Last week, I took a look at the combined 2024 and 2025 quarterback rankings (link), and this week I continue the series with running backs. This running back class is loaded with talent and is the strength of the 2025 class. It’s clear when comparing this class with the 2024 class that this class has the potential to completely reshape the running back market in dynasty. Like the quarterbacks, this list looks at the 2024 class as prospects before being drafted. Let’s dive in.
(Stat key: yds = yards, ypa = yards per attempt, TDs = touchdowns, yco/a = yards after contact per attempt, y/rec = yards per reception, yac/rec = yards after catch per reception)
Tier 1
1. Ashton Jeanty
(2025 RB1, Boise State)
Rushing: 1,730 yds, 7.8 ypa, 23 TDs, 5.69 yco/a
Receiving: 93 yds, 5.8 y/rec, 1 TDs, 6.8 yac/rec
Ashton Jeanty is having an incredible year, averaging 192 rushing yards and 2.5 touchdowns per game. He excels in nearly every aspect of his game and is a high-character player as well. His only knock is his height, but for running backs, that’s not as negative for profiles as it is for any other position. He should come off the board in the first round of the NFL draft next year and probably enter the league as a top 5 dynasty running back before he plays a down.
Tier 2
2. Omarion Hampton
(2025 RB2, North Carolina)
Rushing: 1,178 yds, 5.5 ypa, 13 TDs, 4.22 yco/a
Receiving: 265 yds, 10.2 y/rec, 1 TDs, 11.9 yac/rec
Omarion Hampton is an athletic freak. His size, speed, and power combo are at the top of the class. He’s averaging 131 yards and 1.4 touchdowns rushing this year and 29 yards per game receiving. He is prototypically the type of profile we look for in a workhorse 3-down back in the NFL and is excellent at making one cut and getting north to south.
(2025 RB4, Ohio State)
Rushing: 647 yds, 6.2 ypa, 6 TDs, 3.20 yco/a
Receiving: 94 yds, 7.8 y/rec, 1 TDs, 8.0 yac/rec
Quinshon Judkins has quick feet and good vision with great size and power. In prior seasons he was the workhorse for Ole Miss, but at Ohio State this year he has split carries with TreVeyon Henderson. His profile suggests that he could be a staple on fantasy rosters for years.
4. TreVeyon Henderson
(2025 RB3, Ohio State)
Rushing: 582 yds, 7.4 ypa, 5 TDs, 3.78 yco/a
Receiving: 83 yds, 7.5 y/rec, 0 TDs, 5.9 yac/rec
TreVeyon Henderson is an electric running back with great acceleration and quick cuts. He’s smaller than the other running backs on this list but he plays big, never shying away from contact and shows some good power for his size. He’s been efficient with his touches but has been underutilized by Ohio State compared to Judkins. His injury history also has cause for concern otherwise he might be higher on this list.
5. Kaleb Johnson
(2025 RB5, Iowa)
Rushing: 1,326 yds, 7.1 ypa, 20 TDs, 4.74 yco/a
Receiving: 111 yds, 5.8 y/rec, 1 TDs, 8.9 yac/rec
The biggest riser of the year, Kaleb Johnson, has been a star for Iowa this season. He is a patient runner who accelerates quickly when holes open up. Sometimes his patience can be used against him as he doesn’t always use his strong frame well when the defense closes in on him at the line of scrimmage. He has the profile to be a 3-down back through and his production this year proves he’s capable of being the guy in a backfield.
6. Nick Singleton
(2025 RB6, Penn State)
Rushing: 550 yds, 6.2 ypa, 3 TDs, 3.44 yco/a
Receiving: 218 yds, 9.9 y/rec, 4 TDs, 9.1 yac/rec
Nick Singleton was a highly touted recruit coming out of high school. He should dominate the combine as on tape, he shows explosiveness, speed and power. His usage at Penn State has been mixed, splitting time with Kaytron Allen, but he flashes 3-down potential with ideal measurables. On the year, he has 550 yards rushing with 6.2 yards per attempt and 218 yards on 22 receptions.
Tier 3
7. Dylan Sampson
(2025 RB7, Tennessee)
Rushing: 1,126 yds, 5.6 ypa, 20 TDs, 3.45 yco/a
Receiving: 94 yds, 7.8 y/rec, 0 TDs, 9.3 yac/rec
Small in stature, Dylan Sampson is electric with elite contact balance and vision. He excels at spinning out of contact and should be great for any team that features him in the NFL. PFF has an 87.5 rushing grade for him this year.
