NFL Stat Predictions for Top Rookie RBs in 2025

The 2025 NFL draft featured one of the best running back classes in recent memory. Six backs went in the first two days, and 25 were taken in total—the most in a half-decade—to create a crop of talent that could shift the league’s landscape in short order.  

Whether they landed with teams that had little in the way of veteran competition or are simply too talented to keep off the field, several first-year backs are poised to make an immediate impact.  

With that in mind, let’s highlight the top rookie running backs and make some predictions on how their stat lines will look at the end of Year 1.

Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders

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The Las Vegas Raiders solidified their backfield for the foreseeable future with the selection of Ashton Jeanty at No. 6. The Bleacher Report Scouting Department’s Dame Parson described Jeanty—the No. 6 overall prospect on their final big board—as a “high-volume, playmaking running back” who possesses a “bowling ball-esque frame and elite contact balance."

Jeanty is poised to hit the ground running and start his NFL career as a featured back. That role will not be unfamiliar for the Boise State product, who tallied 2,739 yards and 30 touchdowns on 397 touches last year alone and has true three-down capability.

While it’s highly unlikely that Jeanty will see anything close to the 374 totes he racked up during his final collegiate campaign, he’s a good bet to log at least 250 while working as the primary option in Vegas’ offense.

The path is wide open for the 21-year-old to dominate the backfield workload, with injury-prone veteran Raheem Mostert and inexperienced Sincere McCormick his backups.

Jeanty didn’t see much volume as a receiver in the run-first offense Boise State built around him, but he shouldn’t have much trouble adapting to the pass-catching work he’ll be tasked with in the NFL. Even with meager marks of 80 receptions across his 40 college contests, Jeanty has consistently displayed reliable hands and should tally approximately 50 catches in Year 1.

Expect Jeanty to have little issue living up to his lofty draft status, becoming the most productive of the first-year backs by a good margin and competing for a Pro Bowl spot.

2025 Projection: 252 carries, 1,207 yards, 9 TDs; 48 receptions, 398 yards, 4 TDs

Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers

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The Los Angeles Chargers found a fantastic cultural fit for their backfield in Omarion Hampton. He checks every box for a lead back, and the UNC product should quickly emerge as the Bolts’ RB1.

Measuring up at a sturdy 6'0", 221 pounds during the combine, Hampton clearly possesses the frame to take on the rigors of an NFL workload. He’ll punish would-be tacklers with his violent running style and willingness to fight for extra yardage on every possession.

When you consider that 2,505 of his 3,565 rushing yards came after first contact during his tenure at Chapel Hill, it’s easy to see why head coach Jim Harbaugh and his coaching staff drafted Hampton No. 22 overall.

While Hampton has little in the way of personal limitations—the B/R Scouting Department cited some limited explosiveness on lateral cuts and a developing pass-protection skill set as two of his biggest weaknesses—roster construction could hinder his production in Year 1.

Hampton will have some fierce competition for touches as the Chargers signed Najee Harris, a player who has been one of the most consistent running backs in football over the last four years, to a one-year deal this offseason. While Harris hasn’t developed into a star, he’s never missed a game and has rushed for over 1,000 yards each season since entering the league.

Harris’ veteran savvy and consistency could result in a relatively even timeshare with Hampton out of the gate. The rookie should eventually pass Harris on the depth chart and has a fantastic long-term outlook (especially if Harris gets traded before the deadline). Early, though, Harris will cap Hampton's upside.

2025 Projection: 202 carries, 902 yards, 7 TDs; 42 receptions, 302 yards, 2 TDs

Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns

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The Cleveland Browns may have a messy quarterback conundrum to sort out this offseason, but at least their backfield has clarity following the selection of Quinshon Judkins near the top of the second round.

Judkins entered the pre-draft process on the heels of a massively productive college career—which included two fruitful years at Ole Miss before transferring to Ohio State and leading the program to a national championship—and only continued to boost his stock with a stellar combine.

By running a brisk 4.48-second 40-yard dash and posting jump numbers of 38.5” vertically and 11'0" broad, Judkins only further proved that he packs a ridiculous amount of athleticism into his six-foot, 219-pound frame. The tape left little doubt, however, as the back amassed a whopping 50 touchdowns from scrimmage across 42 games—a testament to his unique blend of power and elusiveness.

Cleveland will be a perfect place for Judkins to continue his football journey. He’s a good bet to beat out Jerome Ford for RB1 duties, although both the incumbent starter and rookie fourth-rounder Dylan Sampson will chip away at Judkins’ volume and limit his Year 1 upside.

Still, the Browns project to be a work in progress on offense in 2025 due to the lack of consistency under center. This unenviable signal-caller situation should result in plenty of volume for all of Cleveland’s backs, especially Judkins as he looks to establish himself as one of the NFL’s future stars.

