Who is/was the better prospect? Zeke in 2016 or Jeanty in 2025

[cowboyec]

derrick henry,alabama.

 

[beware_d-ware]

I think Jeanty's contact balance is his best trait, always makes that first guy miss. He is a different type of runner than Zeke. More of the Barkely hard to tackle in space, where Zeke was more of a power runner that would ware down defenses with his physical style. I think Hampton/Johnson are more in that mold.

Stylistically, Jeanty's different, but I don't think he will be as effective.

Zeke won two rushing titles in his first 3 years. We all watched how his game didn't age well, but the talent people saw at Ohio State was 100% there. Expectations were sky high from the day he was drafted top 5 and installed behind the peak Cowboys OL, and he met all of them.

I think Jeanty will be an excellent NFL player, but I'm not expecting him to walk on the field and instantly be an All-Pro. Zeke was different. When we drafted the guy who smashed a Saban Bama defense for 200+ yards, and put him behind 3 HOF caliber linemen, multiple All-Pros was a pretty reasonable prediction.

 

[stinkface]

Zeke never had the speed of Jeanty or his vision but he is bigger and one of the best pass protectors.

I suspect Jeanty will not be faster then Zeke was. Zeke could flat out fly when he was drafted. That speed was pretty much gone in 3 years.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Seems like the consensus is Zeke…

That being said - dude came into arguably the best OL in football then literally regressed every year he was in the league. I’m speculating but after his 1st few seasons feel like he might’ve gotten lazy and complacent.

Maybe Jeanty isn’t that guy and will bust his butt for a better long term career. TBD.

Zeke had significantly more God given talent, however I dont think he put the actual work in to maintain it, Rockport's workout vids be damned

 

[Cowboyny]

Stylistically, Jeanty's different, but I don't think he will be as effective.

Zeke won two rushing titles in his first 3 years. We all watched how his game didn't age well, but the talent people saw at Ohio State was 100% there. Expectations were sky high from the day he was drafted top 5 and installed behind the peak Cowboys OL, and he met all of them.

I think Jeanty will be an excellent NFL player, but I'm not expecting him to walk on the field and instantly be an All-Pro. Zeke was different. When we drafted the guy who smashed a Saban Bama defense for 200+ yards, and put him behind 3 HOF caliber linemen, multiple All-Pros was a pretty reasonable prediction.

I'm not expecting an MVP type of rookie season Zeke had, but he will be a walk in 1,200-1,400k rusher.

 

[Cowboyny]

Robinson was bigger and a better receiver / blocker.

Gibbs’ receiving ability puts him over the top for me…arguably the best of the last decade.

This is leaving out competition…which also matters.

I agree Robinson is the better all around player, but they are similar as runners.

Let's also not say both backs played against elite competition either, outside of 1 yr in SEC Gibbs played in the ACC and Robinson was in the big 12 known to have terrible defenses.

 

[darthseinfeld]

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/ezekiel-elliott/3200454c-4c28-9284-cdcc-74694c8d1749

https://www.nfl.com/prospects/ashton-jeanty/32004a45-4142-7291-3a65-da29eaedce27


Zeke was probably the better overall player but Jeanty has some of the best contact balance ive ever seen.

I think the consensus is Jeanty is a tier below the caliber prospect that Zeke, Gurley and Saquan were (Gurley got knocked for his injury. Fournette was in that top tier too, so it just goes to show that its not fail proof evaluating.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I disagree, think he is a better prospect then Gibbs and is on the same level as Robinson. The biggest knock on Jeanty is just his level of competition. LT. Marshall Faulk, Walter Payton all played against lesser competition too, but yet they all were hall of fame players.

Gibbs is funny. He has outperformed his evaluations as a runner, but probably slightly underperformed his evaluations as a reciever

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

Zeke had significantly more God given talent, however I dont think he put the actual work in to maintain it, Rockport's workout vids be damned

I don’t know. I think looking back, Zeke was always a power back to the core that had some juice due to his youth. He was a throwback, gritty, and smart RB. When the grind of all the usage in the pros started to wear him down, it made him very average to below average.

 

[Cowboyny]

Gibbs is funny. He has outperformed his evaluations as a runner, but probably slightly underperformed his evaluations as a reciever

Gibbs is a similar player in McCaffrey from the 49ers and before him Kamara. They are weapons all over the field, but we have seen these types struggle to stay healthy throughout their careers.

 

[cnuball21]

I agree Robinson is the better all around player, but they are similar as runners.

Let's also not say both backs played against elite competition either, outside of 1 yr in SEC Gibbs played in the ACC and Robinson was in the big 12 known to have terrible defenses.

Not elite, but sitnificantly better competition.

And again, my reasons of why Bijan / Gibbs were better has nothing to do with competition.

 

[beware_d-ware]

I'm not expecting an MVP type of rookie season Zeke had, but he will be a walk in 1,200-1,400k rusher.

That's was Zeke was special. I think Jeanty could definitely be a Bijan type of pro, and Bijan just knocked out 1400 yards in year 2. But for Zeke, 1400 yards in year 3 was seen as losing a step.

Jeanty could ultimately have a better career than Zeke if he can sustain his peak for longer. I just don't see him as having Zeke's same level of talent when they both left college.

 

[gtb1943]

Seems like the consensus is Zeke…

That being said - dude came into arguably the best OL in football then literally regressed every year he was in the league. I’m speculating but after his 1st few seasons feel like he might’ve gotten lazy and complacent.

Maybe Jeanty isn’t that guy and will bust his butt for a better long term career. TBD.

not his second year; i think that whole Goofsmell suspension BS really got in his head

 

[baltcowboy]

I like Zeke better as an overall prospect but Jeanty does two things better than Zeke that might make him a better pro. Contact balance and speed. Jeanty won’t get beat up like Zeke did.

 

[Cowboyny]

That's was Zeke was special. I think Jeanty could definitely be a Bijan type of pro, and Bijan just knocked out 1400 yards in year 2. But for Zeke, 1400 yards in year 3 was seen as losing a step.

Jeanty could ultimately have a better career than Zeke if he can sustain his peak for longer. I just don't see him as having Zeke's same level of talent when they both left college.

Jeanty has that low center of gravity, where it avoids the big hits, Zeke intiated at times. Emmit was always good in that regard

 

[WillieBeamen]

I'm not expecting an MVP type of rookie season Zeke had, but he will be a walk in 1,200-1,400k rusher.

This. Rico had close to 1100 yards and didnt receive 20 touches in a game until the 5th game of the season.

 

[cnuball21]

This. Rico had close to 1100 yards and didnt receive 20 touches in a game until the 5th game of the season.

Aka resign Rico and take BPA…

Gosh I hope we do work in FA.

 

[visionary]

Zeke
Great production against real competition not like Jeanty
Im not taking Jeanty at 12

 

[visionary]

I disagree, think he is a better prospect then Gibbs and is on the same level as Robinson. The biggest knock on Jeanty is just his level of competition. LT. Marshall Faulk, Walter Payton all played against lesser competition too, but yet they all were hall of fame players.

In hindsight they were
Id rather not take Jeanty at 12
Give me DL

 

[Cowboyny]

This. Rico had close to 1100 yards and didnt receive 20 touches in a game until the 5th game of the season.

Those touchdown numbers really bother me with Rico, need to be able to score more then 3