Ashton Jeanty to Raiders, Omarion Hampton to Cowboys in Kiper's 2025 NFL Mock Draft

NFL teams seem to have a love-hate relationship with the running back position as it relates to investing premium draft capital, but ESPN NFL draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. sees two teams spending top-12 picks on running backs this year.

In his latest 2025 NFL mock draft, Kiper predicted Tuesday that Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty will go sixth overall to the Las Vegas Raiders before the Dallas Cowboys take North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton 12th overall.

The top 10 selections in Kiper's brand-new mock draft are as follows:

1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB, Miami

2. Cleveland Browns: Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado

3. New York Giants: Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

4. New England Patriots: Will Campbell, OT, LSU

5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Mason Graham, DT, Michigan

6. Las Vegas Raiders: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

7. New York Jets: Armand Membou, OT, Missouri

8. Carolina Panthers: Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

9. New Orleans Saints: Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado

10. Chicago Bears: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Jeanty is coming off one of the best seasons by a running back in the history of FBS college football, as he rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns on 374 carries.

He finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting to Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter, and he was the driving force behind the Broncos reaching the College Football Playoff as one of the top four seeds.

Jeanty carried the ball 750 times over three collegiate seasons, so it is fair to worry about wear and tear, but some of that concern may be offset by his versatility.

While Jeanty only caught 23 passes for 138 yards last season, he was a huge part of Boise State's passing game in 2023 with 43 receptions for 569 yards and five touchdowns, which suggests he can be an every-down back in the NFL.

Last season, the Raiders were 32nd in the NFL with just 79.8 rushing yards per game, and their top returning running backs are Sincere McCormick and Zamir White, along with free-agent signing Raheem Mostert.

The Raiders have an obvious need at running back, and taking Jeanty sixth could go a long way toward taking pressure off quarterback Geno Smith, who was acquired in an offseason trade with the Seattle Seahawks.

As badly as the Raiders need a running back, it can be argued that the Cowboys have an even greater void at the position.

Rico Dowdle had a breakout season with Dallas in 2024, rushing for 1,079 yards, but he signed with the Carolina Panthers in free agency.

To replace him, the Cowboys signed former Denver Broncos running back Javonte Williams, and former Philadelphia Eagles and Panthers running back Miles Sanders.

Williams rushed for 513 yards last season and averaged 3.7 yards per carry or fewer in each of the past two campaigns, while Sanders rushed for a total of just 637 yards in two seasons in Carolina after rushing for 1,269 yards for the Eagles in 2022.

If the Cowboys use the No. 12 overall pick on Hampton, there is a good chance he will step right in as the starter over Williams and Sanders.

Hampton eclipsed the 1,500-yard rushing mark in each of his final two seasons at UNC, including racking up 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground last season, plus 38 catches for 373 yards and two scores.

He is a true do-everything back who would make life a lot easier for quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and the Cowboys' passing attack.

The BR NFL Scouting Department had Jeanty going 10th overall to the Chicago Bears and Hampton falling out of the first round in its latest mock draft, which speaks to just how volatile draft value can be for running backs.

Jeanty's value and Hampton's viability as a first-round pick are questions that will be answered April 24 when the 2025 NFL draft kicks off in Green Bay.