Cam Skattebo's Wide Range of Outcomes, Rookie RBs—Tiers 4-5
As I covered in Part 1 of my rookie RB profiles, the 2025 RB class is impressively deep.
This year, my RB model currently has six RBs rated as being worth a 2nd round rookie pick in superflex dynasty. Depending on how the draft goes, it could be more.
Although, compared to previous years, that's not an outrageously high number. I also have six 2024 running backs in the same tier and five 2023 running backs. However, we should consider that before we reach this part of the 2025 class, we have four RBs worth at least a late 1st-round rookie pick, and two more (Kaleb Johnson and Cam Skattebo) on the 1st-round rookie pick bubble.
The 2025 class kicks off a deep range starting at RB7.
Last year, I had Trey Benson as an early 2nd-round rookie pick... as the RB2 in the class.
Zach Charbonnet, Tyjae Spears, and De'Von Achane helped round out the depth of the 2023 RB class. They were battling it out for RB3.
In 2022, only three RBs make the 2nd round rookie pick tier. James Cook kicks it off as the RB4 in the class.
The depth of the 2025 class is boom or bust. But the variety of profiles allows us to spread out our bets. And the depth before the premium flier range should help keep prices on these RBs in check.
It's hard to see how we don't look back at 2025 and see some serious RB bargains.
Tier 4 - Three-Down Upside / Day 3 Downside
Cam Skattebo
At a Glance
Cam Skattebo is a high-level tackle breaker but lacks breakaway ability and speed. Critically, though, he also profiles as a pass-catching weapon.
Positive Indicators
Skattebo was a productive high school RB... but the recruiting services were not impressed.
He enrolled at Sacramento State in 2020 but didn't play until 2021 because the 2020 FCS season was canceled due to Covid.
In 2021, Skattebo was limited to 57 carries and 12 receptions. But he still ran for 520 yards (9.1 ypc) and six TDs. He also totaled 124 receiving yards.
He had a significantly larger role in 2022, carrying the ball 196 times for 1,382 yards (7.0 ypc) and seven TDs. He also caught 31 balls for 371 yards and three TDs. Skattebo was named Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year and was a first-team all-league selection.
He was also rated as a 3-star transfer prospect, which helped him land at Arizona State in 2023.
Skattebo wasn't overly productive in 2023, rushing 164 times for 783 yards (4.8 ypc) and nine TDs and turning in 24 receptions for 286 yards and a TD. But he still made a big impact on the team, accounting for 79% of the backfield production.
In 2024, he upped his backfield dominator rating to 80%... and began dominating defenses as well. Skattebo led the Big 12 with 293 carries and 1,711 rushing yards (5.8 ypc). He also ran for 21 TDs. And Skattebo turned in his most impressive receiving season, with 45 receptions for 605 yards and three TDs.
Skattebo was a strong receiver at Sacramento State, peaking with 1.70 YPRR in 2022. But his 2024 season, in which he hit a very impressive 1.95 YPRR, cements him as one of the best receiving backs in the class. Skattebo's 1.58 career YPRR is on par with Ashton Jeanty (1.59) and Marcus Yarns (1.59) who was asked to work out with the WRs at the Combine. Skattebo also achieved this efficiency on a very strong 18 routes per game, which is the highest mark among the 2025 RBs in Day 2 consideration. He's also tied with Brashard Smith among that cohort in receptions per game, at 2.4.
As we'll get to, Skattebo's rushing profile has some legitimate warts. And it's fair to question how much of his college rushing production will translate to the next level. But Skattebo's receiving ability is impressive enough to project him as a rotational passing down back, even if he washes out as a runner.
Even if Skattebo is primarily a receiving threat early in his career, he's not the type of back who you need to sub out if you get a first down. At 5-foot-10, 219 pounds, Skattebo is a big back. And although Skattebo has some rushing red flags, short yardage isn't one of them. His 53% career success rate is 97th percentile and the the second-best mark in the 2025 class. His 2022 season (57%) is the highest single-season success rate in the class, and his 2024 season (52%) ranks seventh-highest.
Skattebo's ability to consistently churn out positive yards is related to his tackle-breaking ability. His 153 career elusive rating is second to only Ashton Jeanty (186). And Skattebo ranks 95th percentile in elusiveness per game. If you load him up with carries, you can expect plenty of missed tackles.
