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Ask the Commish.Com 2025 Draft Kit
Kylin Hill works out with BrownsAccording to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, RB Kylin Hill worked out with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday.Hill, a former seventh-rounder out of Mississippi State, spent his first two seasons in Green Bay where he spent the majority of his time on special teams. He likely won't find much of a role in Cleveland offensively if he signs with the team, but the Browns could be looking to add another body at RB while Jerome Ford deals with his injury.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, RB Kylin Hill worked out with the Cleveland Browns on Wednesday.
Hill, a former seventh-rounder out of Mississippi State, spent his first two seasons in Green Bay where he spent the majority of his time on special teams. He likely won't find much of a role in Cleveland offensively if he signs with the team, but the Browns could be looking to add another body at RB while Jerome Ford deals with his injury.
Cam Akers signs with SaintsThe Saints signed RB Cam Akers to a one-year contract.Akers agreed to a deal shortly after working out for the Saints earlier in the week. He figures to compete with Kendre Miller, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Devin Neal for a depth role in the Saints backfield behind Alvin Kamara.
The Saints signed RB Cam Akers to a one-year contract.
Akers agreed to a deal shortly after working out for the Saints earlier in the week. He figures to compete with Kendre Miller, Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Devin Neal for a depth role in the Saints backfield behind Alvin Kamara.
Hunter is arbitrage Bhayshul Tuten in fantasy football drafts. Hunter, much like Tuten, is headed to the NFL (Rams) via the fourth round of the NFL draft. Also, like Tuten, Hunter finds himself possibly buried for 2025 behind two veterans, but he also possesses the talent and pathway to surpass one or maybe both of them in the running back pecking order. Kyren Williams is a free agent after this season. The Rams thought so much of Blake Corum's rookie season that they addressed running back again this year. Hunter is incredibly talented. Hunter has ranked inside the top 24 in yards after contact per attempt in each of the last three seasons while also sitting in the top 22 in breakaway percentage in two of three years (per PFF). Hunter offers the Rams an explosive element that neither Williams nor Corum has. Last year, among 46 qualifying backs, Williams ranked 44th in explosive run rate, 37th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 40th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Hunter could be one of the best values of the fantasy football draft season.
Dynasty Outlook: The depth of this running back struck another of my predraft love list players as Devin Neal fell to the sixth round of the NFL Draft. The New Orleans Saints stopped his tumble. Neal will compete with the oft-injured Kendre Miller and Clyde Edwards-Helaire for the RB2 job behind Alvin Kamara. Kamara's contract will keep him in the starter's chair in the Big Easy for at least the next two seasons. Miller also isn't an unrestricted free agent until 2027. We'll see if New Orleans moves back to more of a committee approach with the backfield in 2025, but that hasn't been the case in recent seasons, with Kamara soaking up nearly all of the work. This also might not have been the case had Miller stayed healthy for any period, but that's just guessing. I loved Neal predraft as a running back who has displayed the ability to soak up volume, flash a three-down skillset, and rank in the top 20 in breakaway percentage in two of his final three collegiate seasons (per PFF). With the disappointing draft capital and muddied landing spot, Neal is only a fourth-round rookie pick and taxi squad stash.
Giddens was the 15th running back selected in the draft as he landed with the Colts. He'll compete with Khalil Herbert to earn backup duties behind the Colts' incumbent starter, Jonathan Taylor. Giddens' talent is very real after he ranked 16th in yards after contact per attempt, sixth in breakaway percentage, and 22nd in elusive rating last year (per PFF). He's in the final-round pick bucket that could pay off handsomely if he earns the RB2 spot and Taylor misses any time.
Sampson joins the Cleveland Browns after being selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. He'll pair with Quinshon Judkins, forming the new-look duo for the Browns' rushing attack. Yes, Jerome Ford remains on the roster, and Sampson has to outplay him to earn the RB2 job in 2025 officially, but I think that will happen because Cleveland's selection of two backs inside the top four rounds of the NFL Draft speaks volumes about their lack of faith in Ford. This easily could be Cleveland getting an updated version of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt for their offense. No, I'm not saying there's a direct comparison with talent, but the usage could be similar. In 2023, Sampson ranked sixth in receiving grade and 14th in yards per route run (per PFF), so there are some reasons to be encouraged with his profile if he does take over the passing down duties for the Browns.
