Newsletter: Continuing 2025 NFL Draft Running Back Scouting Reports
Deep class. Here are some deep dive reports on a few guys the Browns will key in on.
The quarterback discussion has gotten most of the headlines for Browns fans, but a significant position of need is running back. Jake has already done a great job breaking down his top 10 guys in a very deep RB draft class, and I’ll add my thoughts on three guys the Browns will have a shot at on day 2 or 3.
The running back position had a resurgence in 2024 after a bunch of years of being devalued by fans and NFL front offices. Saquon Barkley was the poster child for both phases of the recent running back arc. He was the 2nd-overall pick in 2018, when the analytic push to favor the passing game kicked into overdrive, and just earned a $41.2 million extension for being the final piece to get Philadelphia over the hump last season.
The Browns, as we all know, remain an analytically-based organization and that equates to devaluing the resources committed to the running game and running back position. The focus for my first year and a half with the team was “positions that affect the passing game”. The obvious ones were quarterback and receiver, but that also meant tight end, edge rusher, cornerback, and left tackle were higher on the list than running back.
I’m not a John Dorsey guy, but thank god he was in control for the 2018 draft because I’m not confident we would have taken Nick Chubb if Sashi Brown was still making selections. I remember the days of Duke Johnson and Isaiah Crowell splitting time, so getting a no-doubt number 1 ball carrier was great. Chubb was my favorite player during my time with the team. Enough has been said about his work ethic, mentality, character, etc., and it’s all accurate from my personal experience.
I remember watching us play the Raiders in 2018, Chubb’s rookie year, and a friend of mine who’s a Steelers fan jokingly called him a “turd” right before he ripped off a 63-yard touchdown run. This was that weird portion of 2018 where Carlos Hyde was still the featured back, and Chubb was getting like 3-6 carries a game even though he was clearly ready to carry the load. I still bring it up with my buddy and couldn’t have been happier that Chubb was our guy for most of my tenure with the Browns.
That was a roundabout way of saying that Chubb bucked the trend for running backs in the Cleveland Browns organization. Stefanski’s wide-zone focus brought importance back to the running game for the Browns, and Nick earned every penny of the three-year extension he signed in 2021.
The injury he suffered was unpleasant to watch on so many levels. I wasn’t with the team anymore, but I felt awful for what happened to him. Someone will give him a shot this year, and the door isn’t totally closed in Cleveland, but he’ll always be one of the best I’ve ever seen play football.
Let’s get back to the loaded 2025 running back class. Jake stacked his top 10 and did a really nice breakdown of each guy. I’ll supplement his thoughts with my own on Kaleb Johnson, Devin Neal, and Cam Skattebo.
I used the Browns grading scale again. Here are the running back physical tools and position specifics:
Remember, these used a 1-5 scale. The physical tools are on the left. These are consistent for every position group other than quarterbacks and specialists. Power was described as “explosive strength”. For running backs, think of this as how often a guy uses the old Madden truck stick on a defender. The position specifics are on the right. I never understood why we needed to put a numerical value on a guy’s ball security. Seems like it would be self-evident in the stats, but AB wanted a number.
The team will likely add at least two running backs on draft weekend. I’d say one of the 3rd round picks will be an RB, and I can see them using one of the last three picks to add another. I also wouldn’t be shocked if they add an undrafted free agent. There’s a lot of room to maneuver with only two currently on the roster, so expect some help for this position group.
Let’s get to my reports.
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