The 2025 NFL Draft is quickly approaching and Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is expected to be the first running back selected. Jeanty has been linked to the Las Vegas Raiders in many recent mock drafts, but the Chicago Bears are another popular pick if the Heisman runner-up falls.
One NFL Analyst thinks Jeanty could win Offensive Rookie of the Year if he ends up with the Bears.
Ashton Jeanty Wins OROY…If He’s Drafted By Chicago
Jeanty is one of the top players available in the 2025 NFL Draft. He’s an explosive runner with excellent contact balance and vision, and he can make defenders look bad breaking tackles.
His overall size is average, but he offsets it with outstanding speed and burst. His lower center of gravity makes him sturdy, and his scheme versatility makes him one of the most valuable players in this year’s class.
Pro Football Focus Analyst Dalton Wasserman recently discussed Jeanty and feels he’d be a perfect match for Ben Johnson’s offense in Chicago.
Wasserman said, “If Ashton Jeanty doesn’t go to Las Vegas at six, and he is available to the Bears at 10, take him. Put him behind that offensive line. Get him in there with Caleb Williams. You’ve got [DJ] Moore and [Rome] Odunze on the outside. Get him behind [Braxton] Jones, [Jonah] Jackson, [Drew] Dalman, [Joe] Thuney, [Darnell] Wright. Get him behind those five and watch what happens.
“At that point, if the Bears were to get him, I would probably pick Ashton Jeanty to win Rookie of the Year. I think that’s got the potential to be an elite offensive line. I understand if they like the depth of this class and they want to go defensive line first. I would understand it. They still need some help there.
“Ashton Jeanty is special, and if you put him behind this offensive line he could absolutely be special. You talk about taking the pressure off Caleb Williams. You talk about Ben Johnson getting into the run game that he wants to. If Ashton Jeanty is on the board at 10, Chicago Bears, take him. Run with it. See ya in the postseason.”
The Bears have gone through a major overhaul this offseason. Johnson was quickly brought in as head coach, and GM Ryan Poles got to work on the offensive line. The team traded for Thuney and Jackson and signed Dalman in free agency.
Johnson wants a strong running game, and adding Jeanty could get Chicago back in the postseason. The NFC North was the toughest division in football last season with three teams winning 11 or more games. The Bears have a lot of work to do, but Jeanty would help them compete.