2025 NFL Mock Draft: Ashton Jeanty heads to surprising AFC powerhouse 

Ashton Jeanty made history during the 2024 college football season. The Boise State Broncos running back put together brilliant numbers with 14 games and finished as the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, losing to two-way player Travis Hunter in the process.

Many projections have Jeanty slated to be picked between the 12th and 16th overall picks. However, in a recent CBS Mock Draft by Josh Edwards, Jeanty surprisingly fell to the 20th overall pick, becoming the first 2025 pick by Sean Payton's Denver Broncos.

"Denver has been a popular landing spot for Ashton Jeanty, who is as talented a pass catcher as he is a runner," Edwards wrote. "There have already been reports that the team will move on from Javonte Williams this offseason, which creates a void in the running back room. Sean Payton had Alvin Kamara in New Orleans and now can create a similar dynamic in the Rocky Mountains."

The running back position has clearly been devalued over the past decade. In the 2024 NFL Draft, the first running back drafted was Jonathon Brooks, picked as the 46th overall pick. However, Jeanty is set to bring the position back to the first night of the draft.

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Mel Kiper also believes Ashton Jeanty could head to the Denver Broncos in the first round

Mel Kiper is one of the most respected voices regarding the NFL Draft. Recently, Sports Illustrated asked experts about where they believed the running back would be selected, and the ESPN touted the Broncos as a possibility.

Kiper said that he does not favor using a first-round pick on a running back, but that "he's not the one making the decisions." Bo Nix played at a high level as a rookie, but the running game was a disaster for Denver, with only 4.1 yards per carry on average.

Even though positional value will probably keep him out of the first picks, Kiper talks about the running back being a "top-10" prospect in this class.

The Broncos suffered with their pass catchers throughout the 2024 season, and with the running back also being a helpful receiver out of the backfield, this is another positive look for him to land in Denver.