After a rookie year that fell short of the expectations attached to his name, Ashton Jeanty looks set up for a much bigger 2026 with the Las Vegas Raiders. The change comes with Klint Kubiak taking over as offensive coordinator, and the fit on paper is hard to ignore.
Jeanty’s first NFL season in 2025 had its bumps. He didn’t get to 1,000 rushing yards and finished with a 3.7 yards-per-carry average.
But even with the ground game sputtering, he still gave the Raiders plenty to work with. The former Boise State standout finished with 1,321 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns, and he was one of the few steady pieces on an offense that never really settled in.
That’s why the buzz around Jeanty is building now. There’s a real sense that he could move from promising rookie to centerpiece fast, especially with Kubiak’s system entering the picture.
Kubiak’s offense is built around zone concepts, and that style plays directly into Jeanty’s strengths. Patience, vision and that one-cut burst are all central to the scheme, and those are the same traits that made Jeanty such a dangerous runner in college. The setup should give him room to use his balance, body control and acceleration, especially when he gets to the edges and into cutback lanes.
There’s another layer here too: Kubiak has consistently leaned on his backs in the passing game. His offenses have featured running backs as real receiving threats, which creates problems for linebackers and safeties. That lines up with what Jeanty did at Boise State, where he grew into one of the most complete weapons in college football.
That versatility gives the Raiders a chance to build more of the offense around him. The Christian McCaffrey comparison may be a big one, but the idea behind it is clear: Kubiak has a history of getting the most out of backs who can do damage both on the ground and through the air.
If the Raiders’ offensive line takes a step forward and Kubiak shapes the scheme around Jeanty’s game, the second-year back could do more than just clear 1,000 rushing yards. He could push into the rushing title conversation.
A better supporting cast, a friendlier system and another year of experience may be enough to turn Jeanty into one of the league’s breakout names in 2026.
In Other News...
Raiders Suddenly Have A Real Question At Corner With Darien Porter
Darien Porter arrived in Las Vegas as one of the more intriguing developmental bets in the 2025 draft, a third-round corner with a receivers background and enough athletic upside to make the Raiders believe the transition could stick. He spent much of his rookie season behind Kyu Blu Kelly before carving out a bigger role, and the flashes were there even if the consistency was not.
Now the Raiders are asking a bigger question of him in training camp: whether that growth is enough to hold off younger competition and turn potential into a real starting job. Porter has shown enough to stay in the mix, but with the cornerback room still unsettled, he is going to have to clean up the rough edges quickly if he wants to make this a summer of separation instead of another battle for snaps. [Read more 🡒]
Maxx Crosby Trade Talk Just Took A Turn Raiders Fans Will Hate
Maxx Crosbys name is back in the rumor mill, and this time the Seahawks are the team worth watching. Seattle has been linked to the Raiders edge rusher as the market around him shifts, with John Schneiders reputation for bold roster swings making the possibility feel a little more real than a typical offseason whisper. The Seahawks pass rush depth has also changed after recent departures, which only adds to the appeal of a player who would instantly change the tone of that front.
For the Raiders, the wrinkle is that a deal with Seattle would not come out of nowhere. Las Vegas has brought in former Seahawks personnel, including Klint Kubiak, and that connection could help open the door if talks advance. The question now is whether the Raiders are willing to listen if the return starts centering on a first-round pick and a veteran piece from Seattle, or whether Crosbys value keeps the conversation from getting that far. [Read more 🡒]