With the NFL season less than 100 days away from kickoff, let’s take a closer look at some of the rookies who will be getting their first taste of action this season. As far as running backs go, very few will make an immediate impact in their rookie season. However, if some of these players can find a few touches early on, they might carve out a bigger role as the season goes forward.
1. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas
Positives: Wants to be great and will have every chance in Pete Carroll’s offense. Could have 1000+ yards rushing as a rookie and double-digit TDs.
Negatives: The Raiders weak passing attack could force more men in the box to stop the run.
2. TreVeyon Henderson, New England
Positives: Henderson is a very explosive running back and should step into an 8 to 10 touch role immediately with the chance for way more.
Negatives: Rhamondre Stevenson is a veteran who will still get touches.
3. R.J. Harvey, Denver
Positives: Sean Payton seems to be thrilled with Harvey who could be a potential three-down running back right away.
Negatives: Payton has a history of rotating running backs so if Harvey struggles earlyhe could see his role diminish quickly.
4. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Positives: An explosive running back capable of 1300+ total yards from scrimmage and 10 TDs if given the full workload.
Negatives: Will share time with Najee Harris who the Chargers just signed in the off-season.
5. Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland
Positives: Judkins is an explosive running back who should be the RB1 in Cleveland right away and get 15 touches per game.
Negatives: Cleveland drafted Dylan Sampson and still has Jerome Ford around who they love on third downs so Judkins’ touches appear to be capped.
6. Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh
Positives: Johnson should be the first and second down running back for the Steelersand have a chance for most of the goal line carries.
Negatives: Don’t forget that OC Arthur Smith likes to rotate his backs so expect Johnson to be off the field on obvious passing downs.
7. Cam Skattebo, New York Giants
Positives: Skattebo will have a role in the Giants’ offense. He’s a very good receiver and he’s hard to take down by the goal line
Negatives: He’s not the biggest back around and his bruising style might prove to be a dangerous thing at the professional level.
8. Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville
Positives: An explosive running back who should be used primarily on obvious passing downs and two-minute situations.
Negatives: Jacksonville’s RB room is crowded with Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby.
9. Dylan Sampson, Cleveland
Positives: Sampson was incredibly productive at the University of Tennessee and thrives in a zone-read scheme. Look for him to get about 8 to 12 touches a game.
Negatives: With Judkins and Ford on the team, Sampson will need an injury to see more than 10 touches a game.
10. Jarquez Hunter, Los Angeles Rams
Positives: More explosive than Kyren Williams and Sean McVay has already professed how much he likes him.
Negatives: Third in the pecking order…for now.
11. Brashard Smith, Kansas City
Positives: Has great hands as a receiver out of the backfield and excellent burst in the open field.
Negatives: Will need time to understand the Chiefs’ complicated offensive scheme.
12. Jaydon Blue, Dallas
Positives: Blue is an explosive running back who’s probably good for 5-7 touches per week. Look for him to get a few receptions out of the backfield as well
Negatives: Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders are seasoned veterans who will limit Blue’s usage in the beginning part of the season.
13. DJ Giddens, Indianapolis
Positives: Giddens will likely be the backup to Jonathan Taylor. Showed promise in college but needs to improve as a blocker.
Negatives: Will need an injury to Jonathan Taylor to get serious playing time.
14. Devin Neal, New Orleans
Positives: Neal has some nice upside, especially as a receiver. Could be sneaky if the Saints decide to trade Kamara.
Negatives: Hard to see him scoring many TDs on a bad offense.
15. Woody Marks, Houston
Positives: Marks was incredibly productive as a receiving back in college and should become the third-down back at some point for the Texans this season
Negatives: Needs to beat out Dameon Pierce for playing time.
16. Tahj Brooks, Cincinnati
Positives: Solid blocker and instinctual runner
Negatives: Will need an injury to Chase Brown to see more than 3-5 touches per game.
17. Kyle Monangai, Chicago
Positives: A big, bruising back who could be a goal line and short yardage specialist.
Negatives: Running backs coach Eric Bieniemy doesn’t seem to like him very much.
18. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington
Positives: Played well prior to his injury. Has more explosion in his game than incumbent Brian Robinson.
Negatives: Needs to fully recover from injury and wait for his opportunity behind two veteran running backs.
19. Ollie Gordon, Miami
Positives: Was terrific two years ago in college when he looked like a first-round pick but suffered last season when opposing defenses schemed for him.
Negatives: Buried deep on Miami’s depth chart.
20. Jordan James, San Francisco
Positives: Excellent all-around back at Oregon last season.
Negatives: Will need an injury to see the field.
21. LeQuint Allen, Jacksonville
Positives: Very productive at Syracuse as both a runner and receiver.
Negatives: Currently RB4 on the depth chart and will need someone to get traded to avoid him being a practice squad player.
22. Damien Martinez, Seattle
Positives: Has a nose for the end zone and runs hard. Should win a spot on the roster.
Negatives: Won’t see the playing field much behind Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet.
23. Kalel Mullings, Tennessee
Positives: A former LB, Mullings is still learning the position but could be a nice goal line back due to his size.
Negatives: Still needs to beat out veteran Julius Chestnut to make the roster.
24. Trevor Etienne, Carolina
Positives: Comes from a long line of solid Georgia running backs.
Negatives: Carolina just signed Rico Dowdle to backup Chuba Hubbard, so Etienne won’t see the field much early on.
