Former Boise State Broncos running back and NFL Draft prospect Ashton Jeanty blew away the minds of the college football world this past season. After racking up 2,601 rushing yards on 374 carries with 29 touchdowns, it should be without question that the NFL franchise lucky enough to land this phenom is due to have a star for several years to come.
Several teams are looking to fill a hole at the running back position in this upcoming draft, but will any team in the back end of the first round be willing to give up some of their supply in this draft to get Jeanty? Two NFL Network analysts are on opposing sides regarding trading up for the generational running back.
Brian Baldinger and Bucky Brooks Share Opposing Views
While speaking on the NFL Network about whether an NFL team should invest in their tailback future to trade for Ashton Jeanty, analysts and former NFL players Brian Baldinger and Bucky Brooks took opposing stances on why or why not.
Should a team trade into the top 5️⃣ to take Ashton Jeanty? @BaldyNFL and @BuckyBrooks offer two views ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/kXdUlsHSUX
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) April 11, 2025
Baldinger argues why teams should not trade for Jeanty: “Typically, we don’t see trades into the top five for other positions besides quarterback… I just don’t think teams are gonna give up draft capital to move into the top five to take Ashton Jeanty… I don’t think you have to give up the capital in order to secure a guy like Jeanty although I do believe… he has a chance to be a real star in this draft.”
Fellow analyst Bucky Brooks seemingly disagreed with Baldy, giving his thoughts on why teams should, in fact, trade for Jeanty, “I believe you trade up to get talented players, you trade up and get an elite player, someone that you see can be special… There is a lot to love about Ashton Jeanty… to me, you can be sitting there and try to figure out would I like an elite player or would I like a good player… I choose to go for elite; I believe somebody will make a move and maybe get Ashton Jeanty in the top 5.
There is certainly an argument to be made for both sides, but both analysts use the words “star” and “elite” to describe Jeanty. Will those words mean something to an NFL franchise to go and get him in the top five?
Where Will Jeanty Run To?
Teams like the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers sit at picks 20 and 21 in this year’s draft, and they are also teams that need running back help. Pittsburgh lost Najee Harris to the Los Angeles Chargers, while the Broncos have needed help in the backfield for a while. Perhaps they find a deal good enough to jump running back needy teams higher up, such as the Browns (which may not happen considering the Titans sit at number one and the Browns at two) or the Patriots and Raiders, who sit at pick four and six, respectively.
Currently, in their latest 7-round mock draft, PSFN has Jeanty going just outside the top five at pick number 6 to the Las Vegas Raiders. With Geno in town, the Raider’s focus may shift to providing Smith with some weapons, and Jeanty would be just that.
The NFL Draft is full of surprises and mysteries. On April 24 in Green Bay, Wisc., the mystery of where Jeanty will be running will come to a close as the NFL world finds out where this sure-to-be first-round back will land and what backfield will get a whole lot scarier for NFL defenses.