In this final position report we take a look at running back prospects in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft from the Ravens perspective. Previous position reports can be found as follows:
Offense:
Wide receiver prospect are here.
Tight end prospect analyses are available here.
Offensive tackle reviews are located here.
Guard prospect reviews are located here.
Defense:
Inside linebacker prospects are here.
Defensive tackle prospects are reviewed here.
Cornerback prospects are available here.
Safety prospects are located here.
Edge linebacker prospects are located here.
There are no reports for quarterbacks or centers this year.
Ravens Running Back Situation
The Ravens don’t necessarily have any need at running back, depending on the condition of Keaton Mitchell. Derrick Henry and Justice Hill will return to their duties from 2024. I’m sure Ravens fans are drooling for another look at a fully healthy Keaton Mitchell. We all hope he’s able to recoup the electric play he demonstrated in his rookie year. Rasheen Ali sits in the last row of the running back room.
It’s inconceivable to me that the Ravens would spend any draft capital on running back prospects in the first three rounds. I’d probably extend that into the fourth round as well. Because time is short (sorry I’m behind this year) this post only looks at running back prospects I believe may be available beginning in that fourth round.
Running Back Prospects
DJ Giddens
Giddens is 21.7 years old from Kansas State, 6’ and 212 pounds. He ran a 4.43 forty and has been injury free in his young career. Giddens was a hugely productive runner in college. He is neither a true physical power back, nor an electric runner to the outside. But he brings good lateral agility and a nice ability to get through the wash with the patience to find cutback holes. Giddens is a balanced runner and brings some shiftiness to the table. He sets up and finds his blocks very well, with excellent vision. Although he has very good straight line speed, he’s not especially explosive. He runs more upright than he should.
Giddens doesn’t have great hands as a receiver. And his pass protection skills need a lot of work.
In all, I don’t see Giddens as offering any dynamic appeal, and at this point you can’t put him on the field on third down. Round 4-5. Ravens – No.
Brayshul Tuten
Tuten is 23.2 years old, 5’9 and 206 pounds from Virginia Tech. He ran a blazing 4.32 forty (fastest among all measured running backs) and missed only one game in his college career. Tuten is an excellent athlete, and has a very good combination of elite speed and solid mass. He has the glaring problem of fumbling the ball; nine times over the past two years (that would earn him the death sentence from the Ravens). His very small hands (8.75”) are undoubtedly part of the problem, and he absolutely must fix it or he won’t see the field.
Tuten has both blazing speed and elusiveness, and he’s a home run threat every time he touches the ball. He has a compact body, runs with a lower center of gravity, and is able to generate good power as a result. He maintains his balance through contact. Tuten is a very patient runner, letting his blocks develop and then blasting through the hole. He definitely has preferred to bounce runs to the outside.
Tuten is solid picking up the blitz, where he hits hard and can dislodge the attacker. He also offers real value as a return man too. As a receiver he needs to expand his route versatility. But he had no drops on 24 catches last season.
Tuten thrives on zone running plays, where he stays poised and then explodes when the there’s an opening. He’s made for wide zone schemes. Note to readers: The Ravens ran a very healthy dose of that last year, including regular pitches to Derrick Henry.
I’m a Tuten man as I prefer players with his combination of skills. Adding another home run hitter to the Ravens attack is an allure I couldn’t resist. Now I don’t know whether the Ravens potential interest is tied to how they view Keaton Mitchell’s abilities at this point. If they have a high confidence that Mitchell will return to form, then one can fairly argue there’s no need to spend the draft capital that will be necessary to grab Tuten. But if they don’t, then go get this player and expect that you will iron out those fumbling issues. Round 3-4. Ravens – Yes (maybe even if Mitchell is healthy).
Devin Neal
Neal is 21.7 years old, 5’11 and 213 pounds from Kansas. He ran a slow 4.58 forty, has very small hands and a very short wingspan. Although he’s not the power back you might expect given his size, Neal has quick feet, hitting the line of scrimmage with good patience to allow his blockers to do their jobs. He runs with very good balance and can absorb contact. He’s the type of back who has the vision to quickly scan and find the hole, and he can read multiple alleys at a time and then explode into the open one. Neal is a one cut and go runner, and has the ability to cutback.
Neal varies his speed in order to force missed tackles and allow himself to exercise quick cuts for more yardage, using his quick feet to exploit change in direction opportunities. He has excellent lateral agility. Neal is a fast processor on the move, and will relocate opportunities on the fly.
