2025 NFL Mock Draft: ESPN’s Mel Kiper mocks running back Ashton Jeanty to the Broncos

In his debut mock draft, ESPN’s draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. mocks Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty to the Broncos.

ESPN’s lead NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. released his debut 2025 NFL Mock draft today and has the Broncos selecting a popular pick in the draft. He mock Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty to the Broncos at their 20th overall selection in the draft.

Kiper, who is outspoken about taking running backs in the first round, calls Jeanty a top-10 prospect who has incredible elusiveness.

20. Denver Broncos: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State

I’ve made it clear how I feel about taking a running back in the first round, but I’m not the one making the picks. And make no mistake, Jeanty is going to go in the first round. He’s a top-10 prospect with incredible elusiveness. Jeanty piled up 2,601 rushing yards and 29 rushing scores this season.

The Broncos, meanwhile, couldn’t establish the run to help out rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Their running backs were in the bottom 10 in rushing yards (1,423), rushing TDs (8) and yards per carry (4.1) in 2024. Lead back Javonte Williams’ contract is expiring, and although Denver drafted Audric Estime in the fifth round last April, it could make a Day 1 splash at the position this year. And an added bonus: Jeanty is a great pass catcher out of the backfield, which would give Nix another outlet

Jeanty is going to be a popular mock draft pick for the Broncos between now and the draft. He is one of the top offensive players in the draft and the Broncos are a running back needy team so it makes sense to make this connection.

The team is expected to let Javonte Williams walk in free agency which would leave Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson as the running backs on the Broncos roster. There is some potential there, but they really need to improve this room to help quarterback Bo Nix and help the Broncos offense get to another level next season.

Jeanty would do that and give the Broncos a weapon in the running game who can start and contribute on day one. McLaughlin can stay in his 8-10 touch-a-game role while Estime can be your occasional short-yardage third-string back. The Broncos desperately need a threat like this, and Jeanty would be an instant upgrade for them and someone who should flourish in Sean Payton’s offense.

Now, this is a DEEP running back class and you can make a legitimate argument about passing on Jeanty (if available) to address a bigger need on the roster and take one of the other backs later. Kiper has Ohio State receiver Emeka Egbuka and Michigan tight end Colston Lovelenad going the two selections after the Broncos. Both players would upgrade the Broncos offense and they can target a back in the second or third round. These scenarios will be something we’ll discuss a lot between now and April’s draft.

Another player who has become a favorite for Broncos fans is Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. Kiper has the big tight end going 14th overall to the Colts and off the board well before the Broncos would be on the clock. It’s still a bit early to say “he won’t be there” when the Broncos pick, but it’s certainly looking like that will be the case. If Payton views Warren as his potential ‘Joker’, he may need to trade up to get him.

This is the first of many mocks we’ll see throughout this draft process which kicks into full gear next week as the Reese’s Senior Bowl practices begin. We’ll start hearing more rumors, connections, and everything else that comes with this process.

If the Broncos came away with Jeanty in the first round of April’s 2025 NFL Draft, I would be pretty excited.