Boise State superstar Ashton Jeanty has no interest in playing the guessing game about his NFL Draft position. The dynamic running back who shattered records with 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns last season is mapping his own draft trajectory with rare transparency, confidently discussing both his ceiling and floor as Thursday’s first round approaches.
Ashton Jeanty Isn’t Chasing the Top Spot, Excited to Be in the First Round
With a historic 2023 campaign that saw Jeanty break FBS records with 1,970 yards after contact and 164 forced missed tackles, NFL scouts can’t look away.
His dominant performances included a jaw-dropping 267-yard, six-touchdown explosion against Georgia Southern and an impressive 192-yard, 3 3-touchdown showcase against Oregon that solidified his first-round status.
While many prospects dodge questions about draft positioning, Jeanty laid his cards on the table during a recent interview.
“I think the earliest that I would go is number six,” Jeanty said, referencing the Las Vegas Raiders’ pick. When pressed about his floor, he didn’t hesitate to say, “I say number 12,” pinpointing the Dallas Cowboys’ selection as his expected least-case scenario.
The Raiders at pick six remain the betting favorite to land Jeanty, with current odds at -125. This aligns perfectly with Jeanty’s own assessment, though there’s growing speculation about whether Las Vegas genuinely covets the dynamic back or is orchestrating an elaborate smokescreen to entice other teams into a trade-up scenario.
“If somebody sees this guy as having the kind of impact Saquon Barkley had on the Eagles last year, this guy’s going to be generational, that he is going to be special, a potential Hall of Famer,” said one commentator. This sentiment echoes Boise State defensive coordinator Spencer Danielson’s assessment of Jeanty as a “generational talent” and culture changer.
Despite the “sexy pick” appeal of selecting a running back early, some teams may hesitate due to the position’s historically diminished value.
“Sometimes we forget because as fans and around this time of the year, the sexy pick is the running back or the receiver, but there is something to if you do invest in a player who will become an All Pro Pro Bowl type player at a Mason Graham on the defensive line or an offensive lineman.”
The achievements speak for themselves, such as the Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award, unanimous All-American honors, and a Heisman Trophy runner-up finish.
Jeanty’s historic career at Boise State includes 4,769 rushing yards (a school record) and 50 touchdowns while maintaining an extraordinary 6.4 yards per carry average across three seasons.
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His decision to decline lucrative NIL offers to remain at Boise State demonstrates a loyalty and character that NFL front offices value. As Thursday night approaches, Jeanty waits confidently knowing his floor of 12 still places him among the elite of this draft class.
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