Not too long ago, Cleveland was widely regarded as having the league’s best running back duo in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. But with Hunt now entering his second year back with the Chiefs and Chubb still recovering from the devastating knee injury he suffered in 2023, the Browns’ backfield has spent the past couple of seasons without a true identity. While Chubb remains an available free agent, and a reunion would undoubtedly mean a lot to this team, expecting him to rush for 1,200+ yards again might be overly optimistic. As things stand, Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong are the only backs on the roster for 2025, and both are set to hit free agency in 2026. Given that, I fully expect the Browns to tap into this year’s incredibly deep running back class in the draft.
While Jerome Ford definitely had his moments in Cleveland, the past two seasons have suggested he might be better suited as a complementary back rather than the focal point of the run game. That said, his big-play ability still brings value to the offense, so I’d expect him to get a handful of carries each week regardless. Pierre Strong also showed flashes of potential during his time in Cleveland, but the coaching staff never seemed all that eager to expand his role. Given that Strong’s skill set is somewhat similar to Ford’s, and the team clearly favors Ford, Strong might even find himself on the bubble depending on the additions the Browns make throughout the rest of the offseason.
Although the Browns’ first-round pick might be a bit too early to target a running back, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them take one as soon as the second or third round. That said, it’s unlikely that Ashton Jeanty or Omarion Hampton will be in play for Cleveland. Sure, there’s a scenario where the Browns trade down from No. 2 and view Jeanty or Hampton as the best player available, but given the number of other long-term needs on the roster (including quarterback), I wouldn’t count on it. Even the Ohio State duo could end up as surprise first-rounders, with teams like Washington and Buffalo potentially looking to bolster their backfields. Still, even if the Browns miss out on the top-tier backs, this class is deep enough that there will be plenty of talent available beyond the first rounds. With that in mind, here are my favorite running back prospects (and fits) for Cleveland in the 2025 draft class:
Premium Prospects:
While teams might be able to find quality running backs well into the later rounds, there are a few in this class who, in my opinion, are absolutely worthy of early-round selections. It’ll be interesting to see how patient teams are with these top prospects, but I’d be genuinely surprised if any of the following three make it far into the third round. With the Browns already having a couple of RB2-types on the roster, adding a clear-cut number one might not be a bad idea. If this really is the end of the Nick Chubb era in Cleveland, and if Stefanski wants to return to the offensive identity that defined his earlier years, finding a reliable RB1 will be essential. (All measurements are from the NFL combine)
TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State (Draft Age: 22.51, 5’10”, 202 lbs.)
While he isn’t exactly a sleeper in this draft, TreVeyon Henderson has quickly become one of my biggest draft crushes. He brings elite acceleration that carries all the way into a fifth and sixth gear, along with the top-end speed to be a true home run threat. You rarely see him take negative plays, as he follows a very no-nonsense mentality with the ball in his hands. Henderson runs low to the ground and does an excellent job of getting skinny through tight spaces, almost always finding a crease in the trenches. Once he’s in the open field, very few defenders have a shot at catching him, and he consistently denies tackle attempts in one-on-one situations. On wide zone runs in particular, he displays impressive decisiveness and there’s not a hint of hesitation once he commits to a lane. Though he measures in at just 5’10” and 202 pounds, Henderson runs with surprising power and frequently bounces off tackles. But what really sets him apart is his ability in pass protection. Not only does he diagnose pressure exceptionally well, but his ability to stonewall blitzing linebackers is second to none in this class. On top of that, he has reliable hands and good instincts in the passing game, making him arguably the most NFL-ready third-down back in this draft, though his skill set is far from limited to that role.
There aren’t many concerns with Henderson’s game, in my opinion. However, since he’s been part of a running back-by-committee approach throughout his entire career at Ohio State, there’s some uncertainty about whether he can truly handle a full RB1 workload at the next level. That said, he reminds me a bit of Jahmyr Gibbs, whose potential the Lions maximized by pairing him with a highly complementary back in David Montgomery to form a true 1A/1B tandem. With the NFL’s new touchback rule on kickoffs, return ability will become increasingly valuable. While Henderson hasn’t really returned kickoffs in college, there’s no reason to believe he couldn’t be effective in that role at the next level.
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Henderson ends up going in the first round, maybe even higher than people expect. However, if he’s still on the board in the second round, I think the Browns would at least consider targeting him at some point. Andrew Berry has consistently prioritized youth and athleticism in his early-round picks, never selecting a player older than 21.59 years in the first two rounds. While Henderson aced the athletic testing, he’ll be 22.51 years old on draft day, which doesn’t quite fit the age profile Berry has favored in the past. That said, Henderson is simply too talented, and too good of a fit in Cleveland’s offense, to leave off this list. Even though he shares a similar style to Ford and Strong, I don’t think either player would be reason enough to pass on Henderson in this draft.
Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State (Draft Age: 21.49, 6’0″, 221 lbs.)
Although Judkins split carries in Ohio State’s offense, his two years at Ole Miss have more than proven his capabilities as a workhorse back. His height, weight, and speed profile is one of the most impressive in this class, and the explosiveness he generates at that size is rare. On top of that, his excellent vision makes him a big-play threat every time he touches the ball. Judkins’ size and powerful legs also make him a viable option in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Given that Stefanski likes to mix up his run schemes, Judkins’ versatility would make him an ideal fit in Cleveland. His ability to plant his foot and burst through an opening also makes him one of the class’s better wide-zone runners. While he isn’t likely to juke many defenders in the open field, he has the speed to pull away from most linebackers and safeties. Despite being relatively tall for a running back, he runs with a low-ish center of gravity, making him tough to bring down.
Although he didn’t have many opportunities to pass block in college, he has the size and toughness to succeed in that area. He’s also not a great route runner, nor the most consistent pass catcher, which could limit his upside in the receiving game. Aside from those areas, there aren’t many weaknesses in his game, and it’s hard to imagine he won’t be a highly productive back at the next level.
While selecting Judkins at 33 might be a bit rich, hoping he falls to the top of Round 3 would be wishful thinking. With consensus placing him somewhere in the 40-60 range, he could be an intriguing target in a trade-up (or trade-down) scenario in the second round. Depending on the other available options, I could see the Browns being patient, but wouldn’t be too surprised to see a trade aimed at targeting Judkins either. He’d be a perfect fit alongside Ford and Strong, with both likely filling more change-of-pace and receiving roles. Judkins is a plug-and-play starter in the NFL and would play a key role in revitalizing the Browns’ running game.
Kaleb Johnson, Iowa (Draft Age: 21.70, 6’1″, 224 lbs.)
Other than the two Ohio State prospects, Kaleb Johnson’s success will largely depend on his scheme fit. If Stefanski wants to lean more into his wide-zone roots again, Johnson would be an ideal fit for Cleveland. While I don’t want to set unrealistic expectations, he does remind me a bit of Derrick Henry in the sense that he needs a few steps to get going but becomes incredibly difficult to stop once he’s rolling. At 6’1″, Johnson does a great job of maintaining a low center of gravity, which helps him smoothly change direction and knife through openings created by his offensive line. He also has impressive vision and patience, especially on zone runs, waiting until the last second to hit a hole or make a jump-cut past a gap-fitting linebacker. While Johnson doesn’t possess elite long speed, his game tape shows much better speed than his 4.57 40-time suggests. In 2024, Johnson ranked among the top in both breakaway yardage and runs of 15+ yards, which is especially impressive given his 224-pound frame. While he likely won’t be a major factor in the receiving game, he does have decent hands and can make catches outside his frame on checkdowns or screens.
While it’s very difficult to bring Johnson down once he’s about five yards past the line of scrimmage, he can be taken down relatively easily before that. He lacks the initial burst and start/stop ability to consistently make defenders miss in 1-on-1 situations, which makes him more susceptible to tackles for loss. Additionally, he ran behind one of the best run-blocking offensive lines in college football, which provided him with many well-blocked runs. While that’s not necessarily a negative, there’s certainly a scenario where Johnson struggles to produce in the NFL, particularly if paired with a weaker run-blocking unit. Though he has the size to pass-protect, he didn’t do much of it in college, making it an area of uncertainty at the next level.
Given his specific scheme fit, it’s difficult to estimate Johnson’s draft range, as teams will likely value him very differently. That said, I wouldn’t pick him over either of the Ohio State backs due to their greater scheme versatility. While Stefanski comes from the Shanahan/wide-zone coaching tree, the Browns’ running game has been most effective when they’ve had the flexibility to vary their run schemes. For that reason, I don’t see Johnson being in play in the early second round, especially since at least one of the two Ohio State backs will likely still be available. If the running back depth in this class leads teams to be patient and Johnson falls to the top of the third, he’d be a home-run pick. However, I don’t think that’s likely. Still, Johnson is an incredibly fun player, and I’m excited to see where he lands at the next level.
Mid-Round Targets:
While Jeanty, Hampton, Henderson, Judkins, and Johnson (in varying order) are the top-5 backs on most consensus boards, opinions on the rest of this class are much more varied. For players likely to be available in Round 3 and beyond, it’s more about individual team preferences than clear distinctions in talent. While many of these players will still be solid contributors in the league, there may be more limitations or uncertainties compared to the top-5 prospects. That said, don’t be disappointed if the Browns miss out on the top-tier backs, as there will still be plenty of exciting players available in the mid-rounds.
