Ashton Jeanty put together one of the best single seasons by a running back in recent memory this past season for Boise State football.
Now he looks to bring that production and success to the NFL. But with what team?
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The Broncos’ star running back, who came up 28 rushing yards short of breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season record, is widely regarded as a top first-round pick and the best tailback in the 2025 NFL Draft class.
REQUIRED READING: 2025 NFL draft rumors: Bears ‘love’ Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty
Jeanty racked up 2,601 rushing yards and 30 total touchdowns this past season for Boise State while leading the Broncos to their very first College Football Playoff. What makes him an intriguing projected top 10 pick by many NFL draft analysts, including USA TODAY Sports, is his ability to be an every-down back and the difficulty his stiff-arming and speed bring to defenses.
The Broncos’ star running back is expected to become Boise State’s highest-drafted player since Ezra Campbell went in 2020, and the first Boise State player to be drafted in the first round since the Dallas Cowboys took Leighton Vander Esch in 2018.
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Here’s what you need to know about where Jeanty is projected to go in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with which NFL team he best fits with along with a scouting report:
Where will Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty go in 2025 NFL Draft?
Here’s where NFL draft analysts have Jeanty going in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft:
USA TODAY Sports Network/USA TODAY Network Live Mock Draft: Round 1, No. 6 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders
“General manager John Spytek said his son would leave the family if he picked someone other than Jeanty. The Boise State running back brings relevance to a franchise that’s seemingly lost its way. Part-owner Tom Brady doesn’t snag positional value, but wins with touchdowns and fantasy football like Spytek’s son wants. At the end of the day, that’s what football is all about. Worry about the other needs later.”
USA TODAY: Round 1, No. 6 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders
“The Heisman Trophy runner-up is headed to Sin City this week, and many are convinced that will be his draft-night destination. The Silver and Black might be testing just how much value even the most well-rounded running back can provide to an offense with significant deficiencies elsewhere. But Jeanty has shown a rare penchant for creating yardage almost on his own, and an alignment between intention and talent can help the Raiders rejuvenate the league’s worst rushing attack.”
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.: Round 1, No. 6 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders
“Last in rushing yards per game at 79.8. Last in yards per rush at 3.6. Tied for the second-fewest runs of 10 or more yards with 34. That’s what Las Vegas produced on the ground last season. New coach Pete Carroll is going to want much more out of his run game, and Jeanty could immediately flip the script. He displayed excellent speed, contact balance and vision en route to 2,601 rushing yards last season. He could be an elite three-down back in the NFL.”
The Athletic: Round 1, No. 5 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders
“If the Jaguars had a chance at a high-level corner here, that is the direction they should go. But this draft is light at the top and Jeanty is the best player available. He would give the Jacksonville offense an immediate upgrade.”
CBS Sports: Round 1, No. 20 overall to the Denver Broncos
“Yes, a running back in the first round. It works here for a few reasons beyond’s Jeanty’s massive talent. Sean Payton would work him into space in the screen game, the Broncos have a strong offensive line, and Bo Nix needs a true bell cow in his offense.”
Ashton Jeanty scouting report
Here’s a scouting report from USA TODAY’s Ayrton Ostly on Jeanty:
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“Generational contact balance is Jeanty’s calling card. A true bell-cow running back who churns out yards and wears down defenses with his vision, patience and low center of gravity.”
Ashton Jeanty’s best 2025 NFL Draft fit
Here’s what USA TODAY’s Tyler Dragon believes is the best fit for Jeanty:
“Jeanty’s size, speed and vision make him the consensus top running back in this year’s draft. … Jeanty can be an every-down running back and an instant starter in the league. The Raiders averaged an NFL-low 79.8 rushing yards per game in 2024. It was the lowest rushing average by a team in a single season since 2022. Head coach Pete Carroll has historically loved to run the ball, and the Raiders could upgrade their backfield in a big way with the addition of Jeanty.”
The projection: Las Vegas Raiders
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ashton Jeanty mock draft: Where Boise State RB is expected to go in NFL draft
