RB Ashton Jeanty Prospect Deep Dive: How Can a Man be This Good at Football?

When I watched Bijan Robinson in the 2023 NFL draft, I genuinely believed he was a generational talent no one could come close to touching for a long time. Well, it only took two years for someone to not only match his talent level but somehow be considerably better. Ashton Jeanty wasn’t too well known coming into the season but is putting up historic numbers so far at Boise State. I shy away from accounting for basic stats such as yards and TDs. However, Jeanty’s numbers are so far and beyond everyone else that it made me think there’s got to be something special about him. He’s currently the Heisman front-runner, but what’s even more impressive is how much his development as a player has improved his team. Running backs hardly add any chances of victory in football. The fact he is allowing Boise State to dominate and compete with teams like Oregon is astonishing.

We’ll get to his numbers later on, but honestly, that has little to do with why I like him so much. I base my evaluations solely on traits and no other prospect I’ve ever watched has had the toolbelt of traits that Jeanty has. Watching Jeanty play is essentially Running Back porn – it’s utterly satisfying. We all know this guy is amazing but what is up for debate is his value in the draft. With all the flashy traits and absurd stat lines also comes an inherent risk with drafting him. Like Bijan, a team will get enticed by his talent level and take him top ten. There are reasons why you wouldn’t want to take him top ten and I’ll do my best to see if those reasons are valid.

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Ashton Jeanty’s Stats (per PFF)

(Through WK Seven)

Film Analysis

On a slip screen, Ashton Jeanty makes a few defenders miss and shows excellent vision.

This play is an inside zone run to the right but Jeanty cuts it back upfield with stellar vision. He proceeded to break a tackle and showed the long speed to take it the distance.

This play against Oregon didn’t require anything remarkable but it’s just an excellent example of his long speed.

I love how Jeanty has a subtle but effective stutter that puts the LB in an odd position and then he hits him with a stiff arm.

Grades

OVR Grade: 1-100

Ashton Jeanty’s Pros And Cons

Ashton Jeanty Bio

At the ideal size to play Running Back, Ashton Jeanty has an array of punishing tools that instill fear in its opponents. With so many wide-zone schemes in the league, he’ll fit perfectly into a pro offense.

Pros

• Has a knack for making tacklers miss like none other – a powerful runner with sensational balance. Weight distribution contributes to that as he’s thick in his lower half with powerful shoulders. Averages 7.2 yards after contact per rush (through week seven).
• Rare blend of size and lateral quickness/ change of direction.
• Able to contort and twist his body in unique ways to break tackles – very Kenneth Walker-esque.
• Juke move is subtle but very sudden and effective.
• Doesn’t just have good vision but is very creative and clever in how he sees the field allowing him to create rushing lanes for himself. Every little move he makes comes with a nuanced plan.
• Highly effective stiff arm and he showed he’ll lower his shoulder when necessary.
• Improved his ball security in 2024 and only has two career drops.
• Takes pass-pro seriously and understands his assignments well.

Cons

• The one grave concern I have with Jeanty is that his workload is heavy. Ideally, you want to draft backs with low tread on the tires and that isn’t the case with him.
• For a back getting first-round buzz, you’d hope he’d have elite receiving skills like Bijan did.

Combine (TBD)

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Pro Day (TBD)

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All-22 Exposures

• Colorado ST, 2023
• San Diego ST, 2023
• Oregon, 2024
• Utah ST, 2024 (broadcast)

Best Landing Spots for Ashton Jeanty

• SF 49ers
• CIN Bengals
• DAL Cowboys

Conclusion on Ashton Jeanty

After watching a good amount of Ashton Jeanty, I can confidently say he’s the most talented prospect I’ve ever personally seen. That said, it’s completely fair to ask if he should get taken in the top ten or even the first at all. Bijan himself hasn’t necessarily led to any more wins for Atlanta. Additionally, you only get four-six years out of a back most of the time. What he’s doing at Boise State isn’t sustainable nor will his impact on the game be as drastic in the pros. Whether he’s worth a high first-round pick strongly depends on the circumstances of a given team.

If there’s a clear need at any critical position, you just must accept you’re in no position to have the luxury of being able to take him. Granted, if you are a team with essentially no holes on the roster but need the final cherry on top of the offense then you pull the trigger on him. Inevitably a team will draft him top ten as we discussed but ultimately it shouldn’t affect who he is as a player in the pros. While I see why a team would grow attached to the idea of having potentially one of the best football players of all time, it goes deeper than that. Even when the best RB in the league goes down, how much does the betting line move? Hardly anything, maybe half a point.

What made me love Bijan so much was his unparalleled ability to be a true Receiver. I don’t exactly see that with Jeanty. Although his ability as a runner is so far ahead of anyone else, it’s a tough call. At the end of the day, we shouldn’t let the nature of the position take anything away from him. Just because he isn’t exactly a true first-round value doesn’t mean anything besides the pay of course. It’s hard to see how he couldn’t be a dominant player in the NFL and you can’t take that away from him. Depending on where he lands, don’t be surprised if he’s the consensus first pick in fantasy next year.

Value – 1st RB (by a marathon) / 1-2 RD