2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kalel Mullings (RB – Michigan)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Michigan running back Kalel Mullings. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kalel Mullings

Kalel Mullings (RB – Michigan)

6-foot-2 | 233 Pounds

Background

Kalel Mullings was a four-star recruit who played on both sides of the ball in high school but began his Michigan career as a linebacker and special-teams contributor, spending 2021 in that role before converting to running back mid-season as an injury replacement, playing sparingly (13 carries, three touchdowns.) Carried the ball 36 times in 2023, then surprisingly wrested the lead-back role away from Donovan Edwards (despite only starting four games) and posting a 185-948-12 (5.1) line.

Positives

Big, strong back who emerged as an effective power back this past season in Michigan’s primarily gap-based rushing attack. Has relatively little tread on his tires compared to your typical running back prospect. Violent, straightforward between-the-tackles power back who wastes little time hitting the hole. Shows a good burst coming through. Does a pretty good job of locating and slipping through creases, showing surprisingly quick feet to shuffle into gaps.

Shows solid top-end speed to rip off big gains when the blocking is there. Lowers his pad level into contact to deliver punishment to would-be tacklers. Mullings also shows good competitiveness and churn to push the pile at the end of his runs; it often requires multiple defenders to bring him down. Very rarely brought down for a loss and is well-suited to converting in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Ball security is excellent, with no fumbles across his 234 career carries. Frame and power could allow him to develop into an effective blocker in blitz pickup. Has prior experience on special teams coverage units.

Negatives

As a taller back, Mullings can sometimes have difficulty winning the leverage battle as a runner. There’s some gather to his cuts on one-cut concepts. Might not have the ideal athletic profile for a team based on outside rushing attempts. Has some shiftiness, but is not going to make many defenders miss, as he is temperamentally a contact-initiator.

More impressive as a run-finisher than as a tackle-breaker. Mullings was a non-factor in the passing game in school, with just eight career receptions against one dropped pass; a pure safety valve. Has limited experience in pass protection. Was credited with two sacks allowed on 48 snaps in that role this past season, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).

Summary

There’s not a ton to say about Mullings. He’s a big, violent between-the-tackles power back with good burst in the hole and surprising vision and footwork for a relatively inexperienced player at the position.

At the same time, he doesn’t make the best cuts on outside rushing attempts and was used as a pure runner in school, with minimal passing-game usage. Mulling looks like an effective short-yardage/goal-line back with special-teams value who could potentially work his way into a more prominent rotational role as a power back down the road.

Projection: Round 5/Round 6

Check out all of our 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports

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Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)

Jeanty proved he’s the total package this past season, with an unbelievable combination of vision, patience, creativity, agility, power, balance and speed that nearly allowed him to break Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record.

Can fit in any offensive scheme, but might be best in a scheme that runs a relatively high amount of outside zone to maximize his home-run hitting ability. After a year in which he dazzled viewers with a nonstop succession of dominant highlights, Jeanty should be a lock for the first round, potentially going in the top half of the frame. Projects as a long-term, every-down feature back who should make an immediate impact.

Projection: Round 1

Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Ashton Jeanty

Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)

Skattebo was one of the most productive and exciting players in college football this past season. He combined a natural feel for the position, smooth running skills, a tough and physical temperament and exceptional contact balance, culminating in well over 2,000 total yards on the season.

There’s not a whole lot to critique about his game, besides his lack of ideal explosiveness and long speed. Otherwise, Skattebo has the look of a potential every-down back in the league or at least the power back in a one-two punch. Could get some second-day looks.

Projection: Round 3/Round 4

Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Cam Skattebo

Devin Neal (Kansas)

A fast, agile back with good burst and excellent open-field running skills, Neal functioned as a workhorse for the Jayhawks but might be more of a change-of-pace back at the next level, as he may struggle to grind out tough yardage between the tackles as a pro.

Neal’s snaps were relatively balanced throughout his career (more gap until this past season, then a little bit more zone), but might be better suited to a zone-blocking scheme where he’s able to stretch defenses out and cut upfield when he sees daylight. Probably more of a mid-round option.

Projection: Round 5

Check out the full 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report for Devin Neal

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