As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, all eyes are on Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, who has emerged as arguably the top running back prospect. With a potential top-six selection, the Las Vegas Raiders, under newly appointed head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek, face a pivotal choice at their sixth overall pick.
After a challenging 4-13 season with Antonio Pearce at the helm, this offseason signifies a fresh start for the Raiders. Their backfield, which finished dead last in the league last season, averaging only 79.8 rushing yards per game, desperately needs an injection of talent. Jeanty, standing at 5-foot-9 and weighing 215 pounds, could be the answer they’re looking for.
During a stellar junior campaign, Jeanty made headlines, coming just 27 yards shy of the legendary Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record set back in 1988. He not only led Boise State to a Mountain West championship but also propelled the team to a College Football Playoff appearance, finishing the season with a remarkable 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns—an impressive feat that placed him at the top of the national leaderboard.
While the Raiders’ front office hasn’t publicly confirmed their interest in Jeanty at this stage, the Heisman Trophy runner-up didn’t hold back when he expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of joining the franchise. Speaking to media during the NFL combine, Jeanty noted, “I think that would be a great opportunity, especially (with) Pete Carroll (and his history of) running the football.”
Carroll’s track record of cultivating star running backs is well-documented—he’s coached elite talents like Reggie Bush at USC and Marshawn Lynch during his tenure with the Seahawks. Should the Raiders decide to take a shot on Jeanty, he would be joining a running back room currently featuring veterans Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah, both of whom are set to hit free agency soon. Additionally, former fourth-round pick Zamir White still has a year left on his rookie contract.
Interestingly, Jeanty has opted out of the on-field workouts at the combine in Indianapolis, preferring to showcase his skills at Boise State’s Pro Day scheduled for March 26. With the 2025 NFL Draft set for April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the Raiders will have to weigh their options carefully, as the chance to secure a generational talent like Jeanty could redefine their offense for years to come.
