DJ Giddens, a standout running back from Kansas State, enters the 2025 NFL Draft as an intriguing prospect with a unique blend of size, athleticism, and production. Standing at 6-foot-1 and weighing 212 pounds, Giddens possesses an ideal frame for an NFL running back.
2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: DJ Giddens, Kansas State
Physical Attributes and Measurables
Giddens impressed scouts at the NFL Scouting Combine with his athletic testing. He recorded a 4.43-second 40-yard dash, showcasing better speed than his initial projections. Additionally, his 10-foot-10 broad jump and 39-inch vertical jump demonstrate exceptional lower body explosiveness. These measurables, combined with his size, make Giddens an enticing prospect for NFL teams looking for a well-rounded running back.
College Production
Over his career at Kansas State, Giddens amassed impressive statistics:
- 3,087 rushing yards
- 679 receiving yards
- 27 total touchdowns
In his final season (2024), Giddens rushed for 1,343 yards and 7 touchdowns on 205 carries, averaging an impressive 6.6 yards per attempt. His production increased each year, culminating in back-to-back 1,200+ yard rushing seasons in 2023 and 2024.
Strengths
Contact Balance: Perhaps Giddens’ most impressive attribute is his contact balance. He demonstrates fluid movement traits and the ability to stack multiple moves in space, making him difficult to bring down.
Burst and Chunk Play Ability: Giddens possesses excellent short-area burst, allowing him to create chunk plays consistently. Throughout his college career, he averaged at least 5.5 yards per carry and more than 11 receiving yards per catch each season.
Elusiveness: There might not be another running back in this draft class more elusive than Giddens. His lateral agility and ability to make defenders miss in one-on-one situations stand out on tape.
Receiving Potential: While already productive in the passing game, Giddens has untapped potential as a receiver. With the right coaching staff, he could develop into a true three-down back at the NFL level.
Ball Security: Despite his frenetic movement style, Giddens displays plus ball security, which is crucial for NFL running backs.
Scoring Ability: Giddens has a nose for the end zone, scoring an offensive touchdown every 23.7 touches in college.
Weaknesses
Limited Experience: Giddens didn’t start playing organized football until his sophomore year of high school, which means he may still have room for development in terms of football IQ and nuanced aspects of the position.
Pass Protection: While he offers traits to develop as a pass blocker, this area of his game will likely need refinement at the NFL level.
Workload Questions: Despite his impressive production, Giddens has limited mileage compared to some other prospects. NFL teams may want to see how he handles a full workload over multiple seasons.
NFL Projection
DJ Giddens projects as a potential three-down back in the NFL with scheme versatility. His combination of size, athleticism, and production make him an attractive option for teams looking to add depth and talent to their backfield.
Giddens’ late start in football and subsequent rapid development suggest there may still be untapped potential. With proper coaching and development, he could become a valuable asset in both the running and passing game at the next level.
While initially projected as a mid-round pick, Giddens’ impressive combine performance has likely boosted his draft stock. According to Jordan Reid of ESPN, Giddens “shouldn’t last past the fourth round” of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Conclusion
DJ Giddens enters the 2025 NFL Draft as one of the more intriguing running back prospects. His combination of size, athleticism, and production make him a potential steal for teams looking to add talent to their backfield. While he may not be getting the same hype as some of the top-tier running backs in this class, Giddens has the tools to become a productive NFL player.
His late start in football suggests there may still be room for growth, which could make him an even more attractive option for teams willing to invest in his development. With his impressive combine performance and college production, Giddens has positioned himself as a potential day two or early day three selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.
As teams continue to evaluate running back prospects, DJ Giddens’ name should be one to watch. His unique blend of skills and potential for further development make him an exciting prospect who could outperform his draft position and become a valuable contributor at the next level.
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