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Who will draft Ashton Jeanty? Best NFL draft fits, landing spots for Heisman runner-up

ayrton ostly, usa today
·4 min read

The 2024 NFL draft saw a historic run on offensive players with a record 14 selections in a row to start the draft and 23 overall in the first round. But one position was missing from that historic first round on offense: running back. The first one wasn't taken until the second round, No. 46 overall with Texas' Jonathon Brooks going to the Carolina Panthers.

That will very likely not be the case in the 2025 NFL draft. The depth of talent at the position is the best in years, starting at the top with Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty of Boise State.

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Jeanty earned 2,017 points, just 214 behind winner Travis Hunter, thanks to one of the best seasons by a running back in college football history. He will almost certainly hear his name called in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL draft.

Here's what to know about Jeanty and where he could fit in the NFL:

Ashton Jeanty scouting report

The Boise State running back is one of the top prospects at the position over the last decade. In a deep running back class, he stands out as the best thanks to his all-around skills. What stands out the most from Jeanty is his vision and contact balance; Jeanty's rushing yards after contact alone would lead the FBS in rushing.

Once he gets going, he's hard to bring down. At 5-9 and 215 lbs., he's a ball of momentum that gets stronger as the game goes on. He's not used much as a receiver out of the backfield for the Broncos but he's shown the ability to do so when tasked.

The biggest negative on his draft profile is speed. Jeanty is not a burner of a running back like Jahmyr Gibbs, De'Von Achane or Kenneth Walker III, but he is fast enough that it's not a major concern. Same thing with his pass protection technique; it's not drawback but needs some improvement.

Who will draft Ashton Jeanty?

Jeanty is widely expected to go in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Here are who experts are predicting will take the Boise State running back:

Ashton Jeanty's best NFL fits

Jeanty's skill set is so good he can fit in practically any offense but there are some teams where his talents could have an outsized impact.

  • Denver Broncos: The Broncos are a playoff team with rookie quarterback Bo Nix, a very good offensive line, and one of the top defenses in the NFL. Jeanty would be an upgrade on any of the running backs currently on the roster. He would give Sean Payton another top running back talent like he had with Alvin Kamara in New Orleans (though they are a different type of running back).

  • Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings are one of the top teams in the NFL this season behind an top-tier defense and a strong season from pending free agent quarterback Sam Darnold. If Minnesota turns to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy at quarterback next season, putting Jeanty behind him would create one of the best skill position groups in the league. Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree and Jeanty could thrive in wide zone concepts.

  • Cleveland Browns: Nick Chubb is getting older and his injuries have piled up. Bringing Jeanty in as a succession plan could maximize his talents in one of the better run schemes in the league. Cleveland does have bigger needs, though, starting at who would be handing the ball off to him in this hypothetical.

  • Dallas Cowboys: A native of Frisco, Texas, Jeanty would be coming home if selected by the Cowboys. Dallas has lots of needs on offense and defense but a running back of Jeanty's caliber doesn't come around very often. He has the talent to make up for offensive line deficiencies and would be the next star running back in Dallas.

Ashton Jeanty stats

Jeanty leads the FBS in carries, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and total touchdowns (all stats as of Dec. 12):

  • Carries: 344

  • Rushing yards: 2,497

  • Yards per carry: 7.3

  • Yards per game: 192.1

  • Receptions: 20

  • Receiving yards: 116

  • Receiving touchdowns: 1

Jeanty's yardage total this season puts him fourth all-time in college football since 1956. He sits behind Barry Sanders (2,628 yards in 1988), Melvin Gordon (2,587 in 2014), and Kevin Smith (2,567 in 2007) ahead of the College Football Playoff.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ashton Jeanty NFL draft fits: Cowboys, Broncos among landing spots