The Las Vegas Raiders made a decisive move to revamp their struggling run game by picking Boise State standout, Ashton Jeanty, as the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Riding the wave of a season that saw them languishing at the bottom of the NFL in rushing offense, the Raiders clearly aim to turn around their ground game fortunes. Jeanty, who dashed for a nation-high 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, brings much-needed vigor to the Raiders' backfield.
According to an interview by AP News, Raiders general manager John Spytek believes the pick of Jeanty was "the perfect storm," considering it met both a critical need and snagged arguably the top player available. Jeanty's addition to the roster comes on the back of the Raiders watching former leading rusher Josh Jacobs leave to Green Bay, where he managed to quickly solidify his value by racking up 1,329 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns last season.
The rookie's remarkable college performance included a 94.8 PFF offensive grade, placing him third across all players in college football for the 2024 season. He left Boise State with multiple records under his belt, including the prestigious title of career record holder in several categories. Jeanty's draft position marks him as the highest-drafted running back out of Boise State and the highest the Raiders have selected since Darren McFadden in 2008, as documented by a report from Raiders.com.
Pete Carroll, the Raiders' head coach, couldn't help but compare Jeanty to a former coaching charge of his, Marshawn Lynch, citing their similar ability to "make plays when it doesn’t look like there’s anything there." Jeanty himself is keen to prove his worth and show that running backs can indeed be pivotal when taken early in the draft. He has been praised for his robust running style and exceptional ability to churn out yards after contact, undoubtedly a trait that reminded Carroll of Lynch's signature "Beast Mode" approach, as per AP News.
While some may question the decision to pick a running back so high in the draft, especially considering the deep class at that position this year, Spytek voiced that Jeanty's overall package as a player and person was compelling enough to make him their pick. With the Raiders needing to drastically improve their run game and Jeanty's impressive college stats and potential as a generational talent, it seems Las Vegas may have indeed hit the jackpot with their top selection. As Coach Carroll told the team, even Lynch himself called in to express his excitement over the pick, a ringing endorsement for the young running back ready to don the Silver and Black.
