The 2025 NFL season has introduced a very impressive crop of rookie running backs to the professional stage and they’re all making their presence felt. Among them, three players have particularly stood out: Skattebo, Hampton, and Croskey-Merritt. All three have shown different areas of strength and struggle as they’re finding their way through their first ever seasons in the league. This piece takes a closer look at their performances, statistics, and critical moments from the season so far.
Skattebo’s Struggles and Highlights
Though she’s had a rough go of it this season, Skattebo has 63 rush attempts. Yet only five of those attempts have turned into ten-plus yard gains. This number prompts concerns about his ability to find running lanes and break past the defensive front.
In spite of these challenges, Skattebo had a – pardon the pun – electric turning point when the Nighthawks faced-off against the Chargers, couple weeks ago. On a key second-and-goal from the one-yard line, he took the ball with a full head of steam. But he had a steep hill to climb. To do so, he had to face off against Derwin James Jr., his stiffest competition. James was a rare breed of defensive titan. The play brought attention to Skattebo’s resolve, but it shone a light on the expectations that rookie players are under in tense moments of high stakes.
Skattebo’s defeat dogged progress last week. On the biggest stage, he fumbled in the red zone in the Saints game, compounding his errors. This unfortunate situation underscores the complex and difficult situations rookies often must navigate. More practically speaking, they’re learning to deal with the speed and the heat of the professional football maelstrom.
Hampton’s Impressive Performance
In sharp juxtaposition to Skattebo’s struggles, Hampton has been one of the best performers in the FCS this year. His 283 yards on the ground, with an average of 6.6 yards per carry, is nothing to sneeze at. Additionally, he has made it across the end zone four times alluding to his quick scoring ability.
Hampton’s advanced analytics underscore his stranglehold on the competition. He has a stellar EPA (Expected Points Added) of 0.18 per rush. That number ranks him first among 34 qualifying RBs. Even without going yards, his success rate is spectacular, hitting an impressive 60.5%. This accomplishment definitely adds to his growing legacy as one of the best rookies in league history.
In a recent game against the Bengals, Hampton made a significant impact with a 24-yard catch and an 8-yard touchdown in space. His all-around game makes him a serious weapon as both a rusher and a receiver. This two-pronged ability combined makes him an irreplaceable piece and the engine to his team’s offensive juggernaut. During another play, he demonstrated his power by dragging defender Holland for an additional three yards before Darius Muasau finished the tackle, showcasing his strength and determination.
Croskey-Merritt’s Role and Challenges
Croskey-Merritt has seen substantial playing time this season, participating in approximately 41% of offensive snaps during first and second downs. His contributions on third down have been non-existent. He’s been involved in just three of Washington’s 52 plays during those defining times. This gap could simply be indicative of strategic decisions from coaching staffs on which players to use in different situations based on player availability and situational needs.
Then there was the reality of all that Croskey-Merritt tried to do in a single season. He fumbled on a 22-yard reception down the sidelines against the Broncos. This error prevented him from fully demonstrating his momentum and increased fears regarding his ball security—a major red flag for any league RB.
In Week 4, Woody Marks stole the show, totaling 335 yards against the Titans on 54 touches. He accumulated 119 yards from scrimmage, looking fantastic doing it. This performance does nothing but confirm how steep the competition is within the rookie running back landscape this season.
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