Post-Combine Rookie Rankings: QB and RB

Right as Underdog Big Board season kicked off, I released rookie rankings for QB, RB, WR, and TE. See below from late January:

2025 Pre-Draft NFL Rookie Rankings: QB and TE

2025 Pre-Draft Rookie Rankings Running Backs

2025 Pre-Draft Rookie WR Rankings

 

Now that we are further into the pre-Draft process and the NFL Combine is over, below are my March Rookie Re-Rankings.

Let’s start with the Quarterbacks and Running Backs.

Quarterbacks Re-Rankings:

1 – Cam Ward

Ward is the top QB in this class, and I think should walk into a starting role with whatever team drafts him. He’s likely to go in the top 3 picks (potentially due to a trade up), so we also can play a better guessing game of his situation.

I’m continuing to take a good amount of Ward, and while I might add some likely targets to hopefully get a stack, Ward can be worth having regardless. He’s a high-end QB3 and could finish as a borderline top 20 QB.

2 – Shedeur Sanders

I know there is some negative buzz, but I think most of that ends up being overblown. Sanders is clearly behind Cam Ward, but that was kinda always the case. I think Sanders still ends up being a first-round pick, and likely will play 75% or more of snaps.

I think he’s still very draftable in best ball, but he should firmly be in the QB 29-32 range. After we see the free agent landing spots for guys like Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins, you can make the case that he might firmly be behind them.

Everyone Else: (Jaxson Dart, Jalen Milroe, Tyler Shough)

Both Dart and Shough probably helped their draft stock, and Milroe was middle of the road at the Combine. The issue is even if one sneaks into the first round, it’s tough to imagine any of these QBs playing 50% or more next season.

In 20 rounds maybe you can risk a pick, but I wouldn’t get too excited drafting any of these for fantasy purposes. If they somehow get a perfect landing spot, I’d rather capitalize on that in post-draft bestball contests.

 

Running Backs – Re-Rankings:

1 – Ashton Jeanty

Jeanty didn’t do anything at the Combine, but that isn’t going to impact his rank or upside. The guy is a special back, and while it’s a great class overall, he’s still the clear number 1.

I’m going to take him plenty at that Rd1 turn, and I think even if he creeps into the middle of RD1 there is a strong case for him.

2 – Omarion Hampton

Hampton had an incredible Combine and I think it’s no question he’s RB2 in this class. I think he’s well in the mix for a late 1st round selection in the NFL draft, so his landing spot could be really good.

Hampton is moving up UD drafts, but I’m still going to be selecting him, as he absolutely can be a top-12 RB next season.

3 – Kaleb Johnson

Johnson’s workout numbers weren’t good, but really should it hurt him? For me it’s not a big factor. What he did on the field is far more important. I do think it created a bit of a gap between him and Hampton, and I think both of the Ohio State backs are in the same bracket as him.

I do expect him to slide a bit in UD drafts, so I’ll be happy to still take a guy likely taken in the early 2nd round, maybe a round later due to a “bad Combine”.

4 – Quinshon Judkins

Judkins really opened some eyes when he put up Combine results that were on par with anyone given his size. He’s going to push to be RB3 in this draft, and probably is an early 2nd-rounder.

5 – TreyVeon Henderson

It was not surprising that he was electric at the Combine. In the right offense, he can be an elite speed back. I do think Judkins remains the better fantasy asset due to TD equity, but I think it’s super close between Johnson, Judkins, and Henderson. I don’t think there is a wrong choice here.

6 – Cam Skattebo

He only did the jumps which were very impressive for his size. He was nursing an injury and should be ready to do everything at his Pro Day. Honestly, unless he runs like a 4.8, should we really be worried? Those who want to fade him, should do so at their own risk.

He has legit 3-down upside and can be a TD machine. He remains a player with a very high floor, and if he gets a starting landing spot, his upside is very strong.

