ESPN Analyst is predicting the Las Vegas Raiders will get a special season from one starter that they were robbed of last year
The Las Vegas Raiders would love a huge season from their star running back, Ashton Jeanty, and Ben Solak is predicting as much.
The Las Vegas Raiders are entering the 2026 season with a trio of some of the best young players on offense. They have quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who could be the next franchise QB. They also have one of the best RBs in the game, Ashton Jeanty, and the very best TE in the game, Brock Bowers.
There is a lot to be excited about with this team. Add in the fact that those three guys are also about to play for a better head coach, an improved offensive system, and a better offensive line, and it should really excite fans. Bowers has already had a season where he was considered the best in the league. Could that happen for a guy like Jeanty now? One ESPN analyst is certainly predicting that.
“He was a great tackle-breaker at Boise State, and he looks like he might be one in the pros, too. With a more balanced offensive approach, he should see easier boxes as well. A good season is ahead,” ESPN analyst Ben Solak said recently.
That’s a great point from Solak, and a huge reason why fantasy football owners across the world should be investing in Jeanty. Not to mention, he will have a backup to relieve him of some of his duties. And, he will need that.
Ashton Jeanty’s workload needs to be adjusted, or he needs more help
In Klint Kubiak’s offensive system, there will be two running backs who take a bulk of the carries. That’s how it was in Seattle last year, and they won the Super Bowl. Now they’ll be doing that in 2026 with the Raiders.
I know he doesn’t want to, but Jeanty needs to come off the field a little more often. He handled a heavy workload as both a rookie and at Boise State, so sharing duties with Washington Jr. could be beneficial. This approach isn’t about replacing him but supporting his significance early in his NFL career.
He ranked 7th in total carries (266) but only 18th in total rushing yards. 780 of his 975 rushing yards came after contact, and he led the league with 43 broken tackles. Over four years at Boise State, he totaled more than 1,000 carries. That’s not sustainable in this league.
So, while it’s amazing that Jeanty will be in a better system and that the team around him will be better, which in turn should make him better, it’s also important to think about the workload on his shoulders. You don’t want to overwork him. The Raiders will have a plan for that, and I think very early on we will see how much better this offense is and, in turn, how much better Jeanty is. He’s been working relentlessly and has, in a way, transformed his body, too.