The 2025 NFL Draft will begin on April 24, and to prepare for that, we need Vikings fans to be fully prepared in every way. Of course, we will cover players the Vikings will need, but it is important to go beyond that.
In the case of this running back report, we will cover the position here at Vikings Wire because the team needs some better talent at the position.
The Vikings have shown that their offense and what they hope to achieve rely upon the team’s consistent ground attack. The trade for Cam Akers was a nice band-aid approach, but Akers and Ty Chandler aren’t long-term answers. Aaron Jones also has been a breath of fresh air and has made a bigger impact than anyone could have hoped. Even if they bring him back, we need a backup option in place and someone who could step up and become the guy if called upon.
With that in mind, here is a running back prospect who could don a Vikings uniform next season.
Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs past Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Kobe King (41) during their Vrbo Fiesta Bowl matchup at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 31, 2024.
Player: Ashton Jeanty
School: Boise State
Year: Third-Year Junior
DOB (Age when drafted): December 2, 2003 (21)
Height (unofficial): 5-9
Weight (unofficial): 215 lbs.
Dec 14, 2024; New York, NY, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty poses for a photo during a press conference before the 2024 Heisman Trophy Presentation. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images
- 4-star recruit according to 247 Sports
- Father was in the Navy and stationed in Europe which resulted in a year of football in Italy
- 2024 Maxwell and Doak Walker Award Winners
- Heisman Trophy Runner-Up in 2024
Nov 29, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) during the second half against the Oregon State Beavers at Albertsons Stadium. Boise State defeats Oregon State 34-18. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-Imagn Images
- Touches: 830
- Rushing Yards: 4,769
- Rushing Touchdowns: 50
- Receiving Yards: 862
- Receiving Touchdowns: 6
- Fumbles: 10
Nov 23, 2024; Laramie, Wyoming, USA; Boise State Broncos running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Ashton Jeanty (2) runs for a touchdown against the Wyoming Cowboys during the first quarter at Jonah Field at War Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-Imagn Images
Rushing Grade: 96.6
Yards Per Carry After Contact: 5.25
Rushing Attempts Over 10 Yards: 63
Yards After Catch Per Reception: 6.7
Yards Per Route Run: 0.53
Nov 16, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs for a touchdown against the San Jose State Spartans in the third quarter at CEFCU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
- Contact balance is always on display
- Amazing vision, finds running lanes consistently at the line of scrimmage, even as the team closes in
- Runs through arm tackles, doesn’t lose momentum
- Shows promise of being a reliable receiving option
- Reliable durability, could handle 25-30 touches a game
Nov 16, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs for a touchdown against the San Jose State Spartans in the second quarter at CEFCU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Vision: 9
Cutback Ability: 8
Long Speed: 8
Contact Balance: 9
Pass Blocking: 7
Break/Avoid Tackles: 8.7
Durability: 7
Receiving Ability: 7
Quickness: 9
Ball Security: 8
Nov 9, 2024; Boise, Idaho, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the ball against Nevada Wolf Pack safety Kitan Crawford (4) during the first quarter at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-Imagn Images
One of the easier studies of the entire 2025 NFL Draft class, Ashton Jeant, is in a tier of his own. He is as good as recent running back prospects like Bijan Robinson and Saquon Barkley. He is a homerun hitter outside the tackles or between them. His contact balance is why he finds success so easily. Jeanty also has great vision and ability to run through arm tackles. When he hits the second level, he is gone, and even if you have a closing angle, the defenders cannot do much to stop his momentum. A near-perfect running back prospect who deserves to go in the top five based on talent alone.
Player Grade: 8.03
Projected Role: Pro Bowl Talent