Ashton Jeanty: Betting on a Bell Cow

With the 2025 NFL Draft beginning Thursday night, Boise State’s star running back Ashton Jeanty and his potential destination are the talk of the first round. Possessing the ability to make an immediate impact on the field, there are numerous teams that make sense for the star running back and the current odds on Hard Rock Bet reflect that uncertainty.

Below we’ll break down why it might make sense to invest an early pick in a potentially generational running back talent, and the current favorites to land him.

Back to the Bell Cow?

After years of the passing game taking priority across the NFL, the league has witnessed the return of the Bell Cow running back. In 2023, no running back carried the ball more than 280 times. In 2024, six running backs topped 300 carries – the most since 2010. Chief among them, Saquon Barkley who torched the league for more than 2,000 rushing yards, leading the Eagles to their second Super Bowl trophy.

Enter Ashton Jeanty: a player who amassed 374 carries in just 14 games, totaling 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in the process. This was a historic season by every measure at the collegiate level and the very definition of a Bell Cow running back.

Whether last season was an outlier or a sign of things to come remains to be seen, but if it was the beginning of a new run-focused era, few players in the draft have as much upside as Ashton Jeanty.

Favorites to draft Ashton Jeanty

While every team would love to add a player of Jeanty’s quality, some are better positioned than others due to draft order and positional needs. Let’s break down the favorites to land this talented back.

Jacksonville Jaguars – 5th Overall Pick (-160)

According to the Hard Rock Bet NFL odds the Jags are currently the favorite to draft Ashton Jeanty. They still have former first round pick Travis Etienne Jr. and Tanks Bigsby on the roster – but neither impressed in 2024… and after all, Jeanty was born in Jacksonville.

• 35% of the money bet on Jeanty’s future with Hard Rock Bet has been on the Jaguars.

Florida sports betting is available exclusively on Hard Rock Bet, where the Jaguars are currently -160 to draft Jeanty with the fifth overall pick. A $10 bet, if he lands in Jacksonville, would return $16.25 ($10 + $6.25 profit).

Las Vegas Raiders – 6th Overall Pick (+200)

The Raiders, with the sixth pick, are the second-favorite to secure the services of Ashton Jeanty. There’s a need here for the Raiders after letting Josh Jacobs leave in free agency a year ago. In 2024 the Raiders ranked dead last in the NFL in rushing yards, and we know that the new Head Coach, Pete Carroll, likes to establish it.

• 21% of the money has been wagered on Jeanty becoming a Raider.

The odds on the Raiders drafting Jeanty are currently listed at +200, meaning a $10 bet, if successful, would return a total of $30 ($10 bet + $20 profit).

Chicago Bears – 10th Overall Pick (+300)

The Chicago Bears round out our top-3 most likely destinations for Ashton Jeanty according to the odds. The Bears needed to overhaul their offensive line this offseason and they’re off to a good start. They penned the best Center available in free agency, and traded for two experienced Guards. An Offensive Tackle makes a lot of sense for the Bears at 10 to try and complete that puzzle, but if Jeanty is available, running back is also a position they need to address.

• 15% of the money is backing Jeanty to start his career with the Bears.

Hard Rock Bet is live for sports betting in Illinois, and those fancying a bet on the hometown team to land the Heisman runner-up can bet it at +300. A $10 bet at that price would yield a $40 payday ($10 bet + 30 profit).

Odds Snapshot: Team to Draft Jeanty

More NFL Draft markets on Hard Rock Bet

Hard Rock Bet is equipped with a variety of NFL draft betting markets, including who the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th overall picks will be, the first Tight End off the board, the first WR drafted (excluding Travis Hunter), and who drafts Shedeur Sanders? What position will Mr. Irrelevant (the last pick) play? … and more. Check out the NFL tab > NFL Draft within the Hard Rock Bet app to scope the markets.

**all referenced odds are taken from Hard Rock Bet and are subject to change