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Former Boise State standout Ashton Jeanty bucked the trend of elite running backs being skipped near the top of the NFL Draft after the Las Vegas Raiders made him a priority at No. 6 overall, getting ahead of several other franchises enamored with the Heisman Trophy runner-up.
However, glancing at college football’s potential 2026 NFL Draft class at the position, there could be another ballcarrier coming for the top-10 throne.
The dwindling emphasis on running backs early in recent years commenced after Saquon Barkley went second overall to the New York Giants in 2018. The only other top-10 selection in the backfield prior to Jeanty was Bijan Robinson, the Atlanta Falcons’ eighth overall selection in 2023.
Jeanty led the nation last season in carries (374), yards (2,601) and touchdowns (29), saving his best campaign for last as the Broncos reached the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history. His physical traits and athleticism were on the NFL’s radar long before his junior production, but 185.8 yards per game and durability despite facing loaded fronts every week was enough to spike his draft stock.
In essense, Jeanty checked every box for the Raiders front office and new general manager John Spytek.
“It’s one of those deals where it meets the need and the best player meet together, and you kind of feel like that’s a perfect storm at that point, too, and it’s just too much to ignore at that point,” Spytek said after investing in Jeanty. “He’s the perfect player for us this year, and we were thrilled to make him a Raider.”
Sifting through returning ballcarriers who will be draft-eligible in 2026 coming off impressive seasons, Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Penn State’s Nicholas Singleton are the chart-toppers. Love…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/finding-the-next-ashton-jeanty-college-football-rbs-poised-to-emerge-as-top-picks-in-2026-nfl-draft/
Author : Brad Crawford
Publish date : 2025-04-28 16:00:00
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