2025 NFL Draft prospect profile – DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State

Yet another running back with playmaking potential

It really does seem as though everywhere you look, there’s another running back in the 2025 NFL Draft with the potential to be a playmaker at the next level.

DJ Giddens from Kansas State, for instance, isn’t high on many draft boards, and gets little discussion outside of scout circles. Yet he ran for over 1,300 yards and averaged over 6.5 per carry this year with an average of 6 yards per carry for his career.

The New York Giants might not feel a pressing need to draft a running back this year, but the absolute glut of talented backs in this class could make it inevitable. Could Giddens be the next Tyrone Tracy?

Prospect: DJ Giddens (31)
Games Watched: vs. Arizona (2024), vs. Oklahoma State (2024), vs. Colorado (2024), vs. Iowa State (2024)

Measurables

Kent Lee Platte | RAS.football

Strengths

Best traits

• Vision
• Athleticism
• Cutback ability
• Contact balance

DJ Giddens is a good-sized and highly elusive runner.

Giddens weighs in at 6-foot, 212, which is solid size for a modern running back. He combines that with good (4.43-second) long speed as well as impressive short-area quickness.

He bases his game on a combination of excellent vision and his athletic traits, making it very difficult for defenders to land more than glancing blows on him. He runs with excellent tempo behind the line of scrimmage and has a very smooth transmission. He’s mastered the art of “slow to, explode through” when approaching the line of scrimmage. Giddens changes speeds extremely smoothly and has excellent acceleration, allowing him to manipulate defenders with his path to the hole before forcing missed tackles.

Giddens does a very good job of identifying running lanes, as well as anticipating defenders at the second level and where lanes will open. His vision and anticipation allow him to make subtle alterations to his path and speed, often turning would-be tackles into glancing blows. From there, his contact balance allows him to survive the hits and regain his feet for yards after contact.

He’s also a very tough runner who often seeks out contact and looks to finish his runs by delivering a hit – though he does lack the mass to be a really punishing runner. That toughness extends to his blocking, and he’s willing to fight to “lose slow” as a pass protector as well as lead block for sweeps or designed quarterback runs.

Finally, he appears to have upside in the passing game. Kansas State usually used him as a check-down option and he was capable in that role – and there were instances of him getting downfield on wheel routes. Giddens has soft hands and solid ball skills, which should appeal to teams that use running backs as receiving weapons.

Weaknesses

Worst traits

• Play strength
• Short yardage running

Giddens is a tough and determined runner, however he doesn’t quite have the strength or style to consistently produce in short-yardage situations.

He has a slightly taller and leaner build than we see from runners who can make a living running behind their pads and between the tackles. Giddens is an upright runner who is relatively easily stopped when defenders get a square hit on him – easier said than done, but even a lone defensive back can bring him down.

Giddens has the ability to pick up yards after contact. However they largely come as a result of his contact balance or speed in the open field, as opposed to running over opponents at the line of scrimmage.

Giddens could also stand to be more aggressive when coming up to meet defenders in pass protection. He’s a willing blocker, but needs to consistently come up and deliver hits.

Game Tape

(Giddens is the Kansas State running back wearing number 31.)

Projection

DJ Giddens projects as an important running back in an active rotation at the NFL level.

He has experience running in a down-hill man-gap scheme, but would likely be best in a zone blocking scheme that allows him to use his vision and cutback ability to their fullest. Giddens’ limitations in short-yardage situations will likely limit his use in the Red Zone, though his receiving and pass protection should make him a viable option on third downs.

Teams will likely want to pair Giddens with a power back, but he has the potential to be a productive, and high volume, runner between the 20’s.

Does he fit the Giants?
Probably not, if they’re looking for a power back.

Final Word: A Day 2 talent who could fall to Day 3