Woody Marks gets small through a hole | Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Six running back prospects that could serve as receiving weapons
In a very deep 2025 running back class, the
Los Angeles Rams would be well-served to dip into that well. And they don’t have to burn their high-end capital to do it. All six of these profiled running backs will likely be available after Round 5 and with the depth of the class, a couple could easily wind up as undrafted free agents (UDFA). All would certainly offer L.A. a real change of pace from the backs currently on the roster.
Three weeks ago,
the notion of “big backs” was considered to push the Rams change-of-pace running back boundaries. Now, a return to a more traditional look. This grouping features dual-threat prospects, they can add value as receivers as well as toting the ball. Some are sleepers and others are fairly well-known, their sizes and play styles may vary, but each have shown plus abilities at catching the football and more importantly, make big plays.
Meet the prospects
Jo’Quavious “Woody” Marks - USC - 5’ 10” 207 lb. 1.57/4.54
Spent four seasons at Mississippi State, three in Mike Leach’s pass-heavy Air Raid offense. Catching 191 passes under Leach is where Marks honed his receiving chops. The 24 year-old came west to USC as a graduate transfer in 2024 and posted his best all-round production, 1133 yards rushing and 47 receptions.
Although not the biggest, Marks is a strong inside runner and while his speed is just average, he can make plays outside. He’s not a bruiser, just a smart, natural runner with the vision/patience to follow his blockers and the gift to anticipate the flow of traffic ahead of him. Although not a burner, the way he tempo’s his speed makes him play faster than he times and an ability to stack quick cuts at these varying speeds keeps tacklers from getting wrap-up shots. Keeps his legs driving to run through arm tackles. Very good ball security. His raw numbers are proof that different style coaches like him as a receiver. Reliable hands used away from his body, can align up and down the formation, and turn up-field with no wasted motion. Marks has the savvy and enough juice to be a mismatch running routes against linebackers.
While Marks might not be a RB#1 in his traits, his sum is more than his individual parts. He’s a well-rounded prospect and SEC-tough. Has the perspective of having learned and played in three different college offensive schemes. He has four years of good film vs. good competition. I grade him early Round 5.
RJ Harvey - Central Florida - 5’ 9” 195 lb. 1.57/4.40
Three-star high school quarterback recruit who originally signed with Virginia over UCF because they would let him play QB. Changed course after a redshirt year and came home to Central Florida. The 24 year-old played five more seasons. Missed all of 2021 with a torn ACL. Was part of an RB rotation all throughout and still rang up 3782 yards rushing, 720 receiving, and 25 touchdowns.
On the small side, yet Harvey’s vision, sharp cuts and burst make him a threat between the tackles. He’s patient when pressing, almost to a fault and his contact balance is also strong, he seems to pinball off would-be tacklers. Cuts sharply in speed/space and makes good use of jump cuts when picking out a hole. Good receiver that was used mostly in the flats, check downs and wheel routes. Ball security has been a issue (six fumbles in three years), but you can see on film that a few of those were rips on his second and third effort. Also needs to improve pass blocking.
With only a few seasons at running back, there is room for growth in the physical aspects of the position, but his open-field running ability is clearly there against good college competition. I rate him as a mid-5th draft grade. Some of the things he got away with in college won’t go over in the pro’s, but he has a nice ceiling as a dynamic change of pace back. Some return work in his college past, as well.
In a loaded RB class, what separates RJ Harvey from many others is what he shows here: patience to set it up, vision to sense it, and then electric lateral cut-to-upfield burst. Harvey’s gonna pay big dividends to the team that bets on him in RD3.
#nfl #nfdraft #2025nfldraft pic.twitter.com/bQqID5a8PW
— Todd McShay (@McShay13)
February 13, 2025
Marcus Yarns - Delaware - 5’ 11” 193 lb. 1.55/4.55
23 year-old got off to a slow start, breaking his leg in 2020. After breaking through, he wasn’t used as a a workhorse, there’s plenty of tread on the tires. He chalked up 2344 rushing yards on 365 carries, had 64 grabs for 812 yards, and scored 34 times. He was twice a third team All-American and was touted as a standout prospect at the
Senior Bowl.
Slender build akin to a slot receiver and catching the ball will be how he sticks in the NFL. Long arms, soft hands, and catches with his hands. Ran simpler routes in school, but took to Senior Bowl coaching, grasping and excelling a bigger route tree. In space, he shows the twitch, wiggle, and long speed to turn short throws into big gains. Much work to be done between the tackles. While he forced 32 missed tackles as a senior and had 4.26 yards after contact, at 190 lb., will he have the strength to consistently break NFL tackles Will have to prove he can press the line, move laterally, and pick out a hole.
Like all small-school prospects, the question about Yarns is translating his game up to the pro level. I like him as a late round (7th) or UDFA risk/reward candidate. He certainly brings big play potential and was a hit at the Senior Bowl with his route running and pass blocking.
