Drafting Ashton Jeanty helps the Raiders' new regime avoid making the same mistake previous ones have made
It's officially official, the Las Vegas Raiders have drafted Ashton Jeanty, the Boise State running back, and maybe the closest thing to a can't-miss prospect in the draft. And by drafting Jeanty, the Raiders do several things, including start the process of fixing their horrid run game from the 2024 season, where they were dead […]
It's officially official, the Las Vegas Raiders have drafted Ashton Jeanty, the Boise State running back, and maybe the closest thing to a can't-miss prospect in the draft.
And by drafting Jeanty, the Raiders do several things, including start the process of fixing their horrid run game from the 2024 season, where they were dead last in several statistical categories.
Of course, the Raiders still need to get their offensive line up to par, especially for the run game, but they got one of the hardest things done — finding their can't-miss prospect as a long-term running back. If all goes well, it's easy to see that Jeanty could be in town through his second contract.
Drafting Jeamty also helps the Raiders' newest regime avoid what previous regimes did, specifically the Jon Gruden regime, the second time around, that is.
Raiders avoid bust situation by drafting Ashton Jeanty
I think we all remember the times when the Raiders have drafted some busts in the first round. You don't need me to remind you, but for the sake of it all, I will. Of course, the biggest bust in NFL History, JaMarcus Russel, but that was a very long time ago. Just in recent history, the Raiders have had a few busts from their first-round picks.
Clelin Ferrell was a very good defensive lineman at Clemson, but the Raiders had no right taking him as high as they did. And when the pick happened, everyone in the building was shocked, and rightfully so — he's been a depth player, if that, the last few years.
Then there is Alex Leatherwood, who is certainly worse than Ferrell, because after a few seasons, he wasn't even in the league anymore. Of course, last year Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers signed him to their practice squad, but he hasn't done anything in his NFL career, and this is a guy taken in the middle of the first round.
The Raiders don't have to worry about that with Jeanty. This is a safe pick, by far. Jeanty will at least, at his floor least, be a starting running back in the NFL, let alone have the potential to be an All-Pro.
Jeanty will fit what Pete Carroll wants his team to do
Think back to all of his Seattle Seahawks days, and even when he was winning National Championships with USC — what did Carroll's teams always do? Sure, he is a defensive head coach, but his offenses have always run the ball well, and they've always run it a lot, specifically to set up the play-action game.
So, yes, having a three-down back like Jeanty, a guy who can run the ball on all four downs if needed, but also pass pro and catch passes, is going to be awesome for an offense that struggled in every area, but specifically in anything RBs did.
Jeanty in Chip Kelly's scheme and offense will be elite, and it will be on full display in 2025.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State Scouting Report
Age: 21 (12/2/2003)
A to Z Sports Draft Projection: 8 Overall, 1st RoundScouting Report: There aren't many more interesting backstories in the 2025 NFL Draft than Jeanty's. His father was in the military, so the family moved around a ton. They spent some time in Italy, Virginia, and Florida before eventually making it to Frisco, Texas. Jeanty was a dynamic wide receiver for Lone Star until he took over as the team's top running back as a senior. That caused him to go a bit under the radar, but really helped to round out his game. Boise State got a steal with one of the best college running backs we have seen in recent memory. With his combination of contact balance, vision, explosiveness, and pass game impact, Jeanty has future All-Pro written all over him. – A to Z Sports Draft Analyst Ryan Roberts
Career Projection: All-Pro Potential
Final Word
The Raiders really dodged a bullet by picking Jeanty, where he is one of the more sure-fire picks that were available to the Raiders. That's not me saying these other guys will be busts or bad players, but there are certainly more concerns there than there are with Jeanty. And, hey, we just saw what Saquon Barkley did with the Philadelphia Eagles, beating the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl — why not go get your own top RB?
Ashton Jeanty being selected by the Raiders would be going against the grain for Pete Carroll and John Spytek
The Raiders could literally do anything.