8. Jordan James
(2025 RB8, Oregon)
Rushing: 947 yds, 5.7 ypa, 10 TDs, 3.39 yco/a
Receiving: 115 yds, 7.7 y/rec, 0 TDs, 6.5 yac/rec
The 2025 class is full of big and fast running backs, and Jordan James is no different. He is a powerful runner but is elusive with good speed and quickness and excels at both running the football and catching it out of the backfield. He has a 90.5 PFF rushing grade this year.
9. Trevor Etienne
(2025 RB9, Georgia)
Rushing: 477 yds, 5.0 ypa, 7 TDs, 3.47 yco/a
Receiving: 140 yds, 6.1 y/rec, 0 TDs, 7.9 yac/rec
After a slow start to the year, Trevor Etienne is starting to show us what we saw at Florida last year. His efficiency is slightly down from previous years but still has a healthy 5.0 yards per attempt on the year. He has a similar profile to Jordan James and Dylan Sampson as all three are compact backs with all-around skill sets.
10. Jonathan Brooks
(2024 RB1, Texas)
Rushing: 1,135 yds, 6.1 ypa, 10 TDs, 3.91 yco/a
Receiving: 286 yds, 11.4 y/rec, 1 TDs, 13.3 yac/rec
Finally our first 2024 running back on the list, Jonathan Brooks tore his ACL in his final season at Texas otherwise he might have been higher on this list. While none of his skill set was elite, he is above average in all aspects of his game and offered a good receiving profile.
11. Jonah Coleman
(2025 RB10, Washington)
Rushing: 863 yds, 6.8 ypa, 5 TDs, 5.09 yco/a
Receiving: 150 yds, 7.5 y/rec, 0 TDs, 9.3 yac/rec
Jonah Coleman is built like a bowling ball but has elite lateral quickness and contact balance. PFF has a 93.4 rushing grade for Coleman this year. He, like many in this class, excels in the receiving game as well.
12. Jaylen Wright
(2024 RB2, Tennessee)
Rushing: 1,010 yds, 7.4 ypa, 4 TDs, 4.35 yco/a
Receiving: 141 yds, 6.4 y/rec, 0 TDs, 7.9 yac/rec
Jaylen Wright showed off elite speed with good patience and decisiveness when holes opened up in his final season at Tennessee. He displayed above-average contact balance but was more has more elusiveness than power.
13. DJ Giddens
(2025 RB11, Kansas State)
Rushing: 995 yds, 6.1 ypa, 5 TDs, 4.23 yco/a
Receiving: 213 yds, 13.3 y/rec, 1 TDs, 12.3 yac/rec
DJ Giddens has a slight frame, but is a fluid athlete that offers some receivine upside as well. He has good vision, patience and contact balance and profiles as a change of pace back in the NFL. If he puts on weight, the skill set it there to be an every-down back though.
14. Devin Neal
(2025 RB12, Kansas)
Rushing: 874 yds, 5.9 ypa, 10 TDs, 3.87 yco/a
Receiving: 167 yds, 9.8 y/rec, 0 TDs, 9.4 yac/rec
Devin Neal is a shifty back with excellent patience and vision in the open field. He athletic with quick feet with the strength to break through arm tackles. He’s slightly undersized but should find a role in the NFL with his skill set.
15. RJ Harvey
(2025 RB13, UCF)
Rushing: 1,329 yds, 6.8 ypa, 19 TDs, 3.81 yco/a
Receiving: 229 yds, 15.3 y/rec, 2 TDs, 10.7 yac/rec
The biggest knock on RJ Harvey is his age and his size, but he boasts explosiveness in a compact frame and has one of the better-receiving profiles in the class. He runs with power and quickness and displays good vision and instincts.
16. Trey Benson
(2024 RB3, Florida State)
Rushing: 905 yds, 5.8 ypa, 14 TDs, 3.53 yco/a
Receiving: 227 yds, 11.4 y/rec, 1 TDs, 12.3 yac/rec
Trey Benson showed off some elite speed at Florida State and good power and contact balance to go with it. His vision was a bit inconsistent and has an upright running style, but the skill set and size suggest he has the potential to develop into an every-down back in the NFL.
Tier 4
17. Damien Martinez
(2025 RB14, Miami)
Rushing: 680 yds, 5.7 ypa, 8 TDs, 4.01 yco/a
Receiving: 180 yds, 12.9 y/rec, 0 TDs, 11.9 yac/rec
Damien Martinez is a powerful runner with good patience and motor. He takes tacklers head-on and rarely gets knocked backwards. His speed and acceleration catches defenders off guard on film regularly too. He has the build and profile to potentially be a workhorse back at the next level.