Dylan Sampson, Tennessee (Draft Age: 20.61, 5’8″, 200 lbs.)
Sampson is one of the bigger wild cards in this running back class. At just 20 years old and with only one year of true starting experience, he’s far from a proven prospect. However, he possesses impressively quick feet and an explosive first step that allows him to knife through openings. Once he reaches the open field, his ability to make defenders miss or simply outrun them makes him a nightmare in 1-on-1 situations. Though he’s on the shorter side, he uses his size to his advantage, almost hiding behind offensive linemen to make it harder for defenders to read plays. At 200 lbs., Sampson fills out his 5’8″ frame well and packs more power than you’d expect. Tennessee’s running game primarily focused on gap and inside-zone runs, which didn’t necessarily play to Sampson’s strengths. Tennessee rarely utilized their backs in the receiving game, but when given the opportunity, Sampson looked comfortable catching the ball and demonstrated the potential to do significant damage in the open field. Watching his tape left me left me with the sense that there’s a lot of potential in him if a team can find a way to fully maximize his skill set.
While Sampson shows the willingness to fight for tough yardage, his frame presents some obvious limitations. He wasn’t often bouncing off tackles in college, and with better defenders in the NFL, I wouldn’t expect that to change. Additionally, he tends to get overwhelmed in pass protection or simply whiffs on blitzing defenders. While this may be more of a scheme issue than a flaw with Sampson himself, there weren’t many instances of him trying to bounce runs to the outside. As a result, he didn’t have as many breakaway runs as you might expect from a player of his profile. Another area of concern is his ball security, as he fumbled the ball four times over a six-game stretch at the end of last season.
Ultimately, Sampson will be a high-risk, high-reward prospect, and his draft stock will largely depend on how likely teams believe it is for him to reach his ceiling. While labeling him a mid-round target might be a bit of a stretch, I believe there’s a good chance he’ll be available in the third round. At just 20 years old, Andrew Berry may value him more than other GMs. While Sampson was the bell-cow back at Tennessee, I wouldn’t expect him to maintain that role in the NFL. I’d prefer to see him start his career in more of a rotational or third-down role. Although another free agent or draft pick would likely be needed alongside him, Sampson would bring serious upside and playmaking potential to the Browns’ RB room.
Damien Martinez, Miami (FL) (Draft Age: 21.23, 6’0″, 217 lbs.)
In contrast to Dylan Sampson, Damien Martinez is more of a high-floor, limited-ceiling type of prospect. On tape, Martinez is a powerful, bruising back with strong legs that consistently pick up a few extra yards after contact. Interestingly, he was listed at 232 lbs. during the college football season, yet weighed in at only 217 lbs. at the combine. Whether this was to improve his athletic testing, a shift in his playstyle, or simply an inaccurate listed weight remains to be seen. Martinez is a very QB-friendly back with solid blitz recognition and pass-protection skills, while also showing the ability to work back to his QB as a receiver in pressure situations. Additionally, his ball security stands out, not having fumbled once in college. There isn’t much variation in his production on a down-to-down basis, as Martinez typically gains about his career averager of 6.2 yards per carry on most plays. Given his size, his lateral agility and jump-cuts are particularly impressive, and he is more than capable of making defenders miss in 1-on-1 situations.
While Martinez rarely generates negative plays, he doesn’t produce many chunk gains either. He lacks the burst and top-end speed needed to explode through holes and rip off the 20- to 30-yard runs that can alter drives or even games. Contributing to this is his tendency to move laterally rather than vertically. Occasionally, he’s caught dancing in the backfield instead of trusting his blockers and let the play develop. For a back his size, he’s not always the most punishing finisher, especially when matched up against smaller defenders like safeties or corners. And while he’s a dependable checkdown option, his hands become less consistent when asked to catch passes outside his frame.
Depending on how many teams are searching for a back with Martinez’s skill set, he could come off the board a little earlier than expected, given there aren’t many backs like him in this class. That said, there’s still a good chance he will be available in the late third to early fourth round. In many ways, Martinez reminds me of Kareem Hunt, who showed that this player archetype can thrive in a Stefanski-led offense. While Martinez may never develop into a top-20 RB, I could see him filling a similar role to the one Hunt played early on in Cleveland, as a valuable change-of-pace option. On top of that, he’d bring a skill set to the Browns’ backfield that it currently lacks, and he certainly has the makeup to be a bell-cow back for this team.
