Ex-Patriot wonders if Mike Vrabel goes Derrick Henry route in draft
Former NFL cornerback Logan Ryan threw out the possibility of the New England Patriots taking Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 4 overall pick of the 2025 NFL draft.
Ryan won two Super Bowls with the Patriots, and he also played under Mike Vrabel during his run as head coach for the Tennessee Titans. He remembers the style of football Vrabel looked to create in Tennessee through All-Pro running back Derrick Henry.
Could he be looking to win with the same formula with Jeanty in New England?
"If I know Mike Vrabel, I know he loves Abdul Carter," Ryan said on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football." "Now, if Abdul Carter is not there, [Vrabel] will entertain a trade. That could happen. Is it too soon to say Ashton Jeanty? Because I know Derrick Henry was the identity in Tennessee. Great defense, you can run the ball."
Jeanty is coming off a season that saw him put up video game-like numbers. Patriots Wire has done a previous mock draft with the Patriots taking Jeanty at No. 4.
He recorded 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns on 374 carries. This bested his numbers of 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns on 220 carries in 2023. He ran 397 plays from scrimmage last year and scored 30 total touchdowns. He won the Maxwell Award for his efforts, which is given to the nation's top running back.
The Patriots could use a playmaking running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson, who has struggled over the last two seasons. It would still be a surprise to see them make a pick like this in the first round considering the other needs on the roster, particularly along the offensive line.
With that said, Jeanty might be the best available talent on the board when it's their turn to pick on Thursday.
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