Ashton Jeanty Hyped by NFL Exec, 'I've Never Seen Balance and Burst Like That'

One NFL executive feels Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty has the talent to warrant a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

"Hell of a running back," the exec said to The Athletic's Jeff Howe. "I've never seen balance and burst like that. He is one of those (elite types of running backs) you can take in the top eight or top 10. You get one of those every few years."

Jeanty is the No. 6 overall player on Bleacher Report's big board and went 10th to the Chicago Bears in B/R's most recent mock draft.

It takes one look at the Heisman Trophy runner-up's numbers in 2024 and his highlight reel to understand why he's garnering so much hype. Jeanty ran for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in 14 games while averaging 7.0 yards per carry.

Still, the larger discussion is whether any running back is worth taking so early in the first round.

There's often good value to be found outside of Day 1. Bucky Irving, a fourth-round pick, was the only player to crack 1,000 rushing yards from the 2024 class. De'Von Achane, a third-rounder in 2023, totaled 1,499 yards from scrimmage last year. Chase Brown, a 2023 fifth-round selection, emerged as steady No. 1 option for the Cincinnati Bengals.

In a league dominated by quarterbacks, running backs don't individually impact games like they once did, either.

Saquon Barkley was undoubtedly important toward the Philadelphia Eagles winning a Super Bowl, but his contributions weren't enough to overcome the New York Giants' erratic QB play when he called the Big Apple home.

And yet, the pendulum may have shifted too far in the direction of undervaluing running backs.

Imagine how much better the AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs would've been if they had Barkley instead of leaning on Kareem Hunt, Isiah Pacheco and Carson Steele all year. The Detroit Lions probably don't regret using the 12th pick on Jahmyr Gibbs, a decision that raised eyebrows at the time.

Jeanty is simply that good as a prospect as well. Few will bat an eye if he's gone within the top 10 on Thursday night.