Mike Washington Jr. has done more than just make a case for a roster spot in Raiders camp. He’s forcing a conversation about how much Ashton Jeanty should actually be on the field.
That matters because Klint Kubiak arrived in Las Vegas with a reputation for leaning on a running back by committee. Then the Raiders spent the No. 6 overall pick on Jeanty, and the early assumption was obvious: the rookie would be the centerpiece.
Kubiak initially said Jeanty needed “a wingman,” but he later softened that stance, making it clear that the best players have to play. Nobody is arguing Jeanty isn’t the best back in the room.
Still, Washington Jr. has been too productive to ignore.
He has turned training camp and the preseason into a steady run of proof points, easing some of the pre-draft questions about his game along the way. This isn’t about taking anything away from Jeanty. It’s about Washington Jr. showing he can handle real work, and the Raiders being smart enough to use it.
Las Vegas also has reason to think bigger than the preseason hype. Last year, the Raiders did Jeanty no favors by leaning on him nearly 800 snaps and 266 carries.
He absorbed a lot of unnecessary punishment because there wasn’t enough depth behind him. With the offensive line still developing, the team now has a chance to keep Jeanty fresher and healthier, both this season and deeper into his rookie deal.
Washington Jr. has earned that opportunity.
In his first NFL action, he carried the ball six times for 63 yards, including a 53-yard run, and showed he can help in pass protection while staying involved as a receiver. He backed that up against the Texans, finishing with nine carries for 56 yards and two catches for 18 yards. He also flashed another long burst, turning what looked like nothing into a 33-yard gain.
That kind of consistency changes the math. A one-off preseason pop is one thing. Repeatedly winning snaps is another.
No one is suggesting Washington Jr. should take over as the lead back, or that this should become a 50-50 split. But there’s a clear middle ground here. He could work every third series or enter drives regularly to give Jeanty a breather, and that may be the best setup for both players.
Jeanty is still young, and his rookie year went nothing like he or the Raiders or the fanbase expected. In the long run, rotating him with another back could be the smartest way to protect him, especially in a non-contending window.
Washington Jr. has played well enough this preseason that Kubiak and the Raiders should treat this as an easy call.
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Raiders Suddenly Face A Frightening Ashton Jeanty Camp Scare
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For Las Vegas, the timing makes the situation feel especially uneasy, even with no official word yet on the exact nature or severity of the injury. Until the Raiders provide an update, all that is known is that Jeanty came off the field after the hit to his knee, leaving one of the teams biggest camp storylines suddenly on hold. [Read more 🡒]
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Raiders Camp Battle Could Decide Whether This Secondary Finally Improves
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Darien Porter, entering his second season, is trying to hold off rookie Jermod McCoy for a starting spot next to Stokes. McCoy comes in with a little extra uncertainty after pre-draft knee injuries, so this competition is about more than just pedigree or draft status. For Las Vegas, it is also one of the most important jobs on the roster, because the answer there will go a long way toward showing whether the offseason changes were enough. [Read more 🡒]