Ezekiel Elliott, Nick Chubb, Dobbins' Top Landing Spots After 2025 NFL Draft Day 1

The NFL draft is all about rookies with bright futures, but there are still some veterans looking for landing spots with the first round officially in the books.

A number of those headline veterans play the running back position, and they may have crossed the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers off their list after Thursday's proceedings.

After all, Las Vegas selected Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick, while Los Angeles went with Omarion Hampton at No. 22 overall.

There are still plenty of teams that could use depth at running back, though, which makes Ezekiel Elliott, Nick Chubb and J.K. Dobbins potentially intriguing options.

Here is a look at some possible landing spots for the three playmakers.

Ezekiel Elliott

AP Photo/LM Otero

There was a time when Elliott being available would have been one of the biggest headlines in the entire league.

After all, he led the NFL in rushing in two of his first three seasons and was a Pro Bowler in three of his first four. He was a game-changing back and lived up to the elevated expectations that were put on his shoulders as the No. 4 pick of the 2016 NFL draft.

But he is no longer that version of himself, which limits his potential landing spots. But there are still some teams that may take a chance on him, including a familiar one:

• Dallas Cowboys
• Denver Broncos

Yes, a return to the Dallas Cowboys might make some sense for the Ohio State product.

After all, Elliott has plenty of experience playing alongside quarterback Dak Prescott, would surely be willing to take a smaller role for a team he knows so well and would provide some depth for a running back room that isn't loaded with talent.

Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders and Deuce Vaughn don't exactly make up the league's best trio, and Elliott could come in as a goal-line back and perhaps vulture some touchdowns.

He may be able to do the same with the Denver Broncos alongside Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime. If any offensive coach can figure out ways to put a veteran like Elliott in a position to succeed in limited opportunities, it would be Sean Payton.

And Denver is not loaded with game-changers at the position either.

Nick Chubb

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Like Elliott, Chubb is no longer the dominant version of himself who went to four straight Pro Bowls from 2019 through 2022. Injuries are largely to blame, as he appeared in two games in 2023 and eight games in 2024.

Also like Elliott, a return to a familiar team may be the best option for him with the Cleveland Browns among the possible landing spots:

• Cleveland Browns
• Pittsburgh Steelers

Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal noted there has been "a groundswell among fans for the Browns to re-sign the No. 3 all-time rusher in team history" this offseason even though nothing has happened to this point.

He is a franchise icon, knows what it takes to find success in Cleveland and would give the team something of an easy win with its fans. Considering how hostile things got at times between the team and its own fans last season, it could be a notable move even if he isn't the starter in 2025.

But Cleveland's rival may be another landing spot.

The Pittsburgh Steelers could use some more backfield depth behind Jaylen Warren after Najee Harris joined the Chargers, and Chubb could be the type of short-yardage back who helps keep the starter fresh and racks up the touchdowns.

He is also familiar with playing in the AFC North and accustomed to going up against the physical defenses in the cold weather as the season progresses. It would also give the Steelers a chance to further needle their rival by signing an all-time great Cleveland player.

J.K. Dobbins

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

Dobbins has the highest ceiling of these three running backs.

While injuries have prevented him from fully living up to his potential, he posted 1,058 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns in 13 games last season for the Chargers. It was an important bounce-back effort after he missed the 2021 season, played eight games in 2022 and appeared in one game in 2023.

The Ohio State product looked like a playmaker who would have easily ran for 1,000 yards if he played all 17 games last year, and the following teams could use someone like him in their backfield:

• New England Patriots
• Houston Texans

The New England Patriots need offensive weapons around Drake Maye after using their first-round pick on someone to protect the young quarterback (Will Campbell). Dobbins would provide just that and a higher ceiling than Rhamondre Stevenson, who posted a career-worst 3.9 yards per carry in 2024.

If nothing else, he and Stevenson could keep each other fresher playing in the same offense, which would pay off as the season progresses.

The Houston Texans could also use more quality depth at running back even if Joe Mixon is the starter.

Mixon will be 29 years old during the 2025 season with plenty of miles on his legs after appearing in at least 14 games in seven of the last eight years. His 4.1 yards per carry total in his career also falls well short of Dobbins' 5.2, and the latter could provide some more explosive plays that have been missing in the rushing attack.

He could also take advantage of lighter boxes when opposing defenses drop back to contain C.J. Stroud and the aerial attack, which could be exactly what the Texans need to win the AFC South for a third straight season.