With the 2025 NFL Draft quickly approaching, dynasty managers are already eyeing the next wave of rookie running backs. While Ashton Jeanty leads the pack, several other names are flying under the radar but offer huge upside. Here are three RB prospects you need to know before your dynasty rookie drafts kick off.
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Omarion Hampton
Ashton Jeanty is the talk of the town among rookie RBs ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft (and for good reason), but North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton is quietly sliding up draft boards. After exploding for over 1,600 yards and 15 touchdowns last season with the Tar Heels, Hampton is viewed as the de facto No. 2 running back prospect behind Jeanty.
Hampton has the prototypical running back build, standing at 6’0 tall, 221 pounds, and clocking a 4.46 40-yard dash speed. While Hampton cannot compare to the elusiveness of Jeanty, he possesses an elite combination of power and speed with an uncanny ability to break tackles and generate yards after contact, ideal for short-yardage red-zone situations.
Additionally, Hampton has the potential to be a 3-down back, accounting for 17% of North Carolina’s total receptions in 2024, which is the second most among all rookie running backs. Not to mention, he was the clear focal point of UNC’s offense last year, setting a Tar Heel single-season record with 2,033 all-purpose yards.
While he has some room for improvement in pass protection, Hampton is a more than competent blocker in the backfield, and possesses all the physical attributes and willingness to eventually excel at the pro level.
If Hampton slides into the late first round, he has the opportunity to contribute to a contending offense immediately, providing more meaningful fantasy value early in his career. Depending on where he lands, consider taking him with the 1.02 pick in dynasty rookie drafts ahead of WR Tetairoa McMillan.
Dylan Sampson
Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson took the SEC by storm in 2024, setting school records for both rushing yards (1,491) and rushing TDs (22). During his sole season as a starter with the Volunteers, Sampson displayed an electric combination of speed, physicality, and elusiveness.
Despite being an undersized back (5’8, 200 lbs), Sampson racked up a monstrous 900 yards after contact en route to being named SEC offensive player of the year.
The Louisiana native admittedly models his game after Alvin Kamara, often changing tempo with the ball in his hands, looking to utilize his 4.42 40-yard dash speed. Sampson also has a penchant for finding the end zone, having averaged a touchdown every 12.1 carries in his collegiate career, and scoring 36 touchdowns in 35 total games.
While he was not utilized much as a pass catcher at Tennessee, Sampson’s urgent, albeit sometimes tumultuous running style, would lend itself well to catching the ball out of the backfield. That was something he wanted to showcase at his Pro Day, telling Vols media, “the sky is the ceiling for me in the receiving aspect … a lot of NFL teams have indicated they believe in [me] as an asset in the passing game.”
At just 20 years old, Sampson punches well above his weight class (literally) with his aggressive run style and playmaking ability. He offers huge upside for dynasty leagues and will carry a far cheaper price tag than other top running back talent in this year’s draft class.
DJ Giddens
Speaking of draft value, Kansas State RB DJ Giddens is probably my biggest sleeper pick at the running back position in this entire draft class. Giddens is built like a race horse, measuring in at 6’1, 212 pounds, and runs a 4.43 forty.
The third-year junior cleared 1,200 rushing yards in consecutive seasons as Kansas State’s starter, while averaging 102.8 rushing yards per game over 25 starts. For an upright runner, Giddens displays exceptional lateral agility, allowing him to effortlessly slip past defenders and maneuver through tight spaces.
Once in the second level, Giddens is truly elite, clocking in with the 6th highest breakaway rate in college football during the 2024 season.
Giddens’ biggest knocks are his thin build and pass protection skills. He will have to add a bit of muscle to his frame to accommodate his linear running style in the pros, but that’s nothing a good strength and conditioning coach can’t handle. As far as pass protection goes, Giddens tends to be a bit too bullish in his blocking and will need to refine both his approach and hand technique.
All knocks aside, Giddens dominated in his two seasons as the Wildcats’ workhorse and leaves the college ranks with 26 total TDs and a career average of 6.0 yards per carry. As a late Day 2 / early Day 3 selection, I’m not sure you can find a prospect oozing with more potential than Giddens at the running back position.
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