Cam Skattebo entered the 2025 NFL Draft with one of the most impressive résumés among running backs, yet he remains undrafted heading into Day 3.
Despite carrying Arizona State to a College Football Playoff berth and finishing fourth in Heisman Trophy voting, several concerns have caused teams to hesitate.
Why Cam Skattebo Is Still Undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft
Skattebo’s college production was undeniable. He racked up 1,711 rushing yards, 24 total touchdowns, and contributed 605 receiving yards on 45 receptions during a historic season for the Sun Devils.
His tough, physical running style earned him comparisons to NFL players like Kyren Williams and made him Arizona State’s offensive centerpiece. However, NFL teams are ultimately projecting future performance, not rewarding past statistics.
The primary issue haunting Skattebo is his athletic profile. Analysts such as Greg Cosell have raised red flags about his stiffness and lack of top-end speed. Scouts have questioned whether Skattebo’s power-based game will translate at the professional level, where defenders are faster, stronger, and more disciplined.
Without the burst or elusiveness typically required for modern three-down backs, teams fear he may be limited to short-yardage or goal-line roles.
Adding to these concerns is an ongoing civil lawsuit from a 2023 incident involving a golf cart accident that resulted in a teammate’s career-ending injury. Although the case is not criminal, the legal distraction raises character and maturity questions. NFL front offices place high value on off-field stability, particularly when evaluating Day 3 prospects where margins for error are thin.
Skattebo’s slide is also exacerbated by the depth of the 2025 running back class. With many prospects offering similar production but better athletic profiles or cleaner off-field records, teams have the luxury of being selective. Scheme fit further complicates Skattebo’s outlook, as his bruising style may not mesh with many modern offenses that emphasize speed and versatility out of the backfield.
Ultimately, Skattebo’s draft tumble highlights the growing divide between college production and NFL projection. While his relentless running and dual-threat capabilities are attractive, teams are wary of investing in a player whose athletic limitations and legal distractions could cap his potential.
For Skattebo to succeed at the next level, he’ll need to land with a franchise willing to play to his strengths, provide coaching stability, and place him in a role that maximizes his toughness and determination.
If the right situation presents itself, Skattebo could still reward a team willing to take the risk. But as Day 3 continues, it’s clear why one of college football’s most productive backs is still searching for his NFL home.
3 Potential Landing Spots For Skattebo
Kansas City Chiefs
It’s hard to find fault with the Kansas City Chiefs’ offense, but they struggle to win physical matchups on the ground. With just 12 broken tackles in 2024, Kansas City ranked dead last in the NFL.
And when defenses sell out to stop the pass — like the Philadelphia Eagles did in the Super Bowl — the Chiefs had no answers. They looked skittish. Skattebo gives Kansas City a hammer to extend drives and win ugly winter games.
Dallas Cowboys
This offense is built around Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, but the Dallas Cowboys’ run game hasn’t helped them out. The loss of Rico Dowdle is bigger than many realize. The team signed Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency, but neither player looks like a starting-caliber back at this point.
Brian Schottenheimer, like his dad before him, wants a bruising ground game to open up passing lanes. Winning in the NFC East is about finishing strong on the road late in the season. Skattebo fits that mold perfectly.
Baltimore Ravens
The Derrick Henry-Lamar Jackson combo should hold down the ground game in Baltimore for some time. But adding depth at one of the most physically demanding spots might be a smart idea.
Skattebo’s 1,700-yard and 24-touchdown season could make him a good late-round investment for Baltimore, especially since Henry is 31 years old and entering the final year of his contract.