Best and Worst Landing Spots for 2025 NFL Draft's Top RBs After Early Free Agency

For an NFL running back, being in the right situation matters. Look no further than last season, when Saquon Barkley joined the Philadelphia Eagles and proceeded to have the most prolific rushing season in NFL history.

Having a strong offensive line, a featured role and a scheme that highlighted his strengths allowed Barkley to rush for a record 2,504 yards (including postseason).

Giants fans may still regret seeing Barkley leave last offseason, but he wasn't going to have that sort of season in New York.

The right situations matter for incoming rookies as well. Running backs hoping to eventually get a lucrative second contract need an opportunity to shine on their rookie deals. Najee Harris recorded four straight 1,000-yard rushing campaigns with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he still only landed a modest one-year, $5.3 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency this offseason.

The 2025 draft class appears to be deep at the RB position—the Bleacher Report Scouting Department has seven backs ranked among its top 75 prospects—and several teams could target the position early.

Based on factors like roster makeup, scheme and supporting cast, we'll examine the best and worst potential landing spots for the draft's top running backs after the first week of free agency.

Ashton Jeanty, Boise State

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Best: Chicago Bears

Boise State's Ashton Jeanty is the top-rated running back in the 2025 class and has immediate star potential.

"He fits today's run offenses with wide zone and pin-pull gap schemes," Dame Parson of the B/R Scouting Department wrote. "Jeanty is a bell-cow running back who can shoulder the load for an NFL rushing attack."

Because Jeanty can mesh with multiple schemes, his early success will likely depend on usage and surrounding talent. Should he fall to the Chicago Bears at No. 10 overall, he could find a terrific home under new head coach Ben Johnson.

Chicago reloaded its interior offensive line this offseason by adding Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson. During his time as the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator, Johnson utilized a talented line and creative blocking concepts to create a dangerous and multifaceted ground game.

The Bears could pair Jeanty with D'Andre Swift and use both backs similarly to how Johnson used David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit. Doing so would allow the incoming rookie to shine without being overworked early in his career.

Worst: Cincinnati Bengals

Jeanty may not last until the 17th pick, but if he does, the Cincinnati Bengals could be intrigued by the idea of pairing him with 2024 breakout star Chase Brown.

However, Jeanty—and fantasy football managers—should hope he goes elsewhere. The Bengals could use a back with Jeanty's physicality, but they'd be trying to work him in with Brown and Samaje Perine.

Jeanty could be looking at more limited opportunities early in Cincinnati, and he might struggle to make the most of them. The Bengals don't feature a top-tier offensive line—Pro Football Focus ranked the unit 30th overall in 2024—and they have done nothing this offseason to improve it.

Additionally, the Bengals feature a pass-heavy offense—they ranked 30th in rushing attempts last season—and are unlikely to change that after agreeing to new extensions with star receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins this offseason.

Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

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Best: Dallas Cowboys

While Jeanty is expected to be the first back off the board, North Carolina's Omarion Hampton is only the RB2 by a narrow margin. He could still end up being the first running back drafted.

The 6'0", 220-pound powerhouse is a true every-down back, as evidenced by the 1,660 rushing yards, 319 receiving yards and 17 combined touchdowns he accumulated in 2024.

However, Hampton doesn't possess elite lateral movement and is probably best-suited for a straight-ahead gap running scheme. New Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer has a history both gap and inside-zone concepts, and he appears willing to tailor his offense to his personnel.

"If your system's not flexible enough to do what your players do well then you're probably in the wrong business," Schottenheimer said, per Patrik Walker of the team's official website.

Dallas' offensive line leaves plenty to be desired, but Hampton would fit with Schottenheimer's run-heavy mentality, and he can be the sort of three-down back the Cowboys once had in Ezekiel Elliott.

While the Cowboys did scoop up Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams in free agency, neither should keep Hampton out of the starting role.

Worst: New England Patriots

The New England Patriots are unlikely to use the fourth overall pick on a running back, and Hampton probably isn't falling out of the first round. But if the Patriots trade back, they could theoretically target him.

