Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is one of the most exciting prospects in the 2025 NFL draft class. He has rushed for 2,497 yards with 29 touchdowns this season, and he can break a big gain almost every time he touches the ball. He just finished second in the Heisman Trophy race. Now, he’ll take center stage Tuesday, when the Broncos face Penn State in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl in the quarterfinals of the College Football Playoff (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Jeanty appears destined for Round 1 in April, and I have him ranked No. 7 overall on my Big Board. But how does he stack up against other recent running backs drafted in the first round?

I looked back at 14 who have been picked on Day 1 since 2013 — the past decade, plus the 2013 and 2014 drafts that didn’t have any first-round RBs — and ranked them based my pre-draft scouting reports. Then, I slotted Jeanty where he stacks up at the moment (his evaluation can still change). How does he compare to Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson and Todd Gurley? How does he project in the pros? And which NFL teams make sense for him?

Here’s my ranking of Jeanty versus the 14 first-round running backs of the past decade, plus what I said about each player at the time.

Jump to Jeanty’s ranking

15. Rashaad Penny, San Diego State (2018)

Drafted: No. 27, Seattle Seahawks
Final Big Board ranking: No. 57

What I said before the draft: “Every time you turn on the tape and watch San Diego State play, the 5-foot-11, 220-pounder is making plays running the football, catching it out of the backfield, returning punts or returning kickoffs. He did it all for the Aztecs. His hands are good, not great. He’ll have a drop every now and then, but on a swing or screen pass, he’s very consistent. And he gives you that ability in the open field to not only bust those long-gainers but also outrace some cornerbacks to pay dirt with that 4.46 speed. Give him the ball and let him go.”

In the NFL: Penny retired in July after six pro seasons. He had 14 career touchdowns. His best season came in 2021, when he ran for 749 yards (6.3 per carry) and scored six times.

Drafted: No. 32, Kansas City Chiefs
Final Big Board ranking: No. 46

What I said before the draft: “Edwards-Helaire gets comped to Maurice Jones-Drew because of his size, and his versatility in the passing game makes him an intriguing pick. He is the first player in SEC history with 1,000 rushing yards and 50 receptions in a season.”

In the NFL: CEH is in his fifth season, but he hasn’t broken 800 rushing yards since his rookie campaign (803). He also never proved to be an above-average pass catcher, as he averaged just 8.6 yards per reception in his time with Kansas City. The Chiefs released him earlier this month, and Edwards-Helaire signed on with the Saints’ practice squad.

Drafted: No. 31, New England Patriots
Final Big Board ranking: No. 28

What I said before the draft: “He has that burst outside, the bounce-outside ability, the inside running ability. He blocks extremely well in pass protection, too. And he catches the ball great out of the backfield.”

In the NFL: Michel retired before the 2023 season. The two-time Super Bowl champion — once with the Patriots and once with the Rams — cracked 800 rushing yards three times over five seasons and scored 20 career TDs. He struggled with knee and quad injuries during his career, which limited his impact in New England.

Drafted: No. 15, Los Angeles Chargers
Final Big Board ranking: No. 13

What I said before the draft: “Gordon is an easy accelerator, and he cuts with explosiveness and little wasted motion. He will miss a hole here and there in search of a bigger lane, but he has good vision, isn’t afraid of contact and has breakaway speed when he gets in space. Here’s hoping health doesn’t become an issue because of the workload.”

In the NFL: Gordon piled up 70 career touchdowns and two Pro Bowl appearances, but he had just one 1,000-yard rushing season (with the Chargers in 2017). He most recently played for the Ravens in 2023 when Baltimore was hit with injuries at the position.

Drafted: No. 25, Jacksonville Jaguars
Final Big Board ranking: No. 30

What I said before the draft: “Etienne is a home-run hitter whose 588 receiving yards in 2020 ranked second among FBS running backs. The Clemson offensive line underwhelmed, but Etienne didn’t miss a beat. He’s a three-down back. Etienne’s 78 career scrimmage touchdowns are tied for fourth-most in FBS history.”

