Devy Summer Scouting Series: Running Backs
I remember this vividly.
It was the year 2020. Covid. A global pandemic locked us all inside, with nothing to do but sit among our family and the walls surrounding us. But, thanks to the lockdown, there was not much we could do – except join a dynasty startup. Then another. And another. And another. And then, trades. A lot of them.
Right around this time, it was draft season. The 2020 running back class was the most exciting and hyped class in quite some time. There was plenty of time to study and dive deep into that class. The list runs long, in order of their selection:
- 1.32 Clyde Edwards-Helaire (Chiefs) – Bust
- 2.35 D’Andre Swift (Lions) – Hit
- 2.41 Jonathan Taylor (Colts) – Hit
- 2.52 Cam Akers (Rams) – Bust
- 2.55 JK Dobbins (Ravens) – Bust
- 2.62 AJ Dillon (Packers) – Bust
- 3.76 Ke’Shawn Vaughn (Bucs) – Bust
- 3.86 Zack Moss (Bills) – Hit
- 3.93 Darrynton Evans (Titans) – Bust
Nine backs were taken in the first 100 picks. Six busts, and three hits. Less than a 30% hit rate. That’s why there is no science. It is often a crap shoot with more misses than hits.
That was the last time there was this deep of potential prospects ready to have the torch passed as the next fantasy football superstars. Let’s be honest, some or most of them will end up with the same fate as the busts from the list above. However, it is still fun to take an early look.
Let’s kick off the early introduction to this deep 2025 running back class, starting with my RB1 who hails from a Group of 5 school.
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
If you haven’t yet watched Jeanty yet, I encourage you to do so. I’d even go back two years ago in 2022, when he flashed the first time for me in an early season game against Washington. Jeanty shredded the Huskies defense, running with burst and power between the tackles and showing off some exceptional juice in space. He is, by far, the best receiving back in this class and a natural pass catcher. He was a high school receiver who switched to running back in college and his receiving skills have translated nicely to the position.
Jeanty is built solidly at a verified 5’8″, 217 and has a strong lower half that allows him to run through arm tackles and break tackles behind the line of scrimmage. He is a versatile scheme back who has the lateral quickness to find cutback lanes in zone schemes and the physicality/contact balance in a power scheme between the tackles. Barring injury, he should have another productive season for the Broncos and be in the Doak Walker Award conversation for best running back in the country.
Projected Dynasty value – Workhorse RB1
Rookie Pick value – Early to mid first round
Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Judkins transferred to Columbus during the winter transfer portal after two productive seasons at Ole Miss. He is one of a number of talented players the Buckeyes loaded up on in an effort to make their push for a national championship. Judkins now pairs with incumbent TreVeyon Henderson to form potentially the best tandem in college football.
It’s clear the dynasty community is already excited about Judkins as an NFL prospect, and rightfully so. He is explosive, twitchy, and has underrated power to his game. He does not have a big frame, but he runs hard. In the tape I watched, Judkins displayed his lower body strength being able to push the pile forward and keep his legs churning. His most exciting trait is his lateral quickness, being able to make defenders miss one-on-one and use his speed to create explosive plays. He is an exceptional receiver too, and will carry that over into the NFL.
Projected Dynasty value – Mid to late RB1, impact starter
Rookie Pick value – Mid to late first round
Damien Martinez, Miami
Martinez broke out his true freshman year at Oregon State and built off that with another productive year in 2023 as a true sophomore. Now, with Oregon State being the lame duck in the defunct Pac 12, he transferred to Miami (FL) joining former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward where the two of them will join an offense already loaded with incumbent weapons.
Martinez is solidly put together at 5’11”, 241, running with power and explosiveness. He is very patient in allowing blocks to develop and anticipates running lanes, seeing them before the ball is handed to him. He lacks the home-run speed some of the other backs have, but he has underrated twitch and solid footwork at his size, able to make defenders miss in the alley or open field. He was not asked to be used much as a receiver, but he has the athleticism to add that to his profile and develop that part this year. Overall, Martinez has the skills to be a significant producer in the NFL. He is one of the top backs in this class.
Projected Dynasty value – Productive RB2 w/ RB1 upside
Rookie Pick value – Late first to early second round
TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Henderson burst onto the scene as a true freshman in 2021 and devy players were gushing over their young thoroughbred. However, 2022 was a lost season for Henderson, succumbing to injury in a lost season. Henderson bounced back in a big way in 2023, displaying what made him special two years ago.
