The 2025 NFL Draft class is as soon as once more going to be troublesome to discover a first-round worth out of the operating again place exterior of Ashton Jeanty. Because the 2024 season proved, many free agent operating backs have a number of tread left on their tires, and this yr’s crop isn’t any completely different.
Some very huge names are on this top-10 record. We polled a gaggle of writers from round SB Nation to collect consensus rankings in regards to the gamers. Whereas there aren’t any unanimous picks among the many bunch as people worth completely different RB traits, our teams stands out into some outlined tiers.
We’ll take away gamers from the record as they re-sign with their present groups all the way in which as much as the opening of free company in March.
Different receiving votes
- Jeremy McNichols
- Khalil Herbert
Clyde Edwards-Helaire- Jeff Wilson
- Alexander Mattison
- Kenneth Gainwell
10. Samaje Perine, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Perinne barely squeaked in forward of Khalil Herbert in our voting by the slimmest of margins. Perine turns 30 in the beginning of the 2025 season and has been considerably of a journeyman in his NFL profession, taking part in for Washington, Miami, Cincinnati, Denver, and now the Chiefs. He didn’t have many carries in 2024 because the Chiefs have chosen to signal road free brokers as a substitute of that includes him on the bottom, however he has been efficient by way of the air catching passes out of the backfield.
9. AJ Dillon, Inexperienced Bay Packers
Dillion’s rookie contract is expiring after being a second-round decide in 2020. By no means a bell-cow again, he’s averaged simply over 4 yards per carry however has mixed for greater than 3200 yards from scrimmage and 18 touchdowns in his 4 seasons.
8. Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (RFA)
Warren is a Restricted Free Agent however was undrafted, so the associated fee for Pittsburgh to get to the best of first refusal can be $3.2 million or they may use a second-round tag for $5.2 million. With Najee Harris and each beginning quarterbacks from 2024 set to hit free company, they’re going to have to choose somebody to maintain. His RFA standing seemingly pushed him down our record, however he’s 26 with greater than 2600 mixed speeding and receiving yards in his first three NFL seasons in a timeshare backfield with Harris.
7. Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers (RFA)
Mason is a Restricted Free Agent, which is probably going why he’s a bit additional down this record. He took benefit of accidents to the 49ers RB room to averaged 5.2 yards per try and practically 66 yards per recreation this season earlier than succumbing to his personal harm in December. He turns 26 this offseason and he provides a kick return ingredient. He was undrafted, so if the 49ers tag him with proper of first refusal, it’s $3.2 million for one season when they’re already paying Christian McCaffrey a hefty bag.
6. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
As excessive as three on one poll, Williams is having a down season in a contract yr with the Broncos. The previous twenty fifth general decide led Denver’s operating again room by a large margin in snap counts, however their offense is twenty second in yardage with rookie QB Bo Nix. His expertise and youth make him a superb candidate for a one-year “show it” deal someplace if he can’t discover good assured cash.
5. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
Dowdle virtually crashed our high 4 spots, however barely missed out. He was as excessive as third on two voters’ ballots, however his very quick monitor document scared off different voters. He managed a 1000-yard season this yr, however solely 361 in 2023 and his earlier excessive was 24 yards in 2020, his rookie season. He additionally doesn’t rating a lot, with a mixed eight scrimmage touchdowns in 51 profession video games.
4. J.Okay. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
The previous Ravens’ second-round draft alternative spent the season with the Chargers on a one-year deal after lacking massive chunks of the seasons in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He sprained his knee in 2024 however returned and was a high again for Los Angeles. His harm historical past is regarding, however he’s solely 26.
3. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Chubb had the widest variance on our lists; he was ranked second and third on a number of ballots, however utterly left off others. With a number of season-ending accidents over the previous couple of years, it’s not laborious to see why there’s some hesitation, however when he’s wholesome, he’s probably the greatest within the league averaging over 5 yards per carry. He does flip 30 on the tail finish of the 2025 season, too.
2. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
An in depth second, Jones was stable in his single season in Minnesota after starting his profession with the Packers. He broke 1100 yards on the bottom and added 400 yards by way of the air for the high-powered Vikings offense, however he turns 31 throughout the 2025 season, so he’s more likely to solely get one other quick deal.
1. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
The previous first-round decide landed within the good state of affairs in Pittsburgh, however his stats by no means fairly lived as much as his lofty billing. He has averaged underneath 4.0 yards per carry throughout his profession, however damaged 1000 yards in each season (generally barely). With 64 yards per recreation on the bottom and one other 17 by way of the air, he was the highest decide for almost all of our voters.
Not too long ago launched operating backs
These operating backs have been launched after our rankings have been put collectively within the lead as much as the 2025 league yr.
Jamaal Williams
Set to make $3.15 million in 2025, the Saints launched Williams to clear cap house. He has a 1000-yard season on his resume with 17 touchdowns, however maxed out at 601 in his different seven seasons. He turns 30 in April 2025 and didn’t get a lot run behind Alvin Kamara in 2024. He’s seemingly a one-year deal for the league minimal or barely larger.
Different free agent operating backs
- Travis Homer
- Ezekiel Elliott
- Nyheim Miller-Hines
- Ameer Abdullah
- Chase Edmonds
- Dare Ogunbowale
- JaMycal Hasty
- Ty Johnson
- D’Ernest Johnson
- Cam Akers
- D’Onta Foreman
- Trayveon Williams
- Craig Reynolds
- Trey Sermon
- Avery Williams
- Elijah Mitchell
- Chris Evans
- Kareem Hunt
- Ronnie Rivers (RFA)
- Julius Chestnut (RFA)
- Raheem Blackshear (RFA)
Free agent operating backs who have been signed to new offers
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire signed a reserve/future contract with the New Orleans Saints
