NFL Draft expert shares insight on top prospect Ashton Jeanty that will be music to the Dallas Cowboys' ears
It's to find a mock draft out there that doesn't have Ashton Jeanty's name pegged to the Dallas Cowboys. At pick No. 12, he's considered the likeliest choice given the Cowboys' need at running back and Brian Schottenheimer's discourse about restoring the run game under his regime. While Jeanty would be an exciting pick, there's […]
It's to find a mock draft out there that doesn't have Ashton Jeanty's name pegged to the Dallas Cowboys.
At pick No. 12, he's considered the likeliest choice given the Cowboys' need at running back and Brian Schottenheimer's discourse about restoring the run game under his regime.
While Jeanty would be an exciting pick, there's no question picking a running back as early as within the Top 15 is a risk due to opportunity cost. So I reached out to A to Z Sports' draft expert Ryan Roberts with some questions about Jeanty, and I'll add some notes here and there.
What makes Ashton Jeanty an exception to the concerns about drafting a first round RB?
Roberts: The three down impact is what sets Jeanty apart. Some has attempted to downplay him because of athleticism, but they also undervalue his vision, physicality, and contact balance as a runner. Then you add in Jeanty's soft hands as a pass catcher and pass blocking prowess, and that makes him very worth it. This is an every down back who could become one of the very best running backs in the NFL in the very near future.
Rodriguez: If the Cowboys are going to pick Jeanty, they'll likely do so hoping to have the kind of impact Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry just had on their respective new teams. Potentially becoming "one of the best running backs in the NFL," is high praise.
In today's NFL, pass protection and pass catching are important for RBs to stay on the field on third down. How does Jeanty fare in those departments?
Roberts: Jeanty is very good in both departments. Funny enough, he actually spent the majority of his high school career as a wide receiver. You need to go back to his 2023 season where he was utilized a bunch as a pass receiver. His blocking is also good, showcasing tremendous lower body power, and want as a blocker.
What kind of rushing scheme (zone, gap) would benefit Jeanty the most on Sundays?
Roberts: He is a pretty diverse player as a runner. His vision is one of the biggest sells to his game, making him the perfect inside zone runner. Jeanty’s level of physicality can also project well to a gap scheme. The only system that wouldn’t necessarily fit him great is in an outside zone scheme due to ability to consistently threaten the edge.
Rodriguez: This is music to the ears of the Cowboys. Their primary run scheme is likely to be inside zone given the franchise's and Brian Schottenheimer's history. However, with the addition of Klayton Adams, you can expect plenty of counter runs and other gap schemes. Wide zone not being Jeanty's top fit isn't a problem for Dallas.
Jeanty has been described by some analysts as "generational," though it seems that term has been overused in recent years with prospects such as Bijan Robinson, Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, etc. How does Jeanty stack coming out of college to those players in the past?
Roberts: I would not label him as a generational player, but he is bordering on elite. He is the type of running back who should be a perennial 1,200 yard rusher per season, as well as hauling in 50 passes per year. He isn’t in the Saquon Barkley tier of prospect, or Christian McCaffery, but him against Bijan Robinson is an interesting conversation.
