The 2025 NFL Draft running back class is one of the best and deepest running back classes in recent years. With so much running back talent in the draft there are several potential running back sleepers who could fall to Day 3 of the draft and make a big impact in the NFL. Here are five running back sleepers who could potentially be hidden gems in this year’s NFL Draft.
Running Back Sleepers Who Could Be Steals of the 2025 NFL Draft
Damien Martinez, Miami (FL)
Martinez is a powerful running back who has the potential to be an every-down back in the NFL. He runs hard and has incredible contact balance. Martinez easily fights through arm tackles and bounces off defenders to pick up extra yards after contact. He pairs his physical play style with impressive movement skills and the ability to make defenders miss. He can also be a reliable pass-catcher out of the backfield. Martinez isn’t an explosive runner, but he has the skill set to be a productive starting running back in the NFL.
Damien Martinez Scouting Report
Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
Brooks is an efficient running back who does a tremendous job at creating a positive outcome out of almost every carry he gets. Brooks has great vision and patience, he lets plays develop and is able to consistently find cutback lanes. A powerful runner who is a strong finisher and has good balance to fight through contact and pick up extra yards on the ground. In the passing game, Brooks has reliable hands and is a strong pass protector. He is an experienced running back who was incredibly productive in college with back-to-back 1,500 rushing yards seasons. Brooks lacks good breakaway speed, but his vision, power, balance, and efficiency as a runner make him a potential gem in the draft.
DJ Giddens, Kansas State
Giddens is an athletically gifted runner with good size, patience, and footwork. He recorded the second-highest relative athletic score of any running back in the 2025 class at the combine. Giddens is an intelligent decision-maker who reads blocks well and has great instincts as a runner. He has exceptional movement skills and change-of-direction ability to force missed tackles and create extra yards on his own. Giddens needs to develop as a receiver and blocker to reach his full potential at the next level, but he has the ability to be an NFL team’s primary ball carrier.
Brashard Smith, SMU
Smith’s standout trait is his receiving ability. A former wide receiver who provides receiver-like ball skills and route running ability as a running back. A smooth route runner who can make plays down the field in the passing game. Smith also has good burst and elite breakaway speed that he backed up at the NFL combine with a 4.39 40-yard dash time. Smith is a legitimate home run big play threat any time he gets into open space. In the open field, he is a shifty runner who can quickly change directions and make defenders miss. Smith is a smaller back who lacks great power, but Smith could make an impact as an explosive play-creator and a team’s primary receiving back in the NFL.
Brashard Smith Scouting Report
RJ Harvey, UCF
Harvey is an explosive runner who ran a 4.40 40-yard dash time at the combine. He has the speed to pull away from defenders and is a difficult runner to bring down in open space. Harvey is an undersized running back but has a surprising amount of power and ability to absorb contact for his size. He shows promise as a receiving threat out of the backfield with over 240 receiving yards in his last two seasons in college as well. Harvey could fall in the draft due to being a smaller 24-year-old prospect, but his big play ability can add a lot of value to an NFL team.
Main Photo: Vasha Hunt – Imagn Images
