Las Vegas Raiders didn’t go off the beaten path with their 1st round pick. Like most people expected, they selected Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.
The Raiders faced a critical juncture in the upcoming draft. Competing in the highly competitive AFC West, which includes 2024 playoff teams like the Chiefs, Broncos, and Chargers, the Raiders made a smart draft selection to bolster a roster that recently added quarterback Geno Smith from Seattle. While tight end Brock Bowers provided significant offensive contributions as a rookie, the team’s offense requires further enhancement across the board.
The Raiders notably went for the best player available over bigger roster needs at cornerback and offensive line.
The Raiders’ rushing attack struggled last season, ranking last in the league with 1,357 rushing yards on 380 attempts, averaging 3.6 yards per carry. This deficiency highlights the team’s need for an explosive player like Jeanty. The potential impact of a strong running game is underscored by Coach Pete Carroll’s past success with Marshawn Lynch in Seattle, which included a Super Bowl victory and an appearance in the Super Bowl against the Patriots in 2014.
Las Vegas Raiders Select Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked Jeanty as the top offensive weapon in the draft and the third-best prospect in the 2025 NFL draft class, writing, Jeanty displays exceptional contact balance, run instincts and versatility in the passing game, reminiscent of LaDainian Tomlinson. He has the talent to emerge as a high-level running back early in his NFL career.
Jeanty demonstrated exceptional performance, leading the nation in both rushing attempts (374) and rushing yards (2,601), and finishing second in rushing touchdowns (29), behind quarterback Bryson Daily’s 32. He averaged an impressive 7.0 yards per carry. In the preceding year, Jeanty was more involved in the passing game, recording 43 receptions for 569 yards and five touchdowns, averaging 13.2 yards per catch. Last season, Jeanty surpassed 100 rushing yards in every game and exceeded 200 combined yards in seven contests.