Ashton Jeanty‘s name was floated as a potential top-five pick, but he remained on the board through to the sixth overall selection. To no surprise, the Boise State running back has been selected by the Raiders.
This selection doesn’t come as a big surprise. The Raiders were one of the first teams to be definitively connected to Jeanty, although the star RB’s draft stock has picked up major steam in recent days. We heard just this afternoon that the Bears were interested in trading up for the Boise State product, and there was a belief that the Jaguars could even add to their RB depth at No. 5.
Instead, the Jaguars traded up to No. 2, paving the way for Jeanty to fall to the Raiders at No. 6. Jeanty is one of the most hyped RB prospects in several years following his run at Barry Sanders‘ hallowed single-season Division I-FBS rushing record. The RB ultimately finished last season with 2,739 yards from scrimmage and 30 touchdowns while guiding Boise State to the College Football Playoff.
The Raiders struggled to replace Josh Jacobs in 2024. The team shuffled through a handful of solutions, with veterans Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah, and Zamir White all garnering at least 60 carries. White, shockingly, is the only one of those three still on the roster, and the Raiders brought in Raheem Mostert as some veteran depth.
Still, Jeanty should dominate the backfield touches in Las Vegas. With a decent O-line and a lack of elite wide receivers in the class, the new brain trust of general manager John Spytek, head coach Pete Carroll, and minority owner Tom Brady are clearly counting on the rookie to be a major weapon for new quarterback Geno Smith. Despite entering his first NFL season, Jeanty is now undoubtedly the team’s most dynamic offensive talent, and he should be a major contender for Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.
In this draft class, with the trenches being subpar, adding the most dynamic player in the draft, even if RB, is a win.
Facts
The Raiders are *finally* doing it right. Love this selection!
Jags should have just taken him at 5 and saved their capital. Unless the plan is Hunter 80% defense
Didn’t overthink it…FINALLY!!
I’d have preferred a trad back, but there might not have been a market for it.
Sometimes the safe bet is the best bet
OK now nothing but defense tomorrow and beyond.
I think they’ll take Ewers and a WR, but I expect they’ll go defense heavy for the rest of the draft.
If Ewers falls to round 4 yes lol
If I’m investing the 6th pick on a RB I’d want a stud who can be a durable “bell cow” rusher for 9 seasons like Derrick Henry. Jeanty doesn’t strike me as being that guy. I see him as more sizzle than steak. His ball security will really need to improve as well.
To me Jeanty is a LaDanian Tomlinson comp 100% (not Alvin Kamara that most gave him). Both were from small school programs (TCU for LT) but both have EXCELLENT vision & contact tackle shedding traits who know how to make themselves small in scrums, and can then take it to the house on any play any day, while also having excellent receiver hands routes ability as well (he played WR in highschool). His pass pro attack can improve, and carrying too which I’m sure Chip & Edgar Bennet will help him with. But he has elite skills AND a durability body, great character hard worker so that is very welcome for any Top 10 pick choice.
I’d argue that they did the same last season by taking Bowers. He was the best player available and they didn’t overthink it and take a day 2 caliber player just to draft a position of need.
Yup 100%! Gotta thank 1 year HC GM Pierce & Telesco for Bowers, now Spytek & Carroll for Jeanty and for making easy no brainer 1st Round Pick Choices after years of Loser McD and Sucky Chucky Gruden AWFUL 1st round picks (especially Grudork who’s only good 1st Round pick for the Khalil Mack & Amari Cooper draft pick trade hauls of 5 total 1st rounders was RB Josh Jacobs at #22 overall I think for the Raiders).
WELCOME TO THE RAIDER NATION JEANTY!!! All that Schrager & Schefter “Pats or Jags want Jeanty, Raiders want OT and don’t covet Jeanty at all…” was pure pre-Draft Eve SMOKESCREEN! Football is simple, see elite players like Bowers & Jeanty and draft them, don’t overthink it and don’t say Running Backs are not worthy of Top 10 picks. If they have a chance to be special like a Saquon or Bijan or my Dynasty FF fave Jahmyr Gibbs just DRAFT THEM. Even Harbaugh to Hampton RB in the 1st Round. Now…
I want Pete & Spytek to add more Edge Pass Rush (can never have enough IMO) or maybe CB’s Amos or Harrison, I think CB Will Johnson has serious medical concerns to drop outta the 1st…
Or Raiders should go more offense with WR, I love ISU’s Jayden Higgins or Jaylin Noel, plus Ole Miss Tre Harris is a good prospect here for the 2nd, and draft a QB to develop which can be had in the 3rd 4th etc.
*I do think Browns take Sheduer today 100% so no chance he becomes a Raider via their 2nd Rounder.
I want nothing to do with Sanders. Ewers or Milroe would be better to develop with Geno for a couple years.