Three-Pack of 2025 NFL Draft Prospects- Running Backs

The 2024 college football season is right around the corner, so you know what that means? The 2025 NFL draft is coming soon, as well. Draft Nation is here to guide you through the prospects and how they can help NFL teams.

Here is a three pack of running backs who are looking to get selected in the 2025 NFL draft.

RB Trevor Etienne, Georgia

• 5-foot-9 213 lbs
• 2024 stats: 8 games 477 yards 7 touchdowns

What to like about Trevor Etienne

Trevor Etienne runs with a low base and keeps his pads down, making it difficult to get a good clean hit on him. The junior running back is able to maintain his balance after contact, making him an effective runner between the tackles. Etienne has the capability to be a weapon in the receiving game. He has soft hands and does a strong job of securing the pass and then turning up the field. Teams could line Etienne in the slot as he runs routes very fluidly for a running back, adding to his overall versatility. 

Reason for concern

On the downside, Etienne does not have the kind of speed that will create separation or home run plays. At times he can get tunnel vision when running and miss out on cut back opportunities. He has the athleticism to run more agilely than he does and this is something that has slowly improved over his career. Etienne can be too choppy and hesitant when hitting holes, leading him to be tackled in the backfield. He can get a little lazy late in games and run too upright, making it easier for defenders to get a good square hit on him. 

Player comp: Chase Brown

Draft Projection

4th round pick

RB Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech

• 5-foot-10 229 lbs
• 2024 stats: 9 games 1,188 yards 11 touchdowns 

What to like about Tahj Brooks

Tahj Brooks is built like an NFL running back. His compact frame combines nicely with his physical style of running to make him a handful to bring down. The 229-pound runner is almost impossible to arm tackle and he picks up big chunks of yards after initial contact. Brooks's vision helps him to change running lanes and abandon closed up holes. His patience leads to aggressive cutbacks and change of lanes, helping him to get positive yards out of what looked bleak. Brooks has the stamina and build of a workhorse running back in the NFL and seems to get stronger and more effective as the game goes on. 

Reason for concern

Brooks does not have the kind of speed to put pressure on defensive units, and most of his big runs are from breaking tackles, not outrunning opponents. He lacks the footwork to make defenders miss him and for the most part will go north and south trying to run over opponents. Draft Nation listed patience as a positive, but it is also a weakness at times. Brooks can over hesitate leading to defenders on the backside blowing up runs. The Red Raider has shown that he can catch passes, but struggles to always make positive runs after the catch. At Texas Tech, he is basically not running much in the way of routes, instead settling for screen passes.

Player comp: Ray Davis

Draft Projection

5th round pick

RB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

• 6-foot-0 225 lbs
• 2024 stats: 10 games 1,328 yards 20 touchdowns

What to like about Kaleb Johnson

Kaleb Johnson runs with a low center of gravity, making it hard to put a solid hit on him. When hitting holes, Johnson has excellent vision and is able to set up his blocks for the best results. He has the capability and body type to become a workhorse running back in the NFL. Johnson has very strong contact balance and is rarely brought down by just one defender. He bounces off hits and keeps moving. 

Out of the backfield, Johnson has reliable hands and is able to catch a pass out in the flat and turn it up the field. 

Reason for concern

Johnson has a nice initial burst but when it comes to long speed he will be caught more times than not. He is a north-south running back who limits himself by not changing direction and cutting, preferring to create contact instead of changing the running lanes. When Johnson runs low to the ground he is a handful to tackle, however, later in games Johnson can get fatigued and run with his pads too high, taking away his leverage and power. When pass blocking he steps up and will lay a hit on a pass rusher, but he has trouble anchoring down against the bigger defenders and at times will get knocked off his feet. 

Player comp: Rhamondre Stevenson

Draft Projection

4th round pick