18. MarShawn Lloyd
(2024 RB4, USC)
Rushing: 816 yds, 7.1 ypa, 9 TDs, 3.97 yco/a
Receiving: 232 yds, 17.8 y/rec, 0 TDs, 16.3 yac/rec
MarShawn Lloyd has a compact build, but is extremely quick for his size. His lateral agility mixed with his contact balances gives some indicators that he will be a productive running back in the NFL. An extremely efficient receiving profile shows that he can be effective as a 3rd-down back.
19. Tahj Brooks
(2025 RB15, Texas Tech)
Rushing: 1,180 yds, 5.0 ypa, 11 TDs, 3.09 yco/a
Receiving: 99 yds, 12.0 y/rec, 1 TDs, 7.5 yac/rec
Tahj Brooks is has a compact build and great lateral quickness. He lacks elite top end speed, but makes up for it with good patience, vision and power. He makes quick cuts and sets defenders up well for missed tackles and fights for extra yards.
20. Ollie Gordon II
(2025 RB16, Oklahoma State)
Rushing: 688 yds, 4.0 ypa, 9 TDs, 2.98 yco/a
Receiving: 150 yds, 5.8 y/rec, 2 TDs, 7.7 yac/rec
Ollie Gordon II is a tall back whose long strides eat up yards quickly. While he does have good speed and play strength, his acceleration in and out of cuts is below average and there is some concern that NFL defenders will be able to contain his patient running style combined with his slower cuts and acceleration. He does provide some upside with solid hands out of the backfield.
21. Brashard Smith
(2025 RB17, SMU)
Rushing: 907 yds, 6.5 ypa, 11 TDs, 3.69 yco/a
Receiving: 192 yds, 8.3 y/rec, 2 TDs, yac/rec
A converted wide receiver, Brashard Smith has been incredibly efficient since after transferring to SMU this year. He has incredible top speed and vision and sets up defenders well in the open field to force missed tackles. He’s slightly undersized but should see some utilization as a pass-catching back in the NFL as he continues to develop as a running back.
22. Blake Corum
(2024 RB5, Michigan)
Rushing: 1,245 yds, 4.8 ypa, 27 TDs, 2.42 yco/a
Receiving: 117 yds, 7.3 y/rec, 1 TDs, 8.1 yac/rec
Blake Corum is a small, compact running back who uses excellent vision and short-area quickness to set up blocks and defenders to pick up extra yards. After his injury, his burst was significantly lower on film, but there is hope that he can return to his 2022 form.
Tier 5
23. Phil Mafah
(2025 RB18, Clemson)
Rushing: 981 yds, 6.1 ypa, 8 TDs, 3.40 yco/a
Receiving: 70 yds, 5.0 y/rec, 0 TDs, 6.7 yac/rec
Phil Mafah is a big imposing back that is surprising fast for his size. Like many in this class, he has the size to be a workhorse back in the NFL. His surprising long speed is what makes him so intriguing as a prospect as there is many times that he pulls away from defenders in the open field.
24. Raheim Sanders
(2025 RB19, South Carolina)
Rushing: 696 yds, 5.3 ypa, 10 TDs, 3.92 yco/a
Receiving: 208 yds, 13.0 y/rec, 1 TDs, 13.4 yac/rec
After an impressive season for Arkansas in 2022, Raheim Sanders had a down year last year, but has returned to form this year for South Carolina. He has a similar profile to Phil Mafah, as he is a bigger back that moves really well for his size. He could become a 3-down back in the NFL with the efficiency in the passing game that he’s shown this year.
25. Kyle Monangai
(2025 RB20, Rutgers)
Rushing: 931 yds, 5.4 ypa, 10 TDs, 3.64 yco/a
Receiving: 49 yds, 4.9 y/rec, 0 TDs, 3.0 yac/rec
Kyle Monangai is a violent, high-motor runner with good vision. He has great contact balance and a choppy running style that allows him to make quick cuts and accelerate quickly. He is not the biggest running back, but packs a punch and can run over defenders at the next level and has some break-away speed as well.
26. Kimani Vidal
(2024 RB6, Troy)
Rushing: 1,661 yds, 5.6 ypa, 14 TDs, 3.58 yco/a
Receiving: 200 yds, 11.1 y/rec, 1 TDs, 11.9 yac/rec
Kimani Vidal was second in the nation in rushing yards in 2023. He is a smaller compact runner, but has surprising burst and speed for his size and build. He has excellent vision and is a good pass catcher too. If he played at a bigger school, he might have had better recognition throughout his career, but his tape speaks for itself.