The Patriots drafted TreVeyon Henderson in the second round of the NFL Draft to challenge Rhamondre Stevenson from the jump. Stevenson isn't going anywhere, but Henderson will play a prominent role in 2025 as, at worst, the 1B in this backfield. As we move through the season, Henderson will eat into Stevenson's workload, if not quickly supplant him as the backfield leader. Henderson has the talent to do so. In two of his last four seasons in college, Henderson ranked top ten in yards after contact per attempt (seventh, eighth) and top 20 in breakaway percentage (10th, 18th). He will operate behind an improved offensive line that added Garrett Bradbury, Will Campbell, and Morgan Moses in the offseason. Henderson should be the team's passing down back immediately, which is great news for his floor and ceiling. Across his last two collegiate seasons, Henderson has ranked 21st & 22nd in receiving grade (per PFF). Josh McDaniels will feature him through the air. In McDaniels' last five full seasons of directing NFL offenses, he has ranked inside the top ten in four of those years, with 20-36.2% of the passing attack flowing through the backfield. Henderson could be New England's version of Jahmyr Gibbs.
You're my boy Blue! No, this isn't old school, but the Cowboys who brought in Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders as RBs1-2 and Blue as their backup. Blue fell to the fifth round of the NFL Draft as he was swimming in a ridiculously deep running back draft class. The former Longhorn displayed some three-down big play ability in his final collegiate season. He ranked 26th in elusive rating, 35th in yards after contact per attempt, and 25th in yards per route run (per PFF). It's not hard to envision Blue having a role in the backfield immediately in Week 1, considering the lackluster players surrounding him on the Dallas Cowboys' depth chart. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders' best football looks to be behind them. Blue could be the passing down back from Day 1 with an avenue to become the team's lead back quickly.
Dynasty Outlook: Well, the Bears didn't address running back early in the draft, but they didn't overlook the position. Chicago selected Monangai in the seventh round of the NFL Draft. Monangai is a squatty pinball back that can handle volume and fight for every blade of grass. He isn't an explosive runner, but he can roll up plenty of chunk gains and handle a ton of volume. Last year, he had 25 or more carries in 55% of his games and at least 18 carries in every game. He'll have to beat out Roschon Johnson for RB2 duties behind D'Andre Swift, but that's not impossible. Johnson hasn't exactly set the league on fire so far, and he has had trouble staying on the field (concussions). Monangai is a decent last-round pick/taxi squad candidate.
Dynasty Outlook: The 49ers selected James in the fifth round of the NFL Draft. He'll likely begin the year as the team's RB3 with the opportunity to push Isaac Guerendo for the backup job behind Christian McCaffrey. Jordan Mason and Guerendo proved last year that being a solid backup for the 49ers can be fruitful if injuries strike, so for this reason, he's worth a stash on taxi squads. I'm not exceptionally high on him as a prospect, though. Last year, James ranked outside the top 65 FBS running backs in yards after contact per attempt (107th), breakaway percentage (151st), and elusive rating (68th, per PFF).
Harvey is set to explode in his rookie season. The runway is clear for takeoff. Sean Payton just put second-round capital behind a back that enters a room with Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, and J.K. Dobbins. No, I'm not worried about Estime or McLaughlin when they couldn't carve out consistent roles last year with only the ghost of Javonte Williams standing in their way. Dobbins will assist Harvey on early downs so Denver doesn't run their talented rookie into the ground, but I don't project him taking away passing down work or high-leverage opportunities. It's hard not to love a player like Harvey, who has ranked inside the top 20 among FBS running backs in each of the last two seasons in breakaway percentage and elusive rating (per PFF). Add in Payton's running back usage, and Harvey looks primed to smash. Over the last two years, Payton has ranked fifth and first in running back target share. Harvey is a strong RB2 who could finish as an RB1 this season.