Jordan James, Oregon (Draft Age: 21.07, 5’9.5″, 205 lbs.)
In a class loaded with strong runners, Jordan James’ body control and contact balance still stand out. He’s incredibly shifty, and the first defender rarely even gets a hand on him. If you’re a defender, you better wrap him up, as James runs through arm tackles with ease and consistently bounces off would-be tacklers. Much like Sampson, he plays with more power than his frame suggests. While he tends to top out quickly, his first step and initial acceleration are excellent, allowing him to burst through holes the moment they open. His ability to navigate the open-field also makes him a dangerous threat as a receiver, though he did struggle with drops, particularly this past season. Another impressive traits is his ball security, as James hasn’t fumbled once on 386 career carries in college.
Although James brings some impressive tools to the table, his overall athletic profile is relatively underwhelming. His lack of top-end speed won’t threaten NFL defenses and limits his potential for big plays. His pass protection also leaves room for improvement, both in terms of diagnostics and physicality. Like Martinez, James can get a bit too lateral in his movements at times, resulting in wasted motion and occasional negative plays. While not many backs with his physical profile have found sustained success in the NFL, there are exceptions. Still, it’s a gamble teams will have to be comfortable taking.
While it might be the lazy comparison, James shares a very similar athletic profile with his former teammate Bucky Irving, who racked up nearly 1,600 scrimmage yards as a rookie. Still, projecting this type of player to the next level is difficult, as the athleticism and speed of NFL defenses are on an entirely different level than what prospects face in college. For that reason, I expect teams to be somewhat cautious with James, and I could see him coming off the board anywhere between the fourth and sixth round. I strongly considered including a player like Bhayshul Tuten or Trevor Etienne here, who are both intriguing in their own rights, but ultimately went with James. Like Martinez, he brings a skill set that the Browns running back room currently lacks. While Jerome Ford has always been a capable big-play threat, what Cleveland truly missed last season was a back they could count on for steady, consistent production.
Late-Round Fliers:
This tier features a few under-the-radar prospects who haven’t received much attention throughout the pre-draft process. While these players likely won’t make a major impact as rookies, several of them have the potential to grow into solid contributors (or more) over time. Given the current state of the Browns’ RB room, I’d expect that some sort of addition has already been made at this point in the draft. Still, using one of the many late-round picks to add another back who can compete for that RB3/RB4 spot, and potentially carve out a role on special teams, could provide real value. Here are a few of my favorite late-round dart throws:
Kalel Mullings, Michigan (Draft Age: 22.55, 6’1.5″, 226 lbs.)
Mullings is an intriguing prospect, especially given his relative inexperience at the position. He began his career at Michigan as a linebacker before making the full-time switch to running back in 2023. Despite not being on many people’s radar heading into the 2024 season, he quickly established himself over Donovan Edwards, who was expected to lead the backfield. While Mullings might have been a bit undersized for a linebacker, his size is certainly an asset at running back. In short-yardage and goal-line situations, he uses his power and strong legs to grind out tough yards. His size also works in his favor in the open field, where you’ll occasionally see him shake off tacklers. Additionally, he takes good care of the football, having never fumbled in college. Although he didn’t run at the combine, his speed and acceleration are solid for his size on tape. His linebacker background also gives him a leg up in securing a spot on special teams.
While it wasn’t a focus in Michigan’s scheme, Mullings has been largely uninvolved as a receiver. Though he certainly has the size to become a solid pass protector, his diagnostic skills are still developing, which may limit his initial role to early downs and short-yardage situations. Additionally, he can sometimes look like a bull in a china shop, running full-speed without waiting for blocks to fully develop in front of him. His large frame also comes with some stiffness and an upright running style, which limits his ability to change direction quickly and makes it easier for defenders to bring him down.
Given how raw Mullings is, there are certainly players in this class who will make a bigger immediate impact. However, his potential as a moldable ball of clay could be very appealing to teams and RB coaches. That said, with the depth of this class, I’m confident the Browns could have a shot at him on the back half of day 3. Stefanski has frequently used players from other positions (most recently Winston Reid or Nick Harris) as fullbacks in short-yardage situations, and Mullings could fit that role if he adds a bit more weight. While these “fullbacks” have mostly been used as blockers, Mullings would offer the added option of handing him the ball, creating additional distractions for defenses. Regardless of how the Browns plan to use him, Mullings would certainly be worth a late round dart throw.
Brashard Smith, SMU (Draft Age: 22.04, 5’10”, 194 lbs.)
