2027 NFL Draft Preseason Rankings - RBs

The top potential 2027 RBs do not appear to offer any prospects in the class of Jeremiyah Love (Cardinals) but the class offers another half dozen or so backs who could earn Top 100 draft grades next spring.

1. Kewan Lacy / Ole Miss

2025 Statistics

306 carries / 1,567 yds / 5.1 avg / 24 TD / 0 Fumbles / 0 Fumbles Lost

29 rec / 177 yds / 6.1 avg / 0 TD 

Lacy transferred into Oxford after one season at Missouri and instantly upgraded Ole Miss' offense and made it much more balanced, productive, and dangerous than the 2024 Rebel offense. And that improvement helped Ole Miss earn their first ever playoff berth and a trip to the 2025 playoff semifinals. Lacy's 24 TDs were the second-most in FBS last season and his 1,567 yards rushing were third-most in FBS. Lacy is a complete RB who flashes as a receiver and is a quality pass protector. As a runner, Lacy displays the vision, agility, burst, and contact balance to carry the load as an inside runner with the home run speed to threaten the defense on outside runs.

Area for Improvement - Lacy carried the ball an absurd 306 times last year and his long-term health and availability needs to be monitored.

2. Jadan Baugh / Florida

2025 Statistics

220 carries / 1,170 yds / 5.3 avg / 8 TD / 0 Fumbles / 0 Fumbles Lost

33 rec / 210 yds / 6.4 avg / 2 TD

Possessing ideal size and physical stature for running inside, Baugh is a powerful runner with excellent contact balance and seems to relish the physical aspect of playing RB. Although not incredibly elusive, he displays excellent one-cut ability and an impressive burst to get to, and through, the hole. Baugh is a quality outlet receiver who understands how to get open and is a dangerous runner after the catch.

Area for Improvement - Baugh's long speed and home run ability will remain a question mark until he records his time at the NFL Scouting Combine next winter.

3. LJ Martin / BYU

2025 Statistics

236 carries / 1,305 yds / 5.5 avg / 12 TD / 0 Fumbles / 0 Fumbles Lost

36 rec / 255 yds / 7.1 avg / 0 TD

Martin flirted with entering the 2026 NFL Draft, where he earned a Top 100 grade from SNS, but decided to return to Provo to pursue a Big 12 title and playoff spot this fall. Martin possesses great size (6'2" / 225 lbs), runs with outstanding power and vision, and has a deceptive burst to clear the LOS. Martin is well-rounded and projects as a starting RB in the NFL.

Area for Improvement - Martin sustained a left shoulder injury against Iowa State in October last season and played through the injury for the rest of the regular season before undergoing surgery after the season. Martin missed spring practice but has returned to full activities in summer camp but his health will need to be monitored going forward.

4. Isaac Brown / Louisville

2025 Statistics

101 carries / 884 yds / 8.8 avg / 7 TD / 0 Fumbles / 0 Fumbles Lost

13 rec / 46 yds / 3.7 avg / 0 TD

Perhaps the most explosive RB prospect in the nation, Brown lacks ideal size (5'9" / 190 lbs) but has a dynamic burst and fantastic long speed to add a game breaking element to any offense. Brown is elusive, quick, and flashes as a receiver out of the backfield, although he lacks experience as a route runner.

Area for Improvement - Like many smaller RBs, Brown seems to be constantly dinged up, including missing the final five games of last season with a lower right leg injury. Unfortunately, those injury woes have followed him into summer camp as he has been slowed during August practices, but he is expected to be available for the start of the season.

5. Mark Fletcher / Miami, Fl

2025 Statistics

216 carries / 1,192 yds / 5.5 avg / 12 TD / 0 Fumbles / 0 Fumbles Lost

17 rec / 140 yds / 8.2 avg / 2 TD

Surprisingly, Fletcher decided to return to Coral Gables for his senior season after a dominating playoff performance where he rushed for 517 yards over the four game playoff run for the Hurricanes last winter. Fletcher is a big (6'2" / 225 lbs), powerful runner who runs with superb contact balance, surprising agility and elusiveness, and sneaky speed. An understated aspect of Fletcher's game that impresses scouts is his elite ball security - he has zero recorded fumbles in 433 career carries.

Areas for Improvement - Fletcher is a quality pass protector but needs development in his route running and receiving ability with half of his 34 career receptions being recorded last season for the Hurricanes. 

