Since the end of the 2024 season, excitement surrounding the next generation of NFL stars has spread from the college football community to the NFL and fantasy football community. Now, with just days to go until the NFL Draft, even the most casual, Sunday-to-Sunday fans are curious about the potential of the 2025 rookie class.
In a recent Q&A episode of his podcast, Todd McShay compared Boise State running back phenom Ashton Jeanty with 2023 rookie Bijan Robinson.
Todd McShay Compares Ashton Jeanty with Bijan Robinson
During a recent mailbag episode of “The Todd McShay Show,” McShay was asked about Jeanty and how he compares with Robinson. Like Jeanty, Robinson was considered a blue-chip prospect at the running back position and was expected to be taken early in the draft.
McShay explained that, in his opinion, Robinson was a more advanced prospect in the receiving game, excelling in running routes and making plays after the catch. Moving on to Jeanty, McShay began his analysis of the Boise State product with an exciting player comparison.
“His run style reminds me a lot, maybe just because they’re shorter, compact, LaDainian Tomlinson. The run style, the combination of vision, change of direction, the quick shiftiness, low to the ground, and then also the contact balance.”
If comparisons to a Hall of Famer weren’t enough, McShay then stated his belief that Jeanty is a better pure runner than Robinson was in college.
“I think [Jeanty has] more contact balance and power than Bijan. Purely from a running-the-football standpoint, Jeanty’s better.”
📬from Brian on X: Ashton Jeanty vs. Bijan Robinson❓
👀Mailbag Special on TheMcShayShow ⬇️
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@ringer @yougoodmuench pic.twitter.com/13jCjo50cB— Todd McShay (@McShay13) April 18, 2025
After splitting time with Tyler Allgeier in 2023, Robinson ranked third in rushing yards (1,456) in 2024 and was fifth among all running backs in receiving yards (431). Jeanty is much more of an explosive power back than the elusive Robinson, making direct comparisons more difficult.
Latest PFSN Mock Draft Has Jeanty Going Two Spots Later Than Robinson Did in 2023
Robinson was drafted eighth overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2023 and has already proven to be a solid value. The overwhelming majority of 2025 Mock Drafts have sent Jeanty to the Las Vegas Raiders two spots higher at Pick 6.
The latest seven-round Mock Draft from PFSN’s Ian Cummings, though, sees the Raiders passing on Jeanty, and the Chicago Bears taking advantage at Pick 10.
“The Chicago Bears acquired Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman, and Jonah Jackson in the early months of 2025. Ben Johnson is striving to have an elite two-phase offense, and nothing less in his first year. They have most of the pieces in place. A difference-maker at RB is next up.
“Johnson’s creativity in the passing game gets the most attention, but Detroit’s strong running game helped the Lions control games. Jeanty is the perfect RB to carry that effect to Chicago with his blend of elusiveness, vision, creative IQ, and ruthless physicality.”
The Bears have been incredibly aggressive so far this offseason as they attempt to provide Johnson with a winning team. After two years of coaching David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs with the Detroit Lions, there’s a good chance that Johnson will want an upgrade on D’Andre Swift.
Wherever Jeanty goes, though, 31 NFL defenses will have another big problem to deal with from September.