Smith is another player who’s relatively new to the running back position, with just one year of experience. However, as a converted slot receiver, he’s no stranger to the offensive side of the ball and already brings a very intriguing skill set in the receiving game. Once he gets into the open field, his 4.39 speed absolutely shows, regularly creating big plays and erasing pursuit angles with ease. With a lead blocker in front of him, you’ll often see him playing peek-a-boo with linebackers and linemen, patiently setting up and exploiting running lanes. His receiver background really shines in the passing game, where he might be the best route runner and most natural pass-catcher in this class. Smith can make tough grabs outside his frame and is incredibly difficult to cover coming out of the backfield.
While his potential flashes at times, Smith’s rawness at the position is still evident on tape. His vision remains a work in progress, as does his footwork. At times, he looks like he’s running a route while navigating the backfield, leading to deceleration and wasted movement when changing direction. And although his top-end speed is impressive, his acceleration doesn’t quite match, meaning he needs a bit of a runway to really hit full stride. His lack of size could also limit his role as a true every-down back, as he tends to go down relatively easily and isn’t likely to pick up a lot of tough yardage in the NFL.
Smith is a classic low-floor, high-ceiling prospect, but his upside is undeniably intriguing. That said, I expect him to come off the board somewhere on day 3, depending on how much teams believe in his development. The Browns had a somewhat similar player in Demetric Felton a few years ago, who flashed as a rookie but ultimately failed to carve out a long-term role. However, Brashard Smith is a far superior athlete and has already taken steps to add weight to his frame. Coming in at about 200 lbs. at his pro day still places him on the lighter side for his height, but it’s a step in the right direction. Smith should make an immediate impact as a receiver out of the backfield, and potentially as a returner, while offering the kind of upside that makes him an ideal Day 3 pick.
Montrell Johnson Jr., Florida (Draft Age: 22.53, 5’11”, 212 lbs.)
There’s a lot to like about Montrell Johnson Jr.’s athletic profile, especially his 4.41 40-yard dash at 212 pounds. He brings true home-run speed and has the ability to turn well-blocked runs into explosive gains or even touchdowns. His lateral agility is equally impressive, regularly making defenders miss with quick jukes or sharp jump cuts. Johnson has primarily operated in zone-heavy schemes throughout his career, excelling particularly on wide-zone runs that allow him to maximize his speed. While he doesn’t have much experience as a kickoff returner, I believe he has the athletic tools to thrive in that role at the next level.
Throughout his entire career, Johnson has been part of a shared backfield, most recently splitting carries with freshman RB Jadan Baugh. While this could simply be a case of underutilization, it does raise some concern that he never managed to carve out a larger share of the workload. Additionally, with most of his experience coming in zone-based schemes, there’s uncertainty around how well his skill set will translate in a more versatile running scheme such as the Browns’.
While Johnson does come with plenty of question marks, I believe his athleticism alone warrants a late Day 3 selection. Even if his development as a running back, particularly in terms of vision and scheme versatility, doesn’t fully materialize, the new kickoff rules could still allow him to carve out a role as a dangerous returner. That said, with the right coaching and added experience, I could easily see him developing into a low-end RB2 or high-end RB3 with special teams value. At 22.53 years old on draft day, he still has time to round out his game, making him a justifiable late-round gamble.
The Bottom Line
Although Andrew Berry typically addresses the team’s most pressing needs before the draft, this year happens to be a great one to be in the market for a running back. The Browns have seen firsthand just how much of an impact an elite RB can have on an offense, having watched Nick Chubb carry the load for years. Especially with lingering uncertainty at quarterback, a strong running game could go a long way in helping this team get back on track over the next few seasons. While rushing production doesn’t rely solely on the back, having a great one certainly makes a difference. With that in mind, I’d be surprised if the Browns don’t take a running back before the end of Day 2, even if they add one in free agency beforehand. This draft is shaping up to be as unpredictable as any in recent years, and it’ll be fascinating to see how things unfold, especially at the RB position. Hopefully, I was able to get you excited about some of these prospects and give you a glimpse into the quality of this class!
My Running Back Big Board:
- Ashton Jeanty
- Omarion Hampton
- TreVeyon Henderson
- Quinshon Judkins
- Kaleb Johnson
- Cam Skattebo
- Dylan Sampson
- Devin Neal
- RJ Harvey
- DJ Giddens
- Damien Martinez
- Jordan James
- Trevor Etienne
- Kyle Monangai
- Bhayshul Tuten
- Jaydon Blue
- Thaj Brooks
- Kalel Mullings
- Brashard Smith
- Montrell Johnson Jr.
- Jarquez Hunter
- Ollie Gordon II
- Donovan Edwards
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt
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