One year after a breakout rookie campaign, the 2025 NFL running back class has struggled. In Week 4 of the 2025 season, rookie rushers combined for 737 yards, the most by any set of rookie rushers during a week of September football since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Fast forward to Week 6 of the 2026 season, and the class combined for just 246 yards, its collective worst total. Injuries have plagued many of the class' most promising backs, including Ashton Jeanty, Ollie Gordon II, and Le Quint Allen Jr. The leading rusher from the 2025 class that week was Corey Kiner, an undrafted free agent who was the third-string option on the Patriots.
Ashton Jeanty, drafted by the Raiders at No. 6 overall, has flashed at times but lacks consistency. He has turned 372 carries into just 1,303 yards, averaging 3.5 yards per attempt with a minus-0.27 EPA per rush attempt, the worst mark among backs with 150 carries or more since the start of 2025. Jeanty is second-to-last in success rate (32.8%) and last in first downs over expectation.
Barnwell will review notable contributors including Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, Quinshon Judkins, Tre Veyon Henderson, Bhayshul Tuten, and Cam Skattebo, delivering a progress update on their standing. While there are success stories, they come from surprising places, and questions arise about whether the most highly touted backs will live up to their rookie performances.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing