My Top 10 Running Backs in the ‘25 NFL Draft: #1 Ashton Jeanty

#1: Ashton Jeanty - ALL-AROUND

Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

In what many are considering one of the greatest draft classes for running backs of all time, if not THE greatest, I have already caught slack for not including guys like DJ Giddens, Dylan Sampson, Damien Martinez, Brashard Smith, LeQuint Allen, etc., in this top 10. I get it. They are each studs and have a better-than-decent chance to make an impact in the league. Some pundits are even projecting as many as 10 starters will come from this class. But one name undeniably, unequivocally, consistently and universally stands above the rest. One name that has not once been disputed as the top RB.

Ashton Jeanty.

What excites me most about the well-traveled every-down back is how his game has evolved. As a true sophomore, Jeanty was on my radar as more of a 3rd down/receiving/scat-back type of player. With 43 catches, 569 yards, and 5 TDs through the air. This was in addition to his 220 rushing attempts for 1,347 yards and 14 TDs on the ground, of course. Come to find out, Jeanty played some slot receiver in high school, so it makes perfect sense why Boise State leaned on him so much in the passing game early on in his career.

And then 2024 happened.

We have all heard by now how epic of a run Jeanty had en route to being narrowly edged out for the Heisman Trophy, but here are just a few eye-opening numbers that I have since learned.

You read that last one right. He had more yards the last two seasons after contact than all but 3 RBs in the country. That is insane. Jeanty was met at or behind the line of scrimmage 347 times at Boise State, and he gained 1,487 yards on those runs, resulting in 1,099 yards gained, which made him the first RB ever to top 1k yards on runs where he was met at or behind the line of scrimmage. Courtesy of Jacob Gibbs @jagibbs_23.

Much is said about the subpar conference Boise State plays in. Certainly, the Mountain West conference is not known for its blue-chip talent on defense. The other side of that coin is that it’s also not full of talent on the offensive side, either. Not a single offensive player on Boise State, other than Jeanty, was invited to the combine. The teams of the other top RBs on my list (Ohio State, North Carolina, and Iowa) have a combined 8 other offensive players who were invited to the combine other than the RBs. Be it a road-grading blocker or a weapon softening the defense in the run game, additional threats only help lessen the load of the running back. Jeanty had no such support and will not only be the first RB taken, but will also undoubtedly be a first-rounder; it’s just a matter of where in the first 10 picks.

Pro Comp: Maurice Jones-Drew

Jeanty: 5’8”, 211, 29.1/4” arms, 9.1/4” hands (no times or lifts recorded)

MJD: 5’7”, 207, 28.1/8” arms, 8.1/4” hands, 4.39, 1.53, 36”, 9’9”, 7.08 cone, 4.38 shuttle, 18 reps

Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images

Ashton Jeanty is the first player on this list whose ceiling is beyond that of his comparison. While Maurice Jones-Drew was no slouch, as evidenced by earning 1 All-Pro season and 3 Pro Bowl seasons as a with the Jacksonville Jaguars, I personally feel Ashton Jeanty will be even better. Both backs have an extremely low center of gravity, incredibly strong lower body, exceptional contact balance, and outstanding vision to evade defenders at every level. Jeanty might not be quite as fast as MJD, but he isn’t far behind in that regard, and he is a much greater threat in the passing game. The “bowling ball” nature these two backs display is uncanny and eerily similar, which is what made this comp so easy. But truth be told, Jeanty is more of a mix of MJD and Alvin Kamara, IMO. Either way, not only will Jeanty be drafted earlier than MJD (2nd round of ‘06 draft), but I also expect him to accumulate more awards and greater success. Especially if he lands in a good spot in next weeks draft.

Here are a few clips of each:

(skip around on this one to find some random clips of greatness)

Fit for Bears? Yes

If there was ever a player that was the perfect combination of Ben Johnson’s last two RBs, Montgomery and Gibbs, it’s Jeanty. Sonic AND Knuckles in one player. He can line up all over the formation and run routes. Stay in to pass protect, convert a 4th and short or take a 3rd and long draw play 60 yards to the house. Ashton Jeanty is scheme diverse and every single OC in the league would be thrilled to land him. There is a real chance the Chicago Bears draft him at 10 overall if he lasts that far, but I am not sure he will.

What about you? Would you take Jeanty at 10 overall? What concerns you most about his game, if anything?

Bchuk44’s Top 10 Running Backs

10. Jaydon Blue (Texas)

9. Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)

8. Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)

7. Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech)

6. RJ Harvey (UCF)

5. Kaleb Johnson (Iowa)

4. Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)

3. Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)

2. TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)

1. Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)