For running backs to be considered first-round picks, they must be elite. The position is often viewed as less valuable than others, leading many prospects to drop in the draft.
Let’s examine which running backs might be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and discuss why the betting odds could be too appealing to resist.
How Many Running Backs Could Be Selected in the 2025 NFL Draft First Round?
Recent history tells us that running back isn’t a position valued in the first round of the NFL Draft. Only two rushers have been drafted in the first round in the last three seasons, with Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs both selected in the first 12 picks of the 2023 NFL Draft.
An average of 0.66 running backs taken over the last three cycles does not give bettors much hope, but the 2025 running back class is different, and the position is undergoing a renaissance on the NFL scene.
It has an elite prospect at the top in Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty, who has the skillset to be selected in the top 10 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Meanwhile, North Carolina Tar Heels’ runner Omarion Hampton is also widely considered one of the top prospects in the class.
DraftKings has the over/under on the total number of running backs selected in the first round at 2.5. The under is currently favored at -240, but over 2.5 and +180 is an enticing line.
Jeanty is all but guaranteed a first-round selection, while Hampton is currently -1600 to be taken on Day 1, meaning bookmakers are confident he will land in the first 32 selections of the 2025 showcase.
However, while Hampton holds a first-round grade, his projection isn’t so cut and dry. History tells us that for a running back to be drafted in the first round, they have to be special and elite. While many hold the North Carolina product in that esteem, it also takes a specific type of team to put that card in on a Thursday evening.
If Jeanty goes top 10, some teams may consider Hampton to fill their needs. The Dallas Cowboys make sense, although wide receiver is also a strong consideration for America’s Team. Further down, eyes would then turn to the Denver Broncos with No. 20 overall, and the Washington Commanders at No. 29.
The problem comes if Jeanty falls out of the top 10. The running back order then gets bumped down, and there are only so many teams to choose from.
GET DRAFTING: College Football Network’s Mock Draft Simulator
The 2025 NFL Draft features an exceptionally deep running back class, which could cause some players to slide further down the draft board. Teams may prioritize addressing other needs, knowing that quality running backs will be available on Day 2 and beyond. As a result, NFL front offices might consider combination picks.
For instance, if a team drafts a defensive tackle in the first round, they may choose to select a running back in the second round. It’s worth evaluating how this strategy compares to the reverse scenario.
That is also only two prospects. Therefore, the under is the favored line in this scenario. Although there is also a way that Ohio State Buckeye TreVeyon Henderson is a first-round selection.
It is a wildcard, but the Buckeyes’ running back is a versatile weapon. He is elite in the passing game and a blazing, patient rusher. He has long been seen as a perfect joker player for Sean Payton’s offense in Denver, but 20 overall is rich for many analysts.
Which Running Backs Could Be Selected in the 2025 NFL Draft First Round?
In our latest 3-Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft, three running backs went in the first round. Jeanty, Hampton, and Henderson all were Day 1 picks, but that mock draft appears to be an outlier as they head towards Thursday evening.
Although CSN’s 2025 NFL Draft Top 300 Big Board also includes all three of those prospects as top 30 players, positional value suggests that at least one will likely fall out of the first round.
- Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
- Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina
Other Potential Names
- TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
