Devy Diamonds: DJ Giddens, Running Back, Kansas State
Welcome to Devy Diamonds: Giddens was not a highly scouted prospect out of high school. He was not ranked on the 247 composite rankings. Giddens had to be a walk-on for the Kansas State football team. He was a prospect out of Junction City High School in Junction City, Kansas.
During his freshman season, he saw a fair amount of opportunity. He ran the ball for 519 yards while averaging 5.8 yards per carry. The impressive part was he immediately showed his skills at maintaining his balance to get yards through contact. Of his 519 yards, 345 came after contact. Plus, he had 24 missed tackles forced. Giddens immediately showed his impact as a legitimate rusher at Kansas State. On another note, he also displayed his ability in the passing game. As a freshman, he had eight receptions for 98 yards.
As a sophomore, he took complete control of the Kansas State backfield. He nearly tripled his rushing attempts. The good news, even with an increase in his workload he still maintained over five yards per carry with 5.5. Giddens ran for 1,226 yards and ten touchdowns this season. Once again, his balance through contact was seen as 59.3 percent of his yards came after contact. That was 727 yards after contact. He showed more of his elusiveness this season by having 69 missed tackles forced. Plus, an additional 30 receptions for 326 yards. Giddens showed he is an all-around back who can be a threat in all areas of the field.
This season, Giddens is on pace to rush for 1,450 yards. Of those yards, 1,004 may come after contact. This is assuming he maintains his 69.3 percent of yards after contact. He is currently averaging 7.2 yards per carry. Giddens continues showing his elusiveness by already having 23 missed tackles this season. His usage in the passing game has not been as efficient as last year, however, he is still effective. Currently, through five games, Giddens has seven receptions for 91 yards. He is a big part of the Kansas State offense. Giddens will continue to be the feature back, and this should be a career year for him.
Strengths:
Prototypical Size. Giddens has a solid frame (6’1″, 212 pounds) allows him to absorb contact and power through. His size gives him an edge in short-yardage situations, where he can muscle his way to first downs or goal-line scores.
Ability to Break Tackles. He consistently shows the ability to break through arm tackles and defenders. His strong lower body makes him difficult to bring down, especially on first contact.
Vision and Patience. Giddens shows great vision in the backfield, waiting for blocks to develop before hitting the hole. This patience allows him to find running lanes and maximize yardage.
Pass-Catching Ability. Giddens has shown he can be a reliable target out of the backfield. He contributes to the passing game with soft hands and good awareness. This versatility makes him a dual-threat option on offense.
Pass Protection. He is competent in pass-blocking situations, understanding protections, and picking up blitzes. His physicality and awareness in pass protection make him an asset to the quarterback.
Field Awareness. He demonstrates good field awareness, especially when running in the open field. Giddens can identify potential tacklers and evade them with quick lateral moves or stiff arms.
Areas of Improvement
Agility in Tight Spaces. His larger frame can make it difficult for him to be as agile or elusive in tight spaces. He sometimes struggles with making defenders miss in congested areas. He relies more on power than finesse.
Route-Running Consistency. Giddens can improve his route-running precision and awareness. This would elevate his effectiveness as a receiver.
Limited Explosiveness. Though strong, Giddens lacks the burst off the line of scrimmage that some elite backs possess. His acceleration can be a bit sluggish, which can close running lanes before he reaches them.
Top-End Speed. Giddens is a powerful back, but he lacks the breakaway speed. This limits his ability to turn medium gains into explosive plays.
Ball Security. Giddens has moments where he is vulnerable to fumbles, especially when fighting for extra yards. Tightening up his ball security will be crucial to avoid turnovers.
Draft Stock: Eligible 2025
Consensus Projected Draft Capital: Day Three Prospect
Personal Projected Draft Capital: Day Two Prospect
Ideal Landing Spot: Pittsburgh Steelers
The 2025 NFL Draft could see an impressive surge in running backs within the first three rounds. This draft class is filled with exceptional talent for the position. From workhorse pure runners to versatile backs that can impact both the running and passing games. Teams may prioritize these playmakers due to their combination of speed, vision, and dual-threat capabilities. With several standout collegiate performances, this draft class has the potential to reshape backfields across the league.
Giddens would be a great fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers. They decided to not pick up former first-round pick Najee Harris’ fifth-year option. Although they may resign Harris with a new contract, it seems they are preparing to move on after this season. Giddens’ ability to pick up blitzes would be invaluable for a Steelers offense that has struggled with a shaky offensive line. His awareness and physicality in pass protection would provide support to their quarterbacks. This could give the offense more time to execute plays.
On another hand, Giddens brings strong production in the running game. He impresses with his yards after contact and yards per carry. His toughness and ability to push through would-be tacklers are key to his game. This ability would give the Steelers a reliable option on the ground, helping to sustain drives. Additionally, Giddens’ skill as a pass-catcher adds another layer to his game. A layer that would only elevate the Steelers’ offensive scheme. His dual-threat capabilities would make him a key asset in the continuation of reshaping the Steeler’s offense.
Fantasy Impact
On the college side, Giddens has been a consistent trusted back. He gains yards through contact and has been the workhorse for Kansas State. His reliability as a runner and ability to break tackles make him a safe pick. He gains consistent yardage which translates well to fantasy production. Plus, he has already demonstrated he can handle a solid workload. A trait that will help him transition well into the next level.
At the next level, Giddens has the size and power to become a workhorse back. On another hand, his versatility could allow him to contribute immediately as a third-down option. This dual threat gives him the potential to work his way into the starting role over time. He has RB1 upside in fantasy leagues down the line. While he will likely start his NFL career as an RB2 for fantasy teams, his upside is significant. There is value in drafting him early for the long-term potential. With the right development and opportunity, Giddens could evolve into a top-tier fantasy asset.
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