Cam Skattebo and More Top Sleeper Rookie RBs Who Could Be This Year's Bucky Irving

Running back is an interesting position when it comes to the NFL draft, as plenty of talented backs won't get selected until Day 3.

Just look at Bucky Irving, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2024 fourth-round pick, who led rookie RBs with 1,122 rushing yards last season. On top of that, the New York Giants added Tyrone Tracy Jr. in the fifth round, and only Irving and Jayden Daniels (891) had more rushing yards than the Purdue product (839) within the draft class.

While this year's crop of running backs includes two first-round picks, Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton, it's also considered one of the deepest position groups among the incoming rookies.

So, someone like Cam Skattebo or another Day 3 selection could easily eclipse the 1,000-yark mark in year one, as Irving did last fall.

Here, we'll dive into a few sleeper running backs who might cross the threshold listed above based on their skill set, the offensive line they'll be working with and how much competition each will face when it comes to getting touches.

Cam Skattebo

AP Photo/Josh McSwain

Drafted: 4th round, 105th overall by the New York Giants

Skattebo gained notoriety for his punishing running style last season, becoming college football's second-leading rusher with 1,711 yards. That's a big reason why the Arizona State product earned a high fourth-round grade from the B/R scouting department.

"Skattebo is difficult to bring down on first contact," offensive skill positions scout Dame Parson wrote. "He runs with a forward lean and lowers his shoulders to power through arm tackles with a finisher's mentality. He's a physical runner who will test the defense's will. As a defender, you must be prepared to bring the same energy for all four quarters."

Now, the former Sun Devil heads to New York where he should form an impressive one-two punch with Tyrone Tracy Jr.

Granted, Tracy is coming off an impressive rookie campaign and could take touches away from Skattebo. But the two backs complement each other well as Tracy, a former wide receiver, can be the pass-catcher and outside run threat while Skattebo takes the between-the-tackles carries.

That's likely what Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll had in mind when they signed Devin Singletary in free agency last offseason, but he ended up being a disappointment with a career-low 437 rushing yards and 3.9 yards per attempt.

Also, the Giants offensive line can carve out plenty of holes for the young running back duo when healthy. Left tackle Andrew Thomas will be back from a Lisfranc injury this fall, and Jermaine Eluemunor is an underrated player at the other edge.

On the interior, Greg Van Roten and Jon Runyan return as starters while John Michael Schmitz showed growth in his second season last year. Also, the front office added Marcus Mbow as an insurance policy to help create creases for Skattebo and Tracy.

Bhayshul Tuten

AP Photo/Robert Simmons

Drafted: 4th round, 104th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars

Part of the reason why Bhayshul Tuten is a candidate to be a 1,000-yard rusher as a Day 3 pick is that his coach already has experience accomplishing the feat.

Liam Coen was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator last season, helping Bucky Irving run all over NFL defenses as a rookie.

Clearly, Coen's system can set up running backs for immediate success, and the former Hokie could take over as the Jaguars' home run-hitter in 2024.

"Bhayshul Tuten is an electrifying runner with elite top-end speed to turn short runs into house calls at any time," Parson wrote.

"...Tuten is an explosive, one-cut outside zone runner. When plays are blocked up, he unleashes the big-play speed that he is known for. Tuten's speed forces defenses to remain disciplined in their run fits. The wrong read or freelancing from second-level defenders can result in an explosive run for a score."

Now, Travis Etienne Jr. has filled that role in Jacksonville over the last three seasons, but his efficiency has been steadily declining since his rookie campaign, going from 5.1 yards per carry to 3.7 this past fall. So, the rookie could win the job in training camp, especially after the coaching change.

That would give Jacksonville a two-headed monster in the backfield with Tuten and Tank Bigsby, similar to what Coen had in Tampa Bay with Irving and Rachaad White.

The biggest potential impediment for the Jags' rushing attack is its offensive line, which was underwhelming last year. However, Walker Little is coming off a promising campaign and will head into training camp as the team's unquestioned starting left tackle for the first time in his career.

Also, the front office added Robert Hainsey (who played for Coen in Tampa), Patrick Mekari, Chuma Edoga, Fred Johnson and Wyatt Milum this offseason to bolster the unit.

Dylan Sampson

AP Photo/Wade Payne

Drafted: 4th round, 126th overall by the Cleveland Browns

It appears as if the Cleveland Browns are attempting to replace Nick Chubb, their third-leading rusher of all time, with a running back by committee approach.

After using a second-round pick on Ohio State's Quinshon Judkins, the Browns took advantage of the deep position group by double-dipping and spending a fourth rounder on Dylan Sampson.

Sure, that could limit the Tennessee product's carries in year one, but the two backs were only 0.1 points away from each other on B/R's grading scale this draft cycle.

So, the former Volunteer could seamlessly take over if something were to happen to Judkins or win the job outright with his combination of zone-rushing skills and explosiveness.

"Sampson displays quick footwork to exchange gaps and change directions. He can stop and start without wasted movement," Parson wrote.

"His short-area quickness aided his ability to change run paths based on the defense’s run fits. He has good football IQ and instincts/feel for the game. He processes blocking leverages quickly. Sampson has legitimate big-play speed. He's a threat to create an explosive play at any time."