2025 Projection: 213 carries, 889 yards, 6 TDs; 39 receptions, 283 yards, 1 TD

RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos

AP

The Denver Broncos secured one of the more intriguing running backs in the 2025 class with their selection of RJ Harvey at No. 60 overall. While the back is relatively diminutive at 5’8”, 205 pounds, he’s brimming with strength and didn’t let his lack of size limit his production during his time at UCF.

Harvey broke out two seasons ago and remained a consistent force last year. During that two-year stretch, the back racked up nearly 3,000 yards and 38 touchdowns on 458 totes and added another 505 yards and four scores on 39 catches. He’s always a threat to rip off a massive gain—nearly a quarter of his carries went for 10 or more yards in 2024—and projects to be a perfect fit in a Denver system that has been downright desperate for playmakers in the backfield.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton leaned heavily on his backs to spark the offense during his stint with the New Orleans Saints, but has thus far lacked the weapons to recreate that scheme in the Mile High. That should change with Harvey, who has been watching tape of both Darren Sproles and Alvin Kamara—two RBs who thrived under Payton—to prepare for his NFL debut (per Bobby Kownack of NFL.com):

“Like Darren Sproles, he went crazy with the Saints. Kamara, too. I want to be better than those guys, so I'm going to work every day, get better, just prove myself to all the vets and the coaches. I want to make an immediate impact in this league”

Payton already confirmed that Harvey will be playing on third downs, but it’s hard to see the underwhelming combination of Jaleel McLaughlin (who posted 495 yards on 113 carries last year) and Audric Estime (310 yards on 76 carries) blocking the rookie from earning touches on early downs too.

2025 Projection: 197 carries, 882 yards, 3 TDs; 55 receptions, 370 yards, 3 TDs

TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots

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With Drake Maye, the New England Patriots appear to have finally found a proper heir to Tom Brady. After the quarterback earned a Pro Bowl nod as a rookie, the incoming regime elected to go all-in during the 2025 draft to support the up-and-coming passer.

One of the most impactful selections the Pats made last month came early in the second round when they took TreVeyon Henderson at No. 38 overall. He was one of college football’s most electrifying backs during his four-year tenure at Ohio State—averaging an impressive 6.4 yards per carry over 47 games—and looks ready to continue contributing at a high level in the pros.

Henderson possesses the tools necessary to have a successful NFL career. While his size (5’10”, 205 lbs) leaves a bit to be desired, he more than makes up for his slightly smaller stature with a great mix of speed, explosiveness, patience and vision. He tallied over 4,500 yards from scrimmage and put up 48 touchdowns on 667 touches during his time in Columbus.

While Henderson’s playmaking abilities will help keep defenses honest, he’ll be an even greater asset to Maye on passing downs as the first-year talent utterly excels in pass protection.

Henderson is clearly the top prospect in his class when it comes to taking on the blitz and keeping his quarterback upright. Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Henderson “might’ve been the best pass-protection back I’ve seen come out of college” and NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah exclaimed that “there’s nothing like” the pass pro tape he watched on the Buckeyes star.

Those world-class pass pro capabilities, coupled with elite ball security—Henderson didn’t fumble once in college—should result in the rookie usurping Rhamondre Stevenson (a veteran who has been benched for turnover issues in the past) on New England’s depth chart as early as Week 1.

2025 Projection: 189 carries, 799 yards, 4 TDs; 43 receptions, 302 yards, 3 TDs

Cam Skattebo, New York Giants

Cam Skattebo endeared himself to football fans everywhere with one of the most heroic College Football Playoff performances in history. Although Arizona State eventually fell short in that epic double-overtime quarterfinal and ended Skattebo’s magical two-year run with the Sun Devils, he’s now poised to continue his legacy at the next level with the New York Giants.

Skattebo has three-down potential and showed as much at ASU. As a senior he rushed for 1,711 yards and 21 touchdowns on 293 carries and added another 605 yards and three touchdowns on 45 receptions.

Although he’s one of the older rookies in the class at 23, Skattebo’s vision, balance and motor are top tier. He’s been able to overcome his athletic limitations with pure physicality while excelling as a rusher, receiver and pass protector.

Projections for Skattebo’s rookie year should be tempered, however, due to his landing spot in the draft. Big Blue already has a potential-laden back in Tyrone Tracy Jr.—who emerged as one of the team’s few bright spots last year—and should continue to feature the 2024 fifth-rounder as the starter this season.

On the bright side, the dynamic converted receiver should pair nicely with the hard-charging Skattebo. The rookie will be able to take advantage of his rotational role and further wear down defenses that have been expending energy pursuing Tracy.

Both players should see a good amount of volume within an offense that has more questions than answers under center even after signing Russell Wilson and drafting Jaxson Dart. This situation gives Skattebo at least enough upside to move the needle as a rookie and an even stronger long-term outlook.

2025 Projection: 154 carries, 675 yards, 4 TDs; 27 receptions, 223 yards, 1 TD