Like all other teams, the Raiders are busy hosting several prospects in advance of this month’s draft. One of the players headed to Vegas this week is the top running back in the 2025 class. 
The Raiders are set to host Ashton Jeanty, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. He adds the Heisman runner-up will fly in tomorrow. Vegas owns the sixth overall pick in the draft, and as a result the team will likely be within range to select Jeanty.
Several mock drafts have linked team and player in this case, given the Raiders’ struggles on the ground last season. Year 1 of the post-Josh Jacobs era did not go according to plan, with Zamir White averaging only 2.8 yards per carry. Alexander Mattison was not much more efficient, and he has departed in free agency. Vegas added Raheem Mostert last month after he was cut by the Dolphins. The veteran figures to have a role on offense in 2025, but it would come as no surprise if a notable draft investment were to be made in the backfield.
Jeanty enjoyed an extremely productive tenure at Boise State, winning the Mountain West’s Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2023 and again last season. After totaling 2,729 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2024, Jeanty earned All-American honors and took home the Maxwell Award. The three-year Broncos contributor headlines a strong running back class, one which is expected to see North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton also hear his name called on Day 1.
Having already met with the Bears and Cowboys, Jeanty is not expected to fall outside the top 15-20 picks. He will likely be off the board well before that range, and the Raiders are certainly among the teams to watch with respect to selecting him. How the team proceeds will of course depend in part on how the upcoming visit goes.
Rapoport adds that Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is also slated to visit the Raiders. Vegas’ starting situation has been assured with the decision to trade for and extend Geno Smith, but the team could of course be in the market for adding a rookie past the opening round of the draft. Ewers – whose final Longhorns season included injuries and less-than-expected production – is one of many Day 2 prospects in the 2025 class; the Raiders own one pick in each of the second and third rounds.
The thought of a team drafting a running back in the top ten reminds me of the classic exchange from Arrested Development.
“You know, Lindsay, as a therapist, I have advised… a number of couples to explore an open relationship, where the couple remains emotionally committed but free to explore extramarital encounters.”
“Well, did it work for those people?”
“No, it never does. I mean, these people somehow delude themselves into thinking it might, but… but it might work for us.”
Was that supposed to be funny or something?
Ha
Ha
HaHa
Ha?
Worked for the Ravens (Jamal Lewis), Rams (Gurley), and Saints (Bush) if we’re talking championships. I’m sure the Chargers (Tomlinson), Vikings (AP), and many others never would have made a different decision. But, what do much smarter people who get paid to make these decisions know right?
Odds are it won’t be what gets you to the Super Bowl, but that’s the case for MOST TEAMS FOR MOST POSITIONS.
The most recent example you cited was Todd Gurley, who was over the hill by the end of his rookie contract. Anything before 2011 is a very different story because that’s when the CBA created a rookie contract pay scale. Bush never even rushed for 600 yards in a season with the team that drafted him. Tomlinson abd Peterson never won anything. And those are the best outcomes you could come up with going back 25 years.
Very fair point about the rookie contract pay scale, but not too convinced about the rest. I could have gone into more detail behind my reasoning, but I’m on vacation and don’t want to spend my time talking about something that doesn’t have one right answer.
Good day sir.
Inflated numbers vs poopy defenses, nothing like SEC or B10. In addition, he’s 5-10 and maybe 210, so unless he’s going to be a 600-800 yds/year + 75 catches guy, he won’t carry the load for any team.
I’m less worried about his size than I am about his mileage. Dude led FBS in carries two straight seasons.
Wow tell me you know nothing about football with out telling me you have never actually seen Jeanty play. Had 192 and three tuddies versus Oregon and ran for 109 against Penn who many said had the top defense in college. Penn state was bringing 9 in the box every play. Jesus..at least watch a game and please pretend to do some research. He is 5’9 and 217 so he is average NFL size ( you made it obvious that research isn’t your strong suit, but still, look it up).
What an absolute Clown Shoes take.