It’s been a rocky rookie year for Ashton Jeanty, but don’t let the box score fool you - the Raiders running back has shown flashes of the real deal, even if the situation around him has been anything but ideal.
Heading into Week 17, Jeanty’s stat line reads 828 rushing yards, 326 receiving yards, and 10 total touchdowns. On paper, that’s a solid debut.
But dig a little deeper, and you see a player who’s been fighting uphill all season. His 3.7 yards per carry might suggest inefficiency, but the tape tells a different story - one of a back doing everything he can behind a struggling offensive line and within a sputtering offense.
Take Sunday’s game against the Texans. Jeanty didn’t just show up - he exploded.
Two long touchdown runs against one of the league’s top defenses, 128 yards on the ground, and a 60-yard catch-and-run that reminded everyone just how dangerous he can be in space. It was a statement performance, the kind that cuts through the noise and reminds you what this kid is capable of.
What stood out? Everything.
Vision, burst, contact balance, and that extra gear in the open field. He wasn’t just running through holes - he was creating his own lanes, slipping through arm tackles, and making defenders miss in space.
And that 60-yard reception? That’s not a fluke.
Jeanty’s receiving chops are real, and they add another layer to his game that the Raiders haven’t tapped into nearly enough.
And that’s where the frustration comes in.
This isn’t just about Jeanty’s numbers - it’s about the ecosystem around him. The Raiders offense has been one of the league’s least efficient units, and the run game has suffered because of it.
The offensive line ranks 19th in run-block win rate, and it shows. Too often, Jeanty has been met in the backfield before he even hits his stride.
There’s been little in the way of consistent push up front, and the passing game hasn’t done much to keep defenses honest.
Then there’s the play-calling. For a team with a dynamic rookie back, the Raiders have been oddly hesitant to feature him in key moments.
Jeanty’s been pulled off the field far too often in two-minute drills and other critical situations, a puzzling trend that’s left fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. The personnel usage hasn’t maximized his skill set - and that’s on the coaching staff.
Head coach Pete Carroll and former offensive coordinator Chip Kelly haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory when it comes to handling this rookie class, and Jeanty’s usage is a prime example. It hasn’t been the worst decision-making we’ve seen from the Raiders this season, but it’s been emblematic of a broader issue: a lack of cohesion and vision on offense.
Still, amid the chaos, Jeanty has shown why the Raiders were right to invest in him. He looks every bit like the explosive, three-down back they hoped they were drafting.
And while the offensive line and receiving corps need serious upgrades, the foundation is there. Pairing Jeanty with tight end Brock Bowers gives Las Vegas two legit playmakers on offense - weapons any young quarterback would love to have.
As the Raiders look ahead to April’s draft, the mission should be clear: find the quarterback of the future, rebuild the offensive infrastructure, and give Jeanty the support he needs to thrive. Because if this season has shown us anything, it’s that Ashton Jeanty is ready to be a star - he just needs a little help getting there.