Chicago Bears Draft Prospect Target: RB Ashton Jeanty

Mark Rebilas - USA Today Sports

Ariana Pensy - Correspondent - 5 hours ago

Last season, the Chicago Bears had one of the worst rushing offenses in the NFL. For the third time in the past four seasons, the Bears did not have a 1,000-yard rusher. Given Chicago’s history of elite running backs, including Gale Sayers, Walter Payton, and, more recently, Matt Forte, the lack of run production should not be tolerated.

During the 2024 offseason, Chicago signed running back D’Andre Swift, who was supposed to help with this problem. However, in 11 games last season, Swift averaged under four yards per carry; in five games, he averaged under three yards per carry. That is unacceptable for an NFL running back, especially one getting paid an annual salary of $8 million.

That is why the Bears could draft the top running back in this year’s NFL Draft, Heisman runner-up Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty was the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year for the past two seasons, although his 2024 campaign was historic.

With 2,601 rushing yards in the 14 games he played, Jeanty was just 28 yards shy of breaking the all-time record for rushing yards in a season, a record that Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders set in 1998. Jeanty also led the FBS in total plays (397) and rushing attempts (374). Furthermore, he led the Mountain West in rushing touchdowns (29) and total touchdowns (30). Last season marked his second year with at least 1,900 total yards and at least 19 total touchdowns. It was also the second consecutive season he led the Mountain West in rush attempts, rushing yards, and total plays.

Although he did not participate in the NFL Combine, per NFL Next Gen Stats, he has the highest production and total scores of any player at the Combine, regardless of position. Next Gen Stats also predicts that he will be an elite player in the NFL. Thus, Jeanty is a once-in-a-lifetime generational talent that could fall right into Chicago’s lap with the No. 10 overall pick.

It is commonly discussed how a running back cannot be successful without an offensive line that can block for him. Chicago certainly did not have that offensive line last season. However, with the two trades they have made for guards Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, the offensive line has significantly improved. Now, they have a line capable of protecting Jeanty.

Furthermore, the trades for Jackson and Thuney show the Bears may not be going after an offensive lineman as was initially suspected. This has been reflected in the most recent mock drafts, as the consensus for where Jeanty will be drafted seems to be going No. 10 overall to the Bears.

After Swift's performance this past season, Chicago needs another running back, and free agency is not the route to go. Some of the best options at running back in free agency are Aaron Jones, who played for the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings; Najee Harris, who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers; and A.J. Dillon, who played for the Packers. Jeanty is unquestionably a better prospect than all of them.

The Bears have already requested to interview Jeanty, although the Dallas Cowboys, who desperately need a running back, have also requested to interview Jeanty. The Cowboys may be the only team more likely to draft Jeanty than Chicago.