Ashton Jeanty might have just blown up Giants' entire draft strategy

Jeanty is one-of-one.
San Diego State v Boise State
San Diego State v Boise State | Loren Orr/GettyImages

The New York Giants might think they’ve seen it all. But then Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty walked into the draft conversation and essentially blew the whole thing up.

In a fiery open letter to NFL GMs via The Players’ Tribune, the Broncos' do-it-all running back didn’t just sell himself—he drew a line in the turf. And with the Giants still searching for an offensive identity post-Saquon Barkley, Jeanty might’ve just given Joe Schoen a whole lot to think about.

Jeanty had this to say to all the NFL's GMs:

“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.”

Absolutely electric stuff here from Jeanty. Like, this is as bold as it gets.

Ashton Jeanty might have just put himself on Giants’ radar

By all accounts, the G-Men aren’t expected to take a running back at No. 3 overall. They’ve got glaring needs on the offensive line, interior defensive line, and basically anywhere a Travis Hunter or Abdul Carter might make sense. Shedeur Sanders is still in play. Trading back is still an option. Drafting a running back that high?

That would give major 2018 Saquon Barkley vibes... maybe it would work out even better the second time around.

But let’s not act like Jeanty’s just some good running back. He's elite. Best RB prospect in the class by a mile elite. He's special. And he can instantly transform an offense. So why not New York's?

He piled up 2,601 total yards and 29 touchdowns last year alone. He’s explosive, durable, a natural pass catcher, and the heartbeat of a Boise State offense that made the College Football Playoff. He single-handedly carried a program. And his mindset? That’s the kind of chip-on-the-shoulder intensity Giants fans would run through a wall for.

The Giants have already met with Jeanty. That’s not a coincidence. They’ve also hosted more running backs than we could count during their pre-draft process. Tyrone Tracy Jr. is officially on notice. If nothing else, they’re keeping their options open—especially if they move down the board. All I’m saying is… Tracy never came in this hot. Could be something.

Drafting Jeanty at No. 3 would be chaos. But chaos has a way of working. It would pair Malik Nabers with a true backfield weapon, give the offense an identity, and show the league that the Giants are done being predictable.

Is it risky? No doubt. But as Jeanty just made crystal clear, he’s not built to play it safe either.

And if Schoen is even thinking about swinging big—the kind of big that resets a franchise—Jeanty just made the loudest case yet to be the guy they can’t tackle or ignore.

More New York Giants news and analysis

Schedule