If the Chicago Bears want to bolster their offense in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting running back Ashton Jeanty with their No. 10 overall pick would certainly do the trick. Widely considered the top running back in the class, Jeanty is on another level of NFL Draft prospects.
His inclusion in the 2025 class has made fans and pundits question traditional wisdom when it comes to selecting a first-round running back. With talent at the position found in every round, many believe that’s far too early to select a running back. But Jeanty is cut from a different cloth and is prepared to show the NFL why he is a rushing outlier.
Where Jeanty’s name gets called is still up in the air. But the running back wanted to ensure Ryan Poles and all NFL general managers are fully aware of what he brings to the table, via the Players’ Tribune.
“I truly believe I was born to do this,” Jeanty wrote. “And I truly believe what makes me different — it isn’t about the position I line up at. It’s about the mindset I bring to it.”
“I’ve taken the long way. I’m done with that way,” Jeanty concluded. “If you pick me, it’s simple: I’m coming to your franchise to do what Saquon and the Eagles just did. I’m coming to win, big, soon.”
Ashton Jeanty ready to take NFL by storm
When Jeanty is selected, he will immediately become that team’s leading rusher. He will be a major focal point of the offense and a serious favorite for Rookie of the Year. Put simply, whoever lands Jeanty is completely re-defining their running back room.
In his final season at Boise State, Jeanty ran for a nationwide-high 2,601 yards alongside an eye-popping 29 touchdowns. He finished second in Heisman Trophy voting while winning the Maxwell, Doak Walker and Earl Campbell Tyler Rose awards.
Averaging seven yards a carry, Jeanty was a big play waiting to happen every time he touched the ball. That isn’t expected to change when he makes the NFL leap. Heading into the draft, Jeanty earned a comparison to Charges legend LaDanian Tomlinson from Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.
“Jeanty plays a position that has become devalued on draft day, but his unique talent and the resurgence of the run game in the NFL should force teams to reconsider that factor when weighing his value. He’s the ultimate yardage creator, with the talent and skill set to succeed independent of the quality of his blocking,”Zierlein wrote. “Jeanty’s speed forces linebackers to flow hard outside, creating cutback lanes and chunk runs, while his vision, balance and elusiveness get it done along the interior.”
“The threat of what he can do on the ground should create ideal play-action opportunities for his team, allowing his next play-caller to, say, unburden a young quarterback or any other passer being asked to shoulder too much of the offense,” Zierlein continued. “He’s compact and muscular, but there could be some minor concern surrounding his massive workload in 2024. This top-flight running back is capable of becoming the face of an offense in a league where the pendulum might be swinging back to the running game. Jeanty has future All-Pro talent.”
The 2025 class is full of talented running backs. But ultimately, none provide what Jeanty brings to the table. It’s seeming more and more likely that the running back will hear his name called within the first 10 picks.
How Jeanty affects Chicago Bears
The Bears finished their 2024 campaign ranked 25th in total rushing, averaging 102 yards per game. Part of the issue was the offensive line, who didn’t open up many holes in the run game. Chicago has now remedied that issue, bringing in guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, alongside center Drew Dalman.
The other problem was D’Andre Swift himself. His debut with the Bears saw him nearly break 1,000 yards (959) over his career-high 253 carries. He added six touchdowns too. However, Swift averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, severely hurting the Bears. If Jeanty arrives, Swift will no longer be the starter. But whatever role the veteran holds, he must be more consistent with his touches.
Swift has played under Johnson before, meaning the head coach will likely have a plan in place for him. Jeanty could operate as an early down thumper while Swift operates in space on passing downs. Ultimately, having both as options out of the backfield gives the Bears a much more dynamic offense.
Alongside his output when he touches the ball, Jeanty’s arrival would be massive for Caleb Williams. Teams must now be concerned about the run and the pass. Williams and the Bears will have opportunities to make big plays if they can get a consistent run game in place.
Johnson is looking to set a new foundation for success with the Bears. If he can manager to land Jeanty, Chicago’s offense arrow would take a major turn upwards.
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