The Las Vegas Raiders have made headlines this offseason with a series of promising moves, but no addition has sparked more excitement than rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. Drafted out of Boise State, Jeanty is already being hailed by coaches, analysts, and fans as a “generational talent” with the potential to reshape the franchise’s future.
The 2025 offseason has been a period of transformation for the Raiders. Analysts have praised the team’s draft class, which brought in value across multiple positions. Standouts include offensive lineman Charles Grant, wide receiver Deonte Thornton, and cornerback Darrien Porter. Yet, it is Jeanty, the team’s top draft pick, who has emerged as the focal point of optimism for Raider Nation.
Jeanty’s impact has been immediate. According to recent reports from ESPN.com:
Coach Pete Carroll said Jeanty was “every bit” of what the team had hoped for during the offseason program, admiring his pass-catching ability and understanding of the offense. Meanwhile, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly said he’s one of the most talented running backs he has seen enter the league. During OTAs and minicamp, Jeanty received the majority of the first-team reps — a sign that he has already established himself as the team’s top running back.
“He’s such a strong and dynamic back,” Raiders starting left tackle Kolton Miller said. “Even if he gets hit, he’s still balanced, and that’s super unique.”
Jeanty’s college career at Boise State was marked by statistical dominance rarely seen at any level. He led the nation in missed tackles forced,a key metric for evaluating running backs. The gap between Jeanty and the next closest player was as large as the gap between second and seventeenth place, underscoring his exceptional ability to make defenders miss.
Another standout metric was yards after contact per attempt. Jeanty again led the country, with the difference between him and the runner-up matching the gap between second and twentieth place. These analytics, provided by Pro Football Focus, highlight Jeanty’s rare combination of power, elusiveness, and balance.
Jeanty’s consistency was another hallmark of his college career. He rushed for over 120 yards in all but one game last season, where he still managed 99 yards, and surpassed the 200-yard mark six times
The Raiders struggled at the running back position last season, lacking a true difference-maker. With Jeanty now in the fold, expectations are high that the team’s ground game will see a dramatic improvement. If Jeanty can replicate even a fraction of his college success, he could quickly become one of the NFL’s top backs.
The addition of Jeanty is complemented by improvements elsewhere on the roster, including upgrades at wide receiver, offensive line, and quarterback. The coaching staff, led by Pete Carroll, appears confident that these changes will result in a much more competitive team in 2025.
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, all eyes in Las Vegas are on Ashton Jeanty. If the early reports and college production are any indication, Raider Nation may be witnessing the rise of a new franchise cornerstone.
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