According to the Chinese, 2024 was the Year of the Dragon. Over in America, though, it was the year of the running back. The position had been losing prominence as offenses evolved towards more expansive, pass-friendly schematics. However, the likes of Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry resuscitated the dying art of tailbacking back into vogue. Over on the next rung of the sport, Ashton Jeanty was the poster child of this running back renaissance.
Ashton Jeanty’s tryst with the Heisman Trophy and breaching Barry Sanders’ all-time rushing record came up just short. However, Jeanty can take solace from knowing he’s RB1 in what is as stacked a draft class at the position as ever. Conventionally, running backs aren’t viewed as first-round picks. Let alone top-10 picks, which Jeanty’s projected to be. The rationale is quite straightforward. For one, the position isn’t as prominent in modern football as alluded to earlier. But the more significant reason is how short their shelf lives are. This means expending a high draft pick on a RB doesn’t represent value. Relative to, say, an offensive tackle. However, certain players are so good they become exceptions to the norm. Ashton Jeanty fits that billing.
Despite his humble G5 career with Boise State, Ashton Jeanty is unanimously viewed as a blue-chip prospect. Naturally, that tags along some mainstream, national attention. Which, by extension, tags along endorsements. Jeanty’s yet to sign his rookie-scale contract, but he’s already making money moves as a byproduct of his imminent NFL foray. Mere hours away from being called upon that NFL Draft podium by commish Roger Goodell, one such endorsement deal hooked him up with The Sheriff, Peyton Manning. Now conceded, Peyton probably isn’t the best person in the world to give advice to a rookie! His infamously poor year 1 best remains brushed under the carpet like how you did your mom’s favorite glassware. But when a Canton gold jacket talks, you ought to listen. He had some profound advice for Jeanty ahead of the biggest night of his life.
Peyton Manning’s quirky advertisements with Nationwide are beloved, quite literally, nationwide. Ashton Jeanty is seemingly onboard the company’s roster, too, now. Over on their official IG handle, Nationwide posted a video of Jeanty as he’s being presented with a tablet and told Manning’s got a message for him. Which he delivers, virtually. “Hey Ashton, Peyton Manning here. Just want to say congratulations on fulfilling your dream of reaching the NFL. Listen, you’ve accomplished so many amazing things in your football career already. I just can’t wait to watch your journey continue at the next level. Enjoy this moment. You’ve earned it. All the best!” said Manning. Is it a little chalk? Sure. But behind this rather generic, vanilla message is somebody who epitomizes stability and poise in the backfield. These are traits Jeanty will also seek to cultivate in himself.
For the most part, Ashton Jeanty can rest on his laurels tonight. There won’t be much panic or sweat dripping down foreheads on his table in the green room tonight. Jeanty’s almost assuredly a top-10 pick. But the exact number, or franchise, he lands with is probably the biggest talking point going. Some news reverberating out of Chicago suggests Jeanty might be in for an even shorter stay in the green room than initially expected.
GM Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears ramp up their pursuit of Ashton Jeanty
For almost the entirety of the draft process, Ashton Jeanty has been projected to go to the Las Vegas Raiders with the 6th overall pick. There was plenty of reason to believe this. Not just because of the credible reporting, but the footballing aspect and fit. New HC Pete Carroll sure could do with his new Marshawn Lynch. Beast Mode, reincarnated. However, it seems that the discourse around the Raiders was smoke and mirrors. Todd McShay, revered draftnik and insider, has categorically said the Raiders will NOT draft Jeanty. But it’s all a bunch of “he said, she said” at this time of year. As a result, the Chicago Bears- who reportedly have Jeanty pencilled in as their top priority- are making sure they don’t get the proverbial chair pulled on them by the Raiders.
The Athletic’s senior NFL insider Dianna Russini reports, “Teams think the Bears are trying to trade up to land Ashton Jeanty.” The Bears’ pursuit of Jeanty isn’t a revelation. They’ve been eyeing him for a hot minute. There were 2 stumbling blocks, though. They pick 10th, and there are a host of teams in front of them in the pecking order that could do a lot worse than pick him. Secondly, it’s difficult to justify trading into the top 5 for a RB. A move that usually commands a king’s ransom. But seems like GM Ryan Poles is prepared to go for the jugular. Currently, the Jaguars and their 5th overall pick seem like the most likely trade spot if the Bears were to pull the trigger on this. But don’t sleep on the Patriots’ 4th pick being a possible scenario either.
We’ve seen what the Bears’ new HC and offensive whiz Ben Johnson did with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs as the OC in Detroit. Him getting his hands on Ashton Jeanty could result in some devilish playcalling and outcomes. Not only will it open up the playbook for Johnson, but it’ll alleviate pressure off QB1 Caleb Williams. This really seems like a home run pick, and one that’s admittedly scary as a Packers fan. But will Jeanty reciprocate the value of what the Bears will have to part with in exchange? Only time will tell. With under a couple of hours left till the Titans are on the clock, the Bears still haven’t made a trade.
The post Ashton Jeanty Receives Peyton Manning’s Strong Message as Ryan Poles & Bears’ Last-Minute Draft Call Nearly Confirms His NFL Fate appeared first on EssentiallySports.
