Three Pack of 2025 NFL prospects- RB's

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 Donovan Edwards, Michigan

• 6-foot-1  210 lbs
• 2023 stats: 497 yards   5 touchdowns

What to like about Donovan Edwards

Donovan Edwards did a wonderful job for Michigan when Blake Corum went down with an injury. He has good vision and cut back ability, helping him to make big plays out of nothing. He can catch the ball out of the backfield and runs hard with a strong burst. He is an elite athlete who excels in open space and a willing blocker, one the Wolverines trust to protect their quarterback from blitzes. Edwards has gotten better at being patient and waiting for blocks to develop before he hits the hole, leading to more yardage gained per carry. It will be interesting to see what he does in 2024 as the team's main back.

Reason for concern

On the downside he lacks home run speed to break the big one at the NFL level, though his burst will get him some nice runs. He is more of an outside runner than a between the tackles back. He has been a benefactor of a great offensive line play and does not make guys miss with elusiveness.

Player comp: Matt Breida

Draft Projection

Fourth round- 2024 is a big year for Edwards. After playing and producing in Blake Corum’s shadows, he will now have a chance to show what he can do as the No. 1 back.

RB Montrell Johnson Jr, Florida

• 5-foot-11  217 lbs
• 2023 stats: 817 yards  5 touchdowns

What to like about Montrell Johnson Jr.

Johnson is a playmaker who can make things happen either on the ground or by catching a pass out of the backfield. He has enough athleticism to beat you around the edge on power sweeps and can go through a defender if the play calls for it. He has good hands and gets plenty of yards after the catch with his athleticism.

Reason for concern

On the downside, Johnson is not the most competent pass blocker and needs to learn how to use his power and size to become better at pass protection in the NFL. He lacks composure and patience, and thus does not wait for the plays to develop, missing on some big plays because of his lack of vision.

Player comp: David Montgomery

Draft Projection

Sixth- round pick

RB Raheim Sanders, South Carolina

• 6-foot-2  237 lbs
• 2023 stats: 6 games– 209 yards two touchdowns

What to like about Raheim Sanders

As a runner, his vision is what separates him from the other big running back prospects. His cutback ability is second to none. He dips a shoulder and drives through defenders making him a handful to bring down. He is the definition of a north-to-south running back, punishing tacklers while excelling between the tackles. He has good size and is able to hold his own in pass protection, which should keep him on field for all four downs. 

In the passing game, Sanders catches well and will pick up ample yards after the catch (and contact) for his NFL team. For a bigger back, he’s a fast-twitch athlete, dangerous with a ball in space. Coaches and scouts alike will love him for catching the ball away from his body. Overall, he has the potential to be the most complete back coming out in 2024.

Reason for concern

If there’s something negative to be said, Sanders at times can go out of his way to look for contact in moments when he could have juked or cut up field on the defender. His body will take a beating, especially at the NFL level with his style of running. 

In college, he’s been used primarily as a screen or check down option, so his route running will need to be improved so that his future squad can spread him out in an offense on passing downs. Not the fastest in-line runner, Sanders at times struggles with separation from defenders and  second guesses his running lanes. Injuries have been an issue as of late, he needs a healthy 2024 campaign to shed those fears.

Player comp: Joe Mixon

Draft Projection

Fourth-round pick