NFL Draft season is in full swing with just over two months until the annual selection meeting. There is a proliferation of mock drafts during this time of year, and NFL media analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently released his latest version. He made a bold prediction for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who will be looking for a new running back this spring.
Daniel Jeremiah Predicts Steelers Will Add Ashton Jeanty
Jeremiah’s most recent mock draft has Pittsburgh drafting 2024 Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty.
Running back is a position of need for the Steelers as the team isn’t expected to re-sign Najee Harris. The former first-round pick has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his four seasons, but the team elected not to pick up his fifth-year option and is prepared to let him walk.
Pittsburgh has had numerous offensive line issues recently, but that didn’t stop Jeremiah from predicting that the team will be the first to take a running back, writing, “The Steelers spent the past two drafts beefing up their offensive line. Now they land a top-five player in the class to run behind it.”
It’s a small miracle that Harris was able to eclipse 1,000 yards every year behind Pittsburgh’s offensive line, so Jeanty would have his work cut out for him.
The true junior will be up to the task as he was one of the most prolific running backs college football has ever seen. In his final season at Boise State, Jeanty led FBS in carries (374) and rushing yards (2,601) and had 29 rushing touchdowns. He added another receiving score for 30 total touchdowns in 2024.
Jeanty left college with 50 total rushing touchdowns and 4,769 total rushing yards. He won the Maxwell Award (Most Outstanding Collegiate Player of the Year) and was named to the All-American team, in addition to finishing second for the Heisman Trophy.
Jeanty is the best running back available in this year’s draft, but PFSN doesn’t agree with where Jeremiah has him going.
PFSN’s own Ben Rolfe has Jeanty going sixth overall to the Las Vegas Raiders in his latest mock draft and has the Steelers selecting Missouri receiver Luther Burden III at No. 21.
About the running back, Rolfe wrote, “Jeanty is the most complete running back prospect in years. Despite his 5’9” frame, he has no real weaknesses, excelling as a receiver, pass protector, and dynamic runner. His elite vision, balance, and ability to shed tackles make him a game-changer, carrying Boise State to the College Football Playoff. Jeanty is a top-10 prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft with explosive speed, soft hands, and physicality.”
New Las Vegas head coach Pete Carroll has already said that having success offensively is not all about the quarterback, so expect the Raiders to look elsewhere in the draft to bolster their offense.
If Jeremiah’s prediction comes true it would be a massive get for Pittsburgh. They’ve needed offensive explosiveness for years and Jeanty would be an ideal piece to fill that need.