In his final years with the New Orleans Saints, head coach Sean Payton leaned heavily on star running back Alvin Kamara.  Kamara, a third-round selection in the

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. unveiled his first mock draft of the 2025 cycle Wednesday, taking a different approach than most with the Cowboys’ 12th overall pick. Over the last few weeks, various draft pundits have tabbed Ashton Jeanty as Dallas’ pick in the first round.

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

Dec 31, 2024; Glendale, AZ, USA; Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty (2) rushes the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first half in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Broncos have a glaring need for a three-down running back and the Heisman Trophy runner-up could be a first-round option.

The latest mock draft from ESPN's Mel Kiper has the Denver Broncos landing a potentially generational talent. Kiper has Denver selecting Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 20 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft.

When it comes to running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft, there’s Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, and then there’s everyone else. Now sure, there have been running backs who have gone in the first round in the past few drafts,