2025 NFL Draft: Rating top RBs, TEs
Could be best RB class in years
The narrative around running backs is that they are one of the easier to replace, and teams believe they can find valuable production late in the draft and even among undrafted free agents.
Earlier in this series, we described it as “the devolution” of the running back position. In that story, we pointed out that some view running backs as disposable because of their short careers, and teams are more reluctant to pick one very high in the draft.
Sure enough, since the first combined draft in 1967, only twice were running backs not selected in the first round — 2022 and 2024. Yep, two of the last three drafts.
Over the past few seasons, talented veteran runners like Ezekiel Elliott, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Austin Ekler, Saquon Barkley, David Montgomery, Dalvin Cook, and Nick Chubb have either held out or found new homes because they felt underappreciated and undervalued.
The projected 2025 running back class may redefine that value.
Presenting Ashton Jeanty (Boise State), Ollie Gordon (Oklahoma State), Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State), Omarion Hampton (North Carolina), and TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State). These are all very talented players who project to revamp the NFL’s running back landscape next year.
The tight end position is another group that could use a new infusion of talent, as it is widely considered the thinnest group in the NFL today. Many people agree that there are about 5-6 quality tight ends in the pros, and after that are interchangeable and scheme-reliant guys. Oscar Delp (Georgia) and Colston Loveland (Michigan) are two elite athletes with a ton of upside as pass catchers but can also work productively in the trenches.
In this analysis, I will combine the two groups to examine each player and break down what they have to offer as prospects.
Ashton Jeanty — RB, Boise State, 5076, 210, Jr, 4.49 40 (est). (24th-ranked Player and 1st-ranked RB at Hall of Football)
Overview
Jeanty is a third-year junior at Boise State and is expected to have a big year in 2024, as demonstrated on Aug. 31 when Boise State visited Georgia Tech. Jeanty carried 20 times for 267 yards and six touchdowns in a 56-45 win. Jeany’s TD scampers covered 23, 26, 20, 5, 1 and 25 yards. Jeanty had established himself as one of the best backs in the nation with a tremendous 2023 performance when he ran for 1,347 yards on 220 attempts, averaged 6.1 yards per carry, rushed for 14 TDs, and caught 43 passes for 569 yards and five touchdowns.
Ashton Jeanty is originally from Jacksonville, Florida, but attended Lone Star high school in Texas. He was ranked a four-star prospect and the 42nd-ranked prospect in Texas, and he played a number of positions in high school—RB, WR, DE, OLB and safety. Jeanty was named the 2019 Texas District 5-5A D-1 Defensive Newcomer of the Year and named First-Team Texas District 5-5A D-1 as a receiver in 2020. For his tremendous 2023 season, Jeanty landed First-Team All-America recognition from ESPN and USA Today, and was named a Second-Team All-American by the Associated Press. Notable preseason accolades announce the high expectations for a big 2024 for Jeanty. These include:
The Athletic Preseason All-America First Team
Associated Press Preseason All-America Second Team
ESPN Preseason All-America Second Team
Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List
Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List
For a full rundown of Jeanty’s accomplishments, see his HOFB profile.
Strengths
He has a thick/compact frame and good physical strength to absorb contact running between the tackles. Runs with excellent tempo/patience to carry out the initial path and wait for lanes to develop. He has elite frontside and backside vision as a runner, is an outstanding decision-maker in picking the correct hole in front of him, and also has extraordinary peripheral vision to pick up cutback lanes. Superb footwork in traffic around the LOS, and in space he has a smooth jump cut to consistently evade the initial defender. Exceptional contact balance as a runner with a very low center gravity that allows him to break multiple tackles on a given play. Satisfactory lateral agility and elusiveness in space; he can make you miss if you don’t wrap him up. He has quality power/strength, consistently falls forward, and fights for extra yards inside and outside. Demonstrates incredibly soft hands as a receiver, making him a quality option out of the backfield. Jeanty’s solid route running and separation quickness helps him match up well out of the backfield against LBs.
Weaknesses
Undersized in terms of height/length and he does not fit the ideal mold of an every down back who can handle a max workload. Average speed and burst when hitting the second level. Jeanty will not outrun DBs when trying to turn a breakaway into a home run. In pass pro, he tends to struggle against bigger front-seven opponents who can overpower and easily move him.
