The 2025 NFL Draft class will be difficult to find the value of the first round from the running back position outside Ashton Janti. As the 2024 season proved, many free agent running backs have plenty of treads left in their tires. This year's crops are no exception.
Several very large names are on this top 10 list. We voted for a group of writers around SB Nation to gather consensus rankings on players. Although unanimous picks are not in the bundle as people value different RB characteristics, our group stands out in several defined layers.
Players will be removed from the list as they will re-sign with their current team until the opening of the free agency in March.
Other votes: Jeremy McNichols, Halil Herbert, Clyde Edwards HerreleJeff Wilson, Alexander Matison, Kenneth Gainwell
10. Kansas City Chiefs' Summer Jepelin
Perrin squeals before Halil Herbert in Margin's slimmest vote. Perrine turned 30 at the beginning of the 2025 season and played for Washington, Miami, Cincinnati, Denver and now head, and was a somewhat traveler in her NFL career. He chose not to have many carry in 2024 as he chose to sign street free agent instead of featuring him on the ground in 2024, but he did not have many carry in 2024, but he was effective through an air catch pass from the backfield. It was targeted.
9. AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers
Dillion's rookie contract expires after winning his second pick in 2020. It's not a bell cowback. He averages more than four yards per carry, but has combined 18 touchdowns in four seasons for over 3,200 yards from scrimmage.
8. Jalen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers (RFA)
Warren is a limited free agent, but hasn't been drafted, so the cost of Pittsburgh to reach the right of the initial refusal is $3.2 million. Starting quarterbacks with Najee Harris from 2024, they are going to hit free agency and they have to pick someone. His RFA status probably pushed him down to our list, but he combined over 2600 rushing and receiving yards to yard in his first three NFL seasons in the backfield for a timeshare with Harris I received it.
7. Jordan Mason, San Francisco 49ers (RFA)
Mason is a restricted free agent, which is why he is a little more down on this list. He took advantage of the injury in the RB room, averaged 5.2 yards per game this season, 5.2 yards per attempt, and about 66 yards per round before succumbing to his own injury in December. He will turn 26 this offseason and add a kick return element. He was not drafted, so if the 49ers were tagged with him with the right to first rejection, it's $3.2 million in a season that they're already paying Christian McCaffrey a huge bag.
6. Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
Williams is having a down season in his contract year with the Broncos with three or more votes in one vote. The previous 25th overall pick margined Denver's backroom significantly with snap count, but their offense is 22nd in yards against rookie QB Bonnix. His talent and young people will become a good candidate for a one-year “proof” transaction somewhere if he can't find a good deposit.
5. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
The Dowdle almost crashed our top four spots, but we hardly missed it. He was third in the votes of two voters, but his very short track record scared the other voters. He managed a 1,000-yard season this year, but in 2023 there were only 361, and his previous highest was 24 yards in his rookie season in 2020. He also doesn't score much, combining eight scrimmage touchdowns in 51 career games.
4. JK Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
The former Ravens' second-round draft choice spent the season on a one-year contract with the Chargers after missing out on a big chunk of the season in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Los Angeles. His history of injury is concerning, but he is only 26.
3. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
Chubb had the widest variation on the list. He was ranked 2nd and 3rd in several votes, but he excluded the others completely. It's not hard to see why there's some hesitation due to season-ending injuries over the past few years, but when he's healthy, he's one of the best in the league averages over 5 yards per carry . He will be 30 years old in the tail end of the 2025 season.
2. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Viking
Nearest Jones, the closest to the team, was solid in his singles season in Minnesota after starting his career with the Packers. He broke 1100 yards on the ground and added 400 yards in the air for a powerful Viking attack, but since he turned 31 during the 2025 season, he could only get another shortage It has sex.
1. Nagie Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
The previous first round pick landed in the perfect situation for Pittsburgh, but his statistics never led to his lofty billing. He averaged under 4.0 yards per carry during his career, but broke 1,000 yards per season (sometimes barely). He was the top pick for the majority of our voters, 64 yards per game and 17 yards on the ground.
Other free agent running backs
- Travis Homer
- Ezekiel Elliott
- Niheim Miller Hines
- Ameer Abdullah
- Chase Edmonds
- Dare Ogunbowale
- Jamical Hasty
- Ty Johnson
- D'Ernest Johnson
- Come Akers
- d'onta Foreman
- Trayveon Williams
- Craig Reynolds
- Tray sermon
- Avery Williams
- Elijah Mitchell
- Chris Evans
- Kareem Hunt
- Ronnie Rivers (RFA)
- Julius Tea Nut (RFA)
- Raheem Blackshear (RFA)
Recently released running back
These running backs were released after the rankings were compiled up until the 2025 league year.
Raheem Mostert
Mostert made the Pro Bowl with Dolphins in 2023 after rushing the NFL with a touchdown, but in 2024 he wasn't friendly to aging running. He averaged 3.3 yards per carry, under 22 yards per game and scored two touchdowns. Miami released him in February.
Free agent running back signed to the new deal
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire has signed a reserve/future contract with the saints of New Orleans