In the NFL: Etienne redshirted his first NFL season with a foot injury, but he went over 1,000 rushing yards in 2022 and again in 2023. He scored 12 times for the Jaguars last season, too. But Etienne has struggled this season, seeing just 137 carries for 527 yards on the ground, and Tank Bigsby has outperformed him. Etienne has shown his ability to catch the ball — he has 129 catches over the past three seasons — but he has just one receiving score.

Drafted: No. 24, Pittsburgh Steelers
Final Big Board ranking: No. 29

What I said before the draft: “What I like most about Harris — and why he’s my top-ranked running back — is his receiving ability. He caught 70 passes over the past two seasons and had 11 receiving touchdowns. He can be a three-down back in the NFL. The downside about him is that he had a whopping 718 touches at Bama, including 460 carries over the past two seasons. He has taken a lot of punishment. He has stayed healthy so far, and he finished the 2020 season with 1,466 rushing yards and 26 rushing scores. He also led the FBS with 47 carries of at least 10 yards. All he does is produce.”

In the NFL: Harris has gone over 1,000 rushing yards in all four seasons of his career, but he hasn’t been an efficient runner, averaging 3.9 yards per carry for his career. He also hasn’t proven to be an effective pass catcher; of the 157 players to catch at least 100 passes since 2021, Harris’ 6.4 yards per reception rank 152nd. The Steelers’ declined Harris’ fifth-year option, which means he’s set to be a free agent in the offseason.

Drafted: No. 10, Los Angeles Rams
Final Big Board ranking: No. 11

What I said before the draft: “He has an outstanding combination of speed and power — a 235-pound player who can both run through linebackers who don’t have him squared up and then away from safeties and corners when he gets into the open field. He has pretty good hands and is particularly dangerous when catching passes. When he’s past the line of scrimmage or out in space, there’s a chance he’s as big or easily bigger than anybody left between him and the end zone. What he doesn’t do is avoid contact consistently, and he can run high, both of which raise durability concerns that will certainly play into his draft stock.”

In the NFL: Gurley tore his ACL in his final college season and then had knee issues throughout his NFL career. Even so, he put together some dominant years in Los Angeles. Look no further than his 2017 season, when he ran for 1,305 yards and 13 TDs and caught 64 passes for 788 yards and six more scores. He was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year. One year later, he rushed for 17 touchdowns and was named first-team All-Pro for the second straight season. Gurley played a final 2020 season with Atlanta and retired in 2022.

Drafted: No. 12, Detroit Lions
Final Big Board ranking: No. 18

What I said before the draft: “Gibbs had 1,628 all-purpose yards for the Crimson Tide in 2022. He was one of two players in the FBS to have at least 900 rushing yards and 400 receiving yards. And it’s the receiving part that makes Gibbs such an intriguing prospect — and could land him in Round 1. He has great hands and can break tackles after the catch. Plus, he ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine, so once he breaks a tackle, he’s tough to chase down.”

In the NFL: Gibbs has been a big-time playmaker for the Lions, despite splitting the workload out of the backfield with David Montgomery. Consider that he already has 26 career touchdowns, and he’s not even through his second season. Gibbs currently ranks eighth in rushing yards (1,156) and is tied for seventh in rushing TDs (12) this season. He has added 440 receiving yards.

Drafted: No. 24, Las Vegas Raiders
Final Big Board ranking: No. 15

What I said before the draft: “Jacobs is the most complete back in this class, and he has some explosiveness once he gets the ball in his hands. He’ll help on third down, too. He has some receiving ability and could develop into a complete back. Jacobs is a tough, physical runner who is hard to bring down. Plus, he has limited tread on his tires; he had only 252 rushing attempts in college.”