Summary
Ashton Jeanty is a very well-rounded back as a runner and a receiver. He has great instincts as a runner and picks up positive yards and chunk gains with his vision and contact balance. He can also make an impact as a receiver out of the backfield. His size concerns and limitations in pass pro make it likely he’ll be best utilized as part of a RB committee, but regardless, he can be an impact player and anchor an offense's running game.
Ollie Gordon II — RB, Oklahoma State, Jr., 6-1, 211, 4.50 40 (est). (75th-ranked player and 6th-ranked RB by Hall of Football).
Overview
Ollie Gordon is viewed by most as the best back in the country heading into the 2024 season. His spectacular 2023 warrants that assessment after he rushed for 1,732 yards and 21 TDs, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. If he can replicate his production from last year, we could see him make a big push for being a first-round selection. In Week 1, he led Oklahoma State to a 44-20 win over South Dakota State with 126 yards on 28 carries and three touchdowns. He also caught three passes for 20 yards.
Gordon was a four-star recruit from Fort Worth, Texas, where he attended Trinity High School. Gordon earned a number of awards for his 2023 performance, such as the Doak Walker Award, Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year (coaches and AP), and the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award. He was also a Maxwell Award semifinalist, Walter Camp Player of the Year semifinalist, and he finished seventh in Heisman voting.
Strengths
Gordon has the build/frame you look for in a bell-cow back. He makes quick decisions at the LOS and has excellent front-side and backside vision anchored by a sneaky jump cut to avoid an initial defender. He shows quality footwork around the line and can plant and change direction in a blink. Gordon runs with satisfactory contact balance to consistently power through arm tackles, and he does a great job finishing runs by falling forward. Gordon’s deceptive long speed and acceleration can fly under the radar. Although he is a taller back, he can outrun a defense when finding space at the second level. While not a blur in space, his lateral agility and overall athleticism are satisfactory; he can work in space well enough to make defenders with lazy angles and technique miss him. Gordon is not a receiver who will give LBs nightmares or create mismatches coming out of the backfield, but he does show soft hands and can pick up chunk yards if you don’t account for him as a check-down option.
Weaknesses
While his overall vision is suitable for making quick decisions, he needs to develop more patience and a better understanding of how to manipulate defenders and set up cut-back lanes. Because Gordon is a taller back, he does tend to run with a high pad level, which affects his leverage when bracing for a hit or attempting to roll off tackles. While serving as a valuable check-down option, he may struggle to become anything more than that; his route running and separation quickness are so-so, making it challenging for him to run complex routes.
Summary
Ollie Gordon has the total package of an NFL running back. He has the size to be a bruiser up the middle and the speed to win on the perimeter and make splash plays. Gordon is the cream of the crop in this class, and it is plausible he will be the first running back taken next year.
Quinshon Judkins — RB, Ohio State, 5112, 219, Jr, 4.52 40 (est). (56th-ranked player and 4th-ranked RB at Hall of Football)
Overview
Quinshon Judkins is coming off of back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons with 15+ plus rushing TDs as an Ole Miss Rebel. While there are concerns about whether he can be a true workhorse back at the next level, that collegiate production is undeniable and has probably helped cement his case as one of the backs in the country. After transferring to Ohio State, however, Judkins must share the backfield with TreVeyon Henderson, so seeing how many touches he’ll get in 2024 will be interesting. In Ohio State’s Week 1, 52-6 walkover of Akron, Judkins carried 13 times for 55 yards and one touchdown, while Henderson carried eight times for 65 yards and added two catches for 18 yards.
Judkins was a unanimous three-star recruit from Pike Road, AL, and was selected to the Mississippi/Alabama All-Star game in high school. At Ole Miss last year, he ran for 1,158 yards on 271 carries, averaged 4.3 yards per carry, and rushed for 15 touchdowns. He earned numerous honors in 2023, including All-SEC First Team, All-SEC Second Team. He was a Conerly Trophy finalist, and landed on the Maxwell Award, Walter Camp Player of the Year, and Doak Walker Award watch lists.
Strengths
Quinshon Judkins is a patient runner with good vision. He carries out his initial path very well and looks to get upfield to pick up yards. He is proficient in zone concepts with a feel for open lanes, and he consistently shows good decision-making. He demonstrates satisfactory footwork to open and redirect when eluding defenders around the LOS and in space. While he is not the biggest or strongest back, Judkins is a physical runner who rolls off of tackles well and fights for every inch. He has that finishing mentality that can frustrate defenders who don’t properly square him up. Blessed with an exceptional ability to run through arm tackles and is good at finishing off runs. He is also a solid check-down receiver, who shows reliable hands and can pick up quality yards when he turns upfield.
Weaknesses
Judkins is a back who thrives on his vision, taking what’s available, using cutback lanes well, and manipulating defenders with hypnotic footwork. But there is no long speed or burst when hitting the second level, as he lacks the extra gear that would make him a constant threat to beat defenders to the edge. His lateral/one-cut ability in tight space makes defenders miss, but he seems stiff below the waist and is less able to plant and change direction effectively in open space. While he is an excellent check-down option, he likely won’t offer much more than that for an NFL passing game, as his separation quickness and overall route running are subpar. Being a smaller back limits Judkins in pass protection, and he is consistently outmatched against front-seven defenders.
Summary
Quinshon Judkins is a smart player who understands how to get north/south, pick up positive yards, and excel in short-yardage situations. However, he lacks the footwork and elusiveness in space to evade defenders, which means he is not as dynamic in space as some of the other top backs in this group. Because of that, he could find himself stuck in a two-down role in the NFL and struggle to find major success.
Omarion Hampton — RB, North Carolina, 6-0, 220, Jr., 4.44 40 (est). (40th-ranked player and 2nd-ranked RB at Hall of Football)
Overview
Hampton burst onto the scene in 2023. But with only that single year of production to reference, some observers may doubt him as a legitimate prospect. With QB Drake Maye now in the NFL, we will now get a look at Hampton without the advantage of having a blue-chip quarterback to keep defenses honest. Hampton must prove he can be the focal point of an offense and put up similar production against the loaded boxes he will likely face in 2024. In North Carolina’s opening week 19-17 win over Minnesota, Hampton Carried 30 times for 129 yards and added five catches for another 17 yards.
Hampton played his high school ball at Cleveland High School in North Carolina, where he was a four-star recruit, before committing to UNC. He had a monster 2023 campaign, finishing with 1,504 rush yards on 253 attempts (5.9 average) and 15 rushing touchdowns. Hampton also walked away with a plethora of awards and honors after the season. These include being named Walter Camp First-Team All-American, Second-Team AP All-American, Second-Team The Sporting News All-American, and Second-Team CBS Sports All-American. AP also anointed him First-Team All-ACC, and he was a finalist for the 2023 Doak Walker Award.
Strengths
At 6-0, 220, Hampton is built like a mid-sized automobile and has that workhorse frame teams look for in the back. Around the LOS, he displays a blend of patience and vision. He lets lanes develop and then has a knack for finding the daylight. Hampton shows initial front-side vision and a feel for cut-back lanes. Hampton has refined footwork to alter his route at the line, showcasing an effective jump cut that allows him to get to the second level.
When he finds a crease, Hampton has a burst and hits second gear quickly. He also shows exceptional contact balance and physicality as he bounces off defenders. He isn’t the most elusive back in space but moves well for a man of his girth. As with Gordon and Judkins, Hampton is a reliable check-down option, and with his combination of speed and power, he’s tough to bring down. In pass pro, Hampton is stout and is not only willing to take on blocks but has the frame and strength to match up with linebackers and defensive linemen.
Weaknesses
He will need to improve at manipulating running lanes at the LOS; he lacks consistency in creating openings when no holes initially exist. Although Hampton shows soft hands as a pass catcher, he lacks versatility in the passing game — he is not the type of receiver who can line up in multiple spots and create mismatches.
Summary
Omarion Hampton is an exciting blend of size and speed and can wear on a defense with his physicality. He has all of the makings of a true number one back who can take on a full workload. He is in for a great season; in my opinion, he is a top-three back in next year’s projected class.
