Devin Neal 2025 NFL Draft: Kansas RB Scouting Report

In this talented 2025 NFL Draft class, one running back to watch is Devin Neal. He’s an RB from Kansas with excellent vision and patience. Today, we’ll break down his NFL outlook with this in-depth scouting report. Additionally, we will be breaking down his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.

Devin Neal 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Neal, a Lawrence, Kansas native, stayed home to play for the Jayhawks, evolving from a local high school standout into the program’s all-time leading rusher. A four-year contributor, Neal’s career arc mirrors Kansas’ resurgence under head coach Lance Leipold. After a promising freshman season in 2021, he became a cornerstone of the offense, posting three consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons from 2022 to 2024.

In the end, Neal’s decision to return for his senior year in 2024 allowed him to cement his legacy. Impressively, he broke school records for career rushing yards (4,343), rushing touchdowns (49), and 100-yard games. A multi-sport athlete in high school (football and baseball), Neal brings a well-rounded athletic profile to the table.

Overall, Neal profiles as a rotational running back with the potential to grow into a primary role in the right system. Notably, his vision, agility, and reliability make him a fit for zone-based offenses that value decisiveness and consistency over raw explosiveness. Teams like the Green Bay Packers or the Cleveland Browns, with established zone schemes, could maximize his skill set. While he may not dazzle with highlight-reel runs, his floor as a dependable contributor is high. Expect Neal to compete for RB2 duties as a rookie with the upside to become a low-end RB1 in a committee.

HT: 5111
WT: 213
HAND: 978
ARM: 3268
40: 4.58

Strengths

• Vision and Patience: Neal’s ability to read defenses and let plays develop is exceptional for a college back. He presses the line of scrimmage with discipline, allowing blockers to set up before exploding through creases. His cutback instincts are sharp, often turning would-be losses into positive gains.
• Short-Area Agility: Despite a sturdy frame, Neal moves with the fluidity of a smaller back. His quick feet and lateral jukes make him elusive in tight spaces, forcing an impressive number of missed tackles (over 120 in his final two seasons).
• Durability: With over 760 career carries, Neal has proven he can handle a heavy workload without significant injury setbacks. His conditioning and resilience suggest he can manage NFL-level usage.
• Ball Security: Neal’s ball-carrying technique is textbook—high and tight with minimal exposure. He fumbled just four times across 760 carries, a testament to his reliability.
• Versatility: While not a prolific receiver, Neal has shown growth as a pass-catcher, improving his yards-per-catch average from 8.7 in 2023 to 10.6 in 2024. He’s comfortable on check-downs and swings, adding a complementary dimension to his game.

Areas for Improvement

• Top-End Speed: Neal lacks the elite breakaway gear to turn chunk plays into home runs consistently. His long speed is adequate but not exceptional, limiting his ceiling as a big-play threat.
• Physicality at Contact: While he runs with good pad level and balance, Neal isn’t a pile-mover. He relies more on elusiveness than power, which could cap his effectiveness in short-yardage situations against NFL defenders.
• Pass Protection: Neal’s effort in pass blocking is commendable, but his technique and recognition need refinement. He struggles to anchor against bigger rushers and occasionally misses delayed blitzes, a critical skill for third-down roles.
• High Mileage: With 760 carries entering the draft, Neal’s tread on the tires is a concern. Teams must assess how much wear impacts his longevity at the next level.
• Limited Receiving Upside: Neal’s route tree is basic, and his hands, while reliable, don’t project as a weapon. His receiving production feels more scheme-driven than skill-driven.

Conclusion

Neal is a polished, high-IQ runner with a safe, translatable skill set to the NFL. His college production and durability speak to a player ready to contribute early, though his lack of elite traits may keep him out of the first two rounds in a loaded 2025 running back class. For a team seeking a reliable piece to round out its backfield, Neal offers immediate value with room to grow into a more prominent role.

Like Devin Singletary, Neal combines a compact frame with sharp vision and agility, excelling as a complementary back who can shoulder a larger load when needed. Neither overwhelms with speed or power. However, both players win with instincts and efficiency. Look for Neal to be a nice late-round value in the highly anticipated 2025 NFL Draft.

Round Grade: 4th Round

Stats: Per Sports Reference

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