Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 2024 and is one of the best running prospects in the NFL Draft. He found a deep running back class and sent RBS coach Eddie Faulkner to Boise to attend Jeanti’s pro day, as the Pittsburgh Steelers were needed in that position.
BJ Rains Found Faulkner from Bronconation News.
Pittsburgh has a formal meeting with Janti at the NFL Combine and could leave before Pittsburgh picks at No. 21, but the team is doing due diligence after seeing Johnny on Pro Day. When Najee Harris sets out to a free agency to join the Los Angeles Chargers, the Steelers are expected to draft a running back. It’s a surprise to teams using the first round pick in their positions, but if Jeanty is still on the board with No. 21, that might have to be a debate.
Last season, Ashton Jeanti ran the ball 374 times for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns, leading Boise State to the college football playoffs. He also ran 220 times for over 1,000 yards in 2023, with 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns. In his three years at Boise, he rushed for 4,769 yards and 50 touchdowns.
In a class where more than 30 running backs can be chosen, Jeanty stands out. He didn’t test at the combine, so he measured at 5,084 pounds and 211 pounds, so this is the Steelers’ first time Jeanty has run a 40-yard dash and tested on the field.
The Steelers have shown a lot of pre-draft interest in running backs. It has held at least eight formal meetings with players, or hosting five more running backs for pre-draft visits. It has not yet been reported that he is coming to Pittsburgh, but it’s not surprising that Jeanty gets caught up in being part of that list.
The defensive line may be Pittsburgh’s biggest need right now, but running backs cannot be completely ruled out as a Steelers’ option in the first round, especially if Ashton Janti falls to No. 21.
