Imagine you just grinded all season, put up historic numbers, and everybody got your name on their draft board as RB1. You chillin’, right? Then BOOM—outta nowhere, some big-time Fox Sports insider hops on his mic and drops a take so bold it might just send shockwaves through the NFL Draft. Yeah, that’s exactly what went down when RJ Young got on ‘The Number 1 College Football Podcast’ and pulled a wild card move on Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.

“I am curious which running backs are going to play because right now I don’t think that Ashton Jeanty is the best running back available in the NFL scouting combine, in the NFL draft. I think that’s Quinshon Judkins. What Quinshon Judkins did in the SEC as a true freshman was ridiculous. I don’t think Ashton Jeanty could do the same thing at Ole Miss.” Young said. Hold up—what? That’s right. RJ Young, in front of the whole world, just put Judkins over Jeanty. That’s a bold take, no doubt, but let’s break it down.

For context, Quinshon Judkins is a straight-up baller. Back in 2022, as a freshman at Ole Miss, he shattered school records—1,567 rushing yards, 16 touchdowns, and an SEC Freshman of the Year nod. Fast forward to 2024, and after transferring to Ohio State, Judkins put up 1,060 yards, 14 TDs, and even snagged a natty. Impressive? No doubt. But here’s where it gets spicy—RJ didn’t just say Judkins was good; he straight-up downplayed Jeanty’s historic dominance.

Let’s not act like Ashton Jeanty wasn’t out here setting defenses on fire. The Jacksonville native led the nation in rushing with 2,601 yards. Only Barry Sanders in ’88 ever ran for more in a single season. On top of that, 29 touchdowns and 7.0 yards per carry. That’s video-game numbers. That’s ‘give me the Heisman’ (got snubbed) numbers. So when RJ Young put Judkins ahead of him? Yeah, that raised some eyebrows.

Young doubled down, too. “Judkins also did all the things that Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty could do. Okay, boy, put the ba-l on the ground one time. One time.” Then he brought up TreVeyon Henderson, another RB in the draft mix, saying he was a ‘home run hitter’ with ‘speed on speed on speed.’ Look, putting Quinshon Judkins over Ashton Jeanty is a borderline crime.

And here’s where it gets real interesting—NFL Draft buzz has Jeanty as the No.1 RB with a 92.5 rating, projected to go early first round. Meanwhile, Judkins sits at No.6 with an 85.0 rating, looking like a late second or early third-round pick. That’s a major gap. But you know who doesn’t care about rankings? The New England Patriots. And word on the street? They lurking.

Quinshon Judkins for Mike Vrabel and Patriots’ rescue?

The Pats got a problem, and it ain’t just at QB. Rhamondre Stevenson was supposed to be that RB1, but let’s be real—fumbling seven times in 2024? That’s a hard pass. He just got a four-year extension, but even with Antonio Gibson in the mix, the backfield ain’t moving the needle. That’s where Judkins could slide in.

According to Musket Fire’s Michael DeVito, New England might just scoop up Judkins in the third round. “Judkins adds solid depth and allows [Mike] Vrabel to fill another h–e by trading a player or two, e.g., Rhamondre Stevenson,” he wrote. Now, trading Stevenson after handing him the bag is tricky, but if the Pats are serious about reloading, they gotta make a move. And let’s be real, Drake Maye—if he’s the guy—needs a reliable back to take the heat off.

So, what’s the play? Does New England take a swing at Jeanty early, or do they wait and snag Judkins later? Considering they need WRs and O-linemen too, burning a first-rounder on a back might not be the move. But if Judkins falls to them in the third or even second? That’s a steal.

End of the day, RJ Young’s take is bold—real bold. And while some might call it sabotage, others might see it as just another spicy draft debate. Either way, Jeanty’s still THAT guy, and Judkins? He just might be the Patriots’ ticket back to relevance.