Ashton Jeanty’s phone might be ringing earlier than expected on draft night.
For weeks, projections had the Boise State running back landing somewhere between picks No. 6 and No. 12. But that narrative’s starting to unravel. With less than 48 hours to go, momentum – and money – is suddenly backing Jeanty to crack the Top 5.
According to updated odds from DraftKings, the Jacksonville Jaguars have surged ahead as the new favorites to select Jeanty with the fifth overall pick. That’s a dramatic shift, considering Jacksonville hadn’t previously been linked to a running back in the first round at all.
Betting markets heat up as Jeanty climbs into Top 5 territory
The Jaguars are now listed at +110 to draft Jeanty, ahead of the Raiders (+145) and Bears (+300). Meanwhile, Jeanty is a -125 favorite to go at No. 5 specifically, and -160 to land anywhere in the Top 5. It’s the first time he’s been favored this high during the entire pre-draft process.
What changed? Some of it may have to do with perception. After years of treating running backs like mid-round luxuries, teams are rethinking their approach. Saquon Barkley’s bounce-back year with the Super Bowl champion Eagles opened some eyes, proving that the right back can be a franchise-changer.
NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah recently bumped Jeanty into his top 10, praising his patience, burst, and versatility as a three-down back. And analysts like ESPN’s Field Yates have hinted that Jeanty could break the mold: “His game tape speaks for itself.”
If the Jaguars follow through, Jeanty would become the first running back taken in the Top 5 since Barkley in 2018 – and the first ever by Jacksonville. It’d be a bold move in a draft class heavy on wide receivers and pass rushers, but one that could pay off in a big way for a team looking to get over the playoff hump.
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