In picking Ashton Jeanty, Pete Carroll appears to have his Super Bowl caliber running back.
Immediately, comparisons are being drawn between Jeanty and Carroll’s previous game-changing back, Marshawn Lynch.
“Growing up, Marshawn was one of the first backs I started watching,” said Jeanty upon the Raiders selecting him with the 6th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“Breaking tackles, making crazy plays down the field, there are a lot of similarities that are there.”
Jeanty joins Las Vegas after making history as a Junior at Boise State, compiling over 2,600 yards rushing—a mark only eclipsed by Barry Sanders in 1988.
The pick—Spytek’s first as GM of the Raiders, appears to be a second home-run in a row for the Raiders in the first round of the draft.
Brock Bowers is returning for his second season after having one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history. Pairing him with Jeanty and veteran QB Geno Smith instantly makes the Raiders interesting on offense.
In taking Jeanty, the Raiders chose to take the best player available, while also addressing a position of need.
The Raiders ranked dead last in rushing in 2024, led by a committee of running backs.
Las Vegas wasn’t much better in 2023 with Josh Jacobs, either.
Questions about the offensive line—and whether a rookie running back (even as prolific as Jeanty is) can be effective behind a struggling unit remain.
Outside of first-year player Jackson Powers Johnson and the dependable Kolton Miller, the Raiders offensive line rarely provided a push up front in the running game.
DJ Glaze played decently, as well, taking over the right tackle position. Jeanty’s task is how much can he elevate a group that’s coming off back-to-back seasons ranking near the bottom of the NFL.
Carroll believes Jeanty compares favorably to Marshawn Lynch.
“He’s (Marshawn Lynch) been calling all evening about it. He’s pretty fired up about it,” said Carroll upon drafting Jeanty alongside GM John Spytek.
“There is some similarities in there. His ability to make plays when it doesn’t look like anything is there. Marshawn did that throughout his career.”
Perhaps, Jeanty is going to be even better.
