The Denver Broncos select Athton Jeanty. At least, that’s what mock drafter after mock drafter has written lately.
No doubt, the Broncos are needy when it comes to running back. They need a “joker” as Sean Payton said–a running back or tight end that’s a talented receiver–and Jeanty could be that guy. He has solid hands as a receiver, but is touted for his downhill, tough running that includes home run speed.
It makes sense if Payton and George Payton are eyeing him. But will Jeanty even be there at No. 20?
Denver Broncos select Ashton Jeanty in another mock draft, but will they have a chance to?
Jeanty is unquestionably the best running back in this year’s NFL Draft. His 2,601 rushing yards this year was the second-most ever for a single season in college football history. Jeanty came a mere 27 yards short of Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders’ 1988 season. And he came in second in the Heisman Trophy to Travis Hunter.
The young man is an absolute beast of a back, rushing for a nation-leading 29 touchdowns in 2024, enjoying seven games with multiple scores in 2024. And while he’s a bruiser, at 5’9” and 215 pounds, Jeanty can take it to the house with speed.
He had 50-plus yard runs in nine of 14 games this season. And his NFL Draft profile is so glowing he’s being compared to superstar LaDanian Tomlison.
The young man who played his college ball with the Boise State Broncos seems to be a perfect fit for the Denver Broncos at the NFL level.
So much so, Mina Kimes and Mike Golic Jr. discussed him as a Broncos target in their pre-Super Bowl podcast.
Then, Mel Kiper Jr., Field Yates, and now Ryan McCrystal of Sharp Football Analysis have mocked the Denver Broncos selecting Ashton Jeanty.
McCrystal points out that 23.2% of Broncos sets of downs led to a third-and-long situation, which ranked them 24th. And Denver fans know the weakest point of the offense this year was the running game consistency as well as big plays.
But, will Jeanty even be available at No. 20 when the Broncos pick?
It’s possible, but he would have to slip a bit to land there. Other mocks have the star going in the top-15 picks.
Plus, if there’s groupthink placing Jeanty on the Broncos, other teams will make Denver pay to move up to get him. McCrystal also points out the last time Payton took a running back in the first round was Mark Ingram in 2011.
If Denver doesn’t take a running back, what will they target?
Payton talked about the Broncos’ needs on radio row last week in the leadup to the Super Bowl.
That’s when he explained to Kay Adams that a “joker” to him is that running back or tight end who is a great receiver. Think the aforementioned Ingram or Alvin Kamara in New Orleans, and Jimmy Graham at tight end.
Besides a running back and tight end both being clear needs, Payton also said middle linebacker and safety are next up on the list.
If they go after a tight end, there’s options in Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, each from the Big Ten where tight ends are made.
Similarly with Jeanty, Warren may be gone by the time the Broncos pick at No. 20. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com compares him to Jeremy Shockey. And Zierlein calls him a Year 1 starter. Warren is 6’6” and 261 pounds; he’s huge. Golic Jr. compared him to Rob Gonkowski in the Penn State – Notre Dame game in the College Football Playoff.
Loveland is also projected to be a Year 1 starter and was compared to Sam LaPorta of the Detroit Lions. At 6’5” and 245 pounds, Loveland isn’t small by any means. And his route running is a major highlight of his abilities. No offense to Shockey, who had a solid career and even played for Payton, but if Loveland turns out to be a player like LaPorta, the Broncos would be in great hands going forward.
Bo Nix is clearly the quarterback the Broncos are building around. And he needs a playmaking tight end. He also needs a running back that can make big plays and take some pressure off the passing game.
What the Denver Broncos select at No. 20 will be dissected over the next two months. But the experts think Jeanty makes a lot of sense.
