This is the much-coveted running back in the NFL and in every fantasy draft this summer. In a running back class that is considered to be very strong and deep this year, Ashton Jeanty remains the top back and a lock to be the first selected. He is an unquestioned first-rounder, potentially Top-10 and even a Top-5 if the New England Patriots want him at No. 4, which is not out of the question.
Jeanty shared the backfield at Boise State as a freshman with George Holani, but took over the next year as the pair flipped their respective roles, and Jeanty cemented his importance to the Broncos offense.
With Holani gone in 2024, Jeanty shouldered a monster workload with 374 carries. His final season proved to be epic, breaking all school records, including rushing for 267 yards in a single game. His 2,601 yards and 29 rushing touchdowns led the nation, and he swept the awards by winning the Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award, Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, and was No. 2 in Heisman voting.
Even more amazing, he enters the NFL with a chip on his shoulder from not winning the Heisman like Derrick Henry, Mark Ingram, Reggie Bush, Ricky Williams and Ron Dayne.
His 2024 performance adjusted for a 17 game season would have been 450 carries for 3,100 yards. It was a very busy year. His 374 rushes rank No. 12 all-time in college and Jeanty fell just 27 yards short of Barry Sanders’ all-time single-season rushing record.
Height: 5-9
Weight: 211 pounds
40 time: 4.45 seconds (estimated)
He attended the NFL Combine but did not run a 40-yard dash nor at his Pro Day. The assumption is that he had nothing to gain by running it and there is plenty of tape to watch that confirms what sort of player he is and how his speed matches up against defenses.
Pros
- Elite rushing skills for balance, vision, and breaking tackles
- Threat to score on any play with regular 50+ yard TDs
- Workhorse back that doesn’t tire
- Was center of the Broncos’ offense
- Proven threat as a receiver with soft hands
- Short-area quickness and top-end speed
- Generational playmaker in all facets of his position
- Game changer that always rises up to a challenge
- Second gear in open field
- Solid pass protector that can pick up a blitz
Cons
- Mountain West Conference a step down in competitiveness
- Heavy 2024 workload likely dials back carries as a rookie
- Slightly undersized which may impact inside running
Fantasy Outlook
While this is a strong class of rushers, Ashton Jeanty is considered in a tier of his own. He’s looked at as a generational runner that carries not only all the physical characteristics to be successful, but is an intelligent and dedicated player who loves to run the ball.
He is slightly smaller than a prototypical back, but he is also the same size as LaDainian Tomlinson and Alvin Kamara, with whom he has both been compared.
This player is who all fantasy teams will want to see on their roster. Depending on where he ends up, Jeanty could very well end up as a Top-10 fantasy draft selection. There’s no need to further describe his potential in the NFL. He’s been linked to the New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys as potential landing spots.