The Texans added Marks to their backfield in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. he looks like a passing down back upgrade over Dare Ogunbowale, who can also take on some early down work to spell Joe Mixon occasionally. I wasn't high on Marks as a prospect. Since 2021, he never finished higher than 102nd in yards after contact per attempt or elusive rating (per PFF). He could siphon off some targets from Mixon, though. He has ranked 26th or higher in receiving grade in three of the last four seasons.
Kaleb Johnson selected No. 83 by Pittsburgh Steelers. Kaleb Johnson’s 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024, plus 28 runs over 15 yards, make him a big-play threat in Pittsburgh, projecting as an RB3 behind Jaylen Warren for fantasy managers. His 224-pound frame and 22 catches add committee value with PPR upside. Johnson’s boom-bust style could carve out a complementary role, offering late-round dynasty appeal.
Keaton Mitchell 'remains on schedule'Ravens coach John Harbaugh said RB Keaton Mitchell has "been on schedule."Mitchell saw just 16 total touches last season as he spent most of the year working his way back from a torn ACL. “He’s been on track," Harbaugh said. "That was a really tough injury.” He is likely to take on a much bigger role next season as he enters the offseason healthier.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh said RB Keaton Mitchell has "been on schedule."
Mitchell saw just 16 total touches last season as he spent most of the year working his way back from a torn ACL. “He’s been on track," Harbaugh said. "That was a really tough injury.” He is likely to take on a much bigger role next season as he enters the offseason healthier.
No matter how you slice it, Jeanty is a top-five back out the gate. He has a true three-down skillset and should get all the volume that he can handle. He's a tackle-breaking maven. A skill that I have no doubt will translate to the NFL. Across his final two collegiate seasons, Jeanty ranked first and third in yards after contact per attempt and first and second in elusive rating (per PFF). Las Vegas will feature the run prominently, and Jeanty's receiving upside gives him an insane ceiling for 2025. During Chip Kelly's tenure in the NFL, his offenses have never ranked lower than 11th in rushing attempts. Also, during Kelly's four years as an NFL offensive coordinator, in three of those seasons, his backfields had a 16.6-17.7% target share, but he also flooded his Philly backfield with targets in 2015 (28.7%). Jeanty could push for near the top end of that range. In 2023, he ranked first in receiving grade and second in yards per route run. Jeanty is primed for a rookie season that could rival Saquon Barkley's rookie year.
Hampton lands with the Bolts after hearing his name called in the first round of the NFL Draft. The only uncertainty around Hampton's 2025 outlook is the division of the workload between him and Najee Harris. Harris has been a steady but uninspiring backfield option over the last few years but is starting the season on the non-football injured list due to a 4th of July fireworks mishap that has affected his eye and vision. While Harris' presence was expected to impede Hampton's initial take-off, the eye injury should help Hampton get started quickly. Hampton is a bet on his talent and draft capital taking over as time rolls on. Across his final two collegiate seasons, Hampton ranked 12th and 11th in yards after contact per attempt and 16th and 26th in elusive rating (per PFF). There should be plenty of rushing volume to go around, even if Harris hangs around in a supporting role. In Greg Roman's 11 years of coordinating NFL offenses, he's never finished lower than 11th in rushing attempts (last year). Hampton is now viewed as a solid RB2 with some risk due to Harris, but that risk is worth the reward as he could massively outplay his ADP if things break right.
Robbie Ouzts to convert to fullbackThe Seahawks are converting TE Robbi Ouzts to fullback.This was the expectation when Seattle drafted Ouzts in round five this year. He should be the primary fullback for the Seahawks under Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
The Seahawks are converting TE Robbi Ouzts to fullback.
