The Chicago Bears are one week away from finding out who they will get at the 10th overall pick. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson know its importance. If they can land a difference-maker with that selection, this team is good enough to finally start winning football games. Perhaps no name has garnered more of a debate than Ashton Jeanty. Conventional wisdom over the past 20 years is that smart teams don't draft running backs in the 1st round. However, this young man feels different.
Every so often, a player comes along that you can categorize as special. They do everything at a high level, showcasing the kind of talent that can carry a franchise. He already proved it with a season for the ages in 2024, putting Boise State on his back as they reached the college football playoffs. This doesn't come from pure skill, though. Not in his mind. Jeanty penned a letter to the Bears and every other team in the Players Tribune. He isn't just a good running back. He's different.
If you want to win, then you'd better draft him.
I truly believe I was born to do this. And I truly believe what makes me different — it isn’t about the position I line up at. It’s about the mindset I bring to it.
Those 11 dudes on defense … they’re on a football field playing football.
Me — in my mind? I’m still in the backyard with my friends, playing “no one can touch me.”
I’ve taken the long way. I’m done with that way. If you pick me, it’s simple: I’m coming to your franchise to do what Saquon and the Eagles just did. I’m coming to win, big, soon.
It’s TACKLE football … you know what I’m saying?
I’d draft the guy they can’t tackle.
Thank you for your time,
Ashton Jeanty
Ashton Jeanty feels like a lock if he gets to the Bears.
That is the tricky part of this entire equation. Due to the overall lack of blue-chip talent, experts believe teams will be less reluctant to take a running back in the top 10. Many don't think Ashton Jeanty gets to Chicago at #10. The Las Vegas Raiders are considered the biggest obstacle at #6. Pete Carroll loves his running backs, after all. That said, there is a belief that if Jeanty does get past them, the odds of him landing with the Bears go way up. It is exciting to imagine him in Johnson's offense, which has elevated multiple running backs to stardom like Jamaal Williams, David Montgomery, and Jahmyr Gibbs. Unlike at Boise State, teams won't be able to focus on Jeanty alone either, unless they're comfortable paying less attention to D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze. It's a Catch-22 the Bears haven't put together since 2013.