TreVeyon Henderson — RB, Ohio State, 5095, 208, Sr, 4.48 40 (est). (48th-ranked player and 3rd-ranked RB at Hall of Football)
Overview
TreVeyon Henderson is a fourth-year senior at Ohio State. He has carved out a nice career there, running for 1,248 yards and averaging 6.8 yards per carry. As a true freshman, he ran for 15 TDs. He has not been able to eclipse his production as a freshman but had a very nice season in 2023, where he ran for 926 yards, averaged 5.9 yards per carry and rushed for 11 scores. With the addition of Quinshon Judkins, it is unlikely he handles most of the workload, but his talent as a runner is undeniable. In Ohio State’s Week 1 win, a 52-6 demolition of Akron, Henderson carried eight times for 65 yards and added two catches for 18 yards.
Henderson grew up in Hopewell, Virginia and attended Hopewell High. He compiled over 4,000 rush yards and 50 TDs in his high school career, and was ranked a five-star prospect and the No. 1 RB in the country by 247Sports. He helped Hopewell win its second consecutive state title in 2019, where he rushed for four TDs in the title game. He was named the Virginia Gatorade Player of the Year in 2019. Honors and awards he has earned at Ohio State include:
2021 Freshman All-American (ESPN, The Athletic, 247Sports, Pro Football Focus); Second-Team All-Big Ten, OSU Scholar-Athlete
2022 Honorable Mention All-Big Ten Conference, Academic All-Big Ten
2023 First-Team All-Big Ten Conference (coaches and media polls), OSU Scholar-Athlete, Academic All-Big Ten
Strengths
Good frame to handle extended workload. Frontside and backside vision is satisfactory, and he consistently makes picks the correct lane. Shows patience as a runner to carry out initial path and allow lanes to develop. Sound footwork around the LOS and in space to open base and work around traffic to elude tackles. He has great speed and burst when he hits the open field and shows a plus second gear that allows him to outrun most second-level defenders. He runs with favorable contact balance and has a strong lower half to run through and bounce off tackle attempts. Quality COD/Lateral agility to make defenders miss in space and is smooth at sticking his foot in the ground and redirecting.
As a receiver, he has solid hands and can serve as a check-down option who will gash a defense if he finds space after the catch. He is not a refined route runner, but he is a fluid athlete with plus quickness to separate. He is undervalued as a pass blocker, as he shows great effort and awareness to pick up free rushers.
Weaknesses
Henderson checks the height/length of the ideal bell-cow back teams value. He has adequate physicality as a runner but will not make defenders pay with his power, nor does he consistently fall forward to pick up extra yards at the end of runs. His lack of polish as a route runner means he will not create mismatches as a receiver.
Summary
I think it is fair to say there is not one thing that Henderson is elite at, but he has a natural feel as a runner, and his speed makes him a dynamic playmaker in space. I don’t see him being that bell-cow back for a team who handles a heavy workload and wears down defenses, but I do see him serving a valuable role as a member of a running back committee.
Oscar Delp — TE, Georgia, 6045, 245, Jr, 4.56 40 (est). (30th-ranked player and 1st-ranked TE by Hall f Football).
Overview
Delp is a third-year junior at the University of Georgia. It has been a grind for him to showcase his abilities as a receiver during the first two seasons at Georgia because he was in the same TE group as Brock Bowers, one of the more impressive TE prospects in recent years. Now that Bowers has jumped to the NFL, Delp is set to take over the TE1 spot for the Bulldogs and showcase his entire skill set.
Delp is from Cumming, Georgia, and attended West Forsyth high school. He was ranked a four-star prospect, the No. 1 TE in the country, and the No.4-ranked prospect from Georgia by 247Sports. He was named to the 2020 MaxPreps All-Georgia Second Team, named the 2021 Forsyth County Offensive Player of the Year, and was honored as a 247Sports.com All-American in 2021. Also played lacrosse in high school.
Summary
Delp has superb height and the lean frame of a modern-day tight end. He is a dynamic athlete for his size and position, as he is so smooth moving in space as a route runner and as a ball carrier. He shows the ability to change levels at the top of routes and manipulate his opponent, with quality separation quickness to create space at breakpoints. Great hands make him a reliable pass catcher who secures in traffic. Good body control and tracking ability downfield mean he is often able to adjust work back to the ball well. He has plus speed to get vertical over the middle and pick up chunk plays in space after the catch. Favorable COD/lateral agility to elude defenders after the catch and pick up extra yardage. He is a fantastic run blocker in both zone and gap concepts, and plays with tremendous footwork and hand technique to sustain blocks and seal off running lanes.
