Is Ashton Jeanty the Next Bijan Robinson? Fantasy Football Outlook 2025

The echoes of Bijan Robinson’s dominant college career at Texas still reverberate through the NFL landscape. Now, as we look toward the 2025 NFL Draft, another name is generating similar buzz: Ashton Jeanty. After a historic season at Boise State, the question on every fantasy football manager’s mind is: Can Jeanty replicate Robinson’s success and become a league-winning asset?

Jeanty’s Collegiate Dominance: A Statistical Overview

Ashton Jeanty’s 2024 season was nothing short of legendary. He rushed for 2,601 yards, the second-highest single-season total in FBS history, trailing only Barry Sanders’ remarkable 1988 campaign. Jeanty also scored 29 rushing touchdowns, setting a new Boise State single-season record. His all-purpose yardage of 2,750 led the nation. In the opening game of the 2024 season against Georgia Southern, Jeanty rushed for 267 yards and 6 touchdowns.

NFL Draft Projections and Team Fits

Jeanty’s exceptional college production has catapulted him to the top of many draft boards. NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah had Jeanty as his third overall prospect. Dane Brugler from The Athletic and PFF both ranked him as the fifth-best player in the draft. Multiple mock drafts project him as a first-round pick, with some even suggesting he could land in the top 10.

Several teams have been identified as potential landing spots for Jeanty. DraftKings listed the Chicago Bears as the favorites to draft Jeanty with the No. 10 overall pick. Other teams mentioned include the Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints.

Fantasy Football Impact: Immediate RB1 Potential?

The fantasy football community is already salivating over Jeanty’s potential. TheFantasyFootballers.com labeled him as the “best RB prospect since Saquon Barkley” and a potential top-10 dynasty running back before even taking an NFL snap. They project him as a true workhorse who could post RB1 numbers as a rookie.

PFF also highlights Jeanty’s potential to thrive as a rookie, noting that running backs with his talent level tend to excel early in their careers. Draftsharks.com goes as far as to say that Jeanty’s prospect profile is on par with Bijan Robinson’s and that he should be a top pick in dynasty rookie drafts.

Bijan Robinson: A Generational Talent

Bijan Robinson was considered a generational talent leading up to the 2023 NFL Draft. The Atlanta Falcons selected him with the eighth overall pick. Robinson’s college career at Texas was marked by exceptional rushing ability, receiving skills, and an impressive ability to force missed tackles.

In his final season at Texas, Robinson ran for 1,575 yards and 18 touchdowns, adding 314 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He forced an astounding 104 missed tackles. NFL draft analyst Doug Farrar compared Jeanty to Robinson, a comparison that Robinson himself agreed with. Robinson praised Jeanty’s ability to break tackles and maintain forward momentum.

Jeanty vs. Robinson: Skill Set Comparison

While comparisons are inevitable, it’s crucial to analyze Jeanty’s skill set and how it stacks up against Robinson’s.

Vision and Elusiveness: Both backs possess exceptional vision and elusiveness, allowing them to navigate tight spaces and make defenders miss. CBS Sports notes that Jeanty has outstanding vision, slithering through tight creases on zone plays.
Power and Contact Balance: Jeanty is known for his impressive contact balance and ability to break tackles. Draftsharks.com highlights his low pad level and power through contact.
Receiving Ability: Both backs are capable receivers, adding another dimension to their game. In 2023, Jeanty had 569 receiving yards, the most of any running back in the nation.
Size and Speed: Jeanty measured in at 5-foot-8 and 211 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine. While he may not have elite top-end speed, his explosiveness and agility allow him to make big plays.

Concerns and Considerations

Despite the overwhelming positive outlook, some concerns surround Jeanty’s profile.

Size: Jeanty’s height is a potential concern for some analysts. CBS Sports draft analyst Ryan Wilson notes that historically, very few running backs under 5-foot-9 have amassed significant rushing yardage in the NFL.
Passing Game Usage: While Jeanty is a capable receiver, he wasn’t heavily used in the passing game in college, which limits his three-down upside.

Fantasy Football Outlook 2025: A Potential Star in the Making

Ashton Jeanty has the potential to be a fantasy football superstar. His exceptional college production, well-rounded skill set, and projected draft capital make him a highly coveted prospect. While concerns about his size and passing game usage exist, his strengths outweigh his weaknesses.

If Jeanty lands in a favorable situation with a team that utilizes his talents effectively, he could become an immediate RB1 and a cornerstone of fantasy football rosters for years to come. Keep a close eye on his landing spot and draft position, as these factors will significantly impact his fantasy value in 2025.