In the NFL: Jacobs ranks fifth in rushing yards this season (1,285), and his 14 rushing scores are tied for second. It’s his first season in Green Bay after five strong years with the Raiders — including a 1,653-yard rushing season in 2022 when he was named first-team All-Pro. He has displayed a nose for the end zone with 61 career scores.

Current Big Board ranking: No. 7

My scouting report: Through 13 games this season, Jeanty has 344 carries, 2,497 rushing yards (7.3 per carry) and 29 rushing TDs. He has added 20 catches for 116 receiving yards and another TD. Those are some incredible numbers, and he still has at least one more game.

At 5-foot-9 and 215 pounds, Jeanty displays excellent contact balance, instincts and toughness, which help him skirt past the first line of defense and through traffic. He has forced a nation-leading 111 missed tackles. Jeanty brings power going downhill, stays upright and runs through contact. He plays with determination, and arm tackle attempts aren’t able to slow him down. And don’t sleep on his receiving skills. Jeanty has sure hands out of the backfield and can be a true all-purpose back in the NFL.

We’ve heard the skepticism about Boise State’s weaker schedule, but that doesn’t mean much to me. Opposing defenses knew all season that he was getting the ball, focused their game plans on neutralizing him and still couldn’t figure out how to stop him. With his highly competitive mentality and aggressive rushing traits, he’ll be an immediate impact RB1 in the NFL.

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Ashton Jeanty’s 2024 Heisman campaign

Check out some of Ashton Jeanty’s best plays from his 2024 season with Boise State.

Where he could fit: Everyone knows I’m not a fan of taking a running back in Round 1. It just comes down to value; teams can wait and get high-level options in the later rounds without burning valuable draft capital. Plus, the shelf life is shorter than at other positions.

For 2025, I have 35 RBs with draftable grades in my early evaluations. Remember that Derrick Henry and Breece Hall were second-rounders. David Montgomery and De’Von Achane were third-rounders. Tony Pollard was selected in Round 4, and Aaron Jones and Kyren Williams both went in Round 5. The Chiefs even got Isiah Pacheco in the seventh! Because most franchises either don’t need a first-round upgrade or just need many other things more, some really good backs get pushed down the board.

All that said, Jeanty could easily get picked in the 10-15 range. The elite talents still go quickly, and Jeanty falls into that category. In my rankings, he slots in seventh.

The Cowboys have been the common landing spot prediction. Team owner Jerry Jones has drafted Emmitt Smith, Felix Jones and Ezekiel Elliott with first-round picks, so there’s a precedent. And even with Rico Dowdle breaking out in the second half of the season, the Cowboys rank among the bottom 10 teams in most rushing metrics and somehow have only five rushing scores (last). Dallas is projected to pick at No. 12, per ESPN’s Football Power Index.

The Browns might be a fit for Jeanty, too, even though they have bigger issues. Nick Chubb will be a free agent and has a broken foot. What about the Saints? They have Alvin Kamara under contract but need more playmakers in that offense. Maybe the Bears take a shot on Jeanty to help Caleb Williams. I also think the Vikings and Steelers could make the move if Jeanty slides a little bit. They both have pending free agents at RB1 right now in Aaron Jones and Najee Harris, respectively.

Drafted: No. 4, Jacksonville Jaguars
Final Big Board ranking: No. 7

What I said before the draft: “A 4.51-second 40-yard dash is a great time for a 240-pound back, but Fournette’s 28½-inch vertical turned some heads, and not in a good way. I still see plenty of explosion when I watch his games. He struggled with a gimpy ankle in 2016 and played in only seven games. Fournette has an incredible combination of speed and power that can make him look like a varsity player hanging with the JV. Mileage was a concern heading into 2016, but that’s not an issue now. He had a whopping 300 carries in 2015 — for 1,953 yards and 22 touchdowns — and only 129 in 2016.”

