Back in March, I shared my top ten incoming rookie running back rankings prior to the 2025 NFL Draft. Since then, it has become clear that not every player entered into a favorable opportunity, but who is primed for the most immediate success? Here are my top ten rookie running backs post-draft and prior to week 1.
10. Woody Marks – Houston Texans
Marks was drafted in the 4th round out of USC after a solid, yet unspectacular career that culminated in 1,133 yards and 9 rushing TDs in his Senior season.
Since then, Texans starting RB Joe Mixon appears to be out for more time than originally anticipated, and while they also signed Nick Chubb, Marks provides excellent depth to a backfield that could be out of healthy and/or effective Running Backs sooner than later.
Marks had 16 carries for 63 yards and a TD in the preseason to go along with 20 yards on 4 catches.
9. Kaleb Johnson – Pittsburgh Steelers
Drafted in the 3 round out of Iowa, Kaleb Johnson was added to a Steelers offense that features a strong offensive line and buoyed by a stout defense. Though, like other backs on this list, he won’t begin his pro career as RB1, he should immediately have a role in the offense and could conceivably take control of the top spot sooner than later. I like his skillset in that offense and think it’s merely a matter of time before he takes the reins from Jaylen Warren (and Kenneth Gainwell).
This preseason, Kaleb had 24 carries for 94 yards and 3 catches for 17 yards, though he also returned kicks in Pittsburgh, which is where he will presumably begin his career in the Steel City.
8. Jaydon Blue – Dallas Cowboys
Everyone assumed the Dallas Cowboys would be in the mix for one of the top backs this year. But when the first two days came and went without Jerry Jones’ team selecting a new RB, many were left perplexed. When they finally did pick a RB, they stayed within the state of Texas for former Longhorn Jaydon Blue. Were it not for his own injury in training camp and this being such an elite class of RBs, Blue would be higher on this list, but for now, he begins his career as RB3 on his team and will look to surpass Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams by mid-season. As a back with 4.3 speed (4.25 at his pro day, reportedly) and a pass-catching skillset, Blue is another back I expect to take over sooner than later, especially in the pass-heavy Cowboys offense.
7. Jacory Croskey-Merrit – Washington Commanders
JCM, aka “Bill,” was producing plenty of buzz in camp BEFORE the Commanders traded former starter Brian Robinson away to the San Francisco 49ers. The 7th round pick out of Arizona immediately finds himself set up for a prominent role week 1 as he complements Austin Ekeler and Chris Rodriguez. In an offense led by 2nd year stud Jayden Daniels and a top 10 OL, I expect JCM to finish the year top 5 in rookie RB touches and become a featured player in the Commanders’ offense.
Bill had 18 carries for 70 yards and a TD in the preseason this year.
6. Ollie Gordon – Miami Dolphins
The biggest riser from my original rankings, Ollie Gordon, did not start off with such promising prospects for the 2025 season. Drafted in the 6th round out of Oklahoma State, the former Doak Walker award winner landed in a backfield which already had De’Von Achane, Jaylen Wright and Alexander Mattison. Then, Mattison and Wright got injured (Mattison for the season), and Gordon proceeded to dominate in the preseason, earning not only a spot on the 53-man roster, but also a chance for some touches right out of the gate as a rookie. I love how his big, hard-nosed running style complements Achane’s, and I think he could end up as RB1 in Miami.
Gordon led all RBs this preseason with 126 yards on 26 carries and a TD in addition to 48 yards on 3 catches.
5. Dylan Sampson – Cleveland Browns
At number 5 we have a back who not only didn’t make my original top 10, but was drafted just two rounds after the Browns selected another back on my original list, Quinshon Judkins. Dylan Sampson was drafted in the 4th round out of Tennessee, where he broke all sorts of rushing records as a Volunteer, and will be just 20 years old when the season starts. Though he only got 4 carries this preseason, that was more to him resting with the starters than anything else, as he has already solidified his role in the Browns’ offense. Look for Sampson to be used out of the backfield as a pass catcher more to start the season, but get plenty of carries throughout, even if and when his rookie class-mate Quinshon Judkins finally returns to the team.
4. RJ Harvey – Denver Broncos
Drafted in the 2nd round out of UCF, Harvey entered THE most favorable situation for any rookie running back overall. Sean Payton calling plays, Bo Nix under center behind an elite offensive line and ample weapons out wide, Harvey was primed to feast early and often. And then JK Dobbins was added, muddying Harvey’s impact, at least initially. While I am high on Dobbins, it is Harvey’s unique 3-down skillset that was hand-picked by the offensive guru in Sean Payton (Alvin Kamara anyone?) so I think it is only a matter of time before Harvey is leading the charge in Denver.
This preseason, Harvey had 13 carries for 47 yards and a TD in addition to 3 catches for 7 yards.
3. TreVeyon Henderson – New England Patriots
One of my absolute favorite rookies, let alone RBs, Henderson has made my lofty pre-draft player comp look legit after his dominant training camp and preseason. Henderson has routinely toasted defenders as a pass catcher all off-season and then proceeded to return his first kick for a TD in addition to showing exceptional burst and strength on an 8-yard TD run. Currently listed as a backup to Rhamondre Stevenson, Henderson may lose some short-yardage work to Stevenson, but that is something he was familiar with in college and should not prevent him from making his mark in the league.
2. Omarion Hampton – Los Angeles Chargers
It came as no surprise when the rookie first-round pick out of North Carolina was announced as the starting RB for the LA Chargers. After all, there were multiple reasons he was drafted 22nd overall. An all-around skill set for the Second-Team All American in a pro-ready body at 6’0”, 220lbs that runs a 4.4 forty, Hampton was drafted by a run-first coach in Jim Harbaugh. Just for illustration purposes, one of Harbaugh’s first orders of business as coach was naming former Boise State Defensive Lineman Scott Matlock as the starting Fullback. That’s right, a 6’4”, 296 pound DT will be lead blocking for Hampton this season. Let that sink in. Additionally, the Chargers have one of the top young QBs already rostered with some young, promising weapons out wide in Ladd McConkey and Tre Harris. Expect Hampton to dominate touches in LA early and often and produce RB1 numbers as a rookie.
1. Ashton Jeanty – Las Vegas Raiders
Many here hoped (myself included) that Jeanty would fall to 1.10 so that the Chicago Bears could make him the next great Chicago Bear running back. Instead, he heads to the Raiders and follows in the footsteps of Marcus Allen, Bo Jackson and Napoleon Kaufman. When all is said and done, I expect Jeanty to be at the top of the list in franchise history. Not only does the former Boise State Bronco look pretty sweet in Silver and Black, he joins a team that already has some blue chip talent on offense with Brock Bowers lighting the league up as a rookie last season. The 1-2 punch of these blue-chippers, led by Geno Smith, should pay immediate dividends both in the real game and in fantasy football. Don’t be surprised if Jeanty leads the entire league in rushing this season.
For transparency sake, here was my list prior to the draft.
10. Jaydon Blue
8. Cam Skattebo
6. RJ Harvey
