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With the NFL Draft looming closer, excitement is in the air as college stars prepare to take their talents to the professional stage. But here’s a question for you: in a league that’s become increasingly cautious about investing early picks on running backs, what does it say when a player like Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is projected to go in the top ten? That’s right—despite the prevailing trend of seeing running backs as, well, somewhat disposable, Jeanty is likely to defy the odds and join an elite club of ball-carriers drafted high. His standout performance, including a season that could almost be categorized as legendary, has stakeholders buzzing…and yet, doubts linger about the level of competition he faced. Could this Heisman Trophy finalist truly be the fresh spark that teams are looking for? Let’s dive into what this means for Jeanty and why he might just be worth the gamble.

The NFL Draft is just around the corner, and with it, we’re set to welcome some outstanding talents to the league.

For most of recent history, teams have been hesitant to take running backs in the first round, much less near the top of it.

They often see running backs as expendable.

And while their impact in the game is as big as it’s ever been, the wear and tear they have to endure often makes them have shorter careers.

That’s why the fact that Boise State star RB Ashton Jeanty is still expected to be a top-ten draft pick in this day and age speaks volumes about his promising game.

As pointed out by Dov Kleiman on X, he’s expected to join a very exclusive and elite list of running backs taken in the top-10 in the last decade.

Star: Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty is projected to become the seventh RB selected in the Top 10 since 2015:

• 2015: Todd Gurley: STL/LAR (10)
• 2016: Ezekiel Elliott: DAL (4)
• 2017: Leonard Fournette: JAX (4)
• 2017: Christian McCaffrey: CAR (8)
• 2018: Saquon Barkley: NYG… pic.twitter.com/U39cGVGEgk

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) April 6, 2025

The St. Louis (now Los Angeles) Rams took Todd Gurley at No. 10 in 2015.

Then, we have Ezekiel Elliott (No. 4) in 2016, Leonard Fournette (No. 4), and Christian McCaffrey (No. 8) in 2017.

The New York Giants took Saquon Barkley No. 2 in 2018, and Bijan Robinson ended a five-year streak when the Atlanta Falcons took him No. 8 in 2023.

Jeanty is coming off one of the greatest seasons by any running back in college football history.

The Heisman Trophy finalist, however, is still surrounded by doubt, mostly about his lack of elite competition in college.

Then again, given how crucial having a reliable running game has become to win in this league, he will most definitely be worth the risk.

The post Ashton Jeanty Is Expected To Join Elite Company With Draft Selection appeared first on The Cold Wire.