The running back position is experiencing a significant revival in the modern-day NFL. Over the last couple of seasons, players like Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley, finishing as top-five MVP candidates, have revitalized the position. And that isn’t to mention greats like Derrick Henry, who are still thriving.
But, the incoming draft classes are also bringing in some true game changers. Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, and Kyren Williams have all gotten off to excellent starts in recent years. With that influx of talent, some analysts believe the 2025 NFL Draft might see an explosion of RBs going super high in the pecking order.
Decision Makers Foresee Running Back Rejuvenation in the 2025 NFL Draft
Since 2013, only 13 running backs have gone in the first round of the NFL Draft. That is a 12-draft sample size, with not a single year producing more than two selections at the position. However, the 2025 iteration of the event is shaping up quite differently.
Last year, the collegiate circuit was dominated by running backs. Ashton Jeanty and Cam Skattebo finished in the top five in Heisman Trophy voting, with the former coming in second place.
That is without including other standouts, like Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson. But with the draft littered with gems at the spot, one analyst believes a mindset shift might be incoming.
“I’ve asked multiple NFL scouts if they would say over/under 2.5 running backs go round 1 in the 2025 NFL Draft, and nearly all of them have said over,” NFL Draft analyst Destin Adams noted on X.
I've asked a multiple NFL scouts if they would say over/under 2.5 running backs go round 1 in the 2025 NFL Draft and nearly all of them have said over 👀
I'll have an article early next week with a list of names at RB that have first round buzz around the league right now.
— Destin Adams (@TheDestinAdams) April 5, 2025
Jordan Schultz, one of the most trusted NFL insiders, believes another name, North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, could be on the list of players who take an almighty leap in draft boards.
“North Carolina RB Hampton continues to skyrocket up draft boards. One executive I spoke with compared him and Ashton Jeanty to the Bijan Robinson-Jahmyr Gibbs class, saying both will go ‘very early.'”
North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton continues to skyrocket up draft boards. One executive I spoke with compared him and Ashton Jeanty to the Bijan Robinson-Jahmyr Gibbs class, saying both will go “very early.”
Hampton — who’s being lauded for his combination of vision, balance and… pic.twitter.com/mCPintG3f4
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 5, 2025
However, the latest mock draft from PFSN is still taking that under Adams mentioned, with two running backs going in the first round. Undoubtedly, Ashton Jeanty is one of those names, going sixth overall to the Las Vegas Raiders.
But the other name, as Schultz predicted, is Hampton. Taken 20th by the Denver Broncos, he could uplift a surprise playoff team last season into a legitimate contender as their league-leading defense on PFSN’s Defense+ metric finds an offensive boost.
However, Schultz also theorized a possible landing spot for the Tar Heels superstar that might come even before the Broncos at 20.
“Hampton — who’s being lauded for his combination of vision, balance, and toughness — visited the #Cowboys on Friday. He also has several other visits lined up, following a series of private workouts already completed.”
It remains to be seen where Hampton ends up or if he is the only running back to join Jeanty in the first round.