Vikings Put “You Know Who” on Their Draft Meeting List
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty will arguably be the top playmaking prize in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Vikings Put “You Know Who” on Their Draft Meeting List
The man had a strong case for the Heisman Trophy award, losing to Colorado’s Travis Hunter, who plays cornerback and wide receiver.
And while the Minnesota Vikings’ 24th overall pick is emphatically not prime real estate to draft Jeanty, the purple team will meet with Jeanty at the NFL Combine, which kicks off this week, nevertheless.
The Draft Network‘s Ryan Fowler tweeted Tuesday as the NFL Combine got underway:
The following teams have formal meetings scheduled with Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty, per source:
- Giants
- Broncos
- Vikings
- Steelers
- Colts
- Bears
- Chargers
- Ravens
- Saints
Until the Fowler tweet, Jeanty landing with the Vikings in draft was only really a fan-driven pipe dream. The formal meeting will undoubtedly enhance Jeanty-to-Vikings theories, even if it required a trade up the draftboard on April 24th.
Most of the NFL community doesn’t believe Jeanty will fall past the Dallas Cowboys at pick No. 12, and truth be told, Jeanty may not make it out of the Top 10. The Chicago Bears pick 10th, and new coach Ben Johnson could feast on Jeanty’s availability at the spot. Stay tuned.
Jeanty is unbelievably dynamic and might even be a more electrifying prospect than Atlanta Falcons runner Bijan Robinson a couple of years ago. He banked 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns for the Broncos (the college version) this season and is one of the draft’s hottest commodities accordingly.
In December, ESPN’s Mel Kiper also linked Jeanty to Minnesota, “The Browns might be a fit for Jeanty, too, even though they have bigger issues. Nick Chubb will be a free agent and has a broken foot. What about the Saints? They have Alvin Kamara under contract but need more playmakers in that offense. Maybe the Bears take a shot on Jeanty to help Caleb Williams. I also think the Vikings and Steelers could make the move if Jeanty slides a little bit. They both have pending free agents at RB1 right now in Aaron Jones and Najee Harris, respectively.”
Jeanty doesn’t really have any weaknesses besides possibly refining his route tree as a pass-catcher, but that would be extreme nitpicking.
Moreover, Minnesota will have a need at running back. Ty Chandler and Zavier Scott are the only halfbacks scheduled to be attached to the 2025 roster, as Aaron Jones and Cam Akers are due to hit free agency in two weeks. Of course, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can somewhat easily re-sign Jones and Akers, but initially, the RB cupboard is scarce for 2025 roster-building.
If the Vikings can’t snag Jeanty but want a rookie runner from the draft nevertheless, these players could be on the menu:
- Omarion Hampton (North Carolina)
- TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State)
- Kaleb Johnson (Iowa)
- Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State)
- Cam Skattebo (Arizona State)
- Devin Neal (Kansas)
- Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State)
- Dylan Sampson (Tennessee)
The NFL draft is 58 days away.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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