New/former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels does utilize gap concepts that would play to Hampton's strengths. The problem is that New England already employs a similar one-cut runner in Rhamondre Stevenson.

With Stevenson under contract through 2028 and Antonio Gibson entrenched as New England's RB2, the Patriots couldn't offer Hampton a three-down role right away. Plus, the Patriots offensive line, which Pro Football Focus ranked dead last in 2024, remains a major work in progress.

The idea of reuniting Hampton and Drake Maye is fun, but the incoming rookie should hope to land elsewhere.

Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

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Best: Cleveland Browns

We probably won't see more than two running backs go in Round 1 due to the overall depth in this class. However, Iowa's Kaleb Johnson could go early on Day 2.

The 6'1", 224-pound Johnson is another big, physical runner who is more likely to run through contact than evade tacklers. He also lacks elite top-end speed and may be more of a grinder than a breakaway threat in the NFL.

Johnson has enough juice and receiving ability to be a quality starter, but he might be at his best if used in tandem with a speedier ball-carrier.

The Iowa product could find that in Cleveland, where the Browns employ a fast but often inconsistent runner in Jerome Ford. Johnson's ability to quickly hit a hole and move upfield would also mesh with Kevin Stefanski's wide-zone scheme.

Johnson could be viewed as a long-term replacement for Nick Chubb, who is 29 and remains unsigned.

Worst: Houston Texans

New Houston Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley has previously coached in zone and gap schemes. For that reason, he would likely find ways to get the most out of a back like Johnson.

However, finding opportunities for the incoming rookie could be more of a challenge. The Texans already have a high-volume back in Joe Mixon and a capable No. 2 back in Dameon Pierce.

Houston could view Johnson as an eventual replacement for the 28-year-old Mixon, but the team has bigger needs to address on offense. Notably, the Texans' offensive line was a major liability in 2024, and that was before they traded away standout left tackle Laremy Tunsil this offseason.

Dylan Sampson, Tennessee

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Best: Denver Broncos

Tennessee's Dylan Sampson has just one year of full-time starting experience on his resume and is on the smaller side at 5'8" and 200 pounds. That means he might not be well-suited for an every-down role at the NFL level.

However, his skill set should earn him a fairly prolific role. He's quick, agile, has tremendous vision and can be elusive both in open space and in traffic.

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart compared Sampson favorably to another Tennessee product: Alvin Kamara. It's an apt comparison, even if Kamara (5'10", 215 lbs) possesses a bit more size.

Sampson's ability to catch passes, find or create space and burst away from defenders could make him an elite complementary back in the NFL.

The Denver Broncos could be an ideal landing spot for Sampson. Denver could pair Sampson with the bigger and more physical Audric Estimé (5'11", 227 lbs). Head coach Sean Payton, who previously coached Kamara with the New Orleans Saints, would know exactly how to get the most out of Sampson's best traits.

Worst: Miami Dolphins

A fast ball-carrier who can create space, catch passes and generate explosive plays might seem like a logical fit for the Miami Dolphins. However, the Dolphins should be looking for more size and physicality at the position if they dip into the running back pool.

The Dolphins' offensive line isn't overly efficient in run blocking, and it was particularly vulnerable along the interior. Granted, the free-agent addition of James Daniels should help if he's fully recovered from last year's ACL tear.

Miami also has a similar back in De'Von Achane, who regularly makes highlight-reel plays but can struggle to get tough yards.

Sampson can do a lot at a high level, but he isn't likely to provide the raw power that Miami currently lacks in its backfield.

Damien Martinez, Miami

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Best: Pittsburgh Steelers

Miami's Damien Martinez may lack truly elite traits, but he can be a quality starter at the NFL level.

"He is best suited for attacking the line of scrimmage downhill where his patience and vision can lead to success," Parson wrote. "He can be the lead running back of a power-rushing attack."

While Martinez lacks top-end speed, he has a patient running style that can consistently deliver positive years. If that sounds a lot like former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris, well, that was Parson's pro comparison for Martinez.

Martinez could quickly fill the hole in Pittsburgh's offense that Harris left when he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency. The Steelers have their breakaway back in Jaylen Warren, but Martinez could slot right in as a physical, high-volume back.

