The Las Vegas Raiders have signed Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty to his rookie contract. Per Adam Schefter, the four-year agreement is worth a fully guaranteed $35.89 million with $22.74 million due at signing. The 21-year-old is coming off one of the most historic collegiate rushing seasons of all time, and can now officially call Las Vegas home. Jeanty enters an excellent situation as a Raider, with an accurate quarterback manning the helm, a talented offensive mind in Chip Kelly at coordinator, and a head coach in Pete Carroll who has historically enjoyed establishing the run. Expectations are sky-high for the Jacksonville native, as he's already in the conversation to be one of the first few backs off the board this summer in drafts. While rookies always carry a bit of inherent risk, Jeanty will immediately slot in as the Raiders' workhorse back and has the talent to make fantasy managers who didn't draft him regret it.
The Las Vegas Raiders selected Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft on Thursday night. The Raiders were connected to Jeanty all along as they looked for a true RB1 in their backfield. Jeanty was the Heisman Trophy runner-up and is a true workhorse with elite game-breaking ability and tackle-breaking abilities. Ball security will be key for Jeanty heading to the next level, but he should be an immediate impact player for the Raiders backfield and in fantasy. Veteran Raheem Mostert will back him up in Vegas in his first year in the NFL. Jeanty is built like a body builder and has been compared to Emmitt Smith. He has future All-Pro talent and has the chops to become one of the next faces of the NFL if he can avoid serious injuries. Jeanty will be a top-three selection in rookie-only drafts this fall.
Ashton Jeanty's Tackle-Breaking Ability Sets Him Apart
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is the consensus top RB in a strong class in 2025, and he could very well come off the board within the first 10 picks on Thursday night. What sets Jeanty apart from the likes of North Carolina's Omarion Hampton, Iowa's Kaleb Johnson and Ohio State's TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins is hit tackle-breaking ability and penchant for gaining yards after contact. Jeanty had 1,733 rushing yards after contact last season with the Broncos, while Hampton, who is considered the No. 2 back in this class, has 1,660 total rushing yards in 2024. Jeanty's total rushing yards after contact are the most by any FBS player in a season in the last five years. The Las Vegas Raiders are the obvious candidates to take Jeanty at No. 6 overall, and multiple personnel people think the Chicago Bears are hoping he falls to them at No. 10.
The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly in love with Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. The Raiders have the No. 6 overall pick in the draft and it sounds like they plan to take Jeanty. This would be a huge upgrade for the Raiders who currently rank as one of the worst in the league at the running back position. They added Raheem Mostert over the offseason, but Jeanty would come in as a Day 1 starter. The expectation is that Jeanty would see a heavy workload on any team that drafts him. It wouldn't be surprising if Jeanty holds first-round value in fantasy drafts if he lands in Las Vegas. This seems like a good fit as new head coach Pete Carroll looks to quickly turn around this roster.
Running back is one of the Dallas Cowboys' biggest needs in the upcoming NFL draft, but The Athletic's Jon Machota writes that it doesn't sound like they view it as their top priority at No. 12 overall. Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty, the consensus top running back in this year's class, could still be the pick for the Cowboys at 12th overall, but it's looking more likely that they will go in another direction. It makes sense because this year is considered to be a strong RB class, so the Cowboys could be better off targeting a back in the second or third rounds. Jeanty didn't have a formal interview with Dallas at last week's NFL Combine in Indianapolis, but there will be plenty of time for them to find a time to sit down with him before April. There are question marks about Jeanty's durability at the next level given the volume he saw in college, but he should be expected to have a major role in his first year in the NFL, depending on his landing spot.
Ashton Jeanty To Skip On-Field Workouts At NFL Combine
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty will only participate in medical evaluations and team interviews at the 2025 NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis this week, according to his agent. Jeanty will do on-field drill during Boise State's Pro Day. Not unlike some of this year's top prospects, the 21-year-old will not work out in front of NFL scouts this week in Indy, but it shouldn't negatively affect his draft stock at all as the likely top RB off the board this year. In his final year with the Broncos in 2024, Jeanty was extremely productive, carrying the ball 374 times for 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, adding an FBS-best 5.25 yards after contact. He also had 23 receptions for 138 yards and another score through the air. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues may want to be worried about the massive volume he had in college, but he should immediately be a starting back in the NFL in his rookie season.
If Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is available at the Dallas Cowboys' pick at No. 12 in the first round of the NFL draft in April, The Athletic's Jon Machota thinks the Cowboys will select him. Jeanty has ties to Frisco, Texas, and Dallas has an immediate need for an impact RB, making it virtually impossible for owner Jerry Jones to pass him up. The Cowboys are unlikely to make a notable free-agent signing at the position, but it's clear they need to add playmakers on offense and want to emphasize the running game in 2025. The 21-year-old Jeanty is the top RB in this year's deep class at the position after rushing for 2,595 yards and 29 touchdowns on 375 carries in his three seasons with the Broncos. There are question marks about his long-term durability because of his heavy workload in college, but Jeanty is both powerful and elusive and should be a starting RB in the NFL in his rookie season.
According to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team, Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. Jeanty is coming off one of the most impressive seasons of a college running back as he totaled 2,601 rushing yards with 29 touchdowns. Only Oklahoma State's Barry Sanders tallied more yards on the ground in a single campaign. Jeanty was able to lead Boise State to their first ever College Football Playoff appearance and finished in second place in Heisman voting. Boise State secured a first-round bye but eventually lost to Penn State on December 31. The star running back will likely be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft due to his elite speed and excellent vision. Being one of the top running back prospects of the past decade, fantasy managers in dynasty formats should view him as a top pick in rookie drafts. In addition, if Jeanty becomes the lead option with his NFL club he could carry high value in redraft formats as well.
Ashton Jeanty
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Raiders