While Cleveland's offensive line struggled last season, that was primarily due to injuries. Most notably, former All-Pros Wyatt Teller and Jack Conklin combined to miss nine games in 2024.

With Teller and Conklin back in the fold, and the free-agent additions of Teven Jenkins and Cornelius Lucas as backups/insurance policies, the unit should be much improved this fall.

Jaydon Blue

AP Photo/Michael Woods

Drafted: 5th round, 149th overall by the Dallas Cowboys

Over the past couple of years, it's been hard to figure out the Dallas Cowboys' plan at running back.

They let Tony Pollard walk after back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons during the 2024 offseason, and just watched Rico Dowdle sign with Carolina after he eclipsed 1,000 yards last fall. However, they may have lucked out by getting Jaydon Blue in the fifth round this year. 

The Texas product received a third-round grade from the B/R scouting department, primarily due to his combination of patience and explosiveness.

"As a runner, Blue is patient in allowing lanes to develop," Parson wrote. “He follows his blocks into the open field. He is not rushed or sped up; he runs the ball at a good pace. 

"Blue is a charged-up runner with explosive burst/acceleration once a lane is created. With his burst, he outruns pursuing defenders to the edges and is an angle-beater once he breaks contain. Blue is a fast-track ball-carrier with great top-end speed. He will rip off long runs at max speed, generating explosive plays frequently."

Meanwhile, Dallas should have an open competition at running back. To replace Dowdle, the front office signed Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency, both of whom are on cheap one-year deals after being castaways by the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers, respectively.

So, Blue could easily be the team's lead back coming out of training camp, and the interior of the Cowboys' offensive line should be able to create plenty of rushing lanes this fall.

Tyler Smith is coming off consecutive Pro Bowl campaigns and is a monster in the running game, while Cooper Beebe was solid as a rookie and projects to make a big jump in year two at center. Also, rookie Tyler Booker was B/R’s second-ranked interior offensive lineman, largely due to what he brings as a run-blocker. 

On top of that, Terence Steele is an excellent run-blocker. It’s just a matter of whether Tyler Guyton can grow from his rookie season, as the rest of the offensive line is set up well for a rookie running back like Blue to be successful.

Devin Neal

AP Photo/Charlie Riedel

Drafted: 6th round, 184th overall by the New Orleans Saints

The common theme with players on this list is the teams that drafted them got excellent value based on B/R’s big board.

That’s especially the case with the Saints and Devin Neal, who ranked 136th overall and earned a fourth-round grade. The reason for his standing is he's "suited for workhorse touches," according to Parson.

"Neal runs with enough power to push through arm tackles for yards after contact," he wrote. "He runs behind his pads and finishes runs with a forward lean. Neal possesses the vision and patience to navigate congestion and find open lanes. He has good short-area quickness to make defenders miss in the alley."

That skill set should be a good complement to Alvin Kamara, who can fill the pass-catcher and outside-runner role while the Kansas product takes the between-the-tackles carries.

Granted, the latter will have to battle Kendre Miller for touches in New Orleans. But that's an open competition in training camp, seeing as the 2023 third-rounder has just 80 rushing attempts over the last two years.

Up front, the Saints have plenty of issues in pass protection. However, the offensive line has plenty of maulers in the running game between Erik McCoy, Cesar Ruiz and back-to-back first-round picks Taliese Fuaga and Kelvin Banks Jr.

If Trevor Penning can make a successful transition to guard, there should be no shortage of rushing lanes for Neal to exploit as a rookie.

Damien Martinez

AP Photo/Jason Allen

Drafted: 7th round, 223rd overall by the Seattle Seahawks

It was pretty surprising to see Damien Martinez last until the seventh round of the draft. He earned a third-round grade from B/R’s scouting department and was projected to be a fourth-round pick, according to NFL Mock Draft Database. 

While a lack of top-end speed can explain the Miami product's slide, his combination of power and elusiveness should have taken him off the board earlier than the final round. 

"Martinez gives you both power and lateral elusiveness as a runner," Parson wrote. "He displays patience and bouncy footwork at the line of scrimmage like Le'Veon Bell. 

"Martinez is adept at pressing a gap, pulling a defender downhill before laterally cutting to a nearby vacated gap. For a big with his density, he can string together cuts well in the alley or into the third level of the defense. His patience exudes the coaching term, 'slow to, fast through'. Martinez plays at his own pace and forces the defense to join in."

The Seahawks are big beneficiaries of the former Hurricanes star's slide, though. 

Kenneth Walker III has struggled to stay healthy and has been steadily declining since his impressive rookie season, going from rushing for 1,050 yards in year one to just 573 yards this past season. That, in addition to Martinez's arrival, is part of the reason B/R’s Alex Kay recently named Walker as a potential trade candidate.

So, a path could be cleared for the seventh-round pick to see the field if he can beat out Zach Charbonnet and Kenny McIntosh.

That said, Seattle's offensive line is a potential issue regardless of who is in the backfield. But the good news is Charles Cross is coming off the best season of his career and Abraham Lucas is healthy heading into training camp unlike last year.

Also, the front office used a first-round pick on Grey Zabel to help improve the interior of the line, while young linemen Olu Oluwatimi and Christian Haynes look to take big steps this fall after getting some valuable experience down the stretch of last season.