The 2024 NFL Draft produced some interesting anomalies, such as six quarterbacks being taken in the first round, the first defensive prospect not being taken until No. 15 overall and three wide receivers being taken in the top 10.
The first running back was not taken until No. 46 overall by the Carolina Panthers. The second running back went 20 picks later to the Arizona Cardinals. It was the latest the first running back had been drafted since the Tennessee Titans took Washington's Bishop Sankey No. 54 overall in 2014. After waiting a long time for the position to be represented at the 2024 NFL Draft, fans should not have to wait nearly as long this coming year. Boise State's Ashton Jeanty is my top-rated running back. His skill set is similar to Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (formerly of Alabama), who was taken No. 12 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Jeanty has good vision, but his value is in his ability to catch passes out of the backfield.
And the depth of the running back class goes well beyond Jeanty. Omarion Hampton (North Carolina), Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State) and Damien Martinez (Miami) are among the next batch of prospects. Several should come off the board within the top-100 picks. A few sleepers teams could add later in the draft include Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech) and Corey Kiner (Cincinnati).
In today's thought exercise, we explore possible fits for a running back in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The draft order below was determined using SportsLine's Super Bowl odds but in reverse order as of Thursday morning.
For more draft coverage, you can hear in-depth analysis twice a week on "With the First Pick" -- our year-round NFL Draft podcast with NFL Draft analyst Ryan Wilson and former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. You can find "With the First Pick" wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Listen below!
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
A new general manager and head coach will have an easier time moving away from the franchise's No. 1 overall selection, but the owner may not. As bad as the Bryce Young experience has been thus far, it is hard to envision them moving on from Young just yet.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
New York has not looked good this season and could be headed down a path of leadership self-preservation. The logical next step is drafting a quarterback. While there is not a clear-cut top quarterback prospect in this class, there are multiple players with traits that could lead to NFL success.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Denver would likely try to trade out of this pick if the opportunity presented itself. But without projecting trades, the Broncos take the best prospect overall. Will Johnson Jr. and Patrick Surtain II would be a scary tandem.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
New England moved on from Matthew Judon prior to the regular season, which created a void along its defensive front. Mykel Williams has a sturdier frame that the Patriots often covet.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Will Levis makes some sensational plays, then follows them up with back-breaking turnovers that are just not sustainable in the modern NFL. Quarterback could be a position to watch for the Titans as Brian Callahan's frustrations are already wearing thin. Travis Hunter would likely play wide receiver and be a potential replacement for DeAndre Hopkins, who is a free agent after the season.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
With the quarterback of the future in position, Washington now needs to prioritize surrounding him with the talent that will allow him to find success. A left tackle and more pass catchers would be a good start.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Gardner Minshew over Aidan O'Connell was a right-now decision, not one of the long-term variety. They want to get their quarterback of the future in position sooner rather than later. With Carson Beck off the board, Las Vegas has its pick of those remaining. Once again, the pecking order could change on a weekly basis.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Darious Williams and Tre'Davious White are placeholders for the future. The defensive reconstruction is well underway with the additions of Byron Young, Kobie Turner, Jared Verse and Braden Fiske over a two-year period. Benjamin Morrison is the latest pickup.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
Defensive tackle was the other consideration, but Indianapolis does not have any pending free agents in that spot. The secondary, specifically safety, is a more pressing need. Malaki Starks is a high-floor prospect capable of turning the ball over.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Jacksonville signed Arik Armstead in free agency. Mason Graham is one of the few foundational pieces left on the board, and defensive tackle makes the most sense of the options. Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen is accustomed to having a rotation of capable interior rushers.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
The roster baseline for head coach Jonathan Gannon was rather low, but his teams were scrappy. They had several picks on the first two days of the 2024 NFL Draft, but more reinforcements are necessary. Deone Walker is not all that dissimilar to some of the bodies Gannon had been collecting in Philadelphia.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
The offensive line has struggled mightily for Chicago. While the focus is more on the interior, there is no more benefit of the doubt being given to the others. It is time to perform now or alternatives will be addressed in the offseason.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Amari Cooper is scheduled to be a free agent after this season. Although he has been a key contributor for the franchise since coming over in a trade with the Cowboys, he has had some critical drops over the past two years. It would not be all that surprising to see Cleveland move forward with Jerry Jeudy, Jamari Thrash and Tetairoa McMillan in this instance.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Jonah Savaiinaea has the foot speed to stick at right tackle but Minnesota would move him to guard under current circumstances. J.J. McCarthy is presumably the quarterback of the future, so there should be no lack of investment in his supporting cast.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Pittsburgh had heavy interest in Brandon Aiyuk this offseason but was unwilling to improve upon its offer. Luther Burden II would give the Steelers a dynamic outlet to go along with George Pickens. The question is, who will be playing quarterback?
