Ashton Jeanty 2025 NFL Draft projections: Ravens, Chargers among top landing spots (plus two misfits)

Boise State running back, Ashton Jeanty came out of the gate hot and has not looked back. Presently favored to win the Heisman Trophy as the top college player in college football, Jeanty’s NFL stock is also taking off.

So where would Jeanty fit best at the next level? And where are some of the places he probably would prefer not to end up? Here’s an early look as we reach the midway point of the college football season.

Ashton Jeanty displaying dream season for a college RB

It may surprise many, but Jeanty was not the clear-cut favorite amongst NFL scouts as the top senior running back in the nation entering the season.

Several scouts had Jaydn Ott of California rated higher and some had Jeanty even with Omarion Hampton of North Carolina. Damien Martinez, the former Oregon State running back now with the Miami Hurricanes, was also highly considered.

Yet that all changed once the season commenced, and Jeanty left them all in the dust.

Ashton Jeanty - Source: Imagn

Ashton Jeanty Boise State stats

From a statistical point of view, Jeanty began the season rushing for 267 yards and six touchdowns against Georgia Southern.

And while some mocked the level of competition in Week 1, Jeanty responded the next game with 192 yards and three touchdowns against Oregon, a defense that just last week held Ohio State’s dynamic duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins to a combined 100 yards on the ground.

Three weeks later, Jeanty totaled 259 yards and four touchdowns against Washington State, soon to be a Pac-12 conference opponent.

Six games into the season, Jeanty’s totals include 1,248 yards on the ground with 17 touchdowns, meaning he’s slightly off pace of a 2,500-yard season.

And while he’s only totaled nine receptions this season, don’t be fooled; Jeanty is a terrific pass catcher out of the backfield, as proven by the 43 receptions for 569 yards he had one year ago.

Ashton Jeanty scouting report: First impressions

From a scouting perspective, Jeanty is the total package. Stoutly built at 217 pounds, Jeanty pounds opponents on the inside with power but also displays great vision and the ability to find running lanes and make defenders miss.

He plays much faster than his estimated 40 time of 4.50 seconds, displaying the ability to get around the perimeter, beat defenders into the open field, and break long runs.

And as mentioned before, he’s a terrific pass catcher out of the backfield or lined up on the flanks.

Besides being the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy in December, Jeanty is all but a lock to be the first running back selected in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Ashton Jeanty's 2025 NFL Draft projection: 3 landing spots for the Boise State RB

Universally graded as a mid-to-late Day 2 pick before the season, he’s also a lock to be a first-round choice, barring catastrophe. So where is the best fit for Jeanty’s abilities at the next level?

Baltimore Ravens

One of the best places would be the Baltimore Ravens, who presently own the 23rd pick if the draft were held today.

Baltimore Ravens - Source: Imagn

His ability to run on the inside or turn the corner, coupled with his pass-catching skills, would be the ultimate complement for quarterback Lamar Jackson.

Plus, the Ravens have a good offensive line, which is relatively young. Of course, Baltimore does have Derrick Henry, who signed a two-year deal in the offseason.

And while the team can get out of the contract after one year, we’ll have to assume the Ravens will be selecting later than the 23rd pick when all is said and done, which means Jeanty may not be available for the franchise.

Never mind the fact that general manager Eric DeCosta is averse to selecting running backs in the top three rounds. The last time they did such a thing was 2020 when J.K. Dobbins was drafted in Round 2.

J.K. Dobbins - Source: Imagn

Dobbins looked like an absolute steal as a rookie before spending most of the next three years on injured reserve. Dobbins eventually signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers this past April and has played incredibly well to start the season.

Los Angeles Chargers

Speaking of the Chargers, that would be another outstanding fit for Jeanty, assuming they don’t wish to extend Dobbins after the season.

His versatile game and ability to be used as both a power gap and zone-scheme runner would fit Jim Harbaugh’s offense to a "T”. He’s like Blake Corum, the former Wolverines running back selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the third round last April, except he possesses twice the talent.

New York Giants

Depending on whether the team believes they have their back of the future in Tyrone Tracy, the New York Giants would also be a terrific fit for Jeanty.

You’d expect the Giants to be selecting in the top half of Round 1, and quarterback, as well as offensive line, will be the narrative for Big Blue moving towards next year’s draft, so it may not happen.

More NFL landing spots

The Arizona Cardinals, Minnesota Vikings, and Cleveland Browns would also be excellent fits for the talented back out of Boise State.

2 absurdly incorrect NFL landing spots: Where would the Boise State RB not fit?

Excluding teams who already have established running backs, I’ll first mention the Miami Dolphins. Head coach Mike McDaniel prefers pure breakaway threats and likes to rotate backs. Jeanty is speedy but not De’Von Achane fast, plus it would be a waste of his talents using him on a rotational basis.

I’d also keep him away from the Cincinnati Bengals, an offense that is too pass-oriented to get the most from Jeanty. The Houston Texans and Las Vegas Raiders are two more teams that don’t excite me as proper fits for Jeanty, for a variety of reasons.

Jeanty is living the dream as a third-year junior as he looks to be on his way to winning the Heisman Trophy and becoming a mid-first-round selection in next year’s draft. Hopefully, he’s selected by a team able to maximize his skills on the field.