FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Kansas running back Devin Neal. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Devin Neal
Devin Neal (RB – Kansas)
5-foot-11 | 215 Pounds
Background
Devin Neal took over the starting role by Week 4 of his freshman season, leading the team in rushing with a 158-707-8 (4.5) line. Maintained that lead-back role the next year, finishing with 180-1,090-9 (6.1) and adding 21-183-1 receiving. Followed that up with an even more productive junior year with a rushing line of 203-1,280-16 (6.3) and a receiving line of 215-217-1. Had a similar senior season of 218-1,262-16 (5.8) and 24-254-1 receiving.
Positives
Has been a major contributor in each of his four seasons in school, with escalating output over the first three seasons. The team focused on getting him the ball via different looks. Knows how to change speeds and play with patience. Nice jump cuts and lateral quickness. Able to weave through congestion effectively. Has impressive elusiveness to make defenders miss in the hole; very nice dead-leg move.
Neal is a very effective one-cut runner who can win the edge and make sharp cuts upfield. Accelerates quickly and shows the speed to rip off long chunks. Hard to bring down once he gets out into the open field. Gets low at the end of his runs to administer some punishment. Shows some leg drive to fight for extra yardage and runs with competitiveness. Ball security is excellent, with just four fumbles on 759 career carries. Has some experience as a wildcat quarterback as well. Offers a pretty reliable pair of hands as a receiver. Pro Football Focus (PFF) credits him with five drops against 79 career catches. Has kick return traits.
Negatives
Neal’s build may be considered slightly thinner than ideal for a workhorse, although it looks like he added a little bit of bulk for his senior season. Doesn’t quite have the most knee-bend in the class, exposing his lower body to some punishment. Probably not going to be the ideal between-the-tackles pile-mover at the next level; much more likely to make a man miss than to run through defenders and push the pile.
Hasn’t been the most effective pass protector at the college level, and may not have the functional strength to excel at it in the pros. Was purely a safety valve as a receiver, with a career average depth of target (aDOT) under one yard.
Summary
A fast, agile back with good burst and excellent open-field running skills, Neal functioned as a workhorse for the Jayhawks but might be more of a change-of-pace back at the next level, as he may struggle to grind out tough yardage between the tackles as a pro.
Neal’s snaps were relatively balanced throughout his career (more gap until this past season, then a little bit more zone), but might be better suited to a zone-blocking scheme where he’s able to stretch defenses out and cut upfield when he sees daylight. Probably more of a mid-round option.
Projection: Round 5
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Jeanty proved he’s the total package this past season, with an unbelievable combination of vision, patience, creativity, agility, power, balance and speed that nearly allowed him to break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record.
Can fit in any offensive scheme, but might be best in a scheme that runs a relatively high amount of outside zone to maximize his home-run hitting ability. After a year in which he dazzled viewers with a nonstop succession of dominant highlights, Jeanty should be a lock for the first round, potentially going in the top half of the frame. Projects as a long-term, every-down feature back who should make an immediate impact.
Projection: Round 1
Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Ashton Jeanty
Skattebo was one of the most productive and exciting players in college football this past season. He combined a natural feel for the position, smooth running skills, a tough and physical temperament and exceptional contact balance, culminating in well over 2,000 total yards on the season.
There’s not a whole lot to critique about his game, besides his lack of ideal explosiveness and long speed. Otherwise, Skattebo has the look of a potential every-down back in the league or at least the power back in a one-two punch. Could get some second-day looks.
Projection: Round 3/Round 4
Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Cam Skattebo
More 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports for Running Backs
- Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
- DJ Giddens (Kansas State)
- Jordan James (Oregon)
- Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech)
- Brashard Smith (SMU)
- Damien Martinez (Miami)
- Jarquez Hunter (Auburn)
- Kalel Mullings (Michigan)
- LeQuint Allen Jr. (Syracuse)
- Raheim Sanders (South Carolina)
- Phil Mafah (Clemson)
- Tahj Brooks (Texas Tech)
- Trevor Etienne (Georgia)
- TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
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