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This shouldn't surprise anyone, but we're still making note of it. Luke Johnson reports for the Times-Picayune that the New Orleans Saints had a conspicuous presence at Boise State's pro day workouts on Wednesday, March 26 -- running backs coach Joel Thomas was in attendance. Naturally, Boise State's pro day was headlined by superstar running back and Heisman Trophy runner-up Ashton Jeanty.
Thomas draws a lot of water in the Saints' headquarters. In addition to being named their running backs coach after returning to the team this offseason, he was named associate head coach by Kellen Moore. And he knows the area well. While he didn't play at Boise State like Jeanty or Moore, he was a student-athlete at Idaho, previously coached there as co-offensive coordinator early in his career, and interviewed for the head coach position when it opened up a few years back. Like Moore, he's got roots in the Pacific Northwest after growing up in Port Angeles in Washington state.
All that said to say that his presence in Boise should not go unnoticed. Dozens of NFL personnel made the trip and all 32 teams were represented with Jeanty the main draw; he's expected to be a top-10 draft pick, potentially by the Las Vegas Raiders, whose general manager John Spytek was the only GM in attendance. Running backs coaches from the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers were also in the building to see Jeanty go through his paces.
Would the Saints draft Jeanty if he made it to the No. 9 pick? Maybe so. He's a star talent and the best prospect at running back in a draft class full of great ones, so it says a lot that he stands head-and-shoulders above his competition. Alvin Kamara is only under contract for two more years and may choose to call it a career when his contract runs out. Jeanty would immediately give them a big-play threat and future at the position to build around. Even if other positions look like bigger needs, it's tough to see a scenario where Jeanty wouldn't be the best player available.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Saints scout Ashton Jeanty at Boise State pro day
Continue reading...
Thomas draws a lot of water in the Saints' headquarters. In addition to being named their running backs coach after returning to the team this offseason, he was named associate head coach by Kellen Moore. And he knows the area well. While he didn't play at Boise State like Jeanty or Moore, he was a student-athlete at Idaho, previously coached there as co-offensive coordinator early in his career, and interviewed for the head coach position when it opened up a few years back. Like Moore, he's got roots in the Pacific Northwest after growing up in Port Angeles in Washington state.
All that said to say that his presence in Boise should not go unnoticed. Dozens of NFL personnel made the trip and all 32 teams were represented with Jeanty the main draw; he's expected to be a top-10 draft pick, potentially by the Las Vegas Raiders, whose general manager John Spytek was the only GM in attendance. Running backs coaches from the Denver Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers were also in the building to see Jeanty go through his paces.
Would the Saints draft Jeanty if he made it to the No. 9 pick? Maybe so. He's a star talent and the best prospect at running back in a draft class full of great ones, so it says a lot that he stands head-and-shoulders above his competition. Alvin Kamara is only under contract for two more years and may choose to call it a career when his contract runs out. Jeanty would immediately give them a big-play threat and future at the position to build around. Even if other positions look like bigger needs, it's tough to see a scenario where Jeanty wouldn't be the best player available.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Saints scout Ashton Jeanty at Boise State pro day
Continue reading...