Neal was a team captain and known as a high character soul. He rarely fumbles the ball, and is a solid pass receiver. Neal was heavily used at Kansas and has more wear on him than most of the other backs in this review. He is not the best of blockers.
Neal offers a lot. Yes, he lacks that last gear to run away from tacklers in the open, and you’d like to see him drop that shoulder and run through more defenders. But he offers a lot otherwise. Round 4. Ravens – Maybe.
Cam Skattebo
Skattebo is 23.2 years old, 5’9 and 216 pounds from Arizona State and ran a very slow 4.65 on his pro day. He has averaged sized hands. Skattebo was a heavily used back in college. He runs low to the ground and with excellent balance. He’s powerful and will drop his shoulder and hit tacklers hard. He maintains excellent contact balance and will take the hit to pick up more yards. Skattebo has very good vision and will find the opening. He’s a good jump cutter.
Skattebo lacks explosive burst. But he’s an excellent receiving threat and is a natural hands catcher who runs a fairly full route tree as a running back. There’s room for further growth here. Skattebo fumbled ten times over the last three seasons, something he will have to correct. He’s inconsistent in his pass protection sets.
As a prospect for the Ravens, I just don’t like his lack of breakaway speed. There’s a lot Skattebo does well, and he’s a threat in the passing game. He’s a good player, but not one I’m drafting for the 2025 Ravens. Round 4. Ravens – No.
Jarquez Hunter
Hunter is 22.3 years old, 5’9 and 204 pounds from Auburn and ran a 4.44 forty. He’s an extremely powerful back with excellent mass and runs with ferocity. Hunter has excellent run balance and can run through tackles. He fights through as many tacklers as possible. Hunter is a one cut and go back with excellent burst to go with his contact balance. He’s a guy who creates yardage. He’s very good at finding angles and creases. Hunter finishes his runs.
Hunter does not show a consistent ability to string moves together; he’s just not that guy and is much more linear. He’s not that elusive back who can juke out tacklers, and is not creative in the open field. But he’s well suited to run in zone schemes and he can take it to the outside with his speed as well.
As a receiver Hunter is not well developed. He just wasn’t asked to do much more than catch screens. He has good special teams experience. Round 3-4. Ravens – No.
Brashard Smith
Smith is 22 years old, 5’9 and 194 pounds from SMU. He ran an excellent 4.39 forty. There’s a lot Smith can do on a football field. He’s an explosive and very twitchy running back who’s very elusive in the open field. Smith is a threat to take it to house whenever he touches the ball. He has excellent vision, and his running style is adaptable.
Smith is fast to process information. He finds the hole quickly on gap plays, using his great lateral agility. He’s an excellent jump cutter. Smith’s burst through the hole is outstanding and he can outrun defenders at the next levels. Smith is a bit more patient, as he should be, with zone calls, waiting for the hole to open and with the ability to hit it and then take it outside. There are times when Smith will lose his patience and leave his blockers behind.
Smith is also an excellent receiver (he was previously a wide receiver), making him a truly dual threat. He has soft hands and can track the ball. His ability to change direction should make him a matchup nightmare for linebackers. Smith can be deployed in the slot as well.
For all of these outstanding attributes, Smith is not going to overpower anyone on any type of consistent basis. He just doesn’t have the size or physicality to do it. But he can return kickoffs.
Smith only saw real opportunity on the field for the first time last season; presumably, there’s room for further growth, especially as a blocker. There may be some maturity issues with Smith, as he was benched at the beginning of one game for missing team meetings.
Assuming that maturity issue is not a lingering concern, Smith is the type of home run hitter that I prefer, especially with the speed the Ravens have all over the field. Keaton Mitchell notwithstanding, I’d add this kid if I could. Round 4-5. Ravens – Yes.
Damien Martinez
Martinez is 21.2 years old, 5’11 and 217 pounds from Miami. He ran a 4.51 forty. Martinez has a violent running style and will knock players around. He has great balance and leg drive through contact. He’s a very big and powerful inside presence. Martinez has good explosion at the second and third levels. But he has some challenges when he needs to adjust laterally. Martinez’ running style can sometimes be too upright, but he showcases good vision. And he doesn’t fumble.
Martinez will string a series of cuts together and he can make defenders miss on the inside. In the passing game, he hasn’t shown much beyond catching drop-off passes. His pass protection shows an ability to set the proper frame and deliver a blow, but he’s inconsistent and needs further coaching.
