I’m not making a one for one comparison here, so let’s not have some numbnut here say that I have… because I’m not. But we are talking about the 4th overall pick.
What made Barry Sanders dangerous… and why Barry? 5’8” 210 pounds, that’s why. If you’re talking about taking a RB that high you have to compare him to a player the same height, size and dynamic enough to go that high in the draft.
Barry was fast. Jeanty didn’t workout, but was radar clocked during games at 22.5 mph, which is comparable to Olympic sprinter Noah Lyles' top speed of 23.17 mph. In short… the guy has 4.2 type speed. That’s Barry Sanders type speed. When you’re 5’8” and hard to see, you can hide behind your blockers, when a hole appears 4.2 speed is unique speed in a league full of fast people.
Barry was strong. Barry regularly benched and squatted more than his offensive lineman on Oklahoma State. He squatted in the 800 pound range. So when you wonder why he was hard to take down despite not being overly large or why he could stiff arm much larger guys… that’s why. Strength and low center of gravity. Jeanty is strong. His strength and conditioning coach said he was pound for pound the strongest player he’d ever coached and he used to coach for Alabama. Jeanty squatted in that 800 pound range.
Agilty and explosion, again unique type athleticism. The single best rushing season in NCAA history is Barry Sanders Heisman winning season. Jeanty is the same size and shape as Barry, he came within 27 yards of Sanders single season rushing record of 2628 yards. Jeanty is 7th all time in single season TD’s, Barry’s still #1.
Jeanty is not Barry Sanders, it took him more rushing attempts… but if you’re second best to Barry… you’re an all pro every year. Slightly less than Barry is still a HOF player.
What does having a RB who can take it to the house on every possession do for Drake Maye? It changes the way opposing defenses defend. They have to account for every touch because 4.2 speed is game changing speed… it tilts the field.
Take it for what it’s worth…. but he’s arguably the best player in the entire draft.