Rookie running back class drops to historic 246-yard low in Week 6

The 2025 class of NFL running backs combined for just 246 rushing yards in Week 6 of the 2026 season, a collective total that stands as the lowest weekly output for any rookie group in the modern era. This figure marks a sharp decline from the previous year, when the same cohort posted a then-record 737 yards during Week 4 of the 2025 campaign.

The drop in production has been driven by a wave of injuries and lineup changes. Corey Kiner, an undrafted free agent who served as a third-string backup for the New England Patriots, led the class in rushing yards during the Week 6 matchup. Since that initial surge, the group has surpassed the 600-yard mark in a single week on only one other occasion.

Ashton Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders, exemplifies the class’s current struggles. The Boise State standout has converted 372 carries into 1,303 yards over his first year and a half in the league, averaging 3.5 yards per attempt. He ranks last among backs with at least 150 carries in first downs over expectation, a metric that stands at minus-16.

Jeanty’s performance has failed to improve under new Raiders offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who installed a zone-blocking scheme designed to enhance running back efficiency. Despite the schematic shift, Jeanty remains below league averages in success rate, which stands at 32.8%. He has recorded only five runs of 10 yards or more on 105 attempts, a rate of 4.8% compared to the league average of 10.3% for comparable backs.

Omarion Hampton, selected in the first round by the Los Angeles Chargers, has also faced hurdles. After missing two months in the previous season due to an ankle injury, Hampton returned to a rotational role alongside Kimani Vidal and Keaton Mitchell. In the 2026 season, he has averaged 3.6 yards per carry and has lost two fumbles, while maintaining a success rate of 37.5%, which trails the league average of 39.4%.

The physical challenges for the group are significant. Only three players from the 2025 draft class at running back have remained active for every game played by their teams: Jeanty, Ollie Gordon II, and LeQuint Allen Jr. Gordon and Allen have spent the majority of that time as backups. Jeanty has played through multiple ailments, including an ankle issue that persisted from the preseason into the regular season.

The Raiders drafted Jeanty ahead of several other offensive threats, including wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and tight end Colston Loveland. The selection has raised questions about the team’s value assessment, particularly as Jeanty continues to struggle with short-yardage conversions, where he has succeeded on 45% of attempts. The league average for running backs in those situations is approximately 66%.

The class includes other notable names such as TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins, and Bhayshul Tuten. While some players have found roles as effective receivers or situational runners, the overall production remains below the high expectations set during the 2025 draft cycle. The group’s trajectory will be a key factor in evaluating the depth of the modern NFL running back position.