Raiders RB depth chart: Why Las Vegas drafted Ashton Jeanty No. 6 overall to bolster barren backfield

Daniel Mader

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Raiders RB depth chart: Why Las Vegas drafted Ashton Jeanty No. 6 overall to bolster barren backfield image

Following one of the best seasons by a collegiate running back in history, Ashton Jeanty is heading to Las Vegas.

The 2024 Heisman Trophy runner-up, who put on a weekly show with Boise State with his big-play ability, was selected by the Raiders with the No. 6 overall pick in Thursday's first round of the NFL Draft.

Jeanty, who led FBS in rushing yards last season, is set to become a premiere weapon for new head coach Pete Carroll as the Raiders seek to make a run in the AFC West.

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Here's why Las Vegas took Jeanty in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft and how he'll fit in his new offense.

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Why did the Raiders draft Ashton Jeanty?

Jeanty immediately provides the Raiders with a dynamic weapon in their backfield that can be a true three-down back and a potential star in the NFL.

While he's not quite a standout pass-catcher, totaling 23 receptions in 2024 and 80 total over his time at Boise State, Jeanty checks virtually every other box an NFL team could want in a running back. In his collegiate career with the Broncos, he carried a heavy workload in an effective manner, taking his 750 rushing attempts for 6.4 yards per carry.

Jeanty should become a similar kind of workhorse for Las Vegas as he was at Boise State. At 5-8, he's a shorter running back — which can sometimes be beneficial — but also weighs in at 211 pounds, making for a weapon that has a unique blend of speed, burst, and power. Jeanty had plenty of highlights with the Broncos thanks to his ability to break tackles.

If everything works out as expected with Jeanty, he gives Las Vegas a back similar to the likes of Saquon Barkley or Derrick Henry, as he can rip off a huge play at any time.

The Raiders, who signed Raheem Mostert earlier in the offseason, lacked a true No. 1 running back last season, as well. Alexander Mattison led the team in rushing with just 420 yards. There was a need for a running back in Las Vegas this offseason, and since the Jaguars didn't wind up posing a threat to the Raiders in the race for Jeanty, instead trading up for Travis Hunter, Carroll got his guy.

Las Vegas is clearly more serious about competing in the AFC West in 2025, having brought in a veteran head coach in Carroll, a new QB1 in Geno Smith, and now Jeanty to pair with a budding star at tight end, Brock Bowers.

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Raiders RB depth chart

RankPlayer
1Ashton Jeanty
2Raheem Mostert
3Sincere McCormick
4Zamir White

The full expectation is that Jeanty will become the No. 1 back for the Raiders, given the high draft capital they used on him, his known talent, and workhorse experience. With an All-Pro ceiling, Jeanty doesn't just become the No. 1 running back on the Raiders — he could make an argument for their best overall weapon, even over Bowers.

Likely relieving Jeanty is Mostert, who could have been Las Vegas' starter if it hadn't used its first-round selection on a running back. Now, Mostert will provide a veteran presence in the position room and speed behind Jeanty.

Finally, McCormick and White could fill occasional third-down roles, as they're known more for their pass-catching skills than Jeanty and Mostert.

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Ashton Jeanty stats

Jeanty put together one of the best-ever collegiate seasons for a running back in 2024 en route to his second-place finish in the Heisman Trophy race.

Here's a look at his numbers over his time at Boise State:

SeasonRush AttemptsRush YardsYPCRush TDsLongest RunReceptionsRec. YardsRec. TDs
20221568215.3734141550
20232201,3476.11468435695
20243742,6017.02977231381
Totals:7504,7696.45077808626

Daniel Mader

Daniel Mader joined Sporting News as an editorial intern in 2024 following his graduation from Penn State University. Previously, he covered Penn State, high school and local sports beats for NBC Sports, the Centre Daily Times, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Daily Collegian and LancasterOnline. He grew up in Lancaster, Penn., with a love for baseball that’ll never fade, but could also talk basketball or football for days.