Draft Preview: Running Backs

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March 13, 2025

by David Earl

The class remains top-heavy with Jeremiyah Love as the clear, unanimous RB1—a rare first-round (even top 10) talent at the position due to his explosiveness and three-down upside. The group features strong burst, vision, and receiving traits but lacks multiple true every-down workhorses; many have size, durability, or scheme-fit questions. Overall, it’s a good class for teams needing explosive/versatile backs (especially if prioritizing three-down traits), but after Love, it thins into more specialized or high-upside-but-risky profiles.

While Mike Washington Jr. is projected as the second running back in this draft, his ball security issues and weak pass protection combined with his high draft projection makes him a non-target entering the draft. Jadarian Price out of Notre Dame offers plenty of upside, including a 4.44 second forty time, and he’s showed himself to be one of the more elusive running backs entering the 2026 NFL draft. He shows great natural receiving ability and has excellent start/stop quickness in the open field but his pass protection and relatively light workload history might push him into the later rounds. Price is a realistic option if Washington prefers to target an elite level defensive player or a future top tier wide receiver early in the draft. Beyond him the question marks arise such as injury history or struggles in pass protection especially due to lack of ideal size. The recent addition of RB Rachaad White, who is an excellent pass catching and blocking runner, could allow the team to add a wide receiver at pick 7 even if Jeremiyah Love is still available as they could target Jadarian Price later. That said Love almost has to be the pick if available at pick 7 because of the weapon he presents on all three downs.

Projected Rounds 1-3

Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame (6-0, 215lbs)

  • Strengths: He accelerates instantly, reaches top-end velocity quickly, and can outrun defenders to the edge or pull away in the open field, turning routine plays into touchdowns from anywhere on the field. High spatial awareness/IQ and an instinctive one-cut runner who sets up blocks effectively. Proven mismatch weapon as a receiver having soft hands, natural tracking, and runs routes from the slot like a WR.
  • Weaknesses: Less impactful between the tackles and pass protection can be reckless as he dips his head at times and will lunge into his blocks. He’s more of a finesse/speed runner who excels outside or in space rather than a classic between-the-tackles grinder
  • Draft Projection: Top 10 overall

Mike Washington Jr., Arkansas (6-2, 223lbs)

  • Strengths: Blends imposing frame with elite top-end speed (4.33s 40 at Combine, fastest among RBs) as he hits high gear quickly and separates from defenders in the open field. Runs with aggression with forward lean in a punishing style. Good eyes and spatial awareness plus reads blocks and sets up lanes trusting reads very well. Capable pass-catcher with soft hands adding value on screens/check downs plus is a mismatch out of the backfield in open space.
  • Weaknesses: High fumble rate persists despite production. Inconsistent pad level as he plays too high and doesn’t consistently run behind his pads despite big frame. Not reliable for three-down role without development in his pass protection.
  • Draft Projection: Mid to late second round

Jadarian Price, Notre Dame (5-11, 203lbs)

  • Strengths: True burner with low-4.4s speed and flashes elite acceleration hitting top gear quickly beating most defenders to the edges. He maintains balance through contact with a strong leg drive and powers through arm tackles/low hits as he transfers power to speed seamlessly. Highly instinctive and natural runner with elite vision/spatial awareness. Is patient behind the offensive line as he lets blocks develop while reading lanes decisively.
  • Weaknesses: Slender frame and lacks the between the tackles power on short yardage plays. Has limited receiving volume and pass protection needs developing. Underdeveloped as receiver possessing a limited route tree.
  • Draft Projection: Late second to early third round

Jonah Coleman, Washington (5-9, 225lbs)

  • Strengths: Outstanding core strength, low center of gravity, and natural leverage being nearly impossible to bring down on first contact. Excels as a downhill/power runner who invites contact and wins short-yardage/goal-line situations. High-end vision and instincts being patient to let blocks develop and reads lanes decisively. Very good as a pass blocker and excellent ball security.
  • Weaknesses: He lacks elite acceleration and explosiveness through line or to second level of the defense. Limited short area quickness and slow feet into contact at times. Not a versatile receiver nor offers any mismatch problems for the defense.
  • Draft Projection: Mid third round

Emmett Johnson, Nebraska (5-11, 205lbs)

  • Strengths: Exceptional eyes and feel behind the line as he is patient to let blocks develop while manipulating defenders. Outstanding lateral movement with quick feet and explosive cuts. A natural soft hands receiver being one of the class’s better pass-catchers being a mismatch value on check downs and screens.
  • Weaknesses: He is more elusive than explosive with average to good but not elite long speed. Lacks ideal weight and strength in becoming a consistent pass blocker. Can chase big plays and cuts back too much instead of taking what’s there plus dances in backfield leading to negative plays or missed yards.
  • Draft Projection: Mid to late third round

J’Mari Taylor, Virginia (5-10, 204lbs)

