Here at Ourlads Scouting, we have always and will always take pride in our process. The film watching, information seeking, and collaborative effort to come up with our final grades in April is detailed and arduous. We assure you; these players will all go through an extensive process. With that in mind, know that we still have a large part of the process before our grades are complete and sent to the printer.
The way things are looking right now? There will not be a clear-cut top shelf quarterback. There may only be one top shelf wide receiver. There may be just one top shelf offensive tackle. There may be only one top shelf cornerback. And there may only be one top shelf edge rusher. Compared to the most recent draft?
Picks 1, 2, 3, 8, and 10? Quarterback
Picks 4, 6, and 9? Wide Receiver.
Picks 5 and 7? Offensive Tackle
All ten picks were premium positions. This will not be the case in April. Here is my proposal for a team selecting in the top fifteen to pursue a position that far too many are viewing as “not valuable enough”. And that is Ashton Jeanty, a running back from Boise State.
There is a growing narrative and trend that running backs do not hold enough value to be selected high in the draft. Analytics have taken over a thick part of the decision-making process and their data tells some it is a waste of a pick. I strongly disagree with the notion. Let’s take a look at the last five running backs taken in the top 15 and where their current teams stand:
Jahmyr Gibbs (#12)/ DET: 1st Place
Bijan Robinson (#8) / ATL: 1st Place
Saquon Barkley (#2) / NYG: 1st Place
Leonard Fournette (#4) / JAX: Retired
Christian McCaffrey (#8) / CAR: 2nd Place
The draft has never and will never be an exact science. Those that create hard rules such as “running backs should not be drafted high” are simply out of touch with reality. A good running back can help a team score points, plain and simple. A great running back can elevate the entire team to a different level. If the goal is to win games and create a versatile roster, a back like Jeanty should be near or even at the top of the wish list of most teams.
The support system for the back is needed. This is where the Giants fell short with Barkley and we are now seeing what he could have been had their front office properly built an offensive line. Without the key players at the key positions above, Jeanty is likely to finish with a top ten grade unanimously and I think there are multiple top fifteen teams that could be the right fit for him to have that early impact.
The franchise quarterback is in place. While a top-graded receiver or tackle would be the preferred path, there may not be one available. The old-school mantra of the Patriots staff can open the door to Jeanty as this team is looking to slowly but surely build this offense with a balanced approach. Current starter Rhamondre Stevenson’s cap hits are $5.6 and 7.6 million over the next two years without any guaranteed money left after 2026. An affordable two-back system with a rookie and physical veteran has worked well for Detroit.
Tony Pollard was signed to a three-year deal this past offseason and Tyjae Spears is a solid backup on an affordable rookie contract. But both of them could be out after 2025 with minimal-to-no cap hit, and General Manager Ron Carthon comes from the San Francisco Front Office tree. They know the value of having both an elite back and quality depth within an offense that does not have an elite force at quarterback. They invested a top ten pick along the offensive line in 2024 and Bill Callahan inspires hope for the kind of situation that can use a top back to its full advantage.
Zack Moss may never be the same after sustaining an injury and while Chase Brown has impressed in year two, Jeanty is on another level. The current system in Cincinnati is simply not working and they are about to lose Tee Higgins in free agency. Bringing in a back like this should provide more balance and a new way of approaching that side of the ball while still depending on Joe Burrow. The one negative here is the fact this offensive line has been one of the most underperforming groups of run blockers in the NFL.
One of the most perplexing approaches to personnel league wide last offseason was the Dallas front office overlooking the running back position. They understandably let Tony Pollard walk. But passing on several backs in the draft in addition to signing the likes of Ezekiel Elliot and Dalvin Cook has been a catalyst to their struggles. With Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb signed long term, this would be an ideal landing spot for a superstar running back. Dallas also has a top ten run blocking group up front.