2025 NFL Draft Mock Draft Projections: Will Ashton Jeanty Be a First-Round Running Back Pick?

Check out 2025 NFL Draft mock projections for Ashton Jeanty. Will he be a first-round NFL draft running back pick and a top 10 fantasy football running back?

While running backs once literally ran the NFL, they have become far less valuable in the eyes of NFL teams in recent years. High-end running backs such as Saquon Barkley and Christian McCaffrey make far less money than their peers at other skill positions, and many have begun to question their value in the NFL.

After Barkley was drafted No. 2 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, running backs began going off the board toward the end of the first round or even in the second round. With several teams winning the Super Bowl with committee running backs or later-round draft picks, the league took notice. Why tie up a first-round pick with a seemingly replaceable position?

Of course, the NFL is built on recency bias. With a weak running back draft class in 2024, teams dipped their toes into free agency. Those signings paid off for the most part. Most notably, Barkley led his team to a Super Bowl title and Derrick Henry led the Ravens to the Divisional Round. Ashton Jeanty is projected to be the next big thing at the position. Will he be drafted in the first round this season? Let's dive in and find out.

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The Case For Drafting Ashton Jeanty In Round 1

Ashton Jeanty is an animal of a player. He had one of the best seasons for a college running back in 2024. Jeanty is fresh off a 2,601-yard and 29-touchdown season. He averaged 7.0 yards per carry and nearly won the Heisman.

Jeanty also has an excellent athletic profile. He is 5-foot-9 and 215 lbs. The guy is tailor-made to play the position. He also boasts excellent speed and balance that will easily translate to the NFL. Regardless of where he lands, this is going to be a productive player given the relatively simple learning curve running backs have in their transition to the NFL when compared to other positions.

The Ashton Jeanty Experience in one rep. Insane.

Short-area quickness. Lateral cutting ability. Contact balance. Acceleration + long speed. pic.twitter.com/9fR2Ebu5QM

— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) February 25, 2025

Will Ashton Jeanty Be A First-Round Pick?

Given Jeanty's talent and the recent surge in running back value, Jeanty will likely be a first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. While there is not a stable of running back-needy teams in the NFL this year, there are still several teams who could use the services of Jeanty to build out their arsenal of weapons.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos come to mind as teams that could be interested in upgrading their running back room. NFL teams know that Jeanty is unlikely to last long into the second round if they pass on him in the first. That could push teams to pick him higher than they ordinarily would.

Expect Jeanty to be selected somewhere in the middle of the first round. The beauty of drafting a high-end running back in the first round is that NFL teams can have his services for five seasons at a bargain rate even relative to a lackluster market. Jeanty should ultimately be an excellent contributor in fantasy as well.

What would you offer to trade up and pick Ashton Jeanty with the first pick in a dynasty fantasy football draft? pic.twitter.com/BjcEER7cJF

— Fun Football Podcast (@FunFootballPod) February 23, 2025

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