Why Ashton Jeanty Is a Godsend for the Raiders
After a brutal 4-13 season, Raider Nation had high hopes for the 2025 NFL Draft, praying for a prospect that would shake up Vegas’ fortunes. Those prayers were answered when, with the sixth overall pick, the Las Vegas Raiders selected Ashton Jeanty, running back from Boise State. Jeanty was an absolute monster during his last collegiate season, leading the entire FBS with 2,601 rushing yards and coming in second place in Heisman voting. Considering his wildly impressive tenure at Boise State, combined with the recent recognition of elite running backs changing the league, it is no wonder that Jeanty was the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley went second overall back in 2018.
Jeanty will make his debut for a Raiders team that needs him and needs him badly. The last two seasons have been utterly disastrous for the Raiders on the rushing front, in a way that’s almost hard to fully fathom. Last season, the Raiders posted the worst rushing attack in the entire league, finishing with over 200 fewer rushing yards than the New York Jets, who ranked second-to-last. This collapse didn’t come out of nowhere, as the Raiders also ranked among the bottom three rushing teams in 2023. Gone are the glory days of Josh Jacobs and his All-Pro, league-leading 1,653 rushing yard campaign from back in 2022. Nowadays, Jacobs is in Green Bay, and this last season, he alone racked up only 30 fewer rushing yards than the entirety of the Raiders roster.
It is clear that the Raiders need a true, total paradigm shift in their running game. Without a doubt, Jeanty is the guy to make that happen. Beyond his physical ability, stats at Boise State, and overall accolades, Jeanty has the mindset and attitude of someone who can come in and change a culture immediately. Jeanty’s draft position is hardly the only thing that connects him to Barkley, he mentioned the Eagles’ star by name in his published letter to the general managers of the league. Jeanty declared that “If you pick me, it’s simple: I’m coming to your franchise to do what Saquon and the Eagles just did. I’m coming to win, big, soon.” Sure, tons of confident, even cocky, young athletes make big proclamations of promised success when they enter the league. The difference with Ashton Jeanty is that I believe every word.
