It happened.
The Las Vegas Raiders actually did it. They ignored the "running backs don't matter" crowd and took Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
People lost their minds. Critics called it a reach. But if you watched a single Boise State game last year, you know why Pete Carroll—who was the head coach at the time of the pick—couldn't help himself. Jeanty didn't just play football in 2024; he conducted a weekly clinic on how to humiliate defenders.
He finished that legendary college season with 2,601 rushing yards. That's the second-highest total in FBS history. Honestly, it’s a number that feels like it belongs in a video game, not on a real stat sheet. When the Raiders' card went in, they weren't just drafting a player. They were trying to draft an identity.
The Ashton Jeanty NFL Team 2025 Reality: Why Las Vegas?
The Raiders were desperate. In 2024, their run game was basically non-existent, averaging a league-worst 79.8 yards per game. It was painful to watch. They lacked juice. They lacked a guy who could turn a three-yard cloud of dust into a 60-yard house call.
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Jeanty was the obvious antidote.
He signed a massive four-year rookie deal worth roughly $35.9 million, including a staggering $22.7 million signing bonus. That's "generational wealth" territory before he even took a professional snap. The team paired him with Geno Smith, hoping that a veteran presence under center would open up the box for Jeanty.
It hasn't been all sunshine and rainbows, though.
The 2025 season was a brutal ride for Raiders fans. Despite Jeanty putting up respectable rookie numbers—975 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns—the team struggled. Pete Carroll was even fired just recently, in January 2026, after a three-win season. When reporters asked Jeanty about the coaching shakeup, he gave a classic "above my pay grade" response. Smart kid. He knows his job is to run, not hire the next boss.
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Breaking Down the Scouting Report
What makes Jeanty different? It’s the contact balance.
If you try to arm-tackle him, you’ve already lost. He’s 5'9" and about 215 pounds, built like a bowling ball made of granite. At Boise State, he forced 144 missed tackles in a single season. That's an FBS record. He doesn't just run away from people; he runs through them and then somehow stays upright to keep going.
- Vision: He presses the line of scrimmage with a patience that reminds scouts of Le'Veon Bell.
- Burst: His 10-yard split is where the magic happens. He hits the hole before linebackers can even fill their gaps.
- Utility: He’s a three-down back. In 2023, he had 569 receiving yards. The Raiders used him as a safety valve for Geno Smith all season, where he racked up 55 catches for another 346 yards.
Did the Raiders Overpay?
There’s a loud section of NFL Twitter that thinks taking a RB in the top 10 is a fireable offense. Looking at how things turned out for Carroll, maybe they have a point? But you have to look at the context. The Raiders were 31st in yards after contact in 2024. They needed a "yardage creator," which is exactly what NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein called Jeanty.
The comparison to LaDainian Tomlinson or Josh Jacobs isn't just hype. He has that same low center of gravity.
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But here’s the reality: no running back can fix a broken offensive line. The Raiders' front five struggled to open consistent lanes in 2025, leaving Jeanty to fight for every single inch. His 3.6 yards per carry as a rookie isn't exactly what the front office envisioned, but his 1,321 total yards from scrimmage shows he’s the most dangerous weapon they have.
What’s Next for Jeanty in 2026?
The Raiders are now looking at the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft. It's a weird spot to be in—having a superstar running back while the rest of the roster is in flux.
The next head coach will likely build the entire offense around Jeanty. He proved he could handle the workload, taking 266 carries in his first year. Most rookies hit a wall; Jeanty seemed to get stronger as the season went on.
If you're a fantasy owner or a Raiders fan, the silver lining is his receiving floor. He’s not just a "ground and pound" guy. He's a matchup nightmare for linebackers in space.
Actionable Insights for Following Jeanty's Career:
- Watch the Coaching Search: The Raiders' next HC will determine if Jeanty becomes a 1,500-yard bell cow or stays in a struggling committee.
- Keep an Eye on the O-Line: Until Las Vegas invests in the interior line, Jeanty’s efficiency will be capped.
- Rookie Year Context: Don't let the 3.6 YPC fool you; his "yards after contact" metrics remain among the best for rookies.
The Ashton Jeanty NFL team 2025 experiment hasn't yielded wins yet, but the individual talent is undeniable. He's a cornerstone. Now, the Raiders just need to build a house around him.