-2025 NFL Schedule -Strength of Schedule
MOCK DRAFT
Ask the Commish.Com 2025 Draft Kit
The Colts selected Giddens in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 151st overall. Formerly a zero-star recruit, Giddens worked his way up Kansas State's depth chart to start in his final two college seasons. He rushed for 1,200-plus yards in each of those two years and was named to the Second Team All-Big 12 roster in 2024. Giddens' cutback ability and lateral quickness makes him a dangerous runner in the open field, which makes up for his lack of effectiveness between the tackles. His elusiveness as a runner and pass-catching ability should allow him to compete with Khalil Herbert and Tyler Goodson for a rotational role in the Colts' backfield behind starter Jonathan Taylor.
The Rams selected Hunter in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 117th overall. Hunter began his first two seasons at Auburn as the backup to Tank Bigsby before claiming the lead role in 2023, rushing for 2,110 yards and 15 touchdowns on 346 carries over his final two seasons with the Tigers. Coming from a weightlifting background, Hunter doesn't lack for strength, and he projects as a downhill runner who can be difficult to bring down when he gets rolling. He joins an already young backfield that sports draft picks in each of the last few seasons at the top -- Kyren Williams (2022) as the starter and Blake Corum (2024) as the top backup -- and he'll likely fit in alongside Corum vying for reserve snaps behind Williams.
The 49ers selected James in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 147th overall. James initially saw work as a part-time contributor with the Oregon Ducks in 2023, when he racked up 107 carries for 759 yards and 11 touchdowns working in tandem with Bucky Irving, but the former took over the lead job last season and posted workhorse numbers, racking up 233 totes for 1,267 yards and 15 touchdowns to earn Second Team All-Big Ten honors. He didn't test particularly well at the combine and isn't viewed as a home-run threat, but he's quick to find the hole and get downhill. James joins a 49ers team that dealt Jordan Mason to the Vikings this offseason, leaving Christian McCaffrey and Isaac Guerendo (knee/ankle) at the top of the depth chart. Given McCaffrey's injury history, there's a non-zero chance James will see the field as a rookie if he can beat out Patrick Taylor for third-string duties.
The Bears selected Monangai in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 233rd overall. Monangai may be a seventh-rounder, but he should still be on the fantasy radar thanks to landing in Chicago. Beyond that, Monangai is a talented, physical runner who took on heavy workloads at Rutgers. He ran for over 1,200 yards each of the last two seasons with at least 240 carries in those campaigns. Monangai offers next to nothing in the passing game with 38 career receptions in four seasons, but his rushing ability could still pave the way to a role in Chicago. Remember, the Bears were a popular projection for Ashton Jeanty in the first round and did not touch that position until they nabbed Monangai. D'Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson sit atop the depth chart for this new coaching staff, but managers should file away Monangai's name as one to watch come training camp.
The Saints selected Neal in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 184th overall. Few would have found it shocking if Neal had gone as early as the third round, so in the sixth round he could prove a bargain for the Saints. The former Kansas star would ideally be a little more heavy (5-foot-11, 213 pounds) and would ideally have a little more speed (4.58-second 40-yard dash), but Neal's collegiate production was convincing on the question of his skill set. Neal really knows how to play, be it on running and passing downs, and if he gets his foot into the door history says he might be tough to put back on the bench. Neal might supplant Kendre Miller on the depth chart if Miller can't improve in his third year, though Neal is likely no threat to Alvin Kamara's usage.
The Browns selected Sampson in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 126th overall. The Browns had a significant hole at running back entering the draft, and they've invested accordingly. Sampson will join Quinshon Judkins -- selected in the second round -- as rookies on the running back depth chart. The former showcased mediocre athletic ability at the combine, but Sampson was an excellent contributor at Tennessee by tallying 1,491 rushing yards and 22 total touchdowns across 13 games in 2024 while facing stiff SEC competition. Both scouting reports and draft capital suggest Sampson will start behind Judkins on the depth chart, but Sampson should have the chance to find the field in his rookie season.
The Giants selected Skattebo in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 105th overall. Skattebo was a two-year starter at Arizona State after spending the first two years of his collegiate career with Sacramento State. He broke out in 2024 with 1,711 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 293 carries while adding 45 catches for 605 yards and three scores, and he played an integral role in the Sun Devils winning the Big 12 Championship and earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. There are some questions around Skattebo's pass protection and downhill speed, but his physicality and versatility as a receiver out of the backfield should give him an opportunity to see some snaps on passing downs right out of the gate. Skattebo joins a Giants backfield headlined by 2024 fifth-round pick Tyrone Tracy and veteran Devin Singletary.
The Jaguars selected Tuten in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, 104th overall. Tuten was lightly recruited coming out of high school but emerged as a key contributor at Virginia Tech during his final two years in college, combining to score 25 touchdowns while handling 356 total carries. He then helped his draft stock further by running an impressive 4.32 40-yard dash at the combine while also showing a lot of burst in short-area drills. Tuten's landing spot isn't likely to lead to production early in the 2025 season, as both Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby are in the mix, but this will be a situation worth monitoring with a new coaching staff making decisions.
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, I 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.
Kaleb Johnson selected No. 83 by Pittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers have selected RB Kaleb Johnson with the No. 83 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.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.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected RB Kaleb Johnson with the No. 83 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
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.
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.
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.
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. This could impede Hampton's initial take-off, but drafting 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 best viewed as a borderline RB2 with some risk that could massively outplay his ADP if things break right.
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.
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.
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.