The Las Vegas Raiders had the worst rushing offense in the NFL last season and running back was obviously a need for this team heading into the 2025 NFL Draft. Thankfully for the Raiders, one of the top prospects this year was Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
While there were some concerns that he could potentially be taken ahead of the Raiders, he ultimately was available and the franchise would take the running back with the sixth overall pick, via Tashan Reed of The Athletic:
The #Raiders have drafted Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty with pick No. 6, just like everyone expected.
— Tashan Reed (@tashanreed) April 25, 2025
It may have been the obvious pick, but for the Raiders, it made all the sense in the world to take Jeanty. Even with running backs being devalued in recent years, Jeanty is an exception as his talent is otherworldly, and he will immediately slot in as the Raiders’ starting running back and pair with tight end Brock Bowers to give this offense a pair of cornerstones to build around for the foreseeable future.
Last year, Jeanty put together one of the greatest rushing seasons in the history of college football as a junior at Boise State. His 2,601 rushing yards nearly broke Barry Sanders’ all-time record of 2,628 set back in 1988, while his 29 rushing touchdowns were the seventh-most in college history. He is also a capable pass catcher with 80 receptions for 862 yards and six touchdowns in his collegiate career.
Jeanty is not only fast and explosive, capable of breaking off huge plays on any snap, but he is also very strong and has unbelievable balance. His ability to break tackles and bounce off hits was unparalleled, and he should be an immediate impact player.
With Geno Smith solidifying the quarterback position and now Jeanty coming in to team with Bowers and reliable wide receiver Jakobi Meyers, the Raiders’ offense should be much improved and they look to be on the verge of building up something special.
Ashton Jeanty calls Raiders QB Geno Smith a ‘great player’
Ashton Jeanty would make life much easier for new Raiders quarterback Geno Smith and while the two haven’t really had much time to get to know each other just yet, Jeanty is familiar with Smith’s game.
In a recent interview Jeanty called Smith a ‘great player’ while noting how well he has done with a second chance in his career and his chemistry with Raiders coach Pete Carroll. The back added that Smith would be a great quarterback to have, and now he has him.