RB value goes in if they can create mismatches in passing game, which
@Delaware_FB RB Marcus Yarns (motioning into tight left slot) shows he can do here.
Speed is easy to see and it's hard to find backs that can track & finish on 50-yard go balls!
Devy…
pic.twitter.com/XEH6f5ORVA
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB)
July 28, 2024
Jaydon Blue - Texas- 5’ 9” 196 lb. 1.52/4.38
The 21 year-old comes out as true junior. Played 38 games over three seasons and never became “the man” in a deeply talented position. His modest stats, 1161 yards rushing, 503 receiving and 18 touchdowns belie his playmaker ability. To go along with his stellar 40 time at the NFL Scouting Combine, he’s been clocked at 22.39 mph at Texas and a 10.70 100 meter sprint in high school.
Smallish compact build. Although not the play style to break a lot of tackles, Blue is very willing/able between the tackles and in short yardage. Best when running downhill, he does need some work on footwork and pressing the line, but shows good vision and decisive, quick cuts. In space, his moves and speed make him a big play threat. As a receiver, used both out of the backfield and aligned outside. Hand catches away from his body and transition from catch to run in a blur. As a blocker, he’s game and squares up, but is more road bump than block.
Blue offers the potential of great value in the later rounds, not so much as a lead back, but rather as an explosive change of pace. He creates a huge mismatch when covered by linebackers. Plenty of tread on these racing tires, but there’s also ball security questions with six fumbles over his career. Has some kick return in his past. Another Round 6 grade.
LeQuint Allen - Syracuse- 6’ 201 lb.
Only 20 years-old, Allen comes out as a true junior. Versatile and productive career, he improved year-by-year, totaling 2359 yards rushing, 848 receiving, and 32 scores. Was invited to both the East-West Shrine and Senior Bowls.
Has a long, lean build that looks like that of a wide receiver. Natural hands catcher, big mitts and long arms help him snatch off-line throws. Aligned all over the formations and was able to handle fairly sophisticated route work. Although Allen runs a little high, he’s a smooth mover with ball security, looks best in zone when it’s one cut and go, but saw plenty of gap work. Not a runner to stack sharp cuts, more of a weaver in space, but does show good jump cuts when pressing the line and acceleration off them. Not a real powerful runner, but does have a nose for the end zone when in close.
Allen’s ability as a receiver is his ticket in the NFL. Since he’s not real fast (did not run at the Combine), upgrading his power with a pro strength/conditioning program would be the next priority. I have him on the cusp of draftable, but he’s very young, has traits, and is a tough competitor. He had a strong week of workouts at the Senior Bowl and was said to be a riser on draftboards. He also brings special teams experience on coverage units and returned a few punts and kickoffs.
Donovan Edwards - Michigan - 5’ 11” 205 lb. 1.51/4.44
With only 14 starts over four seasons, you could call Edwards the premier backup for a wildly successful program, team went 47-8 over his tenure. The 22 year-old was a top recruit out of high school. He did see action in 50 games, working in rotation with Hassan Haskins (’21), Blake Corum (’22, ’23), and Kalel Mullings (’24). Charted 2251 rushing yards on 422 carries, 86 catches for 797 yards, and 23 total touchdowns. Named to the Senior Bowl.
Well put together frame that could fit more muscle. Edwards is a one-cut runner for the most part that gets north-south in a hurry, but also shows good change of direction and lateral movement when pressing the line. Although not a pure power back, he seems to always fall forward. Turned heads at the Senior Bowl with his route running skill. Good hands away from his body receiver, crisp in and out of breaks, and sharp cuts to create separation. As you would expect from a Michigan player, an accomplished pass blocker.
Michigan had lots of problems in a re-build season and Edwards’ 2024 film didn’t look as explosive as he did in older work. He’s overcome trial’s and travails, fighting through knee surgery, an Achilles problem, and
mental health issues. Although he never broke through in college, he’s got pro traits, a nice combo package of versatility, burst, power, catching and blocking ability, Looked very explosive at the Senior Bowl. I rate him Round 6 player.
Who fits the Rams?
As runners, they all have been in pro-style offense/blocking schemes. Not as much spread/read option with these candidates. Yarns, Allen, and Blue appear to better suited to the wide zone where they can see a lane, put their foot down and go, but that style can also translate to the Rams duo and mid zone. Marks, Harvey, and Edwards appear to have more patience, vision and lateral agility to press the offense line, pick out the hole, and burst through it behind their pads. As receivers, it’s six of one, half dozen of the other, they all own outstanding traits and potential as playmakers. Blue, Harvey, and Yarns appear the best open-field runners, while Marks, Allen, and Edwards offer toughness and power.
Sean McVay has said that he wants the 2025 offense to be more “versatile”, and I hope that translates to being more dynamic with an eye towards chunk plays, if so, these candidates deserve a look.
Please check out the rest of my TST draft content. Thanks.
Real offensive tackles
Big interior defensive linemen
Small wide receivers
Big running backs
NFL Combine snubs
