Six mid to late round RBs that stood out at NFL Combine

2025 NFL Scouting Combine — Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images

If the Saints don’t go RB early, here are some gems they could find on day two or three.

The New Orleans Saints need to find some help at running back this offseason. Whether that’s through the NFL Draft or free agency, I don’t know, but getting another contributor in the room is going to be important.

If you have done any research into this year’s NFL Draft, you would know that this running back class is absolutely stacked with talent. Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton headline the class, but there is real talent to be found in the mid to late rounds.

Today, we’re going to look at some mid to late round combine standouts that the Saints could target in this year’s NFL Draft.

Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech

One of the biggest combine standouts at the running back position was former Virginia Tech standout, Bhayshul Tuten. The former Hokie ran a blazing 4.32 40-yard dash, which was the fastest among RBs and fifth fastest overall, with a 1.49 10-yard split, which was tied for the best of anyone at the combine. On top of that, Tuten recorded a 40.5-inch vertical (best among RBs, T-6th overall) and a 10’10” broad jump (T-2nd among RBs, T-10th overall). His 82-athleticism score ranks 8th among RBs.

In two years at VT, Tuten rushed for 2,022 yards and 25 touchdowns behind a 5.7 average while adding 320 yards and four scores through the air. There were concerns about his catching ability, but he had a great performance in receiving drills as well.

Tuten’s name has skyrocketed up draft boards, but with the amount of talent at RB this year, he should still be available later in the draft. He has real talent, and whoever selects him will be getting a burner at the RB position.

TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Another guy who had a solid day at the NFL Combine is former Ohio State RB, TreVeyon Henderson. The former Buckeye is expected to be one of the earlier RBs taken off the board but should still be available on day two.

Henderson is one of my favorite RB prospects in this year’s draft, and he showed why at the combine. He ran a 4.43 40-yard dash (T-6th among RBs) with a 1.52 10-yard split (T-5th). His 38.5-inch vertical and 10’8” broad jump also showed off just how explosive he can be. His 92-athleticism score ranked 1st among all RBs at the combine.

In four years in Columbus, Henderson totaled over 4,614 yards and 48 touchdowns. He is one of the most explosive RBs in the class and has the ability to be an Alvin Kamara-esque talent.

Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

Quinshon Judkins was Henderson’s counterpart at Ohio State and is expected to be drafted slightly later than his former teammate. The former Buckeye tested nearly identically to Henderson at the combine.

Judkins ran a 4.48 40-yard dash with a 1.51 10-yard split. A bit slower overall, but quicker out the gates then Henderson. He then matched Henderson’s 38.5-inch vertical and beat his 10’8” broad jump with an 11’0” leap. His 92-athleticism score tied Henderson for the highest among RBs.

Judkins has produced every single season he’s been on the football field. As a freshman in 2022, he ran for 1,567 yards and 16 touchdowns at Ole Miss. He then followed that up with a 1,158-yard, 15-touchdown season in 2023 before transferring to Ohio State where he ran for 1,060 yards and 14 scores en route to a national championship. He’s also posted over 130 receiving yards every season.

Judkins is currently ESPN’s 8th-ranked running back in this class, but I think he ends up being a top five RB drafted.

Jaydon Blue, Texas

Former Texas RB, Jaydon Blue, is a projected day three pick in the NFL Draft, but had himself a massive day at the NFL Combine. He only tested in the 40-yard dash but ran a 4.38 with a 1.52 10-yard split. Both of those rank in the top five among RBs. His 85-athleticism score ranks 5th among RBs.

After testing, Blue participated in some on-field drills where he excelled, especially as a pass catcher. His main selling point is that he can run and catch the football, and he put his talents on full display this past week.

Blue doesn’t have a ton of college production, which is why he’s viewed as a late-round pick, but he can be a home run hitter out of the backfield. He ran for 730 yards and eight scores behind a 5.4 average while catching 42 passes for 368 yards and six scores in 2024. He has arguably one of the highest upsides of any day three RB prospect.

Woody Marks, USC

Former USC RB, Woody Marks, didn’t test great at the combine, running a 4.54 40-yard dash with a 1.57 10-yard split and a 35-inch vertical, but he was one of the best performers during their on-field drills.

Marks is viewed as one of the best pass catchers in the class, but he really excelled in rushing drills, which should have answered some question marks teams may have had. In his lone season at USC, Marks rushed for 1,133 yards and nine scores while catching 47 balls for 321 yards.

He’s projected to be a day three pick at the moment and is someone the New Orleans Saints could target if they want another pass catcher out the backfield.

Trevor Etienne, Georgia

The final guy we’re going to highlight today is Trevor Etienne. The former Georgia RB had quite the day at the NFL Combine, which could have solidified himself as a day two pick.

Etienne ran a 4.42 40-yard dash with a 1.51 10-yard split. He also recorded a 35-inch vertical and hit 15 reps on the bench press, which helped earn him a 90-athleticism score, which is fourth among all RBs. Etienne displayed elite footwork and pass catching ability in on-field drills as well.

After two seasons at Florida, Etienne transferred to Georgia where he ran for 609 yards and nine touchdowns while catching 32 balls for 194 yards. He has some injury concerns which may cause him to slip a bit, but he looked really good at the combine.