With the NFL being a major passing league nowadays, running back play has been somewhat devalued and pushed aside. However, Ashton Jeanty is single-handedly forcing the league to take notice, and bring the running back position back into the forefront.
Coming from Jacksonville, Florida, Jeanty showed his versatility off early, as he was a 3 sport athlete (football, basketball, and track) during his high school years. His senior year in high school stats showed a man who was ready for the big time: 1,843 rushing yards, 810 receiving yards and 41 touchdowns.
In one season. Put that into context: In 2023, Jeanty would have had more touchdowns than 20 teams in the league.
In his first season in 2022, Ashton’s success came quickly and easily, totaling 978 all purpose (821 rushing, 157 receiving) yards, netting him an All-Mountain West Honorable Mention.
2023 saw him take off from a production standpoint, netting him 1,916 all purpose yards (1347 on the ground, 569 through the air) and 19 combined touchdowns. As of this article, Jeanty is smashing that previous production, with 1,031 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns through 5 games.
That 16 touchdowns on his own would be more than any other NFL team has rushed for as a whole this season. Just video game like numbers from Jeanty, who has entered into early heisman discussions while balling out for the broncos.
Player Info
Name: Ashton Jeanty
Jersey: No. 2
Position: Running Back
School: Boise State
Class: Junior
Height: 5-foot-9
Weight: 215 lbs.
Ashton Jeanty’s Strengths
Jeanty has some of the best ball carrier vision I’ve seen from a running back in quite some time. It’s near an elite level the way he consistently finds a gap and exploits it for a big gain before it’s even fully open.
He also sheds tackles with ease and maintains his momentum running through the line, almost similar to a runaway freight train barreling down the tracks. He also has a rare combination of a quick burst of acceleration and long speed, meaning any time he touches the rock, he’s a major threat to take it all the way for a touchdown.
He also shows soft hands, meaning he is a true weapon in the passing game as well, so imagine his speed and acceleration in space.
He also has some very good pass protection skills, as he can diagnose a blitz quickly, and hunker down to hold his ground versus these blitzing runners.
Ashton Jeanty’s Weaknesses
All is not golden for Ashton however. He’s slightly undersized for a prototypical every down NFL running back, so he may see some challenges in the short yardage situations at the next level.
This size concern may also prompt more of a load management as the next level, as some coaches may choose to use larger backs on the goal line. I’ve also noticed some occasional carelessness with ball security, especially when fighting for extra yards. It hasn’t lead to many turnovers, but it does bear watching as we move forward.
Draft Projection
If you ask me, Jeanty is a top 10 prospect. He has the speed, acceleration, great hands, all the traits you’d want from a generational running back. With that being said, it’s been very hard to nail down a comparison for him. For me, I see Frank Gore from his days at the University of Miami/San Francisco, mixed with shades of Ladanian Tomlinson and Cadillac Williams as well.
However, with the devaluing of running backs in the NFL, I wouldn’t be shocked to see Jeanty fall into the middle or end of round 1, where a team with a lesser need at running back takes him solely on the value. Some good fits for Jeanty:
- Dallas Cowboys (this has been my most likely landing spot for Jeanty, as both the need for running back and value meet. Imagine a backfield with Dak as quarterback and Jeanty as running back? Could be fireworks in the great state of Texas.)
- Houston Texans (another team that would be a great fit for Jeanty, as CJ Stroud would have an ultimate weapon out of the backfield to ruin the lives of his AFC South opponents.)
- Minnesota Vikings (Imagine a Kevin O’Connell offense with a young rookie in JJ McCarthy, JJettas at wide receiver, and Jeanty in the backfield? Absolutely disgusting work for defenses.)
- Los Angeles Chargers (Giving a Harbaugh run heavy offense an elite runner like Jeanty? Giving a QB like Herbert a weapon out of the backfield? While RB might not be their highest need, it might be their best upgrade in round 1.)
Ultimately, Jeanty is a star at the running back position, and likely could be taking home some serious hardware this season, including a trip to New York for the Heisman ceremony.
We could be eventually discussion the resurgence of the college elite running back, and when it happens, we’ll all look back on this season as the starting line for the return of the running back.
