There aren’t many guarantees about the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, but among the few certainties: Boise State star Ashton Jeanty will be the first running back selected.
Ashton Jeanty finished second in the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting behind only Colorado Buffaloes two-way star Travis Hunter. The 211-pound running back rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2024.
Any RB-needy team should seriously consider targeting Jeanty. The Las Vegas Raiders (owners of the No. 6 pick) and Dallas Cowboys (No. 12 pick) have primarily been widely linked to Jeanty.
But Alan Goldsher of Sports Illustrated proposed a blockbuster trade idea with the Chicago Bears swooping in for Ashton Jeanty. In Goldsher’s proposal, the Bears would obtain the No. 5 pick from the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for the No. 10 and No. 72 picks:
“Jeanty’s already lofty stock is rising, and at this point, it looks like he won’t make it past Las Vegas at the six-spot. So if Poles and the Bears want to welcome the draft’s most can’t-miss offensive option—which they should—they’ll need to leapfrog the Raiders…and they do just that while holding on to their two second rounders.”
Since 2023, Ashton Jeanty *after contact* ranks 5th in rushing yards🤯 pic.twitter.com/c3OcgITeSV
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 16, 2025
The Bears have a promising offense led by 2024 first-overall pick Caleb Williams, wide receivers D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze and D’Andre Swift. The offensive line was an issue in 2024, but GM Ryan Poles has already brought veterans Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman to help Williams.
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But if they added a can’t-miss running back prospect like Ashton Jeanty, the Bears offense could reach another dimension under new head coach Ben Johnson. Don’t forget that Johnson comes from a Detroit Lions team that hit the jackpot when they used a 2023 first-round pick on Alabama RB Jahmyr Gibbs.
Which Other Teams Could Target Ashton Jeanty?
The New York Jets think they have their new starting quarterback in Justin Fields. Perhaps they’ll consider taking Jeanty with the No. 7 pick and give their dual-threat QB another playmaker to complement Garrett Wilson?
If the San Francisco 49ers don’t think Christian McCaffrey can stay healthy long-term, it’s not a stretch to think they could target Jeanty if he’s available at No. 11. The Arizona Cardinals have a reliable RB1 in James Conner, but it’d be hard to pass up on Jeanty’s talents if he’s there when they pick at 16.
Also Read: NFL Fans Are Worried About Bears HC Ben Johnson After Shocking New Photo Emerges
