruiser in the class. The 5-foot-11 226 226-pound bag runs with incredible power and determination. Martinez is an upright runner who lacks the athleticism to create explosive plays. He is a tough football player willing to do the dirty work. He is a good pass protector in great and short-yardage situations. Martinez is a good pass protector in great and short-yardage. Martinez projects to be a short-yardage back on a deep committee. He would be a good option in the fifth round of the NFL draft.
20. Jaydon Blue, Texas
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Jaydon Blue is an explosive receiving threat. The 5-foot-9 196-pound back is a great route runner with soft hands. Blue has the top-end speed to create explosive plays in the NFL. Blue isn’t a good runner; he’s impatient and weak. He struggled with fumbles during his career. Blue will be a dynamic receiving threat in the NFL. He may never develop into a complete running back, but he would make an exciting satellite back for an offense. He should be drafted in the middle of day three.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Top 20 RBs the Browns should target in the NFL draft
Continue reading...
