Omar Kelly: Analyzing the NFL's 2025 draft class of tailbacks

MIAMI — Just like baggy jeans are back in style again, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry are seemingly leading a resurgence of the tailback position.

For years the NFL had minimized the position’s importance, lessened a back’s role, but Barkley’s dominant season with the Philadelphia Eagles and Henry’s forceful running for the Baltimore Ravens have shown the league the impact special talents at the position can make.

Coincidentally, or not, this draft class of tailbacks might be one of the best in years, and the bellcow (Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty) is drawing comparisons to Barkley, and is universally viewed as a top-10 talent in this draft.

And Jeanty is one of a handful of tailbacks who could become productive lead backs for NFL teams in need.

Top prospects

— Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty — This 5-foot-8, 217-pound talent is similar to Barkley because of his ability to find creases and create running lanes out of nowhere. He has a powerful frame, and his low center of gravity makes it hard for defenders to find him. But it also raises some concern about his long-term durability, and if he can handle a 250-touch season in the NFL. However, expect Jeanty to be a top-10 selection in this draft.

— Ohio State’s TreVeyon Henderson — Henderson, who rushed for 3,761 yards and scored 48 touchdowns in his four collegiate seasons, has sweet feet, which allow him to stop and start on a dime. He’s also tough enough to run through first contact, which is required in the NFL. He has dealt with multiple injuries at college so durability concerns will likely push him into the second day.

— North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton — Hampton, who rushed for 3,565 yards, caught 73 passes and scored 40 touchdowns in his three collegiate seasons, is a well-built (6-0, 220 pounds) back who has the potential to become a productive three-down playmaker in the NFL. He’s a load to bring down and has breakaway speed (4.46 40 time).

— Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins — Henry and Kenyan Drake serve as proof that two frontline NFL backs can be on the same collegiate team when they were at Alabama from 2012-2015. And the fact that Judkins and Henderson shared the Buckeyes backfield could extend their NFL careers. Judkin’s jump-cut running style and his effectiveness as a pass protector makes him an ideal fit for a pass-first offense that throws outlet passes to tailbacks.

— Kansas’ Devin Neal — Neal, who produced three 1,000-yard rushing seasons and scored 53 touchdowns in his four-year collegiate career, is a tough, shifty back who runs with excellent vision. He has the ability to grind out games, but might be even more dangerous as a pass catcher. However, his pass blocking could use some work.

— Sleeper: Georgia’s Trevor Etienne — His name sounds familiar because his older brother is Travis Etienne, a 2021 first-round pick who has rushed for 1,000 or more yards in two of his first four seasons. Despite his small frame (5-foot-9, 205 pounds) this Etienne is a tough runner who loves contact. He excels running between the tackles and has a reliable set of hands. However, he has some off-field baggage and never produced a 1,000-yard rushing season in his three collegiate seasons. He will likely be a third-day pick, but don’t be shocked if he has a productive NFL career if he finds the right coach.

— Best of the rest: Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo, Michigan’s Kalel Mullings, Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II, Miami’s Damien Martinez and Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson bring a physical presence to the field that would benefit inside zone and power rushing teams. Then there are backs such as Virginia Tech’s Bhayshul Tuten, Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson, Kansas State’s D.J. Giddens, Oregon’s Jordan James and UCF’s R.J. Harvey who should be viewed as late-round gems.

— Teams in need: The Browns need to find a replacement for Nick Chubb, who remains a free agent. The Giants are still searching to replace Barkley. New England needs to position itself for Rhamondre Stevenson’s eventual decline, considering he’s an upright runner. The Raiders, Saints, Bears, Cowboys, Steelers, Vikings, Commanders and Broncos all have running back on their must-address list, so don’t be surprised if they pick one in the 2025 NFL draft.

— Dolphins focus: Just about every team in the NFL is looking to get younger and cheaper at tailback, and the draft is the ideal way to achieve that goal. That’s why the Dolphins have used two mid-round picks (a 2023 third-rounder on De’Von Achane, and a 2024 fourth-rounder on Jaylen Wright) on the position the past two drafts, and it wouldn’t be shocking if a third is added to the depth chart considering tailback happens to be the position coach Mike McDaniel evaluates the best according to his peers.

With Achane having only two years left on his rookie deal, and likely seeking an extension next offseason, the Dolphins would benefit themselves by adding competition to the stable of backs, ensuring that they make the right investment in the position. Clearly improving the offensive line should be Miami’s priority, but the Dolphins typically carry four, if not five tailbacks on the 53-man roster, and Miami’s depth chart presently features three.