Weaknesses
He doesn’t take advantage of his large frame/build and raw strength to overpower smaller defenders in coverage. His lack of production thus far in college could concern some NFL teams about his overall ceiling. He must have a big year receiving to eliminate that narrative.
Summary
Oscar Delp is a phenomenal run blocker who could step in on Day 1 and provide an instant impact on an NFL team’s running game. He is also a fluid athlete and shows significant potential to create mismatches as a receiver against smaller defenders. He would also be a headache for defenders to tackle him in space. He has legitimate NFL TE1 potential and could serve as a key piece for a pro offense.
Colston Loveland — TE, Michigan, 6045, 245, Jr, 4.67 40 (est). (32nd-ranked player and 2nd-ranked TE at Hall of Football).
Overview
Loveland is a third-year junior at the University of Michigan. His performance in 2023 national championship run solidified Love both as a top pass catcher for the Michigan offense and as a top tight end in the entire country. Last season, he posted 45 receptions for 649 yards, averaged 14.4 yards per catch and caught four touchdowns. In Michigan’s Week One win over Fresno State, 30-10, Loveland led the team with eight catches for 87 yards and a touchdown.
He grew up in Gooding, Idaho, and attended Gooding High as a teen. At Gooding, he was a four-year varsity starter and set school records for catches in a season (91) and in a single game (19). He helped lead his team to back-to-back playoff appearances as a junior and senior, including an appearance in the state semifinal as a senior. Also lettered in basketball at Gooding and was First Team All-Idaho and 2021 SCIC Co-Player of the Year. In his career at Michigan thus far, he has earned Offensive and Special Teams Rookie of the Year (2022) and was selected as First-Team All-Big Ten (coaches) and Second-Team All-Big Ten (team and media).
Strengths
He has excellent size and catch radius to be a big target for his quarterback, and he is a quality athlete who moves well in space. He is physical off the line and fights off press coverage, using his body to create leverage downfield. Gives quality effort as a route runner, using feints and changing levels at the top of routes. Great hands and overall hand strength as a receiver, with a consistent ability to make tough catches in traffic. When stretching the field vertically, he shows the body control to adjust to throws outside of his frame.
Exceptional speed gives him a step on most LBs and creates mismatches when matched up against them on vertical concepts. Has great RAC ability, his plus speed allows him to pick up chunk plays when given space, but also has good lateral agility to make defenders miss if they don’t square him up. Loveland uses sound mechanics as a run blocker. He shows accurate hand placement to get into an opponent, and he keeps his feet square to maintain effective leverage. His ability to maintain blocks is overall satisfactory.
Weaknesses
Substandard separation quickness at breakpoints. Shows a little stiffness in the lower body at the top of routes. Adequate contact balance as a runner after the catch. He won’t run through many tackles, especially when opponents target his lower half. Shows struggles in pass pro against power moves. Stronger defenders can work through him.
Summary
Colston Loveland is a versatile receiver with his size and catch radius. He can create mismatches and make impressive catches above the rim. He is a piece offensive coordinators can move around and line up in different places. His blocking ability is above average, but he is built to catch passes, and that should be his primary use on the field.
Class Summary
The 2025 Draft’s running back class appears to be the best we have seen in a long time. Ollie Gordon, Omarion Hampton and Ashton Jeanty are the best of the class and have legitimate star potential. Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson have had great collegiate careers, but I am wary of how their game will translate when they reach the NFL. Nonetheless, they are both talented players who can make an impact in the pros. There is exciting depth after the top guys, such as Jordan James (Oregon), Donovan Edwards (Michigan), Jayden Ott (Cal) and Trevor Etienne* (Georgia), who could turn out to be great value picks on Day 2 or 3.
The top end of the 2025 tight end class looks thin, with Oscar Delp and Colston Loveland being the only players likely to be taken within the first two rounds. Both players can add tremendous value to a pro running game, and both have the size and athletic ability to develop into productive pass catchers. Luke Lachey (Iowa) and Mason Taylor (LSU) are names to watch as under-the-radar picks later in the draft.
*Etienne was suspended for Georgia’s season opener against Clemson. The suspension resulted from Etienne’s DUI arrest back in March.