Before even stepping foot on the field, Ashton Jeanty is already positioned to be one of the top players in the NFL, set to become the second-highest-paid running back in the league upon signing his rookie contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. As the No. 6 overall pick in the much-anticipated 2025 NFL Draft, Jeanty’s deal is projected to include around $32 million in guaranteed money, placing him just behind Philadelphia Eagles’ star Saquon Barkley, who secured a hefty $36 million after a two-year contract extension this past March.
Jeanty’s caliber as a player is hard to ignore—he’s widely considered one of this year’s top prospects. Still, the debate lingers: is investing in a running back with such a high draft pick the smartest move in the current NFL landscape? Traditionalists might argue that high-value picks are better spent on positions that dictate the game’s flow, especially given the Raiders’ not-so-stellar offensive line situation. Last season, the line struggled to find consistency, ranking in the bottom half of the league for both run and pass block win rates.
However, there’s room for optimism. The Raiders have several more rounds in the draft to shore up their offensive line, including the early second-round pick at No. 37. While they won’t capture a premium talent like Jeanty with that pick, there are still quality options available that can help bolster the line and better support the running game.
The connection between Jeanty and the Raiders seems natural, particularly with new head coach Pete Carroll expressing a strong desire for a run-oriented offense since his days leading the Seattle Seahawks. When Jeanty mentioned Marshawn Lynch as a role model, it felt almost inevitable that if he were still on the board for the Raiders, they would seize the opportunity to draft him.
There’s also an undeniable excitement that comes with adding standout talent like Jeanty to the roster. Regardless of the strategic discussions surrounding positional value, the allure of a dynamic skill group, potentially featuring Jeanty along with Brock Bowers and Geno Smith, offers a refreshing glimpse of hope for a franchise that finished last season with a disappointing 4-13 record.
Ultimately, if Jeanty can live up to expectations and thrive in his new role, no one will mind the financial implications of his rookie deal. If he can replicate the productivity that made Barkley and Christian McCaffrey household names, the Raiders will swiftly shift the narrative, displaying the kind of offensive prowess that will have defenses on high alert all season long. The stakes are high, but so are the potential rewards.