Henderson runs hard with a low center of gravity and can break tackles with power and contact balance. He can explode at the line of scrimmage when he sees a lane and can outrun defenders to the perimeter. He finished strong to close out 2023 and now is joined by Judkins to form one of, if not, the best 1-2 punch in college football.
Projected Dynasty value – High ceiling RB2, starter
Rookie Pick value: Late first, early second
Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State
Gordon had a breakout season for the Cowboys, leading the nation in rushing and culminating in winning the Doak Walker Award as college football’s best running back. He returns in 2024 as one of the top running backs in this class.
Gordon has a tall frame, standing at a measured 6’1″ 210 pounds, and is an explosive downhill runner. Gordon ran through a lot of open running lanes using his long strides and speed to create impact plays for Oklahoma State. Gordon had nine games rushing for over 100 yards and topped the 200+ yard mark twice in consecutive games against West Virginia and Cincinnati. Gordon isn’t one of the twitchier backs in this class. He relies on his patience, vision, and explosive linear speed to hit the second level but has good power and a strong stiff arm to break tackles. If all goes well for Gordon, he will enter the 2025 NFL Draft and some will argue him as the RB1.
Projected Dynasty Outlook – High-ceiling, productive RB2 w/ RB1 ceiling
Rookie Pick value – Mid to late first
Notable Names
Nicholas Singleton, Penn State – Another compact, stout, and physical Nittany Lions running back. Looks like a clone of Saquon Barkley in his days at Happy Valley. Singleton can be an early riser in this class with a strong start.
Jaydn Ott, California – Twitchy and elusive, Ott can “cut on a dime” and has the best juice of any back in this deep class. He will also rise quickly with a fast start to 2024. He also will see an upgrade in talent as Cal begins its first season in the ACC. If he builds off last year, and now playing against better defenses, Ott will be in the early day two conversation and a potential top-50 pick.
Devin Neal, Kansas – Like Ott, he’s another twitchy, explosive back with plenty of juice. Neal had a breakout season for the Jayhawks in 2023 and returns for his senior year. The offense will be built around him and his versatility as a rusher and receiver. He may be the best receiving back after Jeanty.
DJ Giddens, Kansas State – Long, lanky frame with a three-down skill set. Giddens is smooth and patient, but has juice to make defenders miss and deceptively long speed. He is also versatile in the passing game and is not limited to check-downs and flat routes. Giddens is another potential riser in this class.
Phil Mafah, Clemson – Mafah is 6’1″, 230 and runs hard downhill. What he lacks in explosiveness he makes up for power and contact balance. Mafah takes over as lead back for the Tigers and will look to wear down defenses with his punishing style. He is also their lead goal-line back, so he will have plenty of chances to find the endzone this year.
Omarion Hampton, North Carolina – Hampton broke out for the Tar Heels in 2023 and now will be the focal point of their offense after Drake Maye left for the NFL. Hampton is big and powerful, and can turn a 10-yard run into a long touchdown. He has good speed for his size and will also run through arm tackles at the line of scrimmage and is physical in the open field.
Donovan Edwards, Michigan – Edwards returned to Michigan after taking somewhat of a step back in 2023. This time last year, I had Edwards ranked as my RB1 as his 2022 tape was that good. He was still an important piece to the Wolverines’ national championship season finishing strong down the stretch. I think Edwards is the forgotten one in this class. By the time we get into draft season next year, I think Edwards will be in the Top 100 conversation. I like Edwards as an intriguing sleeper in this class.
Kyle Monangai, Rutgers – Monangai is listed 509, 210, but you would never expect it the way he plays the position. You may have already seen some clips of him on X, putting rushing linebackers on their backs in pass protection. Monangai also runs hard and rushed for over 1000 yards last season for the Scarlet Knights. He feels like the running back in this class who the dynasty community will fall for in the next cycle.
Rankings
- Ashton Jeanty
- Damien Martinez
- Ollie Gordon
- Jadyn Ott
- Quinshon Judkins
- TreVeyon Henderson
- Devin Neal
- Nicholas Singleton
- DJ Giddens
- Omarion Hampton
- Devy Scouting Notebook: Early-Season Standouts - September 28, 2024
- Devy Summer Scouting Series: Running Backs - August 8, 2024
- Devy Summer Scouting Series: Quarterbacks - July 16, 2024
