The 2025 NFL Draft class is as soon as once more going to be tough to discover a first-round worth out of the operating again place outdoors of Ashton Jeanty. Because the 2024 season proved, many free agent operating backs have loads 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 bunch of writers from round SB Nation to collect consensus rankings concerning the gamers. Whereas there are not any unanimous picks among the many bunch as people worth completely different RB traits, our teams stands out into some outlined tiers.
We are going to 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 McNicholsKhalil HerbertClyde 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 at first 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 avenue free brokers as an alternative of that includes him on the bottom, however he has been efficient by way of the air catching passes out of the backfield. UPDATE: Perine heads again to the Bengals on a two-year deal.
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 proper 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 select somebody to maintain. His RFA standing possible pushed him down our record, however he’s 26 with greater than 2600 mixed dashing and receiving yards in his first three NFL seasons in a timeshare backfield with Harris. UPDATE: Warren was assigned the second-round tender, however can nonetheless negotiate elsewhere.
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 almost 66 yards per sport 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. UPDATE: The 49ers tendered a hefty bag to Mason, assigning him the $5.35 million second-round tender.
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. UPDATE: Williams agreed to phrases with the Dallas Cowboys.
5. Rico Dowdle, Dallas Cowboys
Dowdle virtually crashed our prime 4 spots, however barely missed out. He was as excessive as third on two voters’ ballots, however his very quick monitor file 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. UPDATE: Dowdle is the latest RB in Carolina.
4. J.Okay. Dobbins, Los Angeles Chargers
The previous Ravens’ second-round draft selection spent the season with the Chargers on a one-year deal after lacking giant chunks of the seasons in 2021, 2022, and 2023. He sprained his knee in 2024 however returned and was a prime 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 fully left off others. With a number of season-ending accidents over the previous few years, it’s not laborious to see why there’s some hesitation, however when he’s wholesome, he’s among the finest 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
A detailed 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 prone to solely get one other quick deal. UPDATE: Jones signed a two-year take care of the Vikings
1. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers
The previous first-round decide landed within the good scenario in Pittsburgh, however his stats by no means fairly lived as much as his lofty billing. He has averaged below 4.0 yards per carry throughout his profession, however damaged 1000 yards in each season (generally barely). With 64 yards per sport on the bottom and one other 17 by way of the air, he was the highest decide for almost all of our voters. UPDATE: Harris is heading out west to play for the Chargers.
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.
Raheem Mostert
The Dolphins launched Mostert in February because the soon-to-be 33-year-old RB was set to make $3 million in 2025. As a free agent early, he’s accessible to sing wherever earlier than the remainder of the market, however he solely rushed for 278 yards and two touchdowns in 2024 after a monster season in 2023. UPDATE: Mostert needed to wait till free company opened to signal with the Raiders.
Jamaal Williams
Set to make $3.15 million in 2025, the Saints launched Williams to clear cap area. 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 possible a one-year deal for the league minimal or barely greater.
Gus Edwards
After an injury-plagued profession with the Ravens, he couldn’t fairly shake the harm bug in his one season with the Chargers. He solely rushed for 365 yards and 4 touchdowns taking part in in 11 video games. He’s a rotational piece for a group so as to add, however it’s laborious to see him signing for the $3 million he was owed in Cali.
Miles Sanders
The Panthers launched Sanders to clear greater than $5 million in cap area in 2025. He was owed $6.7 million and there are many cheaper choices in the marketplace. His signing by no means materialized any returns for the Panthers, who paid him $13.2 million to hold the ball fewer than 200 occasions for simply 637 yards and three touchdowns. He’s not going to see that type of cash on his subsequent deal.
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
- Patrick Taylor
- 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
- Dare Ogunbowale re-signed with the Houston Texans
- Aaron Jones signed a two-year extension with the Vikings
- Jaylen Warren was assigned the second-round tender by Pittsburgh, however he can nonetheless negotiate with different groups
- Elijah Mitchell agreed to a take care of the Chiefs
- Samajae Perine goes again to the Bengals on a two-year deal
- Patrick Taylor re-signed with the 49ers
- Javonte Williams agreed to a take care of the Cowboys
- Najee Harris would be the new lead again for the Chargers
- Jordan Mason was tendered on the second-round stage by the 49ers however can nonetheless negotiate with different groups
- The Payments added Darrynton Evans again to their roster
- Jeremy McNicholes signed a one-year deal in Washington
- Ty Johnson re-upped with the Payments for 2 years
- Kenneth Gainwell signed a one-year take care of the Steelers
- Khalil Herbert signed a one-year deal in Indy
- AJ Dillon signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles
- Rico Dowdle is heading to Carolina to signal with the Panthers
- Craig Reynolds signed with the Lions for one yr
- Raheem Mostert signed a one-year take care of the Taiders
