The 5 Most Likely Teams to Draft Ashton Jeanty

Published On: January 3, 2025By 3.9 min read734 wordsTags: , ,
Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State)

Dec 6, 2024; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) before the game against UNLV Rebels at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-Imagn Images.

The 2025 NFL Draft is less than four months away, and some teams’ fanbases have already fully entered offseason mode.

The 5 Most Likely Teams to Draft Ashton Jeanty

And one of the draft’s top commodities will be Ashton Jeanty of Boise State, who is almost certain to be the first running back off the board. He banked 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns for the Broncos (the college version) this season and is one of the draft’s hottest prospects accordingly.

The draft build-up has a long way to go, but from an initial vantage point, these are the five likeliest teams to draft Jeanty, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = most likely to select Jeanty).

5. Chicago Bears

Aug 17, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles on the field before the game between the Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports.

Probable Draft Position in Round 1: Top 10
2024 Rushing DVOA: 25th

You’re probably thinking that the Bears will pick too high to draft Jeanty.

We’ll counter with the argument that draft lead-up is a long process, and Jeanty could be too irresistible to a general manager in the Top 8 or Top 10 by late April.

Jeanty is a guaranteed-to-be-good prospect and could be an upgrade over the inconsistent D’Andre Swift in a hurry. Chicago cannot be ruled out of the Jeanty Sweepstakes.

4. New England Patriots

ashton jeanty

Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) reacts after the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.

Probable Draft Position in Round 1: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th
2024 Rushing DVOA: 32nd

Here, New England would trade down with a quarterback-needy and stockpile picks — like they arguably should’ve done last year — and grab a total haul for their organic 1st-Rounder.

Equipped with multiple 1st-Rounders, the Patriots could spend their 2025 1st-Rounder on Jeanty that they acquired in the swap.

3. Las Vegas Raiders

Dec 29, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce congratulates players after an interception against the New Orleans Saints during the second half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images.

Probable Draft Position in Round 1: Top 8
2024 Rushing DVOA: 31st

The Raiders have no plan at quarterback or running back. Yikes. They also need a WR1.

Like the Patriots example, Las Vegas could trade down on Draft Night No. 1, stockpile picks, and grab Jeanty somewhere in Round 1. Without a QB1, RB1, or WR1, the Raiders are in rough shape.

Perhaps they could solve the QB1 problem by signing a free agent like Sam Darnold.

2. Cleveland Browns

Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) greets teammates following the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Probable Draft Position in Round 1: Top 5
2024 Rushing DVOA: 29th

Nobody will really say it out loud, but Nick Chubb’s career is probably over.

The Browns need a running back to replace him, and Jeanty is available in this draft. Too, Cleveland must surround Deshaun Watson with weapons galore if it absolutely insists that it must start Watson in 2025 and beyond.

Jeanty would make Watson’s life easier. In fact, Watson, Jeanty, Jerry Jeudy, and David Njoku sound mildly intriguing.

1. Dallas Cowboys

Oct 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on the field before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images.

Probable Draft Position in Round 1: 12th to 17th
2024 Rushing DVOA: 21st

The Cowboys tried to skimp at running back — or at least waited way too long to hand Rico Dowdle the RB1 baton — and the experiment flopped.

Because Jeanty feels like a splashy, sexy Cowboys-sized solution to an RB problem, Dallas has to be the frontrunner to land the Boise State star.

Jeanty to Cowboys feels a bit inevitable.


Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.

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