Deepest of the Decade: Ranking the Top 5 RBs within the 2025 NFL Draft Class

The running back class in 2025 has been described as the deepest of the decade. This class could replace one-third of current NFL starters and it wouldn’t shock me.

To go further, there are approximately 16 players I believe wholeheartedly have starter upside in the class. This infusion of talent is pretty versatile, with power backs and speed backs being well-represented.

Here are the top five:

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

Jeanty has been the obvious top running back in this class for the better part of a year, and the hype train has never stopped chugging along for several reasons.

Jeanty’s vision and contact balance make it seem like he’s never going to get tackled, and his yards-after-contact totals are some of the highest in the country. He profiles as a well-rounded back who can take on rushing, receiving and blocking responsibilities.

His only flaw is that he may be only average in terms of speed — so was Emmitt Smith — but his vision and instincts make up for it. Jeanty is a clear top player in the class.

TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Henderson started his career with a bang, taking over the starting running back role for the Buckeyes as a freshman and going for over 1,200 yards, but a foot injury took him out of commission for a year.

Upon his full healthy return, it looked like Henderson hadn’t missed a beat. He’s impressive in the open field with a clear first and second gear that leaves defenders in the dust thanks to his acceleration.

While he’d rather keep out of harm’s way, when he needs to get physical, he lowers the shoulder and is able to truck through contact without losing his top speed, and is also an impressive blocker with a similar style. Henderson wouldn’t be out of place in the first round.

Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

If you want true speed in your running back room, Hampton is your man. Hampton carries 220 with grace and has absolute burners in the open field.

The initial explosion out of the backfield will turn heads, but his speed is even more obvious in the passing game. When he finds a soft spot in coverage, he’s off to the races.

Hampton fights for every yard and is by all accounts a grinder who takes football very seriously. Hampton’s fatal flaw is his lack of creativity and preference to go straight-line that could limit his ceiling in the NFL, but with training, he could be a top back.

Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

Johnson might be the most physical back in the class. If you thought Jeanty’s play style encouraged contact, turning on the Iowa offensive film will change your tune.

Johnson can bounce defenders out of his way and churns his legs to keep moving forward long after the play should have been over. Physically yoked, he uses that muscle to break through defenses like a wrecking ball.

This isn’t to say he’s only able to work through contact. Johnson has the vision to get into open space and can win that way. He lacks agility and can be a bit stiff and high-cut, so don’t expect any jukes or jump steps, but his strength could make him into a starter his rookie season.

Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech

Tuten runs like a track star. Fast and fluid, Tuten showed off his speed at the combine and quickly rose up draft boards.

His jittery cuts and breakaway, home-run ability make him one of the higher-upside plays in the class. He’s the type of big-play threat who can score at any moment.

Able to quickly identify the hole he needs to hit to make those big plays happen, he reaches the second level of the defense in a blink and becomes a blur in the open field.

While he lacks some natural power and receiving skills, Tuten is a high-floor prospect who could immediately become a two-down back — with the ceiling to do much more.