Saints assessing top running backs at NFL Combine

By Ross Jackson

As Saturday’s NFL Scouting Combine drills near, the running back class will be a major focus. The position group is expected to be one of the best in the draft’s history with more than 20 draftable players expected. 

The New Orleans Saints have their top talent with running back Alvin Kamara extended last season. However, there are a lot of question marks behind him, and the team should be preparing for life after him in the coming years. 

This year’s draft provides several options to consider. With Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty not participating, here are the backs the Saints should have their eyes on as they look to boost their draft stock.

North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton

• 6-foot
• 221 pounds
• 2024 Stats: 281 attempts, 1,660 rush yards and 15 touchdown runs

Even without Ashton Jeanty working out today, the RB class is loaded in Indy.

North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton is a name I heard ALL week teams felt would put on a show: Balanced, versatile, highly explosive runner and pass-catcher who drew the Joe Mixon comp.

Expecting 4.4s… pic.twitter.com/SbOrtfQvsZ

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 1, 2025

Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson

• 5-foot-8
• 200 pounds
• 2024 stats: 258 attempts, 1,491 rush yards and 22 touchdown runs

#Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson

Instinctual runner (can find creases of daylight). Sudden mover with short-area burst. Low red zone/GL production. Upside as a receiver in a pro offense. Excellent spin move (below). pic.twitter.com/m1fPKjzSqC

— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) February 17, 2025

Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson

• 6-foot-1
• 224 pounds
• 2024 stats: 240 attempts, 1,537 rush yards and 21 touchdown runs

Kaleb Johnson BALLED out in arguably the best conference this year 🔥

1,725 Scrimmage yards
23 Total TDs
Led the B1G in Rushing Yards & Rushing TDs
0 Fumbles

Someone will be picking up an absolute stud at RB in the NFL Draft 💯 pic.twitter.com/cShRTo3QaO

— College Football Report (@CFBRep) February 27, 2025

Oregon RB Jordan James

• 5-foot-9
• 205 pounds
• 2024 stats: 233 attempts, 1,267 rush yards and 15 touchdown runs

Jordan James highlights 🦆 pic.twitter.com/uSqkAuH1qD

— Oregon Updates (@oregon__updates) April 13, 2024

UCF RB R.J. Harvey

• 5-foot-8
• 205 pounds
• 2024 stats: 232 attempts, 1,577 rush yards and 22 touchdown runs

UCF RB RJ Harvey may be as quick as RB in the class, but what makes him special to me is his physicality. The dude knows how to finish a run 🚜

Has some shades of Bucky Irving from his time at Oregon. pic.twitter.com/4FuRhPHflw

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) February 13, 2025

Ohio State RD TreVeyon Henderson

• 5-foot-10
• 202 pounds
• 2024 stats: 144 attempts, 1,016 rush yards and 10 touchdown runs

TreVeyon Henderson has MORE National Championships (1) than lost fumbles (0)..

What Matters Most:

➖Early Production (1,560 Yards as a Freshman)
➖Ball Security (0 Lost Fumbles, 667 Touches)
➖Efficiency (7.1 Yards Per Attempt in 2024)

Eclipsing 1,000+ Rushing Yards while… pic.twitter.com/rQOCDxmJ5h

— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) January 25, 2025

Ohio State RB Quinshon Judkins 

• 6-foot
• 221 pounds
• 2024 stats: 194 attempts, 1,060 rush yards and 14 touchdown runs

At 6’0″ and 219 pounds, Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins is perfectly capable of squaring off as a power-runner or blocker. But I also love his ability to warp out of contact with body control, short-area vision to reset, and smart power. He can blast through skinny gaps, too. pic.twitter.com/DsSftNVOjh

— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) February 26, 2025

Check out more of our NFL Combine coverage.