RUNNING BACKS
Ashton Jeanty RB Boise St
Ashton is a complete RB. He can run the ball inside or outside, catch the ball, and block. He can power the ball into the end zone or finesse it into the end zone. Ashton is an excellent blocker and a strong blocker for his QB and takes pride in his blocking. He doesn’t give up on running the ball if he is struggling early in a game and in the fourth quarter, can be your 4-minute, run the clock out, running back. There will be those in this draft who will nitpick about Ashton and tell you the competition he went up against doesn’t warrant selecting him early. To those people I say, turn on the Oregon film and then tell me that. There will be those that will say, Ashton has been used up and there is not enough “tread left on the tires”. I would say to them, that it’s going to be a hell of a benefit to get him for the first four years of his career…wouldn’t you say? This is an RB who is mature and smart and knows how to pick up the blitz the day you put him on the field. That alone should tell you to select him early in this draft. The level of competition for a running back has nothing to do with his ability to be effective in the NFL. Starting RB’s and franchise RB’s come from all levels of competition. Talent Grade: 1.43
Quinshon Judkins RB Ohio St
Quinshon has the size and speed needed to be a starting running back. He has excellent lateral agility that allows him to make his own yards and pick up blitzing players when pass-blocking. Quinshon does an excellent job catching the ball down the field and can be used in the slot or out of the backfield on passing downs. He reminds a lot of former Titans RB Chris Johnson who in 2009 ran for 2,006 yards, and rushed for over one thousand yards for six straight years from 2008 to 2013. Quinshon is lightning on the field and will demand offensive coordinators to game plan for him. Although Quinshon does run a little high and struggles getting the tough yards, between the tackles, he compensates with quick feet and vision when he is in the red zone to score touchdowns. Quinshon will break tackles when he needs to nevertheless, he is more likely, with his quickness, to shake and bake his way to first downs, and to gain run after the catch yardage. Although in the open field, Quinshon is a “now you see him, now you don’t”, type of running back, don’t let that fool you, he will put his head down and has the size and strength to make those tough yards in the “big” games, for sure. Quinshon has the ability to be a weapon for the team that selects him. Talent Grade: 1.50
Ollie Gordon II RB/H-Back Oklahoma St
Ollie could be the best RB in this very talented group of RB’s for this draft. He is 6’ 2” – 225 lbs, and extremely athletic. He has solid speed but what sets him ahead of other big running backs is his vision, lateral agility, and ability to break tackles at the line of scrimmage and the open field. Ollie can catch the ball down the field as well as any pass catching Tight End. He likes to chip block on his way out of the backfield and can put a 300-lb offensive lineman on the ground with just his shoulder. Ollie needs his shoulders to be square to the line of scrimmage to be effective but he is smart and can turn the corner because of his athleticism and good RB techniques. He doesn’t look as fast as Ravens Derrick Henry who is 6’ 3” 247 lbs, but his burst, lateral agility, and quickness are equal for sure, and you can bet DB’s will not be happy to see him break the line of scrimmage. Ollie struggled mentally to return fully from his 2023 injury until the last three games of the 2024 season. Taking his injury into consideration, he looks ready mentally and physically now, to become a franchise RB/H-back for the team that selects him. Talent Grade: 1.83
Omarion Hampton RB North Carolina
Omarion reminds me a lot of the Colts' Jonathan Taylor. He runs with his shoulders square to the line of scrimmage and when he gets into the second level most safeties and linebackers will struggle to handle his power and strength trying to tackle him. Omarion has the soft hands to catch the ball out of the backfield and once again in the open field corners better have their big boy pants on if they want to tackle him or he will break those tackles and make those needed after the catch yards. Omarion will have to learn to lower his pad level when running and when picking up the blitz. When he is blocking, he loses leverage and when he runs, he takes too many big hits after the tackle and when hitting the ground. I’m not sure I have ever seen a running back hit the ground harder than Omarion and this alone will take a toll on his NFL life if he doesn’t learn to lower his pads more. The medicals will most likely determine what round Omarion will be selected and if he can stay away from injuries, I suspect he will have as impactful a career as Jonathan Taylor has had. Taylor was selected in the 2nd round of the 2020 draft after running a 4.3 in his 40 at the combine. That being said, times are changing for running backs and the value is too. Talent Grade: 1.83
Brashard Smith RB/WR SMU
Brashard has natural athletic talent that most NFL players lack. He can play multiple positions on your offense. He can play as a running back in the backfield, in the slot as a receiver, or because of his strength and quickness, out wide as a receiver. Brashard has that type of lateral agility and in a “phone booth” quickness that makes it easy for him to embarrass Defensive backs and linebackers, trying to tackle him in the open field. He reminds me of the cartoon character, the Road Runner going Beep Beep, as he runs past everyone on the field. Brashard, because of his bulk, 195 lbs, and strength, should be able to stay on the field for more snaps than your average speed demon that may have the same speed and quickness but lacks the natural strength and bulk to not get injured. As a running back, Brashard had an unbelievable impact on his college team this last year gaining 1,332 yards on 235 carries, a 5.7-yard average, and 14 Touchdowns. Brashard’s position originally was as a receiver as a deep threat and trust me putting him on the move and into the open field, he is a touch away from scoring at any point on the field. As a punt returner, he also is a touch away from scoring every time a team has to punt to him. Brashard, is an offensive weapon, ready to explode anytime he touches the ball. The Roadrunner is the nickname of a bird called the Ground Cuckoo and trust me, trying to tackle Brashard in the open field will drive you Crazy Beep-Beep. Talent Grade: 2.17