In the NFL: Fournette ran for 1,000 yards in his first and third pro seasons before getting released by Jacksonville ahead of Year 4. He signed on with Tampa Bay and won a Super Bowl there. Fournette last played with the Bills in 2023 and sits at 41 career touchdowns (34 rushing, seven receiving). It’s fair to say he didn’t live up to his pre-draft ranking, as he averaged 3.9 yards per carry for his career, wasn’t a game-changing playmaker and never even made a Pro Bowl team.

Drafted: No. 8, Carolina Panthers
Final Big Board ranking: No. 6

What I said before the draft: “McCaffrey’s 4.48-second 40 and 37½-inch vertical at the combine should eliminate any doubts about his athleticism. He’s going to be a really good pro. The Stanford offense was built around him for the past two years. He runs, catches passes, blocks and returns kicks and punts. With 590 carries for 3,622 yards and 82 catches for 955 yards the past two seasons, he has shown that he can carry the load. McCaffrey (5-foot-11, 202 pounds) has incredible balance and could be an every-down back in the NFL. And it helps that he played in a pro-style offense at Stanford.”

In the NFL: When CMC has been on the field, he has been nearly unstoppable. In 2019 with Carolina, he went over 1,000 yards in both rushing and receiving. Last season with San Francisco, he topped 2,000 scrimmage yards once again and scored 21 times. The problem has been durability, though. McCaffrey’s 2024 season started late and ended early, and it’s his third season (of eight total) with seven or fewer games played. McCaffrey has 81 career touchdowns and has made five All-Pro teams (three first-team). He’s also the NFL’s highest-paid back.

Drafted: No. 8, Atlanta Falcons
Final Big Board ranking: No. 6

What I said before the draft: “Robinson did absolutely everything for Texas. He ran inside and outside, caught passes and scored a bunch of touchdowns. I’m a big fan. He is a cut-and-go runner with outstanding vision and explosiveness. Another thing I like about Robinson’s game: He catches passes with his hands, not his body. He had 19 catches in 2022, averaging 16.5 yards per reception. I think NFL teams could use him even more in the passing game. He’s a three-down back.”

In the NFL: Robinson is at 1,286 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns through 16 games this season, and he has over 400 receiving yards for a second straight season. He has taken on a bigger workload in Year 2 and has not missed a single game in his career.

Drafted: No. 4, Dallas Cowboys
Final Big Board ranking: No. 8

What I said before the draft: “One of the best running back prospects to enter the league over the past decade, Elliott has vision, explosiveness, patience and top-level speed for the position. He also has great hands and is among the best blockers I’ve ever evaluated. Instant impact.”

In the NFL: Elliott is now in his ninth season, back on the Cowboys after one year away in New England. His yards per carry have declined in each of the past three years (3.1 in 2024), but he piled up fantastic seasons early in his career. Elliott ran for 1,631 yards and 15 touchdowns as a rookie in 2016, one of three seasons with more than 1,350 rushing yards. He also has seven seasons with at least 25 catches, highlighted by a 77-catch campaign in 2018. He made three Pro Bowl teams and was a first-team All-Pro as a rookie.

Drafted: No. 2, New York Giants
Final Big Board ranking: No. 1

What I said before the draft: “Barkley is the best prospect in this draft. His testing numbers at the combine — 4.40 40-yard dash and 41-inch vertical — were elite at any size, much less a 6-foot, 233-pound back. Barkley plays with tremendous balance, a great lower body and quick feet. He’s a stellar runner both inside and outside the tackles, and he showed in 2017 that he’s a true three-down back. He had 54 catches after having 48 combined in his first two seasons at Penn State. Barkley is a special talent.”

In the NFL: At 2,005 rushing yards through 16 games this season — his first in Philadelphia after six in New York — Barkley has a legitimate shot at Eric Dickerson’s long-standing single-season record (2,105). It’s the third time he has gone over 1,300 rushing yards; one of those 1,300-yard seasons came when he was a rookie, when he also added 91 catches. Barkley has 62 career touchdowns (48 rushing, 14 receiving). Injuries stalled his career with the Giants, but the two-time Pro Bowler looks revitalized with the Eagles.