The 2025 NFL Draft class is loaded with talent at the running back position, which means players like OSU’s Ollie Gordon could fall deep into Day 3. After a breakout 2023 in which he recorded 1,732 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 286 carries, Gordon took a step back in his Junior season. Playing in 12 games, the OSU product finished the season with 854 yards and 12 touchdowns on 189 carries to go along with 30 receptions for 198 receiving yards.
Had he declared in 2024, he probably would have been a second- or third-round pick. However, his disappointing season combined with the absurd amount of talent in this class means he probably won’t go off the board until the fourth or fifth round. This makes Ollie Gordon a potential draft steal, as he looked like a starting-caliber back in 2023. Even if the 2024 season better reflects who he’ll be at the professional level, the 6′-2″, 225-pound bruiser excels in short-yardage situations and can bulldoze opposing linebackers. While anyone could draft him, the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens are the top destinations.
Chargers, Ravens Top Draft Fits For OSU’s Ollie Gordon
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh wants to run the football, but he doesn’t have the back to execute his vision. After watching Austin Ekeler depart in free agency, the former Michigan man tried to build a backfield around Ravens castoffs J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards. While Dobbins played well when healthy, he struggled to stay on the field and could leave as a free agent. Edwards, meanwhile, was a disappointment and shouldn’t be in the team’s long-term plans.
The Chargers made the playoffs despite their poor running back situation and they will probably use an early draft pick or some of their $63 million in projected cap space to upgrade their backfield. However, even if they land a high-level starter, don’t be surprised if the team double-dips at the position and adds someone like Ollie Gordon in the NFL Draft.
Gordon’s north-south physical style of play meshes perfectly with Harbaugh’s old-school philosophy, and these two could be a strong match. The physical nature of the running back position leads to injuries, so Harbaugh will probably want to have multiple starting-caliber options in his backfield. Perhaps he won’t use a fourth-round pick on Ollie Gordon, but if he falls into the fifth round of the draft, don’t be surprised if he joins the team and eventually beats out Gus Edwards for the backup job.
Backing Up Greatness
It goes without saying that Ollie Gordon is not better than Derrick Henry, and the NFL Draft hopeful will probably never reach that level of greatness. Henry remains one of the league’s best backs, finishing the 2024 season with 1,921 rushing yards and a league-best 16 touchdowns. However, despite all evidence to the contrary, he is a human being and can’t keep this up forever. Baltimore must find someone with the potential to be Henry’s heir, and Gordon could be the man for the job.
While he’s not nearly as good as Henry, Gordon has a similar style of play as the star running back. This makes him the ideal short-term backup, as he could fill in whenever the five-time Pro Bowler needs a breather. If he plays well in this small role, then perhaps he could start whenever Henry starts to slow down.
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