7 – Dylan Sampson

Sampson didn’t work out, so I do want to make sure the testing numbers match the speed and explosion you see on tape. Overall though I’m not changing my view on him. I think he’s a speed back, with the upside to be a weapon in the Gibbs/Achane mold.

8 – Devin Neal

I’m not worried about the lower athletic numbers for Neal. Sure in this class it stands out (see Kaleb Johnson above), but it really is just icing on the cake for RBs.

Neal can be an every-down back at the NFL level. He’s exactly the type of guy who even as a 3rd round pick, could walk into say Washington or Jacksonville and become their starting back.

9 – DJ Giddens

Giddens had great testing numbers and is a back that I really think has gotten overlooked this process. He’s capable of being a starting back at the next level, and at least a good number 2. I think he sneaks into the late 3rd round or early 4th round.

For me, he’s one of the best values in best ball right now, as his upside is being accounted for.

10 – RJ Harvey

Harvey’s athletic testing was very strong, and what he needed to show was that he can function at his size. He’s one of the most elusive backs in this class, with his ability to make guys miss both at the line of scrimmage and in the open field. He won’t be for every system and might fit best as a secondary back, but I like the upside here.

11 – Ollie Gordon

Gordon didn’t wow with his workout, but he wasn’t expected to. He’s a big physical back, and if that’s what you are looking for, that’s what you will get. I think he needs the right landing spot to be fantasy-viable, but the upside is there.

12 – Bhayshul Tuten

Tuten lit up the Combine with his workout numbers, and his open-field speed is something special. The big question is what does this mean for his fantasy outlook?

Maybe he goes 3rd round now, but still likely more early Day 3. That can still be a solid fantasy landing spot depending on the team, but I do think there are more concerns about him earning a workload.

For all of Tuten’s physical traits, he has had issues with fumbling, in the receiving game, and his vision. Those are the types of worries that could keep him off the field as a rookie.

13 – Damien Martinez

Martinez remains more of that hammer, between-the-tackles RB with limited passing game upside. The upside for him is he secures goalline work, and he could get 7-10 TDs.

Keep in mind that for Underdog, the threshold we look for in usable weeks is typically 10 points. Any week he’s getting a TD he should be a potential RB2/Flex play.

14 – Jordan James

Mixed combine for James, but I think after so many people were off on Bucky Irving, James won’t be overlooked. He’s a good back, and in a weaker class would have pushed for being a top 5 guy.

15 – Brashard Smith

Ran well at the Combine, but his jumps were lower than expected. Overall I think his route-running and production at SMU keeps him in the 4th round mix. I could see him quickly establishing himself as a solid number 2 slash receiving back for a team.

16 – Tahj Brooks

Brooks remains my favorite sleeper in this class simply because I think he’s being very unvalued. His athletic testing was better than expected, and his production, health, work ethic and ability to play all three downs are all legit.

I still could see his draft capital being lower than people expect, but I also think he’s exactly the type of back who will come into quite a few locker rooms and push for the number 2 role Day 1. My comp for him is Kyren Williams, and I think remains very valid for him.

17 LeQuint Allen Jr.

Allen could get higher draft capital than some of these other backs, but he’s also really young and raw. He could be a guy who gets stashed for a year. He’s a good receiver out of the backfield, but I’m just less sold he will unseat as many veteran backs, as many of the higher names.

-20th RD Flyer Options: Rahiem Sanders, Trevor Etienne, Woody Marks, Jaydon Blue, Kalel Mullings Jarquez Hunter, Kyle Monangai, Donovan Edwards, Montrell Johnson Jr.

Look, there are some decent backs and some really athletically gifted ones in this group. The problem is this is such a loaded RB class it’s tough to imagine any of these go before RD5, and even then are they going to find a landing spot where they can have fantasy value as a rookie?

If you are doing 100-200+ of these pre-draft contests, sure grab a share or two of these backs, but seriously I wouldn’t have more than 2-3% of any of them.

 

Post-NFL Combine Rankings:  QB and RB

Post-NFL Combine Rankings:  WR and TE