With longtime starter Najee Harris no longer in the picture, the Pittsburgh Steelers expanded their running back search on April 9 by officially adding three new names to the list of prospects — most notably, potential first-rounder Omarion Hampton.
According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Steelers hosted Hampton (North Carolina), Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II, and Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon for visits on Wednesday.
A few hours later on April 9, Justin Melo from The Draft Network reported that UCF running back RJ Harvey confirmed he has a pre-draft visit planned with the Steelers. Melo shared this information following an exclusive interview with Harvey.
Where Do Potential Steelers Draft Targets Omarion Hampton, Ollie Gordon & RJ Harvey Rank Within 2025 RB Class?
On April 9, Dane Brugler, NFL draft expert for The Athletic, released his detailed prospect guide, “The Beast.” As part of it, he revealed his full ranking of 2025 running backs.
Across the board, Hampton is widely regarded as the second-best running back in this draft class, following Ashton Jeanty. Brugler agreed with this assessment, placing the 6-foot North Carolina standout 29th overall in his top 100 rankings.
Standing at 5-foot-8, RJ Harvey earned a spot in Dane Brugler’s top 10 running back rankings, coming in at No. 8. He was also ranked 93rd overall in the top 100.
Among the three, Ollie Gordon (6-foot-1) was the only one to fall outside of Brugler’s top 100. He currently holds the 14th spot among running backs on Brugler’s board.
Omarion Hampton & Ollie Gordon Are Bigger Running Backs With Plus Acceleration & Contact Balance
Hampton and Gordon have more similar skill sets compared to Harvey, though Hampton stands out as the most complete of the three and is considered a potential first-round pick.
At 22 years old, Hampton is a former two-year starter who rushed for over 1,500 yards in each of those seasons. He’s also a reliable receiver, with nearly 600 receiving yards across the past two years.
Brugler refers to Hampton as a “proven” and durable workhorse with a frame that’s ready for the NFL.
He explained, “Hampton is quick to read blocking schemes and adjusts his feet to burst through traffic or cut toward small openings.” Brugler added that once Hampton reaches full speed, he powers through second-level defenders, although he sometimes sacrifices his balance in the process.
Hampton and Gordon share a similar “bruising” running style that focuses on power and maintaining balance through contact.
At Oklahoma State, Gordon, 21, rushed for over 1,700 yards in 2023 and earned unanimous All-America honors. However, in 2024, with less support around him, he managed only 880 rushing yards. Brugler pointed out that Gordon’s struggles were due to what he described as an “identity crisis” in his running style.
Brugler noted, “Gordon has a wide, balanced stride and the speed to evade defenders. However, the level of competition in the Big 12 doesn’t compare to the NFL, and he’ll need to fully utilize his size to become more of a power runner through contact.”
While Gordon is one of the larger running backs in the draft, Brugler emphasized that he’ll need to show more physicality. On a positive note, Brugler also highlighted Gordon’s potential as a blocker and pass catcher, which could boost his chances of making an NFL roster.
Both Hampton and Gordon have the potential to lead a backfield, though Hampton is considered the more “can’t-miss” prospect.
RJ Harvey Is Former Quarterback With ‘Dynamic Make-You-Miss’ Elusiveness
While Harvey has plenty of upside as a runner, he stands apart from Hampton and Gordon. Unlike the latter two, who have been featured backs for most of their careers, Harvey started as a quarterback before switching to running back at UCF.
In his final two seasons, Harvey took over as the lead back, rushing for nearly 3,000 yards. Brugler noted that although Harvey lacks the power to break through the first level of defense, he’s a dynamic, elusive runner with great burst and tempo. This ability led to 54 carries of 10 or more yards in 2024 and helped him set a UCF record with 48 total touchdowns.
Brugler added, “Overall, Harvey needs to improve his consistency on passing downs, but he’s adept at settling his feet and shifting lanes thanks to his strong field vision and lateral quickness. Much like Tyjae Spears, he’s best suited for a timeshare role in the NFL.”
However, a notable concern with Harvey is that he’ll be 24 years old when the 2025 season starts. Additionally, for the Steelers, he might be too similar in style to current running backs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, potentially limiting his fit on the roster.