27. Audric Estime
(2024 RB7, Notre Dame)
Rushing: 1,341 yds, 6.4 ypa, 18 TDs, 4.27 yco/a
Receiving: 142 yds, 8.4 y/rec, 0 TDs, 8.4 yac/rec
Audric Estime is a force running the football. He has excellent vision and acceleration but lacks top speed. He is a bowling ball that is tough to bring down and is surprisingly athletic for his build as well.
28. Bucky Irving
(2024 RB8, Oregon)
Rushing: 1,192 yds, 6.4 ypa, 11 TDs, 3.99 yco/a
Receiving: 395 yds, 7.2 y/rec, 2 TDs, 9.6 yac/rec
Bucky Irving is a smaller shifty runner, with quick feet. He excels at forcing missed tackles and surprisingly has a 3-down skill set for his size. His explosiveness and playmaking ability make him an excellent change of pace back as well.
29. Jarquez Hunter
(2025 RB21, Auburn)
Rushing: 913 yds, 7.0 ypa, 5 TDs, 4.48 yco/a
Receiving: 130 yds, 8.1 y/rec, 1 TDs, 8.8 yac/rec
Jarquez Hunter has been highly efficient for Auburn this season, both on the ground and through the air. He’s not the biggest running back, but is exceptionally quick and has good instincts and vision. He’s a fluid running with an extra top gear when he gets into the open field.
30. Braelon Allen
(2024 RB9, Wisconsin)
Rushing: 982 yds, 5.4 ypa, 12 TDs, 3.77 yco/a
Receiving: 131 yds, 4.7 y/rec, 0 TDs, 7.3 yac/rec
Braelon Allen is one of the youngest players to ever enter the NFL, he’s also as big as most NFL linebackers. He broke out incredibly early at Wisconsin and runs with exceptional power and speed for his size. He wasn’t utilized much as a pass catcher, but showed some capable hands on film. He has some workhorse potential in the NFL.
31. Ray Davis
(2024 RB10, Kentucky)
Rushing: 1,131 yds, 5.7 ypa, 14 TDs, 3.81 yco/a
Receiving: 324 yds, 10.1 y/rec, 7 TDs, 10.8 yac/rec
If Ray Davis were younger, he probably would be higher on this list. He displayed 3-down back potential, with an extensive receiving profile to go along with a great rushing profile. He has great vision and patience mixed with excellent contact balance and power.
32. Woody Marks
(2025 RB22, USC)
Rushing: 877 yds, 5.7 ypa, 9 TDs, 3.01 yco/a
Receiving: 260 yds, 7.0 y/rec, 0 TDs, 9.0 yac/rec
Woody Marks has a low center of gravity and good speed with a shorter, compact build. He is shifty with great instincts and doesn’t shy away from contact. He has a great hands and is a natural receiver out fo the backfield as well.
33. Tyrone Tracy Jr
(2024 RB11, Purdue)
Rushing: 714 yds, 6.3 ypa, 8 TDs, 4.44 yco/a
Receiving: 138 yds, 7.3 y/rec, 0 TDs, 6.8 yac/rec
Another converted wide receiver, Tyrone Tracy Jr. has incredible contact balance with underrated power and lateral agility. He was highly efficient at Purdue both as a runner and a receiver, though he was underutilized. He’s an older prospect, but doesn’t have the wear and tear of other running backs at his age coming out college because of his late transition to the position.
34. Kaytron Allen
(2025 RB23, Penn State)
Rushing: 627 yds, 4.8 ypa, 5 TDs, 3.06 yco/a
Receiving: 60 yds, 7.5 y/rec, 1 TDs, 8.6 yac/rec
Kaytron Allen, though outshined by his counterpart Nick Singleton, is a dependable back that occasionally is utilized more than Singleton. He has great burst through the hole, but only average top speed. He runs with good power and could be an effective goal line back in the NFL.
35. Kalel Mullings
(2025 RB24, Michigan)
Rushing: 740 yds, 5.2 ypa, 8 TDs, 3.63 yco/a
Receiving: 18 yds, 4.5 y/rec, 0 TDs, 5.3 yac/rec
After a hot start to the season, Kalel Mullings has cooled off significantly. Early on, he displayed an elite ability to break tackles and has excellent vision and patience. He has ideal size and play strength and could profile as a goal line back at the next level.
