The buzz surrounding the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft is heating up, particularly for an electrifying talent like Ashton Jeanty. The Boise State standout, who racked up an impressive 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns last season, is emerging as a hot commodity. With expectations running high, it’s looking increasingly likely that he might go in the first round of the draft.
As of Monday, the Chicago Bears have surged to the forefront of the betting odds at +130 to draft Jeanty, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. They’ve overtaken teams like the Las Vegas Raiders (+150) and the Dallas Cowboys (+550) to become the new favorites. Following them as longshots are the New Orleans Saints (+1400), Denver Broncos (+1600), and New England Patriots (+2200). Jeanty is also an overwhelming -2500 favorite to be the top running back taken in the draft, which speaks volumes about his rising status.
While the Cowboys initially opened as favorites, Jeanty’s potential connection to the Lone Star State sparked intrigue. However, insights from The Athletic’s Jon Machota suggest that Dallas might be looking elsewhere. He indicated that while running back is a pressing need for the Cowboys, it might not be their priority at the No. 12 overall pick. This uncertainty could shift Jeanty’s likely destination, especially with the Bears sitting at the No. 10 spot.
Chicago’s interest in bolstering their backfield comes on the heels of the Detroit Lions selecting Jahmyr Gibbs at No. 12 last year, illuminating a path that showcases how impactful a top running back can be right out of the gate. The Bears found themselves ranked 25th in rushing yards per game last season, averaging just 102 yards. With D’Andre Swift struggling to maintain his Pro Bowl momentum after transitioning to the Philadelphia Eagles, the urgency for improvement in their ground game has never been more apparent.
In addition to their pursuit of Jeanty, the Bears took significant steps to enhance their overall offensive framework last year by drafting promising talents like Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze. They’ve also fortified their offensive line by bringing in Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, alongside defensive powerhouse Grady Jarrett. These strategic moves suggest that general manager Ryan Poles is ready to shake things up and could opt for a running back in the early rounds, even amidst a recent trend of avoiding the position in the first round.
As the draft approaches, all eyes will be on Jeanty. With the odds shifting and buzz building, could he become the spark the Bears need to ignite their offense? Only time will tell if Chicago will make that bold move, but the landscape of the draft is certainly rife with possibilities.
