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The 2025 NFL draft is just days away, and all 32 NFL teams, including the Chicago Bears, are finalizing their draft plans before things kick off in Green Bay.
The running back position is an interesting one every year. Going into each draft, folks debate the importance of the position when it comes to selecting talent at this event. Based on how they're paid today, relative to other positions, it's clear that the overall opinion amongst executives is that they are generally expendable. Although, last season, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry reminded teams the value of a playmaking running back.
Teams love to find hidden gem running backs in the draft, as this is the position most likely to hit the ground running once they turn pro. They don’t have the longest shelf life, with all the hits they take, so it makes sense to rely on drafting and developing more often.
In this draft class, there's one clear running back at the top of the list. He may only be one of two to go on Day 1, which leaves a lot of talent for the next two days. With that in mind, we're taking a look at the best running backs and when they should be available between Days 1, 2 and 3.
There is a good chance that only two running backs will go in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. Ashton Jeanty is likely to go in the Top 10. Omarion Hampton will likely go in the final third. Both of them should hit the ground running as they turn pro. The only question is, which teams will take the risk of selecting running backs so high? Perhaps the Bears?
This group of running backs could, in theory, jump up or fall. All of them are going to come into minicamp thinking that they could have been taken much higher if teams valued running backs more. Every year, multiple day-two running backs come to the NFL and become difference makers. There's plenty of potential in this group.
These day three running backs are difficult to evaluate. Is there much difference between the best guy on Day 2 and the best guy on Day 3? Usually, hardly. If one of these guys finds himself on a winning team with a great offensive line, he could be in the mix for Offensive Rookie of the Year just as much as someone drafted 100 picks higher.
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This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Best running backs
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The running back position is an interesting one every year. Going into each draft, folks debate the importance of the position when it comes to selecting talent at this event. Based on how they're paid today, relative to other positions, it's clear that the overall opinion amongst executives is that they are generally expendable. Although, last season, Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry reminded teams the value of a playmaking running back.
Teams love to find hidden gem running backs in the draft, as this is the position most likely to hit the ground running once they turn pro. They don’t have the longest shelf life, with all the hits they take, so it makes sense to rely on drafting and developing more often.
In this draft class, there's one clear running back at the top of the list. He may only be one of two to go on Day 1, which leaves a lot of talent for the next two days. With that in mind, we're taking a look at the best running backs and when they should be available between Days 1, 2 and 3.
Day 1
- Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
- Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
There is a good chance that only two running backs will go in the first round of the 2025 NFL draft. Ashton Jeanty is likely to go in the Top 10. Omarion Hampton will likely go in the final third. Both of them should hit the ground running as they turn pro. The only question is, which teams will take the risk of selecting running backs so high? Perhaps the Bears?
Day 2
- Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
- TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
- Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
- Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
- Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
This group of running backs could, in theory, jump up or fall. All of them are going to come into minicamp thinking that they could have been taken much higher if teams valued running backs more. Every year, multiple day-two running backs come to the NFL and become difference makers. There's plenty of potential in this group.
Day 3
- RJ Harvey, UCF
- Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
- Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
- Brassard Smith, SMU
- Jordan James, Oregon
These day three running backs are difficult to evaluate. Is there much difference between the best guy on Day 2 and the best guy on Day 3? Usually, hardly. If one of these guys finds himself on a winning team with a great offensive line, he could be in the mix for Offensive Rookie of the Year just as much as someone drafted 100 picks higher.
Follow Bears Wire on Twitter and Facebook
This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Best running backs
Continue reading...