6. Ahmad Hardy / Missouri

2025 Statistics

256 carries / 1,649 yds / 6.4 avg / 16 TD / 0 Fumbles / 0 Fumbles Lost

6 rec / 22 yds / 3.7 avg / 0 TD

Hardy is the most productive RB in the nation over the last two seasons at Missouri and as a freshmen at ULM, rushing for a combined 3,000 yards rushing on 493 combined carries (6.1 average), and if there were no extenuating circumstances, Hardy would be a candidate to be the top RB in this draft class. But extenuating circumstances. unfortunately, do apply. On May 10th, Hardy was attending a concert when he was shot in the upper leg, requiring surgery. Hardy has returned to practicing and appears to be set to play this fall in Columbia but any long-term issues are TBD for the talented junior RB.

Areas for Improvement - Besides his health, Hardy needs development in route running and in pass protection to become a more complete RB to stay on the field for all three downs in the NFL.

7. Cameron Dickey / Texas Tech

2025 Statistics

209 carries / 1,124 yds / 5.4 avg / 14 TD / 0 Fumbles / 0 Fumbles Lost

25 rec / 224 yds / 9.0 avg / 2 TD

Dickey established himself as one of the most complete RBs in the nation as a sophomore, providing a reliable chain-mover who flashes big play potential as both a runner and a receiver. Dickey possesses desired size (5'10" / 215 lbs), runs with an outstanding forward lean, good contact balance, and runs with an aggressive, take-no-prisoners approach that coaches love.

Area for Improvement - Dickey's physical running style and toughness could make him prone to injuries. There are some concerns about Dickey's long speed and breakaway ability.

8. Justice Haynes / Georgia Tech

2025 Statistics

121 carries / 857 yds / 7.1 avg / 10 TD / 0 Fumbles / 0 Fumbles Lost

13 rec / 50 yds / 3.8 avg / 0 TD

Haynes had his most productive season of his career last year at Michigan, after finding limited playing time the previous two seasons at Alabama, and displayed rare explosiveness and top-end speed during his time in Ann Arbor. What was somewhat surprising is how well Haynes ran inside - a needed attribute to be more than a role player in the NFL. If Haynes can stay healthy this season in Atlanta, he could earn a Top 100 grade next spring.

Area for Improvement - Haynes has never been the "man" - either at Alabama, where he shared the ball with Jam Miller (Patriots), or at Michigan, where he split time with Jordan Marshall (see below). Haynes also has a history of nagging injuries, including missing the final five games last season in Ann Arbor.

9. Jordan Marshall / Michigan

2025 Statistics

150 carries / 932 yds / 6.2 avg / 10 TD

9 rec / 92 yds / 10.2 avg / 0 TD

A powerful, well-balanced RB, Marshall is an efficient and physical runner who has proven to have the toughness and durability desired in a starting RB. Marshall flashes with his agility and speed and flourished as the lead back after Haynes' injury last season. Marshall is an ascending prospect who could lose opportunities due to the talented incoming freshman Savion Hiter.

Areas for Improvement - Michigan's passing game was pedesterian last season and rarely incorporated RBs in running routes. Marshall flashes as a pass protector but needs to refine his technique this season in Ann Arbor.

10. Cam Cook / West Virginia

2025 Statistics

295 carries / 1,659 yds / 5.6 avg / 16 TD / 0 Fumbles / 0 Fumbles Lost

30 rec / 286 yds / 9.5 avg / 0 TD

Cook, the nation's leading rusher last season at Jacksonville State, transfers to Big 12 also-ran West Virginia where he will be a perfect scheme fit in the Mountaineers' offense. Cook's instincts, vision, agility, and burst are NFL caliber.

Areas for Improvement - The step up in competition is the only serious question mark about Cook, although he needs development in pass protection before he enters the draft.

Watch List - Raleek Brown / Texas, Hollywood Smothers / Texas, Waymond Jordan / USC, Cam Edwards / Michigan State, Quintrevion Wisner / Florida State, CJ Baxter / Kentucky, Jamal Roberts / Missouri, Dylan Edwards / Kansas, Joe Jackson / Kansas State, Bryson Washington / Auburn, Jeremiah Cobb / Auburn, and Carson Hansen / Penn State.