Why RB Ashton Jeanty fits in well with the Raiders

Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty is headed to the Las Vegas Raiders with the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it's a great selection under new general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll.

Jeanty was just too good to pass up for the Raiders. While his size at 5-foot-9 and 211 pounds could be worrisome, he is a bruising, but elusive, running back with the ability to make the first defender miss. 

Jeanty is an impact player who can start right away among a RB room that includes Raheem Mostert, Zamir White, Sincere McCormick and Dylan Laube.

NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks, in evaluating the selection, cited those who compare Jeanty to two former NFL running backs.

"Jeanty joins an offense that desires a dominant rushing attack," he wrote. "The Boise State star is a workhorse who has drawn comparisons to LaDainian Tomlinson (5-10) and Frank Gore (5-9). That's not a surprise, as Jeanty can make big plays as a runner and receiver and has that closer mentality in the fourth quarter."

Jeanty gives Carroll a running back who also could be similar to Marshawn Lynch when they were together in Seattle, making teams pay as he burst through the line with his powerful running style. 

The Raiders had a hard time running the ball last season, finishing with a league-worst 3.6 yards per attempt. Adding Jeanty to the fold, along with an improved offensive line, boosts the Raiders' chances at finally improving their ground game.

"I'm going to show everyone why the position is valuable," Jeanty said via conference call to reporters gathered in Henderson.

The Raiders risked major capital, making Jeanty the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley went No. 2 to the New York Giants in the 2018 NFL Draft. The Raiders had not drafted a running back in the first round since Josh Jacobs in 2019, when he went No. 24.

Jeanty also will provide new Raiders quarterback Geno Smith with a safety valve when under pressure, giving him the option to check down and hope the ex-Boise State star can break tackles, just as he did in college.