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Tampa Bay has not gotten the production it had hoped out of Joe Tryon-Shoyinka. Abdul Carter can give them more juice to rush the passer off the edge.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
There is familiarity between Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and Colston Loveland. The tight end position was not a core part of the Washington pass game when offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb was there, but the Seahawks will want someone like Loveland as they look to set the tone in the run game.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Miami allowed defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to depart in free agency last year. It has not replaced that production. It is unfair to expect that level of play from Tyleik Williams, but the Dolphins are getting a player worth building around on defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
There are a lot of avenues the Chargers could go down with this selection. Los Angeles has an old roster in a lot of key areas, but Denzel Burke brings a level of accountability to that secondary.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
New Orleans certainly has a type when identifying pass rushers: power through a filled-out frame. Nic Scourton is an ideal candidate as the Saints look to the future. Chase Young is projected to be a free agent after the season.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
The hope is that the odd assortment of Falcons pass rushers come together and provide an effective level of pressure. Early-season returns have not been overwhelming. Perhaps as Matthew Judon grows more confident in his role within the defense, he will be that caliber of player.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Packers fans are probably not thrilled about going back to the linebacker well, but Harold Perkins Jr. is one of the best prospects available at this stage of the first round. His skill set allows him to play fast and from sideline to sideline.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Shedeur Sanders is the third quarterback off the board after Georgia's Carson Beck and Texas' Quinn Ewers. Jets fans can breathe a sigh of relief having seen Aaron Rodgers complete a game, but the future at the position is bleak. Rodgers may play for a few more years, but there is not exactly a viable succession plan.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Dallas has continued to chase its past with Ezekiel Elliott returning to Arlington, but an eye needs to be towards the future. Ashton Jeanty has a versatile skill set that allows him to be effective on the ground, but also through the air.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Former first-round pick Myles Murphy has not panned out and Trey Hendrickson wants either a new contract or a trade. Given Cincinnati's reluctance to pay its wide receivers, it is difficult to envision the franchise rushing to pay the disgruntled edge rusher. Landon Jackson still needs experience, but has great length off the edge.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Baltimore's offense does a good job working sideline to sideline but lacks a vertical threat. Evan Stewart has the size and speed to be that boundary X-wide receiver capable of taking pressure off Mark Andrews, Zay Flowers and other pieces in that offense.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
The Lions have Amon-Ra St. Brown on a lucrative deal and Jameson Williams seems to be coming along at his own pace. They have cycled through third receivers, but the hope is that Isaiah Bond provides some stability.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Jalon Walker is a really good prospect, so I wanted to get him in the first round somewhere. Philadelphia is probably not going to take a linebacker in the first round any time soon, but Walker provides pass-rushing skills as well.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Stefon Diggs is a free agent after the season and Emeka Egbuka has a pre-existing relationship with C.J. Stroud. Nico Collins is a big body who can win down the field and Tank Dell is versatile enough to move around the formation. Egbuka is a consistent pass catcher who will fit in nicely with existing skill sets.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Buffalo often seeks defensive backs with long wingspans and length. Kaiir Elam is a perfect example. Tacario Davis fits the mold.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Dominick Puni was a good find for San Francisco on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft, but San Francisco continues its investment with the selection of Emery Jones Jr.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Chris Jones is not getting any younger and, while Tershawn Wharton has been a valuable contributor for the two-time defending Super Bowl Champions, it would benefit them to have another talented interior rusher as they build depth in a critical spot.
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