You don’t draft a running back like Mike Washington Jr. in the fourth round unless you plan to use him. The Las Vegas Raiders want to extend Ashton Jeanty’s shelf life. Last season, then-Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak ran a two-back system and wants to repeat that approach with Jeanty.

“I look forward to it a lot. I mean, obviously, I want to help the team win as much as I can, and if I don’t have to, I don’t want to come off the field,” Jeanty told reporters at OTAs.

#Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty said he wants to help the team win anyway he can and said,

"If I don't have to I don't want to come off the field"

Kubiak mentioned Christian McCaffrey's workload when he was talking about Jeanty's usage. He wants to see Jeanty out there a ton even…

— Jesse Merrick – Silver & Black Sports Network (@JesseSBSN) May 20, 2026

Jeanty needs to come off the field a little more often, transitioning from handling a huge workload as both a rookie and at Boise State to sharing duties with Washington Jr. This approach isn’t about replacing him but supporting his significance early in his NFL career. He ranked 7th in total carries with 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 over 1,000 carries overall.

You love Jeanty’s mindset of not wanting to come off the field. But his health and durability are the most important things. He showed he can withstand an entire NFL season last year. But that will only be harder as time goes on.

Klint Kubiak also makes the case for Ashton Jeanty to stay on the field

Sure, getting Jeanty more rest during the game, saving his body, etc, would be better for the long run. But, at the same time, he’s one of the best players on the team. I think after 2026, you will be able to make the case that he’s the best player on the team. He had 1,300 scrimmage yards and 10 scrimmage touchdowns. Saying that next year he is the best player is not unrealistic.

So, do you take him off the field to better preserve him, or do you keep your best players on the field?

“I’ve said it before, I think it’s important to have a quality second back, but the best player has got to play, and we’ve got to get them on the field as much as we can,” Kubiak said on Wednesday. “I don’t know the play snap percentage, but you look at Christian McCaffrey, his play snap percentage is high. So, those great backs, they don’t want to come off the field.”

The Raiders have to find that perfect balance. The Philadelphia Eagles did that two years ago with Saquon Barkley, and it helped them win a Super Bowl.