FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Kansas State running back DJ Giddens. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: DJ Giddens
DJ Giddens (RB – Kansas State)
6-foot-1 | 212 Pounds
Background
DJ Giddens is a Kansas native who backed up Deuce Vaughn in 2022, finishing the year with 89-518-6 (5.8) before taking over the starting job the following year. Totaled 223-1,226-10 (5.5) with 29-323-3 (11.1) receiving in 2023. Put together a 205-1,343-7 (6.6) line with 21-258-1 receiving this past season.
Positives
Big, productive two-year starter who’s shown he can carry the load offensively. A pretty patient runner with clean footwork in the backfield. Lateral quickness is good for his size, allowing him to slot into open rushing lanes. A creative runner who shows the ability to make something happen when the blocking isn’t there. Smooth accelerator and athlete with clean footwork and some build-up speed.
Giddens shows good shiftiness to make defenders miss in space, mixing in jukes, jump cuts and spins. Dangerous when he gets into space, where his vision, creativity and build-up speed are on full display. Consistently runs through arm tackles once he gets going. Flexibility gives him a good contact balance. Shows good competitiveness in finishing his runs, getting behind his pads and fighting for more yards.
Ball security has been very good, with just three fumbles on 518 career carries. A relatively big target in the passing game, with his size and flexibility allowing him to adjust to off-target throws. Throwing him the ball on swing routes does a nice job of highlighting his strengths as a player. The team also moved him around on occasion to get him looks out of the slot. Size could allow him to develop into an effective pass protector in blitz pickup.
Negatives
Doesn’t have the most explosiveness to his game, being more of a smooth athlete. Vision and decision-making have been closer to adequate, missing some chances to manipulate defenders and set up blocks. As a taller running back, pad level tends to be a little bit on the high side, which can expose his body to punishment. Struggles to break through tackles before he gets a head of steam going.
Giddens is not quite as effective at pushing the pile as his size would suggest. Hasn’t been the most reliable receiver, with five drops this past season against 20 catches and seven drops overall against 58 career receptions. Took just over 100 snaps in blitz pickup over the past two seasons, and hasn’t been very effective there, allowing three sacks this past year, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Summary
A big, smooth runner with very good flexibility, suddenness and agility, Giddens is at his best when he can get into open space and show off his open-field vision and ability to make defenders miss one-on-one. Despite being a bigger back, he’s not the most punishing or physical runner between the tackles, as he runs with a slightly high pad level and needs to build up speed before he’s able to run through arm tackles.
Body control and flexibility could make Giddens an effective receiver with more consistent hands. He has the size to potentially develop into an effective pass protector with time. Looks like a nice mid-round option for teams that can get him opportunities to play in space.
Projection: Round 4/Round 5
Check out all of our 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports 
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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
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
Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Devin Neal
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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