Cowboys’ RB-by-committee could be short-lived, 2025 RB draft class is stacked
First in 2023 and then again in 2024, the Dallas Cowboys pretty much decided to bypass the running back position in the NFL draft in back-to-back years. Yes, they added Deuce Vaughn in the sixth-round in 2023, but no one’s going to make the argument that he’s the future of the position.
Heading into the 2024 NFL season it looks as if they will go with an RB-by-committee, headlined by their former RB1 Ezekiel Elliott. Potentially joining him in the committee so far is Rico Dowdle, Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn, and maybe even Hunter Luepke. None of these players, including Zeke, inspires much confidence for Dallas having a productive running game.
With all that in mind, the Cowboys could once again be favorites to draft one of the top running backs in next year’s 2025 NFL Draft. Today, we are going to take a look at the potential Top 10 RBs entering the draft next year, several which look as if could be be neck-and-neck with one another to claim the RB1 spot.
10 – Devin Neal, Kansas
Coming off a 2023 season in which he rushed for 1,280 yards and 16 touchdowns on 203 carries, Devin Neal surprisingly decided to forgo the 2024 NFL Draft and instead return to Kansas. With a repeat performance amidst an offensive coordinator change this year, the 5’11”, 208-pound RB could bolster stock even further within the Top 10 in 2025.
9 – Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
The Nittany Lions RB may have had a dip in production in 2023 (171 carries, 752 yards, 8 TDs), but as a former five-star recruit with name recognition, he’s become one of the more highly anticipated 2025 RB prospects this year. His blend of size (6’0″, 224), athleticism, and contact balance could very well make him an early selection in next year’s draft.
8 – Jaydn Ott, California
Jaydn Ott caught an impressive 46 passes as a freshman in 2022 and followed that up with 1,315 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 246 carries his sophomore season in 2023. Although he doesn’t have great size at 6’0″, 200-pounds, he does possess excellent patience and footwork to help the long-strider to gain speed to flip the field.
7 – Damien Martinez, Miami
After accumulating 1,185 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 194 carries last season at Oregon State in 2023, Damien Martinez decided to enter the transfer portal eventually landing at Miami. The 6’0″, 237-pound RB has the build/frame to be a volume back for the Hurricanes in 2024 and the talent to see meant himself as a Top 10 player at the position.
6 – Trevor Etienne, Georgia
Trevor Etienne, the younger brother of the Jacksonville Jaguars star RB Travis Etienne, put up 753 rushing yards and nine scores at Florida in 2023 before deciding to transfer to Georgia for the upcoming 2024 season. At 5’9″, 205-pounds, he is a physically talented RB who wins with speed, burst, and agility despite his smallish stature.
5 – Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Last year Ashton Jeanty ended up being just shy of accumulating 2,000 total yards from scrimmage. On the ground he rushed for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns and added another 569 yards and five TDs through the air. The 5’9″, 210-pound RB is a name to remember in 2024. He could put himself in contention to be the first RB drafted in 2025.
4 – TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
TreVeyon Henderson has some medical concerns, but still could’ve potentially been the first RB off the board in the 2024 NFL Draft. Instead he decided to return to Ohio State and should once again be in contention to be RB1 in this year’s NFL draft. The 5’10”, 215-pound RB possesses elite athleticism, vertical speed, and runs with power. He checks all the boxes.
3 – Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Omarion Hampton rushed for 1,504 yards and 15 TDs on 253 carries last year in 2023 and was a finalist for the Doak Walker Award, a testament to his exceptional talent and impact on the field. The 6’0″, 220-pound RB is big, tough, and physical in tight spaces. He’s also surprisingly explosive/agile for running back his size and a potential RB1 candidate in 2025.
2 – Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
The 6’1″, 211-pound RB is surprisingly entering his first year of eligibility for the NFL draft. He’s already a favorite to be the first back drafted this year thanks in large part to his Doak Walker Award-winning 2023 campaign in which he accumulated 1,732 rushing yards and 21 TDs on 285 carries. He could locked on the top RB spot with a repeat performance in 2025.
1 – Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Before transferring to Ohio State, Quinshon Judkins amassed 3,000 total yards and 34 TDs in his two seasons at Ole Miss. The 5’11”, 211-pound RB is expected to be one of the prominent players at his position this year. He is a scheme diverse RB with an energized running style that should help him sustained his high-level production with the Buckeyes.
Honorable mention
- Donovan Edwards, Michigan
- C.J. Donaldson, West Virginia
- Raheim Sanders, South Carolina
- Roman Hemby, Maryland
- Nathan Carter, Michigan State
- Tahj Boyd, Texas Tech
- Jaylin Lucas, Florida State
- Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
- Jo’Quavious Marks, USC
- Phil Mafah, Clemson