Worst: Seattle Seahawks

Martinez's skill set would make him a fine addition to almost any backfield, provided it has a role available for him.

The Seattle Seahawks are one of the few teams that couldn't offer Martinez a clear role. They have a strong starter in Kenneth Walker III and a No. 2 back in Zach Charbonnet whose skill set mirrors Martinez's.

The Seahawks may still dip into the rookie RB pool next month, but they'll likely target a more explosive change-of-pace back if they do. Martinez wouldn't provide anything that Seattle doesn't already have.

Seattle also has an underwhelming offensive line that was ranked 31st overall by Pro Football Focus last season.

Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

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Best: Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders need a starting-caliber running back. If they don't take one with the No. 6 overall pick, Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins will be a logical target on Day 2.

Judkins is a powerfully built (6'0", 221 lbs) high-volume back who can repeatedly bludgeon opposing defenses and catch passes out of the backfield. While he doesn't possess elite speed (4.48-second 40-yard dash), he has more than enough burst to serve as an NFL starter or high-end complementary back.

In Las Vegas, Judkins could split time with speedy, albeit older (32) free-agent acquisition Raheem Mostert. His running style is closer to Joe Mixon than Marshawn Lynch, but he would still delight new head coach Pete Carroll as a proverbial battering ram.

Schematically, Judkins would have a seamless transition with the Raiders. His offensive coordinator from this past season, Chip Kelly, now holds the same position in Las Vegas.

Worst: Kansas City Chiefs

Few draft prospects are going to complain about landing with the defending AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs. As long as Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes are leading the offense, Kansas City is likely to remain in the Super Bowl hunt.

The problem is that Judkins is more of a straight-ahead runner who is likely to initiate contact instead of trying to elude tacklers. The Chiefs have two similar running backs in Isiah Pacheco and the recently re-signed Kareem Hunt.

The Chiefs could take a flier on Judkins and essentially redshirt him in 2025 since Hunt and Pacheco are both scheduled to be free agents in 2026. However, Kansas City has bigger needs to address early in the draft, like finding a replacement for guard Joe Thuney and improving a patchwork receiving corps.

The Chiefs will probably consider taking a running back over draft weekend, but they're unlikely to draft one until well after Judkins is off the board.

TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

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Best: Los Angeles Chargers

If the Las Vegas Raiders don't land Judkins, they could instead consider his teammate, TreVeyon Henderson. They could even target both backs, though that seems unlikely given their other needs.

While Henderson isn't the most physical runner and has a noteworthy injury history, he has the elusiveness and acceleration needed to be a legitimate home run threat in a committee backfield. Like Judkins, Henderson is a proven fit in Chip Kelly's offense.

Other than Las Vegas, the rival Los Angeles Chargers would make a ton of sense. L.A. added Najee Harris in free agency and could look to pair him with a more explosive change-of-pace option.

Henderson would be a phenomenal RB2 in Greg Roman's offense. It's not hard to imagine the Chargers pounding a defense with Harris for a few plays and then using the quicker and more decisive Henderson as a change-up.

It's also easy to imagine Henderson ripping off chunk plays behind a big, powerful offensive line that now features four former first-round draft picks following last week's addition of Mekhi Becton.

Worst: Pittsburgh Steelers

While the Steelers could certainly use another big-play threat on their offense—even after trading for DK Metcalf—Henderson's lack of archetypal size (5'10", 202 lbs) and durability could be problematic.

Henderson missed time in 2022 and 2023 before playing through injuries in 2024. Najee Harris' biggest asset during his four years with the Steelers was durability. He didn't possess Henderson's breakaway ability, but he never missed time either.

Pittsburgh should be in the market for more of a power back to pair with Jaylen Warren. That isn't Henderson. The rookie would also be hard-pressed to find the open running lanes he saw in college behind a Steelers offensive line that was ranked 27th overall last season by Pro Football Focus.

Add in the fact that Pittsburgh has yet to find a quarterback who can direct a defense's attention away from the running game, and this feels like a pairing that could lead to an early NFL career more filled with potential than production.