The Las Vegas Raiders drafted Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft to turn around their league-worst rushing attack from a season ago. While he is clearly the lead back, the team also kept a couple of veterans around in Zamir White and Raheem Mostert to help guide him as he gets his feet wet in the NFL.
Mostert, in particular, has been around the league for a decade and just two seasons ago rushed for over 1,000 yards as a member of the Miami Dolphins. But now with the Raiders, Mostert understands and is embracing his role as a veteran influence for Jeanty, and has stressed the need for the rookie to remain levelheaded, as he spoke about in a recent interview, via Eduardo Raza of Heavy:
“I just want him to be levelheaded right now at this juncture,” Mostert said. “You know, he’s a great guy. I have nothing but great things to say. He works his tail off. He does everything he needs to do in the locker room and in the meeting rooms. I’ve been there, and I just want to be a guidance for him.”
Mostert also discussed the advice he has given Jeanty since training camp, noting that the ultimate goal is to be the best version of himself, pledging to do everything he can to help the Raiders’ rookie reach that goal:
“I told him early on during training camp, ‘Hey, look, man, there’s going to be a lot of pressure on you just because you’re sixth overall,’” Mostert added. “That’s a lot of praise, especially at our position—the running back position. Let’s not take that too lightly, but at the same time, that’s not the objective.
“The objective is to be the best version of yourself possible, and I’m going to help you get into that position. I’m going to do everything I can to help you, and then you’re also going to teach me some things.”
There will certainly be a lot of pressure on Jeanty after the unreal final season he had at Boise State, and he was able to get in the end zone in his first career game. The Raiders have a lot of faith and trust in Jeanty to live up to his potential, and having veterans like Mostert in his corner will only help.
Raiders TE Brock Bowers gives injury update ahead of Week 2
The Raiders could be even more reliant on Ashton Jeanty in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers if star tight end Brock Bowers is unable to go after suffering a knee injury in the season-opening win.
