The NFL is cyclical. Often, the talent at any given position is dependent upon one or two years of draft classes that were particularly strong and have great influence on fantasy football. Running back has been largely dominated by the 2017 draft class which ended up being truly historical. 

Year in and year out the top 24 running backs have been littered with players from that class. The 2025 running back class looks as though it could rival the 2017 class. Not only does it have one of the best NFL Draft prospects we’ve seen in recent years, but there could also be multiple other first round picks, and it’s incredibly deep. 

Additionally, it may be the most athletic class we’ve ever seen. With so many great prospects it’s hard to go wrong but today I’ll be detailing my favorite targets at projected cost. 

 

 

 

TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State Buckeyes

After his true freshman season TreVeyon Henderson was seen as someone who would be the no doubt about it RB1 in his class no matter when he declared. Henderson truly burst onto the scene with almost 1,600 total yards and 19 total touchdowns. Unfortunately, he struggled to follow it up, dealing with injuries for both of the next two seasons. 

Still, Henderson was still seen as the top running back in the 2024 before he ultimately decided to return to Ohio State for his senior season (likely with a fat stack of NIL money). Ohio State then brought Quinshon Judkins in through the transfer portal (also with a fat stack of NIL money), splitting the backfield. Hendersons raw stats since his freshman season don’t look as impressive as others but the context is important. 

Style wise, Henderson is a slashing runner and big play waiting to happen with his incredible top end speed, burst, and agility. Henderson does a great job of destroying defender’s angles to create chunk plays but can run them over when the time calls for it. 

In the pass game Henderson is a great receiver excelling on screens and is one of the best pass blockers in the entire class. Henderson is a little small for the position measuring in at 5’10” and 202 pounds. It’s not a red flag but it does mean he’s not likely to ever be a 20+ opportunity per game player and could be subbed out in short yardage situations.

TreVeyon Henderson currently projects to be drafted somewhere between the end of the first round to the beginning of the second round of the NFL Draft which is really good for any running back. He’d best fit in any type of offense that utilizes a wide zone running scheme more often than not as his home run speed and vision perfectly complements it, but Henderson’s skills can translate in any offense. 

Almost regardless of landing spot, Henderson projects to be an immediate contributor due to his efficient running and passing down ability. Henderson is solidly locked into my top five for dynasty rookie drafts. If he goes in the first round and the landing spot is ideal, he could be even higher. 

He’ll also be very useful in seasonal leagues, will be drafted accordingly (likely in the first six rounds), and will easily be worth the cost. Henderson is one of my favorite prospects this year and I want to make sure I’m ahead of the market on Henderson regardless of format. 

 

 

 

Devin Neal, Kansas Jayhawks

Devin Neal came out swinging as a true freshman playing for Kansas, leading the team in carries, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns. Playing all four years with Kansas, Neal performed well as both a runner and pass catcher. Each of the last three seasons Neal rushed for at least 1,000 yards with his last two being over 1,200. Neal also had at least 21 receptions all three of those years showing his versatility. 

Additionally, in both his junior and senior seasons Neal reached 17 total touchdowns. Neal is your classic jack of all trades but master of none running back having no trump card but is above average in all areas of playing the position. Likewise, Neal doesn’t jump off the page athletically anywhere. 

But he’s actually able to help make up for his average athleticism by being a very efficient mover. Neal’s running style is smooth and methodical. He wastes no movement, making the most out of every step. Neal’s traits should transfer to any team’s offense in the NFL.

Devin Neal’s draft capital is right on the border of day two and three right now. Seeing how many other running backs tested better athletically than Neal at the NFL Combine it shouldn’t come as a surprise if he falls to day three. That doesn’t bother me much with Neal though. 

We have proof that he can handle a large load and be useful in all aspects of the game. Neal should climb the ranks of whatever backfield he lands in because of his consistency and reliability. In dynasty rookie drafts Neal will be a favorite of mine late in the second round and I’ll happily take any discount past that. 

In redraft leagues I’ll be looking to draft Neal as a later round depth piece. If his landing spot is ideal you may have to pay a bit more to acquire him in your drafts, but it will be worth it as he could produce immediately.

 

 

 

Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State Cowboys

How quickly things can change in fantasy football. Two years ago, Ollie Gordon was receiving Heisman votes after an astounding true sophomore season in which he had over 2,000 total yards and 22 total touchdowns. Then Gordon had a significantly worse junior season as the whole Oklahoma State offense regressed, failing to even rush for 1,000 yards. 

Now Gordon’s draft projection is in question and much worse than it was a year ago. Gordon still looks to be the same player though. He’s a big powerful downhill runner that can handle a large workload but won’t be too much help in the pass game. He can catch dump offs and screens just fine, but you won’t want him running any routes or playing too many third downs due to his inconsistency in pass protection. 