In certain respects Martinez reminds me of Gus Edwards. He finds yards and creates his own with a bullying style. Round 4. Ravens – Yes.
LeQuint Allen
Allen is 20.7 years old, 6’ and 204 pounds from Syracuse. He did not run a timed forty, and owns big hands. Allen projects as a very useful back on third down. He’s an excellent receiver who can be used in a variety of ways. Allen runs routes really well. He doesn’t have the explosive acceleration or top end speed of some of the other running backs in this class, but he gets to his top speed quickly. His burst is good but not exceptional, and he can run a bit too high. Allen’s patient and allows his blockers to create openings for him.
Allen lowers his shoulder on contact to create force. But he doesn’t have explosive power. He possesses a good jump cut ability. He’s solid in pass protection.
I don’t think there’s enough in Allen’s game as a running back to warrant selecting him, third down skills notwithstanding. Round 6. Ravens – No.
Jaydon Blue
Blue is 21.3 years old from Texas, 5’9 and 195 pounds and ran a fast 4.38 forty. He has very small hands. Blue has explosive speed and can take it to the house with very good agility. His small body size will likely limit him to a rotational back; he’s certainly not a bell cow. There are questions about his work ethic, albeit he is still very young. He lacks the power to consistently win inside and lacks good contact balance. Blue understands leverage and can be decisive but is sometimes impatient. He’s a guy who will make you miss, but won’t run over you.
Blue is best suited for an outside or wide zone scheme. He is more challenged running between the tackles.
Blue is a serious threat as a receiver. He’s a good route runner and has the ability to line up in the slot. He has excellent ability in the open field. Blue is best used in space, and teams would do well to scheme him accordingly. He fumbles way too often, so ball security is an issue and will keep him off the field if he doesn’t improve.
Blue’s pass catching ability and tremendous home run speed is what makes him alluring. But he’s a limited style runner and in that context the fumbling concern is just too big for me. He just doesn’t offer enough as a running back prospect. Round 5-6. Ravens – No.
Ollie Gordon II
Gordon is 21.3 years old, 6’1 and 226 pounds from Oklahoma State. He ran a 4.61 forty. Gordon caught 80 balls in his three year career. The first thing that sticks out about Gordon is the lack of speed. He’s just not going to run away from anyone, and he doesn’t have great short area burst either. On the other hand, he has prototypical size and runs with a punishing style, maintaining balance through contact. When he does get going, he’s a load to bring down. He’s been a very good receiver out of the backfield (no drops last year).
Gordon has been a durable back who is a power force near the goal line. He has the ability to get through tight creases on the inside. But his feet can get antsy when he doesn’t spot a hole quickly. Gordon does not have notable lateral agility; he’s just not your change of direction guy and won’t make defenders miss with a juke.
Gordon is best utilized in power running schemes. He’s not going to do well laterally. To me, Gordon is too limited of a back to warrant putting him in the Ravens locker room. Round 5. Ravens – No.
Woody Marks
Marks is 24.3 years old, 5’10 and 213 pounds from USC. He ran a pedestrian 4.54 forty, has 9” hands and very short 29.125” arms. To start off, Marks was a prolific pass receiver out of the backfield in his career, catching 261 balls over his five seasons. A lot of that was very short stuff. He’s a very good route runner with soft hands.
As a running back Marks lacks top end speed and is not a home run threat. He’s just not explosive. Marks possesses good vision and is decisive as a runner. But he’s not laterally quick and struggles to quickly change direction. Marks had a huge number of touches in his college career. And he’s an older prospect.
There’s just not much in Marks’ game that interests me. Round 6. Ravens – No.
Other Running Back Prospects
Montrell Johnson, Jr., Florida – Johnson is 22.5 years old, 5’11 and 212 pounds and ran a 4.41 forty. He has very good short area burst and excellent long speed. He possesses excellent mass but has less power than his body suggests. He’s not particularly twitchy, and has had knee issues. He has something to offer. Round 7. Ravens – No.
Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech – He’s 23 years old, 5’9 and 214 pounds and ran a 4.52 forty. Brooks is a physical runner who is quick but lacks breakaway speed. He can break tackles, has good contact balance, and has enough lateral agility to make some tacklers miss. He’s a high character player and team captain. Brooks has some limited utility but no quality that is special. Round 5-6. Ravens – No.
