The 2025 NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and now is the time to place draft prop bets. This is a look into the current odds of how many running backs will be taken in the first round and which side of that prop bet has the most value.
Bet on 2025 NFL Draft prop bets at DraftKings Sportsbook, including how many running backs will be taken in the first round, here.
NFL Draft Props: Total Running Backs Selected in the First Round
The topic of drafting running backs has become controversial in recent years. Running backs have been devalued, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important. The “devaluation” of running backs simply means that there isn’t as big of a gap between top-tier backs and replacement-level backs. Saquon Barkley is the example that both sides of this debate use as their example. The Giants drafted Barkley second overall, and many widely criticized the Giants for taking a running back when their team already had so many positions of need. Barkley was a great running back for the Giants, but the team was never good enough to win more than one playoff game in his entire tenure. However, once he got to Philadelphia, his game was elevated to the next level, and he helped the Eagles win a Super Bowl in his first season there.
The pro-running back side of the argument would say that Barkley being the best player on the Eagles and leading them to a Super Bowl proves how valuable a running back can be. However, the other side of the argument is that despite how good Barkley is, he could never take the Giants very far on his own when the rest of his team wasn’t good enough. There is merit to both sides of the argument. The Titans have the No. 1 overall pick this year after winning only three games last season. If they drafted this year’s top running back, Ashton Jeanty, it’s hard to imagine them becoming a playoff team with Will Levis still at quarterback. However, if the Titans take Cam Ward No. 1 overall, and he hits his maximum potential, they could do an instant turnaround like the Commanders did with Jayden Daniels last season.
Running back is a luxury position in the NFL. Teams like the Eagles with a good quarterback, defense and offensive line can add an elite running back like Barkley to take them over the hump and become champions. A running back can only be so effective without a good offensive line and passing game around him. However, just like Barkley was in 2018, Jeanty is considered a generational prospect. Jeanty is coming off the second-best rushing season in college football history, behind only the great Barry Sanders. He finished second in Heisman voting, and many consider him to be among the top three most talented prospects in this draft class. The only question is how high he will go in the draft. Some believe that he could go as high as the Raiders at No. 6. After adding Geno Smith in the offseason and nailing their pick of Brock Bowers last season, Jeanty could make them an explosive offense.
Even if Jeanty doesn’t go that early, he will be a first-round pick. Many also expect that former North Carolina Tar Heel Omarion Hampton will be a first-round pick. Hampton was an amazing back at North Carolina and has the potential to be a great modern running back. He can be a great pass-catcher and has a great combination of size and speed. Teams like the Broncos, Chargers and Cowboys that are trying to take their team to the next level could be aggressive to go after Hampton. After Hampton, the two most sought-after running backs are the duo from Ohio State: TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. It would require someone taking a chance on one of the Ohio State running backs to push this prop over 2.5 running backs taken.
Based on the -330 juice to the under 2.5 on this prop, oddsmakers think there is a high chance that less than 2.5 running backs will go in the first round. While Jeanty is almost guaranteed to be a first-round pick, he could play a pivotal role in whether this prop goes over or under. If Jeanty does go to the Raiders with the sixth pick, that would allow a team like the Cowboys or Broncos to take Hampton by the 20th pick. That would give at least 12 teams a chance to draft one of the Ohio State running backs before the end of the first round. While it’s possible for this scenario to play out, it’s unlikely that a team would use a first-round pick on any running back besides Jeanty or Hampton. The most likely scenario is that two running backs go in the first round. With the lack of juice on the under, it’s not worth a bet with the possible scenario laid out above.
