Broncos grab all of the headlines in Mel Kiper’s first 2025 mock draft

The 2025 NFL Draft is still three months away but draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN usually doesn’t wait too long to start discussing draft season and on Wednesday, he released his first mock draft of the offseason. 

Kiper has two quarterbacks taken in the first three picks, but of course, Denver Broncos fans will skip down to No. 20 to see who he has the team taking. It is a player who would certainly have the NFL world talking: Ashton Jeanty. 

Jeanty had one of the best seasons for a running back in college football history, rushing for 2,601 yards and 26 touchdowns. Still, he finished as the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting to Colorado defensive back/wide receiver Travis Hunter. Jeanty made it clear he felt that he should have won the award. 

Jeanty is one of the top names in this draft and he will almost certainly be the first running back off the board. How would he fit in Denver?

Mel Kiper has Broncos taking Ashton Jeanty in first 2025 mock draft

Javonte Williams will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and he is not expected to re-sign with Denver. That opens the door for the team to add a new featured back and Jeanty would certainly fit the bill. 

Jeanty would be the bell-cow running back in Denver and Sean Payton could still sprinkle in Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime here and there, but the dynamic running ability and home-run threat out of the backfield that Jeanty would instantly provide are undeniable. 

If the Broncos added another playmaker at wide receiver and tight end in free agency or later in the draft, the offense could be quite dangerous next season. 

Kiper notes in his write-up that he doesn’t believe running backs should be drafted in the first round but after seeing the difference players like Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry made on their teams this season, a top-tier running back can be a game-changer. Jeanty has those abilities. 

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