The debate surrounding the best player in the 2025 NFL Draft is heating up with only a few days to go before the annual event. While Cam Ward has solidified his place as the No. 1 overall pick, two-way star Travis Hunter is widely considered the best overall prospect.
However, former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho doesn’t believe the defensive players can make as much of a difference as offensive players. He named a Boise State running back as the prospect with franchise-changing potential in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Emmanuel Acho Names “Biggest Franchise-Changer” in 2025 Draft
The running backs have witnessed a resurgence in recent years thanks to Saquon Barkley’s historic season for the Philadelphia Eagles, which culminated in a Super Bowl win against the Kansas City Chiefs. Acho believes a similar player of Barkley’s caliber is in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it’s consensus RB1 Ashton Jeanty.
“Shoutout to defensive players, but we just do not have the opportunity to impact the game as much as a guy like Ashton Jeanty,” he said on The Facility.
“He can touch the ball 28-32 times a game. We saw what Saquon Barkley did with the Philadelphia Eagles. We saw what Derrick Henry did with the Baltimore Ravens. Ashton Jeanty had five touchdowns of 70 yards or more last season. That ties LaDainian Tomlinson for an FBS record,” the former linebacker said.
.@EmmanuelAcho dubs Ashton Jeanty as the biggest franchise changer in this year’s NFL Draft 👀
“He’s a can’t miss prospect on offense.” pic.twitter.com/j8eu4aIEJm
— The Facility (@TheFacilityFS1) April 21, 2025
In 2024, Jeanty set the world on fire with his highlight reel plays, earth-shattering statistics, and ability to carry the Broncos all the way to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
He thrived as the bellcow type running back. In the second half of the season, the 5-foot-9 back failed to reach 30 carries a contest in just one game, and just six times overall in 2024.
The Jacksonville native averaged 186 rushing yards per game and went for 30 total touchdowns. Jeanty’s steady improvement with the Broncos may suggest the impressive back has yet to reach his ceiling, and Acho believes he has the ability to change a franchise.
“When I think about a guy who can change a franchise, who can touch the ball the most, who can impact the game the most, and who I believe is a can’t-miss prospect on offense. I think it’s Ashton Jeanty,” he concluded.
Jeanty finished the season with 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns on 374 carries, while adding 23 receptions for 138 yards and one touchdown. He finished just 27 yards short of tying Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record, and was the runner-up for the 2024 Heisman Trophy.
Many have compared Jeanty to Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson and Walter Payton, two of the best running backs in history. Whether Jeanty touches that ceiling remains to be seen, but as Acho pointed out, he has the franchise changing upside.