  • Strengths: He has outstanding ability to absorb hits, churn legs, stay upright, and gain extra yards after contact. Runs behind pads delivering punishing runs as he excels in short-yardage/goal-line situations. Patient runner who presses the line deep and hits holes decisively. Has soft hands giving a good productive out of backfield receiver adding value on check downs and screens.
  • Weaknesses: Undersized frame raises questions about sustaining NFL punishment vs. bigger line backers and safeties. Has limiting consistent direction changes with average lateral agility and elusiveness. He lacks next-level long speed and needs refinement in pass protection.
  • Draft Projection: Late third

Projected Day 3 Selections

Demond Claiborne, Wake Forest (5-10, 195lbs)

  • Strengths: Explosive through creases and on the edge, with home-run hitting potential once he hits the second level. Good contact balance and sets up runs well. Proven kick returner with speed and elusiveness, offering immediate contributions.
  • Weaknesses: Undersized for heavy workload as he lacks the bulk to consistently break arm tackles or handle heavy contact. Can be too patient a runner seeing open lanes close quickly and lacks elite long speed getting caught from behind too often.
  • Draft Projection: Early fourth round

Le’Veon Moss, Texas A&M (5-11, 215lbs)

  • Strengths: Punishing, downhill style with strong leg drive with wood spatial awareness and anticipation in gap/zone schemes. Finish runs strong and handles inside runs well with a low center of gravity.
  • Weaknesses: Injury history with multiple serious injuries (knee in 2024, ankle in 2025, prior lower-body issues) and has never played a full season as the lead back. Lacks elite top-end/long speed and often runs too upright/tall limiting his ability to convert speed to power
  • Draft Projection: Early fourth round

Adam Randall, Clemson (6-3, 232lbs)

  • Strengths: Prototypical big-back measurable with impressive top-end/long speed and carries weight well while overpowering smaller defenders at the second level. Strong hands with route-running from wide receiver background and transitions well after catch.
  • Weaknesses: vision/patience inconsistent in space, misses gaps/assignments, relies to much on brute force. Pass protection a liability and lacks elite level short area quickness.
  • Draft Projection: Early fourth round

Nicholas Singleton, Penn State (6-1, 225lbs)

  • Strengths: Combines size, quickness, agility, acceleration, and power. Accelerates quickly to top speed eliminating defenders angles. Reliable hands, soft out of the backfield and natural route skills. Will run angry through contact and offers special team returning.
  • Weaknesses: Below-average feel for lanes/hole development and relies on obvious creases rather than creating. More of a straight-line runner who stiffens on redirects plus inconsistently plays through contact.
  • Draft Projection: Early fourth round

Kaytron Allen, Penn State (5-11, 218lbs)

  • Strengths: He processes fronts well and exploits cutback/gap lanes effectively. Excellent contact balance as he bounces off arm tackles and wears down defenses late in games. Good ball security (low fumbles career-wide) and rarely loses yardage.
  • Weaknesses: Lacks breakaway/long speed and gets caught from behind on longer runs. Relies solely on power over finesse in the open field or tight areas. Not a reliable third-down or check down option as he also struggles with expanded routes.
  • Draft Projection: Early to mid-fourth round

Jaydn Ott, California/Oklahoma (5-11, 210lbs)

  • Strengths: shows discipline to let blocks develop and creative in navigating traffic or turning negative plays positive. Elite initial quickness and explosion through creases and gets to top speed rapidly. Maintains a good contact balance through initial hits and is a reliable pass catcher on short to intermediate routes.
  • Weaknesses: Injury concerns as limited full workloads and production drops tied to health. Can be stood up or stuffed in short-yardage runs and not a consistent pile-pusher in short-yardage plays. In pass protection he misses assignments, gets overwhelmed, and lacks ideal anchor.
  • Draft Projection: Early to mid-fourth round

Seth McGowan, Kentucky/Oklahoma (6-0, 223lbs)

  • Strengths: Big/physical with explosiveness/burst as he shows a fast twitch resulting in quick cuts and speed-to-power conversion. Fast processor who reads and shows patience without over-hesitating while hitting decisively between the tackles. Effective grinder in tight spaces and in short-yardage/goal-line situations.
  • Weaknesses: Ball-security issues and inconsistent pass as a receiver in the passing game. Not overly elusive as he relies more on power over finesse in space or tight areas and struggles to create laterally. Needs technique refinement as a pass protector and will have concentration drops.
  • Draft Projection: Early to mid-fourth round

Some Quick Mentions

Jam Miller, Alabama (5-11, 221lbs)

  • Strengths/Weaknesses: Powerful north-south runner with decisive cuts/. Has elite pass protection technique but not a dynamic pass catcher.
  • Draft Projection: Late fourth to early fifth round

Terion Stewart, Virginia Tech (5-9, 220lbs)

  • Strengths/Weaknesses: Tough to tackle with good contact balance but lacks elite level speed to pull away from defenders. Not a naturally developed pass catcher and concerns of ball security.
  • Draft Projection: Late fourth to early fifth round

Noah Whittington, Oregon (5-8, 205lbs)

  • Strengths: Excellent low center of gravity and explodes off initial contact. Is a versatile committee fit especially in the passing game but overall size limits lead running back role.
  • Draft Projection: Early fifth round

 

Note: These evaluations are consensus reports from multiple sources like Draft Buzz, NFL Scouts, Walter Football and CBS Sports

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