The Las Vegas Raiders are reeling after a dismal 4-13 season, and the fanbase has reached its breaking point. Forty years without a Super Bowl isn’t just a drought; it’s an outright desert of disappointment. Inconsistency has been their defining characteristic, but with the arrival of quarterback Geno Smith, the seasoned guidance of head coach Pete Carroll, the offensive mastermind Chip Kelly making the leap from college to the NFL, and the strategic input of Tom Brady, perhaps, just perhaps, a new era is on the horizon in the Silver and Black. Whispers suggest that a game-changing force who amassed a staggering 2,601 all-purpose yards in college could be the missing piece of the puzzle. If the Raiders play their cards right in the upcoming draft, they might just snag a running back who can evade tackles like a seasoned escape artist.
But who is this electrifying 2,601-yard phenomenon? It’s none other than Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, a player who consistently made life miserable for opposing defenses. His remarkable season, highlighted by 374 carries for 29 touchdowns, speaks volumes about his exceptional talent. Now, CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso is projecting Jeanty to land with the Raiders at the coveted number six overall pick.
Trapasso explains his rationale, “I’m going to go Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders, number six overall in a vacuum as an evaluator because of what I just mentioned about my that I am one of those advocates to wait on the running back position, especially in this class.” So, why buck the trend of waiting on running backs?
The answer, according to Trapasso, lies in the Raiders’ glaring weakness in the ground game last season. “What they need is more explosiveness on offense; they only had 30 runs of more than 10 yards last season. That was the second lowest total in the NFL.” The statistics paint a clear picture of a stagnant running attack.
Ashton Jeanty, in stark contrast, was a one-man wrecking crew in the college ranks last season, accumulating the second-most rushing yards in a single season in FBS history. He proved incredibly elusive, shaking off an astounding 88 tackles, breaking free for 63 runs of 10 or more yards, and consistently moving the chains with 106 first downs. Remarkably, even after absorbing initial contact, Jeanty managed to gain a staggering 1,733 yards against opposing defenses, showcasing his tenacity and ability to churn out extra yardage.
The Raiders’ struggles in the NFL ground game were equally pronounced. They ranked dead last in the league with a mere 78 runs converted into first downs, and their running backs collectively gained just 634 yards after contact, placing them 30th in this crucial metric. It’s abundantly clear that they are in dire need of a player with Jeanty’s dynamic skillset, someone capable of injecting explosiveness and playmaking ability reminiscent of their former star running back, Josh Jacobs, who now dons the green and gold of the Green Bay Packers. The need for a game-changing back like Jeanty is undeniable.
Trapasso further emphasizes Jeanty’s exceptional abilities, stating, “Ashton Jeanty’s film is just loaded with 30, 40, 50, and 60-yard runs. He had the most in college football last season.” He continues to laud Jeanty’s unique talent, adding, “His contact balance is the best that I have ever scouted, and he can really go down the field. So I think suddenly with Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker, Geno Smith, and then you throw Ashton Jeanty in there, not looking at anything about positional value and where you could get better value at that position.” Interestingly, the betting odds at DraftKings currently favor the Raiders landing Jeanty, with them listed as a -125 favorite to draft him.
While the Raiders have secured veteran running back Raheem Mostert on a one-year deal, there’s a significant caveat: he’s coming off a season that fell far short of his previous successes. In 2023, Mostert enjoyed a career year, rushing for 1,012 yards and an impressive 18 touchdowns. However, his production plummeted last season, with just 85 carries for 278 yards and a mere two scores. Mostert, now 32 years old, remains confident in his abilities, but the Raiders are understandably exploring other, potentially more dynamic, options. Ashton Jeanty, with his standout performance at Boise State and the buzz surrounding his Pro Day, has clearly captured their attention.
Interestingly, Jeanty himself has expressed positive sentiments about the Raiders organization, calling it a “great organization.” He further elaborated on his interactions with the team, saying, “They’ve got a few pieces, and I know they could use a running back. So they’ve got that nice pick, number six, so we’ll see what happens. It’s been great meeting with them, meeting with their running backs coach. So, it’s cool that he came out all this way to meet with me.” However, the Raiders’ needs extend beyond just the running back position; they have multiple gaps to fill to become true contenders in the upcoming season.
Raiders’ $120 million move to fix team weaknesses
Beyond the pressing need for a dynamic running back, the Raiders’ roster also lacks a true top-tier wide receiver. Jakobi Meyers currently stands as their only proven starting-caliber option at the position. Quarterback Geno Smith would undoubtedly benefit from more reliable playmakers in the passing game. While the Raiders could address this need through free agency or later rounds of the draft, a significant trade acquisition could provide the immediate impact that Vegas is desperately seeking.
One potential target who has been the subject of trade speculation is San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. However, the window for acquiring Aiyuk via trade appears to be rapidly closing due to a significant financial obligation for the 49ers. He signed a 4-year, $120 million extension with them last year.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter recently shed light on this situation, stating, “49ers owe WR Brandon Aiyuk a $22.85 million bonus if he’s on their roster Tuesday, April 1. Once the 49ers pay that bonus, any trade talks for Aiyuk would be off, and he would be expected to spend the 2025 season in San Francisco. So Tuesday looms as Aiyuk’s unofficial trade deadline, and no deal currently is expected by then.”
Despite Schefter’s assessment, the fluid nature of NFL transactions means the situation could potentially evolve in the coming days or weeks. Should Aiyuk unexpectedly become available after the bonus deadline, the Raiders would be remiss not to explore the possibility of acquiring his services. Despite missing a significant portion of the 2024 season due to injury, the 27-year-old’s impressive performance in 2023 (75 receptions for 1,342 yards and 7 touchdowns) shows his ability to be a game-changing receiver when healthy and on the field. A player of Aiyuk’s caliber would perfectly complement the skills of Jakobi Meyers and the potential of tight end Brock Bowers, providing Geno Smith with a true number-one receiver who excels in the crucial mid-range passing game.
While the 49ers’ current stance suggests they intend to retain Aiyuk for the 2025 season, if that situation were to change before or even after the bonus deadline, the Raiders possess the draft capital and potential willingness to make a compelling offer. The prospect of pairing a dynamic running back like Ashton Jeanty with a proven receiver like Brandon Aiyuk could fundamentally transform the Raiders’ offense and provide the spark needed to ignite a turnaround after years of frustration.
So, as the draft gets closer and maybe some trades pop-up, the Raiders’ front office has some big calls to make that’ll decide where this team’s headed. The fans are tired of being let down and are really hoping this offseason finally turns things around for the Silver and Black.
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