These are the NFL rookie RB rankings:
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.