This was the expectation when Seattle drafted Ouzts in round five this year. He should be the primary fullback for the Seahawks under Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
The Giants added Cam Skattebo to the backfield via the fourth round of the NFL Draft. He should be considered the early favorite to be the team's workhorse after Tyrone Tracy's inconsistent rookie season and the team shelving any thought of Devin Singletary as their leading back. Skattebo was a volume monster during his final season in college and a true three-down back. He ranked 21st in yards after contact per attempt and 11th in elusive rating while also sitting inside the top ten in receiving grade and yards per route run (per PFF). It could take some time for Skattebo to wrestle 60-65% of the snaps away from the other players in this backfield, but it does feel like the eventual reality. Skattebo is a strong RB3/flex who could easily vault into an every-week top 15 running back.
The Browns selected Judkins in the second round of the NFL Draft to be their new early down volume thumper. With Judkins and Dylan Sampson added to this depth chart, we expect Jerome Ford to become a sparsely utilized change-of-pace option. I wasn't high on Judkins as a prospect, as he ranked outside the top 65 backs in each of the last two seasons in yards after contact per attempt and elusive rating (per PFF). The draft capital and immediate high-volume role have helped to quell some of my pessimism, but Judkins could be held back by the overall ecosystem of the Browns' offense and his lack of pass game upside. Cleveland's starting quarterback situation is murky at best. Judkins finished college with 0.76 yards per route run, which isn't an awe-inspiring number. He's an RB2/3 for 2025.
Max Bredeson selected No. 159 by Minnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings have selected TE Max Bredeson with the No. 159 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.Bredeson was used primarily as an H-back tight end at Michigan, but probably translates better to a fullback-type of role in the NFL. He's a great lead blocker and does a great job cleaning up running lanes. Bredeson likely won't provide much offensively in the box score, but he'll fill a very valuable role for the Vikings - similar to a Kyle Juszczyk or a Patrick Ricard type of player.
The Minnesota Vikings have selected TE Max Bredeson with the No. 159 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Bredeson was used primarily as an H-back tight end at Michigan, but probably translates better to a fullback-type of role in the NFL. He's a great lead blocker and does a great job cleaning up running lanes. Bredeson likely won't provide much offensively in the box score, but he'll fill a very valuable role for the Vikings - similar to a Kyle Juszczyk or a Patrick Ricard type of player.
Riley Nowakowski running routes from slot in OTAsRiley Nowakowski was standing up and running routes from the slot in practice at OTAs. Nowakowski was the No. 169 overall selection by the Steelers in April. He'll figure to hold his role as a blocker, while also potentially playing a role in the slot.
Riley Nowakowski was standing up and running routes from the slot in practice at OTAs.
Nowakowski was the No. 169 overall selection by the Steelers in April. He'll figure to hold his role as a blocker, while also potentially playing a role in the slot.
Well, it happened. Jeremiyah Love went top five in the NFL Draft to the Arizona Cardinals, who already have Tyler Allgeier and James Conner on the depth chart. With that type of draft capital investment, I think Love will be Arizona's lead back in 2026, but he could have his workload eaten into by Allgeier and/or Conner. Love's talent isn't in question. Over the last two years in college, he ranked inside the top 15 backs in each season in yards after contact per attempt, breakaway rate, and elusive rating (per PFF). He's also a stellar pass catcher, as evidenced by sitting at 17th in yards per route run among FBS backs last year and drawing a 10.9% target share. The Cards look like one of the worst teams in the NFL with concerning quarterback play. The cluttered backfield and worrisome scoring environment could hinder Love in 2026, keeping him as a strong RB2, but locking him out of RB1 status. If he does get the lion's share of the work, and their grouping of quarterbacks can produce something close to league-average passing production, Love could be a top 12 back.
Tugboat Tuten found a port in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Liam Coen and company hope that Tuten can pull their offense up the scoring ranks in 2025. Ok, that's enough tugboat references. Tuten will compete from the jump for touches with holdovers Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby. Etienne looked like a shell of his former self last season, so Bigsby might be the most formidable adversary to a Tuten takeover. That doesn't mean that Tuten and Bigsby couldn't form a solid committee. Tuten has the juice to make the most of his touches. During his final collegiate season, he ranked tenth in yards after contact per attempt and breakaway percentage and eighth in elusive rating (per PFF). Tuten is an upside flier who could pay off handsomely in 2025, much like Bucky Iriving did last year.