Red Flags
Skattebo opted not to run the 40 at the Combine, and there's a reason for that. Hopefully, we'll see him run at some point this offseason. But I'm skeptical that Skattebo can crack 4.6.
Skattebo's 34% breakaway percentage is the lowest among the RBs in Day 2 consideration and tied with certified plodders like Matt Jones and Benny Snell.
He looks better in breakaway yards per game (32), jumping from the 18th to 52nd percentile.
Skattebo is not an explosive breakaway runner. We can put that in the bank. But it's not like he'll never get loose for long runs. Najee Harris is instructive here. Harris was significantly worse in both breakaway percentage (32%) and breakaway yards per game (24), but he got enough carries with the Steelers to hit some big runs occasionally. So the red flag here isn't that Skattebo can't get more than 15 yards downfield, it's that he'll need a team committed to feeding him to get there with any regularity.
Long speed is definitely an issue for Skattebo. But even with a weak 40 he profiles as an NFL-level athlete. His high-end jumps help out quite a bit here.
Let's plug in Samaje Perine's speed as an estimate for Skattebo—Perine had just a 4.94 RAS, which is impressively bad for a back weighing 233 pounds.
With a 4.65 40 and bad splits, Skattebo comes in with a higher RAS than Audric Estime (6.57) or Ray Davis (5.41) last year.
So, if we're talking ourselves into Skattebo as an instant-impact Round 2 pick... his athleticism is a pretty big red flag. If we're considering whether Skattebo can emerge from Round 3 or 4 as a reliable and versatile NFL RB, his athleticism looks less impactful.
Statistical Comps
- Devontae Booker
- Rachaad White
- Kenneth Dixon
- Zach Charbonnet
- Buck Allen
- Jay Ajayi
Fantasy Outlook
Skattebo has some big fans in the community. Trevor Sikkema / PFF has him 50th overall (RB3), ESPN/ Scouts Inc. has him ranked 62nd overall (RB6), and Todd McShay has him ranked 66th overall (RB6).
But other evaluators, like Dane Brugler, have him outside the top 100 (pre-Combine).
Skattebo is a pretty specific type of RB. He's not so much a passing down back as a 2-minute drill back. For teams that value tempo, limiting substitutions, and grinding out first downs, Skattebo is a strong fit. There's definitely some Big Kyren Williams to his profile.
On the other hand, here's a live shot of Mike McDaniel watching Skattebo tape.
Ideally, Skattebo will land with a coaching staff who values what he does well and won't be overly exasperated by his lack of home-run hitting. But, I don't know man, the draft is weird. There might be a team that loves Skattebo as a potential workhorse but has Quinshon Judkins fall in their lap instead. The team that lands Skattebo is no guarantee to be a team that loves him.
This is one of the issues with RBs with uncertain draft capital. Skattebo could easily fall to Day 3, and at that point, he could be the top player on the board for a team that doesn't view him as much more than a reliable backup.
For 2025, we're looking at an extremely wide range of outcomes for Skattebo. Given his size, reliability, and versatility, he looks plenty capable of churning out production if handed a starting role. But because Skattebo's rushing profile is very volume-dependent, he's unlikely to make a huge impact as a rotational player. Instead, if the draft doesn't go his way, he's more of a contingent/handcuff type of play in the Benglas-era Samaje Perine mold. But because he's a legitimately impressive receiver with short yardage chops... there's no lack of upside here if his coaches buy into the idea that Skattebo's ability to consistently put the bat on the ball is worth the lack of home runs.
Best Ball Recommendation
Skattebo is a target at his 10th-round Underdog ADP. At that price, we don't need him to be more than a locked-in backup. He's slightly cheaper on DraftKings, making him an even clearer target there, given his full PPR receiving upside.
Post-draft, it's likely that Skattebo will fall a bit. His ADP (correctly) reflects the upside of hitting the nuts in the draft. Assuming that doesn't happen, he could easily profile as more of a 12th-15th type of value. But I'd happily take him if his contingent value looks locked in at that price.
But although Skattebo probably falls a bit, he's live for stronger-than-expected draft capital and/or a great landing spot. And despite some red flags, I'm not interested in fading a pass-catching back with short-yardage ability if drafted in Round 2 and installed as a starter.
Superflex Rookie Draft Grade
Late 1st / Early 2nd Round.
