Ashton Jeanty Sends Bold Message to NFL: Draft the Guy Nobody Can Tackle

Ashton Jeanty probably isn’t losing any sleep over next week's NFL Draft. While most prospects are anxiously checking their phones, Jeanty’s just waiting to hear which team will call his name—likely in the top 10 picks. Now that’s what you call job security.

After a monster season at Boise State—where he racked up an eye-popping 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns—Jeanty’s widely considered the best running back in the draft. His resume alone should have NFL general managers lining up, but Jeanty made his pitch even clearer in a letter to teams, writing, "I’d draft the guy they can’t tackle." If confidence counts for anything, this guy’s already in the end zone.

Jeanty’s knack for dodging defenders is legendary. Coaches and scouts are buzzing about his ability to leave would-be tacklers grasping at air, and there’s a sense he’ll make an impact from day one in the league.

Watching the Super Bowl this February, Jeanty didn’t just see Saquon Barkley steamrolling through defenses for the Eagles—he saw himself. "That can be me," he told NFL GMs. That’s some beautiful delusion, but in Jeanty’s case, it might just be destiny.

His confidence, he says, comes from family—his dad’s military career meant lots of moves and adapting to new situations. Jeanty’s football journey started in the backyard, outmaneuvering kids years older, and discovering early on that nobody could lay a hand on him. There’s something poetic about a future NFL star being built on backyard games and sibling rivalries.

Jeanty’s path wasn’t always smooth. When his family moved to Naples, Italy, there wasn’t even a football program for him in middle school. Instead of sulking, Jeanty learned resilience. "A lot of people, they might flourish when things are going according to plan. But then, if they get thrown a curveball, they can’t adapt. Me, I feel like I’m the opposite," he wrote. That attitude? NFL teams eat it up.

Back in Texas for high school, Jeanty’s running back instincts kicked in for real. He describes the feeling as turning into an "unstoppable beast" every time he touches the ball. Opposing defenses might want to start stretching now.

The Las Vegas Raiders hold the sixth overall pick, and many mock drafts peg them as Jeanty’s likely landing spot. With Pete Carroll returning to coach and Geno Smith at quarterback, the Raiders could use a dynamic back to spice things up. Whoever gets Jeanty isn’t just getting a highlight machine—they’re getting a guy who fully expects to win, and soon.

"If you pick me, it’s simple: I’m coming to your franchise to do what Saquon and the Eagles just did. I’m coming to win, big, soon," Jeanty promised. NFL GMs, consider yourselves warned.