Jeanty works out at Boise State pro day, talks NFL landing spots. Is more history ahead?
Scouts from all 32 NFL teams spent Wednesday inside Boise State’s football facility, hoping to catch a final up-close glimpse of star running back Ashton Jeanty ahead of next month’s NFL Draft.
Many of them might have left somewhat disappointed.
Jeanty was among a handful of Broncos who participated in Boise State’s pro day on Wednesday. After Jeanty had only his measurements taken at the NFL Combine last month, deciding against partaking in on-field activities, onlooking scouts and fans hoped to see him hit the bench press or run the 40-yard dash on Wednesday.
Instead, he once again avoided activity. It was only in the last hour of the four-hour event that Jeanty went to work, training with Minnesota Vikings assistant coach Curtis Modkins on running back drills and then catching passes from Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen.
Jeanty dropped just one pass in the receiving drills, a high ball over his shoulder down the hash marks. He had just 14 receptions for 155 yards in 2024, but 43 receptions for 569 yards in 2023. A strong receiving performance on Wednesday might have been needed for Jeanty to remind NFL scouts that he’s more than just a runner.
Jeanty led the nation in rushing last season, gaining 2,601 yards and nearly breaking Barry Sanders’ single-season record — 2,628 yards in 1988. He then finished second to Colorado’s Travis Hunter in the Heisman Trophy voting, and he was a consensus first-team All-American.
“There’s not really much question marks on my game, especially running with the football,” Jeanty said afterward. “The competitive side in me wants to go out there, but, just in the process, is it really going to help my stock or not?”
Mock drafts are consistently beginning to pinpoint Jeanty as the 6th overall pick in the April 24 draft, with ESPN’s Mike Tannenbaum and Yahoo Sports both having him taken in that spot by the Las Vegas Raiders. Jeanty would become the Broncos’ highest-ever draft pick if that came to fruition — overtaking Ryan Clady, who was the 12th overall pick by the Denver Broncos in 2008.
Those forecasts could hold even more weight considering Raiders general manager John Spytek was in attendance Wednesday. Las Vegas had the worst rushing offense in the league last year, and with Geno Smith now tied down at quarterback, a running back would be a logical pick for new coach Pete Carroll.
Jeanty, who met with Spytek, is also keenly aware of the situation in Las Vegas.
“Great organization. They’ve got a few pieces. I know that they could use a running back,” Jeanty said. “They’ve got that nice pick, No. 6, so we’ll see what happens. But it’s been great meeting with them, with their running back coach.”
Jeanty previously said he’d like to be drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, the city where he spent his high school years. He also told reporters he has talked with the New Orleans Saints, where Boise State legend Kellen Moore is the new head coach, and had dinner with the team’s running backs coach on Tuesday.
“You want to go to the right fit, the right organization,” Jeanty said. “But also to have a great group of players around you. Good vets to show you the way, a great group of front office leaders, I think that’s a big portion.
“Everybody wants to be in their hometown. But it’s just about being at the right fit, just like Boise State was the right fit.”
This story was originally published March 26, 2025 at 8:02 PM.
