NFL Draft 2025: Ben's Pre-Combine RB Rankings

Welcome to Ben's 2025 NFL Rookie RB Rankings. We will have several articles and updates throughout draft season and this is the first run of RB rankings. Let's dive in...

1. Ashton Jeanty 

Jeanty is the no doubt best RB in this class, and if we weren’t weighting positional value at all he would likely come in as the top-overall player in the entire 2025 rookie class. He’s everything you could want from a RB and he will be able to better showcase his pass catching ability in the NFL. An Alvin Kamara-like rookie season is certainly in the fold if he lands in the right spot.

2. Kaleb Johnson 

I fully believe we are about to be in the midst of a running back renaissance with this incoming rookie class. After the top spot, there is a big group of 6-8 guys that you could probably debate for any remaining top-five spot. Johnson is someone I’ve been infatuated with over the last year and I think he has everything it takes to a true, three-down workhorse back at the NFL level. He has great size and vision and I think there’s a chance he runs way faster than most are assuming at the combine. If that’s the case, the sky's the limit. 

3. Dylan Sampson

Sampson burst onto the scene as a Junior at Tennessee and dominated the SEC to the tune of 1500-22 on the ground earning himself the title of SEC Offensive Player of the Year. Many will cite his size as his biggest downfall but the jury is still out for me on if that really matters in the current landscape of the NFL. De’Von Achane played 16 games this past season at smaller size and Sampson worked as a bellcow for Tennessee logging 258 carries…the 9th most in the country. He has great vision and plenty of room to grow and contribute in the passing game. He is going to be one of the fastest players at the combine and will likely rise up boards as draft day approaches. 

4. Treyveon Henderson 

Henderson is someone I could see going higher than expected the last few months because of his strong reputation as a team-first player and stellar performances in the College Football play-off. I think he could operate as a three-down back, but his main strength is going to be in the passing game and a pass protector so he should have an immediate third down role for whatever team that selects him. Henderson is the type of player you want on your team, especially if looking to build and establish a culture. 

5. Omarion Hampton

Hampton is the one guy I have yet to figure out – most will have him second-overall in this class and I think you could have him anywhere from 2-6. When I look at someone like Kaleb Johnson I feel safe about him regardless of landing spot – I’m not there with Hampton yet. Me having him ranked 5th right now says more about the strength of the class than it does about Hampton because it’s apparent he could be a very good pro Running Back. He has great size and speed, but needs better vision to really hit that next level. If he lands on the right team, he would be ranked higher overall for fantasy football purposes than a few I have above him currently. 

Written by Ben Hossler