The Raiders have signed No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty to a fully guaranteed four-year rookie contract worth $35.9MM, per a team announcement.
The former Boise State Bronco will receive a $22.75MM signing bonus as part of the deal, which includes a fifth-year option in 2029. He will immediately take over as the Raiders’ lead back and hope to continue his stellar performance in the NFL.
Jeanty’s contract shows how taking a running back in the top 10 isn’t as cost-effective as targeting other positions. His $8.97MM APY is the 11th-highest at the position, while No. 7 pick Armand Membou‘s $7.98M APY ranks 40th among offensive tackles.
By no means does that mean that Jeanty was a bad pick or won’t live up to his rookie contract. All indicators – his production, durability, and leadership – point to the opposite. He’s a true three-down back who can shoulder a large load as a rusher while contributing in the passing game as a blocker and receiver. After leading the Mountain West with 1,347 yards in 2023, he set his sights higher in 2024 and led the FBS with 2,601 yards, plus 30 total touchdowns and 6.95 yards per carry.
Las Vegas is also a favorable landing spot for Jeanty. The Raiders stabilized their quarterback situation by trading for Geno Smith this offseason, but new head coach Pete Carroll still has an affinity for running the football. Jeanty will have minimal competition for touches in a backfield with Raheem Mostert, Zamir White, and Dylan Laube.
The Raiders signed seven other members of their rookie class: third-rounders Caleb Rogers (No. 98) and Charles Grant (No. 99), fourth-rounder Tonka Hemingway (No. 135), sixth-rounders J.J. Pegues (No. 180), Tommy Mellott (No. 213), Cam Miller (No. 215), and seventh-rounder Cody Lindenberg (No. 222).
Rogers played both guard and tackle at Texas Tech, but his length will likely restrict him to the interior in the NFL where he could compete for a starting job right away. Grant is a physically-impressive left tackle prospect who could be a long-term replacement for Kolton Miller.
Hemingway and Pegues will both look to carve out rotational roles behind the Raiders’ veteran defensive linemen. Both players offer intriguing versatility; Hemingway’s undersized, athletic frame could see him take some snaps from wider alignments, while Pegues excelled as a short-yardage weapon on offense at Ole Miss.
Mellott played quarterback at Montana State but will play receiver in the NFL. His athleticism and playmaking instincts could help him get some designed touches early on as he grows as a route-runner and pass-catcher. Miller will stay under center in Las Vegas, likely as the third-string quarterback behind Smith and Aidan O’Connell. The North Dakota State product earned the endorsement of Raiders minority owner Tom Brady during the draft, according to The Athletic’s Dan Pompei.
Lindenberg will compete for a roster spot in a Raiders linebacker room that lacks a clear leader after the departure of Robert Spillane. Lindenberg is a solid athlete with good size who can contribute on special teams right away as he works his processing up to NFL speed.
The Raiders have yet to sign three draft picks to rookie contracts: second-rounder Jack Bech, third-rounder Darien Porter, and fourth-rounder Dont’e Thornton Jr. Here’s a full list of their draft class:
Las Vegas Raiders
- Round 1, No. 6: Ashton Jeanty (RB, Boise State) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 58 (from Texans): Jack Bech (WR, TCU)
- Round 3, No. 68: Darien Porter (CB, Iowa State)
- Round 3, No. 98 (from Dolphins)*: Caleb Rogers (G, Texas Tech) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 99 (from Giants through Texans)*: Charles Grant (T, William & Mary) (signed)
- Round 4, No. 108: Dont’e Thornton (WR, Tennessee)
- Round 4, No. 135 (from Dolphins)*: Tonka Hemingway ((DT, South Carolina) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 180: J.J. Pegues (DT, Ole Miss) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 213*: Tommy Mellott (QB, Montana State) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 215*: Cam Miller (QB, North Dakota State) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 222: Cody Lindenberg (LB, Minnesota) (signed)