Why Ashton Jeanty Can Be the Running Back Who Finally Wins Rookie of the Year Again | Deadspin.com

The listing of all-time nice operating backs who gained NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors is spectacular.

You’d want 3 or 4 paragraphs to recite all of them. We’ll identify 5 — Earl Campbell (1978), Barry Sanders (1989), Emmitt Smith (1990), Marshall Faulk (1994) and Adrian Peterson (2007).

Apologies to the Hall of Famers now not discussed, however the level is that this: If a operating again in the future turns into a legend, he most probably gained Rookie of the Year honors whilst getting his profession off to an excellent get started.

That’s the placement dealing with Las Vegas Raiders operating again Ashton Jeanty as he is taking intention at NFL stardom.

Jeanty was once the Heisman Trophy runner-up at Boise State after hanging in combination one of the crucial absolute best operating again seasons in school soccer historical past in 2024. His 2,601 speeding yards and 29 touchdowns at the flooring rank moment at the back of Sanders’ epic 1988 marketing campaign at Oklahoma State.

Jeanty’s peak pageant will come from Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward and Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Travis Hunter. The darkish horses come with Los Angeles Chargers operating again Omarion Hampton and New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough.

Though operating backs have historically fared neatly on this race, the final rookie to win was once Saquon Barkley (then of the New York Giants) in 2018.

Since then, 4 quarterbacks and two receivers have earned the distinction. Quarterback Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders was once final season’s peak rookie.

Jeanty, the No. 6 total pick out, has a forged probability to finish the new operating again drought.

Not handiest does he have breakaway pace — he had 5 landing runs of 70 or extra yards final season — however he additionally breaks tackles comfortably.

Jeanty additionally can be enjoying for a head trainer in Pete Carroll who favors a bell-cow again, that means he’ll get quite a lot of carries. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly may be identified for that includes peak backs closely.

Jeanty will catch extra passes within the execs, versus school, the place merely handing him the ball and getting out of the best way was once regularly the most productive technique.

To outduel Ward, Jeanty will most probably want no less than 1,500 scrimmage yards — and might wish to means 2,000.

Barkley totaled 2,028 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns in 2018 whilst edging out then-Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield. Barkley rushed for 1,307 yards and 11 rankings.

In 2017, Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints gained the award with 1,556 scrimmage yards, beating out any other operating again in Kareem Hunt, then with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Ward can be a powerful competitor. Only an harm or being totally beaten will save you him from being the Game 1 starter for Tennessee.

And should you’ve watched even one Ward interview, he doesn’t lack self assurance.

Ward handed for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns final season at Miami, with simply seven interceptions. He added 4 speeding rankings and completed fourth in Heisman Trophy balloting.

Ward is an important improve over Will Levis, the Titans’ second-round pick out in 2023. The different quarterbacks at the roster are journeymen Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle.

As for Hunter, the massive query is how his snaps can be break up between offense and protection — or whether or not coaching camp will decide he’s higher as a number one participant on one aspect of the ball and a complementary piece at the different. He’s a top-tier cornerback.

At Colorado final season, the Heisman winner delivered a standout receiving marketing campaign with 96 receptions for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Recent receivers to win the award come with the Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase (2021) and the New York Jets’ Garrett Wilson (2022).

Hampton may just emerge if the Chargers’ backfield stays unsettled. Veteran unfastened agent Najee Harris was once added within the offseason, and Hampton will most probably proportion carries on the outset. He rushed for 1,660 yards and 15 touchdowns at North Carolina in 2024.

Shough may just additionally get started, in particular if Derek Carr undergoes shoulder surgical operation. Even if Carr is wholesome, new head trainer Kellen Moore might wish to transfer on and move with the staff’s second-round pick out. Shough handed for 3,195 yards, 23 touchdowns and 6 interceptions at Louisville final season.