If the NFL is ready to run at running back in the end, Ashton Jeanti is there to make his best Saquon Berkley impression.
Jeanti faced a line of questions that was clearly different from other top college running backs in recent years at the 2025 NFL scouting combine.
“What do you think about the way the NFL cut their positions?” And instead, “What did you think of this year's running back revival?”
Because Berkley of the Eagles, Derrick Henry of the Ravens, Josh Jacobs of the Packers and Joe Mixon of the Texans had major career revivals after changing teams last offseason.
And Falcons' Behan Robinson, Bills' James Cook and Lions' Jermer Gibbs were touchdown machines on their first contract.
“Saquon did a great job for all the running backs,” said Jeanti. “It's the perfect time to enter this league. As I can see, the value of a running back is definitely backed up. Not only is he and everyone doing exceptional things in the NFL, but he's also here in my draft class.”
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was on the forefront of underestimating running backs a decade ago. He was the first to realize that when he poached Berkeley from the Giants, the pendulum swinging far in that direction.
Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta wasn't too late.
“Running backs are like the stock market,” DeCosta said. “They were up and then we went through this period when the analysis certainly emphasized its location.
“These are people who influence the game. I think they are probably considered to be replaced by some people, but if you have great people, if you have historical ones, you can't replace those people. They influence the game in many different ways, and it's a nightmare of defense.”
Jeanty is expected to cause many sleepless nights to his NFL opponents.
The comparison is clear.
At the same time Barkley set up an NFL single-season rushing record (including the playoffs) for 2,504 yards and seven touchdowns over 60 yards last season, Jeanty ran for 2,601 yards (the second-best single-season total in FBS history) and five gains for Boise State of at least 70 yards.
The only thing Jeanty didn't do is not admit that he probably couldn't do is reverse hurdle the defender.
“My biggest feature is my great ability to run a 60-yard yard run,” said Jeanti. “Congratulations to Saquon in a wonderful season. Our ability to miss that first man in space is our similarity.”
Jeanty placed second in the two-way threat Travis Hunter in the nearest Heisman Trophy race of 15 years.
Hunter is the top four picks of the consensus, but Jeanti is expected to be seventh in the Raiders and number 22 for the Chargers.
Will Jeanty leave to punish a team who makes the mistake of taking over him?
Despite the general manager's confidence that Joe Shane's No. 3 is too expensive to draft a running back, the last thing the Giants do to meet Janti at the combine is another revenge-hungered running back.
“I'm not saying 'mistakes',” said Jeanti. “All those mentioned are doing something special and show that if you have a special X-factor player in the running back position, you can really bolster your offense.”
Does Jeanty see herself in that X-factor light?
“Of course,” he said.
So does other people.
“I have a great believer in him,” said NFL network analyst Daniel Jeremiah. “He has a very high floor and has a very high ceiling.
“The interesting part from talking to people around the league is because of the depth of the class. If you have multiple needs, you can see a scenario where teams punt punts in a backrun early, and “I know there are still some options on the second day.” This is totally grateful that there is more love to run around the league after last season. ”
The duo of Omarion Hampton of North Carolina, Caleb Johnson of Iowa and Trevion Henderson and Quinsion Judkins of Ohio are the top backs of the deep class.
“I can't remember the legal outlook for this number in the running back position,” said John Schneider, the Seahawks general manager. “I don't usually talk about the depth of the draft, but that's just sticking out this year.”
Teams using draft depth as a reason to pass Jeanty could end up with a Barkley size regret.
“I think they're probably a bit overly underestimated,” said Adam Peters, the commander's general manager. “And I think it's evenly-aligned and it's back to where it should be.”
