NFL Exec Says Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton Will Go 'Very Early' in 2025 Draft

One NFL executive believes that a pair of running backs—Boise State's Ashton Jeanty and UNC's Omarion Hampton—will go "very early" in the upcoming NFL draft, according to Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz.

This report offered an interesting comparison to another pair of highly touted running backs in the Atlanta Falcons' Bijan Robinson and the Detroit Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs.

In 2023, Robinson was the consensus No. 1 running back prospect, likely the most lauded at his position coming out of college since Penn State's Saquon Barkley in 2018. He went eighth to the Falcons.

Meanwhile, Gibbs was a prospect certainly respected out of college but not seen in that same elite class as Robinson. However, by the time the draft approached, he was seen as a back-end first-round prospect. It turns out that the Detroit Lions loved him, so much so that they took him at 12th overall, four spots after Robinson.

Both are shining in the NFL, with Robinson (1,887 yards from scrimmage, 15 touchdowns) and Gibbs (1,929 yards, NFL-high 20 touchdowns) dominating the league in 2024.

It wouldn't be a shock to see similar draft placements develop on April 24, when the first round of the NFL draft takes place.

The latest B/R NFL Scouting Department big board lists Jeanty as the No. 8 overall prospect and top running back. Hampton is not far behind at No. 10 overall and RB2.

There are a couple obvious spots in the top half of the draft for a running back to head, including the Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6), Chicago Bears (No. 10) and Dallas Cowboys (No. 12).

It's very possible Jeanty and Hampton don't make it outside the top 10 or 12, but we'll find out soon enough how some NFL teams really feel about these prospects.