The Las Vegas Raiders are turning heads after today’s selection. They chose Ashton Jeanty 6th overall in April’s draft! The former Boise State standout is making a strong impression at the Raiders’ minicamp, showcasing his skills and adaptability as the team aims to bolster its rushing attack, which ranked among the league’s worst last season.
Jeanty has a diverse background, having played wide receiver in high school before transitioning to running back at Boise State. Not surprisingly, in his last season with the Broncos, he proved just how amazing he was by running for 2,601 yards. That incredible accomplishment earned him the second-most overall in one season in FBS history. He was a pass-catching threat—he reeled in 569 yards on 43 receptions in 2023 alone.
Veteran running back Raheem Mostert has quickly recognized Jeanty’s potential. He called Jeanty a “generational talent,” an impressive label considering Jeanty defied the odds with his unique skills in position drills. Mostert stated, “Just today, he caught a couple of balls and you’re like, ‘Man, he’s going to be special.’” His enthusiasm for Jeanty’s development reflects the optimism surrounding the rookie’s arrival in Las Vegas.
Head coach Chip Kelly praised Jeanty’s work ethic and willingness to learn to fit into the team’s scheme. He pointed to Jeanty’s high level of coachability. Eberflus continued, “He’s such a coachable guy that you can do a lot of things with him from that standpoint. Since OTAs began in May, Jeanty has logged the most first-team reps among the RB corp. That is a clear indication on the part of the coaching staff that they trust his abilities.
And he’s made it a point to be a mentor for Jeanty, helping him with route running and how to attack a defense. White humorously remarked about their interactions, stating, “He can tell you he had no catches on me, none this offseason, so that just tells you who’s up, and he better be ready for training camp.”
Jeanty has earned high marks from the Bears coaching staff over the course of minicamp. Coach Pete Carroll noted that Jeanty “caught the ball well, understood stuff, took everything seriously [and] gave terrific effort throughout.” He continued by explaining that once training camp hits, he expects it to be “game on.”
Mostert highlighted several of Jeanty’s skills during practice, including his ability to make sharp cuts and maintain balance under contact. He expressed admiration for a particularly impressive play: “The biggest thing that impressed me the most was that he was able to break and take it another 60 yards.”
The Raiders are looking ahead to next season. If you’re Stanford, you’re banking on Jeanty having a massive effect on your offensive gameplan. The load that’ll be expected of him speaks to how serious the team is about improving their rushing attack and overall team performance.
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