The NFL Draft kicks off this Thursday, promising a whirlwind of excitement as teams scramble to secure the league’s future stars. Among the top prospects lighting up the conversation are projected first overall pickCam Ward of Miami, Colorado’s do-it-all defender Travis Hunter, and Penn State’s relentless edge rusher Abdul Carter. But stealing the spotlight is Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, a running back who put together one of the most stunning seasons in college football history in 2024.
With over 2,600 rushing yards – joining Barry Sanders as the only FBS players to reach that mark in a single year – Jeanty finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up. Now, the big question buzzing around the league is: Who’s going to grab this game-changer? The Las Vegas Raiders, sitting at pick six, have their eyes on him, but the Jacksonville Jaguars, holding the fifth overall selection, might just swoop in first.
Jaguars’ Chance to Strike Gold with Jeanty
The Jaguars could be on the verge of something special if they pull the trigger on Jeanty. Last year, they struck gold by drafting wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. He erupted for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns, leading all rookies in both categories in an electric debut season. Pairing him with Jeanty could give quarterback Trevor Lawrence the kind of offensive firepower that turns games into blowouts. Not only is Jeanty a local kid-born right here in Jacksonville-but he is a dynamic playmaker with speed that leaves defenders gasping for air, power to bulldoze tacklers, and a knack for catching passes that racks up yards after the catch.
Under the new leadership of general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen, Jacksonville seems hungry to stack talent around Lawrence, and Jeanty’s 30 touchdowns from his 2024 campaign prove he’s got the nose for the end zone every team craves. Jeanty is no ordinary prospect, he is a gem that could redefine any franchise lucky enough to draft him. Scouts can’t stop talking about his elite vision, balance and breakaway burst, drawing comparisons to legends like LaDainian Tomlinson, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara. His 2,601 rushing yards in 2024, paired with nearly 900 career receiving yards, show he’s a threat every time he touches the ball.
Jeanty’s NFL Ripple Effect
No matter where he lands, Jeanty’s arrival in the NFL will shake things up. If the Raiders get him, they’d still need a top-tier wide receiver to round out their attack alongside Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers – veterans like Amari Cooper, a former Raiders first-rounder, or Keenan Allen are still out there in free agency, tempting options for a quick fix. But if the Jaguars bring him home, they’d be doubling down on a youth movement that’s already showing promise with Thomas Jr. Jeanty has the kind of talent that doesn’t just fit into a system-he rewrites it. His mix of power, speed, and versatility could make him the kind of nightmare that keeps defenses-including maybe even a retired Tom Brady-watching from the broadcast booth at night.
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