When the Las Vegas Raiders used the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Ashton Jeanty, they weren’t just drafting a running back-they were making a statement. This was a franchise-level investment, the kind of move that says: we believe this guy can carry the load for years to come. And while Jeanty’s rookie campaign has had its fair share of growing pains, there’s more to the story than just yards per carry.
Let’s start with the numbers. Through the first 13 weeks of the season, Jeanty has racked up 635 rushing yards and four touchdowns. His 3.5 yards per carry average won’t jump off the stat sheet, but context matters-and in Jeanty’s case, the context is doing a lot of heavy lifting.
The criticism has been loud at times. Fans have voiced their frustration, and even some analysts have questioned whether Jeanty has “that it factor.” But while the production hasn’t always been consistent on the ground, Jeanty’s value as a dual-threat back is starting to shine through-especially in the passing game.
Coming out of Boise State, one of the biggest knocks on Jeanty was his limited route tree and lack of improvisation when plays broke down. Sure, he caught 43 passes in 2023, but many of those were checkdowns or designed screens. Scouts questioned whether he could be a true receiving threat at the next level.
Fast forward to his rookie season, and Jeanty is starting to flip that narrative. He’s already matched his college high with 43 receptions, tallying 251 yards and four touchdowns through the air.
Even more encouraging? Twenty of those catches have come in just the last three games.
That’s not just usage-that’s growth.
Now, let’s be clear: Jeanty hasn’t been perfect. Expectations were sky-high from the moment his name was called on draft night, and there’s no denying he’s still finding his footing. But pinning the Raiders’ offensive struggles solely on him would be missing the forest for the trees.
The offensive line has been a revolving door of missed assignments and blown protections. Whether it’s a run or a pass, too often defenders are in the backfield before the play has a chance to develop. That’s a nightmare scenario for any running back, let alone a rookie trying to adjust to NFL speed.
And then there’s the quarterback situation. Geno Smith has had a rollercoaster of a season and currently shares the league lead in interceptions. That kind of inconsistency under center puts even more pressure on a young back like Jeanty, especially when defenses don’t have to respect the deep ball.
Outside of Brock Bowers, the Raiders don’t have a pass catcher who forces defenses to adjust. That means stacked boxes, extra defenders creeping toward the line of scrimmage, and very little breathing room for Jeanty to operate. It’s tough sledding when the defense knows what’s coming-and has the numbers to stop it.
Still, despite all that, Jeanty is on pace for 1,000 yards from scrimmage and double-digit touchdowns. That’s not just solid-it’s promising. It’s the kind of production that hints at what could be possible if the pieces around him start to fall into place.
For Jeanty to truly unlock his potential, the Raiders need to do their part. That means shoring up the offensive line, adding more weapons on the outside, and creating an environment where their young back isn’t asked to do it all himself.
Because the talent is there. The flashes are there.
And if the Raiders can build around him, Jeanty has the tools to become exactly what they hoped for on draft night-a cornerstone of the offense for years to come.