Gordon will excel in gap scheme running systems where he can get downhill quickly and where he doesn’t have to work horizontally. If he lands on a team that could use a two-down grinder like the Steelers or Broncos, Gordon could be relevant early.

As of now Ollie Gordon is projected to get drafted on day three of the NFL Draft in the fourth round. That kind of draft capital isn’t ideal but does make some sense due to the strength of the class and Gordon’s lack of usefulness on third downs. It’s still possible Gordon goes on day two in round three though. 

I want to be ahead of the market on Gordon because of his proven high-end production and ability to handle an immense number of opportunities. In dynasty rookie drafts I’m willing to take Gordon in the late second round but you may not have to. If Gordon does go in the fourth round, you might be able to wait until the third round of your rookie drafts. 

In redraft leagues he’ll be another late round dart throw when I want upside and depth at the position. But if he does land on a team like Pittsburgh where he could have an immediate opportunity, I’d be willing to stay ahead of whatever his market price is.

 

 

 

DJ Giddens, Kansas State Wildcats

DJ Giddens enters the NFL Draft after three solid years at Kansas State and has seen his stock rise through the evaluation process. Giddens started his collegiate career backing up Deuce Vaughn but contributing well when given the chance. After Vaughn left for the NFL, Giddens took over the backfield and had two great seasons in a row rushing for over 1,200 yards in each season. 

Giddens’ final season was particularly impressive with him averaging 4.16 yards after contact and a break away run percentage of 54.9%. Giddens has requisite size at 6’0” 212 pounds and serious athleticism for the position finishing among the leaders in all testing metrics from the NFL Combine. 

Giddens is a long strider who plays best when he can be a point and shoot running back where he can make one cut and go. He’s elusive once he gets going and can break off big chunk gains consistently. In the passing game Giddens isn’t a complete player yet. His hands are good enough but he’s a pretty poor pass blocker so we’re unlikely to see him playing on third downs in the NFL. 

He should still get pass game usage though due to his ability to provide explosive plays in the screen game. Giddens will fit best in a zone blocking offense where he can follow the blocks to make one cut and exercise his explosiveness and elusiveness. 

Fingers crossed DJ Giddens will get drafted on day two of the NFL Draft. His draft projection has teetered between the third and fourth rounds but his great showing at the combine could have locked up day two draft capital. 

Looking at dynasty marketplaces Giddens routinely goes in the third round of rookie drafts which is a price I love. Giddens can help a team immediately on first and second down and be productive. Potentially, he’ll be able to add in the screen game as well. We’re just unlikely to see a 50-catch season from him. 

That can still be enough though for Giddens to be a value for our fantasy teams. In redraft leagues Giddens has a similar projection as Devin Neal and Ollie Gordon II. Later round upside depth piece but could go higher if he lands on the right team. Either way, I plan to be aggressive. 

 

 

 

Damien Martinez, Miami Hurricanes

A three-year starter in college, Damien Martinez began at Oregon State for two years before transferring to Miami for his junior season. Martinez averaged just over 1,000 rushing yards per season and scored 26 rushing touchdowns despite only having 516 career carries. 

Also, Martinez averaged over 6 yards per carry in each season, had 3.93 yards after contact per attempt over his career, and had an impressive 4.51 yards after contact per attempt in his final season. Martinez is a powerful two down bruiser that is tough to stop once he gets going. 

With above average athleticism for his size, Martinez can evade tackles by both running someone over and with elusiveness. He didn’t get to show the ability to carry a large workload in college, but he profiles like a player that can do it. Unfortunately, though, Martinez won’t be playing many if any third downs in the NFL. 

He struggles to set up well in pass protection and his hands are just ok. Like many he could have potential usage in the screen game but that's probably the extent of his usefulness in the passing game. Martinez’s best fit in the NFL will be on a team where he can be their 1A in the backfield providing chuck runs inside the hashes.

Damien Martinez projects to be drafted on day three of the NFL draft but could be selected early on that day. Landing spot will be key for a player like him who will only have two-down usage. Martinez needs to land on a team looking for a grinder like him, but you would also expect that only a team that could use that kind of player would draft him. 

In dynasty rookie drafts Martinez is likely to have an ADP somewhere in the third round with it trending towards late in the round. It’s such a cheap price it’s worth paying for Martinez even with him having limited usage in the NFL. His projection for year one though will heavily rely on that landing spot. 

If he does indeed land in a spot where he could have immediate opportunity, we could see Martinez’s redraft price be higher than you’d expect for a day three running back. But with his proficiency as a runner, I’m going to be happy with taking him in redraft at whatever his price is.

 

 

 

Fantasy Football Rookie RBs: 2025 NFL Draft

The 2025 rookie running back class could be one of the best we’ve ever seen. 

Veteran running backs everywhere are looking over their shoulders and the entire positional landscape could change. Don’t be surprised when it happens.