Kansas State Wildcats running back DJ Giddens, like many prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, is still waiting for his name to be called heading into Day 3. He has been highly rated by analysts, but doesn’t come without a few red flags, which have resulted in his slide.
DJ Giddens Red Flags Resulting In Fall Into Day 3
Giddens is a versatile running back with the ability to impact the game as both a runner and a receiver. He runs with a physical style, displaying excellent balance and the ability to break tackles in tight spaces. The 21-year-old combines good vision and patience with good acceleration through the hole, making him effective between the tackles and in open space.
Giddens had an impressive three-year collegiate career at Kansas State, rushing for 518 yards and six touchdowns as a freshman. He improved to an impressive 1,226 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore while also adding 323 receiving yards and three scores through the air.
The running back only got better as a junior and posted 1,343 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 205 carries. Giddens also added 21 receptions for 258 receiving yards and one touchdown, boosting his draft stock to a Day 2 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
So, what caused such a prospect to slide into Day 3? The lack of elite mass, his ability to be a reliable pass blocker, and his seven drops since 2023.
“Giddens struggles in pass protection,” wrote Bleacher Report NFL Scout Dame Parson. “Despite his frame, he needs to rework his approach and technique. He is a capable receiver out of the backfield, but struggled with dropped passes in 2024. The American will provide more value to an offense by cleaning that up.
“Giddens tested well at the combine, but his play speed on film doesn’t necessarily match up. He lacks the explosiveness and top-end speed necessary to be a home run hitter.”
However, it’s worth noting that Giddens is relatively new to the position, so there is plenty of development potential. Overall, he is a lean slasher with enough speed to stretch seams and generate momentum, and his skill set lends well to schematic flexibility.
Giddens was ultimately picked in the fifth round at 151st overall to the Indianapolis Colts. He’ll be able to ease into the mix with Jonathan Taylor under contract long-term to lead Indy’s backfield, taking any pressure off Giddens to play right away.
However, his explosiveness could make for an interesting pairing with Taylor, even if Giddens doesn’t bring much passing down value. The Colts already ranked sixth in percent of rushes gaining 10+ yards last year (12.9%), thanks in part to Anthony Richardson bringing tons of rushing value from the quarterback position. If the Colts aren’t going to be a consistent offense due to Richardson’s inaccuracy, producing explosives is a must for above-average offensive production.
Giddens theoretically helps with that roster build, while also taking some snaps off Taylor. Whether or not that’s a viable strategy for constructing a sustainable offense is another story, though Giddens should get more opportunities than most fifth-round rookies given Indy’s run-first preference with Richardson.