At long last, the 2025 NFL Draft is finally here. And luckily for Raider Nation, so is the Raider Ramble‘s 2025 draft guide that focuses on the running back position; one or two of whom the Raiders might select this week.
Dalton Blackman (@blackman_dalton) has all the information needed on this year’s group of runners. From summaries to strengths and weaknesses, all the way to positional rankings among their peers.
Cheers, Raider Nation.
Raider Ramble’s official 2025 NFL Draft guide – RBs; might the Raiders select one (or more)?
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Dalton’s Thoughts
Jeanty is one of those backs that can step in and immediately be a team’s bell-cow. He does all of the little things right to be a three-down back. On top of that he is dangerous with the ball in his hands and a chore to bring down.
Strengths
– Contact balance
Jeanty very rarely goes down on the first hit, which allows him to routinely get large chunks of yardage.
Concerns
– Measurables
Jeanty lacks elite size, strength, and long speed. This could keep him from ever reaching the same echelon as a Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, and Derrick Henry.
Positional Ranking: RB1
Draft Grade/Projection: Grade- 1st Rd., Projection- Top 10
Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Dalton’s Thoughts
Hampton’s burst causes him to jump off the tape. His incredible quickness makes up for a bit less power. He may never be more than the head of a committee or part of a duo, but he is going to have an extremely productive career nonetheless.
Strengths
-Acceleration
Hampton’s incredible burst allows him to quickly get to the second level of the defense.
Concerns
– Creating for himself
If the hole is not there, Hampton struggles to make things happen on his own. He does not have the strength to break through a murky line of scrimmage.
Positional Ranking: RB 2
Draft Grade/Projection: Grade- 2nd Rd., Projection- Early 2nd Rd.
TreyVeon Henderson, Ohio State
Dalton’s Thoughts
Henderson boasts excellent vision and instincts. That, combined with great long speed makes him a major home run threat. Plus his pass protection and high football IQ give him a ton of potential to be a team’s feature back.
Strengths
-Decisiveness
Henderson does a great job of picking a hole and hammering it. This makes him exceptionally dangerous with how often he picks the right one.
Concerns
– Quickness
There’s not much of an initial burst to Henderson’s running style. He doesn’t have the quickness to get himself out of messy situations.
Positional Ranking: RB 3
Draft Grade/Projection: Grade- 2nd Rd., Projection- Late 2nd Rd.
Raiders draft guide: RBs
Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Dalton’s Thoughts
Johnson was born to tote the rock 25 times a game. In college he was essentially Iowa’s entire offense. That shouldn’t change at the next level.
Strengths
-Linear Speed
Johnson makes one cut and is gone. When he gets going downhill, he quickly becomes a runaway freight train.
Concerns
– Vision/patience
Johnson will need to be in a power scheme in order to make the most of his talents. He may struggle if asked to play in a zone scheme.
Positional Ranking: RB 4
Draft Grade/Projection: Grade- Late 2nd Rd., Projection- 2nd Rd.
Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Dalton’s Thoughts
Judkins is an absolute firecracker. He explodes into the hole on every carry. At worst, he will be an elite change-of-pace back, but he has the upside to become a star.
Strengths
-Violent nature
With the ball in his hands, Judkins lowers his shoulder with bad intentions. He also has the ability to be a nasty lead blocker in the run game.
Concerns
– Lack of home run ability
Judkins does not have the wiggle or the long speed to turn good runs into great runs. This will limit his ceiling at the next level.
Positional Ranking: RB 5
Draft Grade/Projection: Grade- Early 3rd Rd., Projection- Late 2nd Rd.
Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Dalton’s Thoughts
Sampson is an explosive, tough runner who will catch opposing defensive off guard at the next level. He is probably best suited as a committee back, but he will be a good one.
Strengths
-Acceleration
Sampson gets from zero to 100 in an instant. If the run is blocked, he is a guarantee for chunk yardage.
Concerns
– Third down
Sampson does not bring much to the table as either a receiver nor a pass protector. He may never be worth much on third down.
Positional Ranking: RB 6
Draft Grade/Projection: Grade- Late 3rd Rd., Projection- Late 3rd Rd.
Raiders draft guide: RBs
Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Dalton’s Thoughts
At 6’1″ and 226 pounds, Gordon has the prototypical size of a lead back in the NFL. He is a true three-down back that can be used in a variety of situations.
Strengths
-Getting to the edge
Gordon’s quickness allows him to routinely beat defenders to the edge on sweeps and stretch runs. This gives him the opportunity to get extra yards with his size.
Concerns
– Long speed
Gordon has the inline speed of a slow linebacker. His home run ability is pretty much non-existent.
Positional Ranking: RB 7
Draft Grade/Projection: Grade- 4th Rd., Projection- 5th Rd.
Devin Neal, Kansas
Dalton’s Thoughts
Neal is a shifty runner that loves contact. He is tough to bring down in the open field.
Strengths
-Vision
Neal has a knack for finding the right running lane. This will give him a role at the next level.
Concerns
– Speed AND quickness
Neal does not have much of an initial burst and lacks much of a fourth gear. This limits what he can get out of even the most perfectly blocked of runs.
Positional Ranking: RB 8
Draft Grade/Projection: Grade- 4th Rd., Projection- 5th Rd.
Jordan James, Oregon
Dalton’s Thoughts
James’ bowling ball build allows him to hit the hole with a purpose. His ability to consistently get positive yards makes up for his physical limitations.
Strengths
-Vision
James’ great vision pairs well with his build to make him a great one-cut back.
Concerns
– Lack of explosive plays
James’ lack of quickness, long speed, and wiggle makes it difficult to break long runs.
Positional Ranking: RB 9
Draft Grade/Projection: Grade- 5th Rd., Projection- 7th Rd.
Raiders draft guide: RBs
D.J. Giddens, Kansas State
Dalton’s Thoughts
Giddens has the quickness and wiggle to make a great change-of-pace back at the next level.
Strengths
-Burst
Giddens looks like he was shot out of a cannon when he hits the hole.
Concerns
– Receiving ability
Giddens is not as productive in the passing game as you would like someone with his build and skill set to be.
Positional Ranking: RB 10
Draft Grade/Projection: Grade- 5th Rd., Projection- 4th Rd.
Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Dalton’s Thoughts
Skattebo’s burst and bruising running style makes him a joy to watch. However, his ceiling at the next level may be limited.
Strengths
-Toughness
Skattebo is an angry runner that always chooses to go through defenders rather than around them.
Concerns
– Slow?
As fun as his tape his, one has to wonder if he has the speed to be an NFL running back. His refusal to run at both the combine and his pro day did not help either.
Positional Ranking: RB 11
Draft Grade/Projection: Grade- 5th Rd., Projection- Late 3rd Rd.
Raiders draft guide: Final RB
R.J. Harvey, Central Florida
Dalton’s Thoughts
Harvey makes up for his small size with great quickness, wiggle, and vision. He was very productive in college and that should translate to the next level to at least some extent.
Strengths
-Agility
Harvey’s change of direction and burst are SUDDEN.
Concerns
– OLD, OLD, OLD!
Harvey is already 24 years old. This would be concerning at most positions, but damning at one with as short of a shelf-life as running back.
Positional Ranking: RB 12
Draft Grade/Projection: Grade- 5th Rd., Projection- Late 3rd Rd.
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