* - How well does his skill set carry over
to the fantasy game? For running backs, a player needs to be a
three-down option as well as a realistic threat for 1,000 rushing
yards and 500 receiving yards to be a candidate for a perfect
grade. Positional scarcity at the pro level is also a part of
the equation.
Positives
Patient and willing inside runner with elite contact
balance; usually requires multiple defenders to bring him down
(forced a missed tackle on 33.2 percent of his rushing attempts).
Strong lower half allows him to consistently get more
yards than what is blocked (151 forced missed tackles was by
far the most of any player in 2024).
Makes excellent use of his stiff arm, which often allows
him to discard potential tacklers from either side of his body;
does a wonderful job of being a physical runner without taking
much in the way of direct shots.
Eyes and feet work in harmony; naturally feels the cutback
lane and always seems to be a step or two ahead of second- and
third-level defenders.
Was not used much outside of a dump-off screen option
in 2024, but he is a natural hands-catcher who should easily
be able to handle more creative use as a receiver in the pros.
(Proved his receiving prowess with 43 catches in 2023.)
His film is littered with chunk run after chunk run;
recorded at least twice as many 50- (12), 60- (10) and 70-yard
runs (five) than the next closest player in 2024.
Negatives
Recorded 830 offensive touches (750 carries) across
his three college seasons, including 397 (374 rushes) in 2024.
Posted a drop rate of 9.1 percent as a junior after
catching 43 of 48 targets - with no drops - in 2023.
Relies more on subtle moves than explosive lateral agility
to avoid defenders.
Minimal pass-blocking reps on film in 2024 due in part
to heavy workload and a heavy dose of positive game script;
fundamentally sound some of the time, inconsistent anchor or
hand placement on others (not a huge concern overall, however).
Ball security became an issue near the end of his final
season, fumbling four times in the last six games - including
twice in the Fiesta Bowl loss to Penn State.
Bottom Line
Jeanty is about as complete of a running back prospect as a team
could hope for nowadays. There are elements of Marshawn Lynch
and Maurice Jones-Drew in his game, and it would not be overly
surprising if he ends up being a better pro than either one of
them. He is in their class when it comes to contact balance -
Jeanty easily led the country in forced missed tackles, while
his yards after contact in 2024 (1,970) were easily the most in
the modern era. While it would be preferable - at least from a
workhorse perspective - that the Heisman Trophy runner-up was
a bit bigger than 5-8 1/2 and 211 pounds, it probably does not
matter all that much. He runs with the elusiveness of a running
back 15 pounds lighter and the power of a running back 15 pounds
heavier. Jeanty may not end up being a true home run hitter in
the NFL, but he seems almost certain to be among the league leaders
every year in explosive runs (15-plus yards). The Jacksonville
native often appears to be playing chess with linebackers and
safeties, as he continuously upsets their timing on inside runs
with subtle movements - almost making it look like they are trying
to tackle a slalom skier.
There are a few minor concerns that cropped up during his final
college season, namely the excessive workload, the significant
increase in drop rate and ball security (late in the season).
The first one is more of a matter of being easily the best player
for a mid-major program, the second problem does not seem like
much of an issue given how easily he catches the ball and the
third could have been a product of the first. The one that might
give evaluators the most pause is pass pro, although the effort
and willingness are there. Jeanty may not look like the prototypical
feature running back, but he has the goods. The reason he draws
the Curtis Martin comp is because he is so well-rounded and hard
to knock off his feet, and it should not surprise anyone if his
career follows a similar path.
Doug Orth has written for FFToday since 2006 and joined the
Fantasy Points website before the start of the 2024 season. He is
also a highly successful high-stakes player who often appears as
a guest analyst on Sirius XM. Doug is also a member of the Fantasy
Sports Writers Association. Please check out his new podcast with
JJ Wenner called "The All-Out Blitz."
