Boise State Broncos RB Ashton Jeanty opted to skip the on-field drills at the NFL Scouting Combine this week after a strong season he already put on tape. Instead, he’s focusing on interviews to make a good impression on team officials.
Showing his personality and football intellect at the combine will be crucial in determining where Jeanty lands in April’s NFL Draft. But analysts and scouts have already pegged him as a potential top pick for the Las Vegas Raiders. Why?
Ashton Jeanty Linked to Las Vegas Raiders at No. 6 Overall
Every NFL offseason is critical, but this one is particularly crucial for the Las Vegas Raiders, who went 4-13 the past year. They also dropped to the sixth spot in the NFL Draft, potentially taking top-tier QBs off their table. This forces the Raiders to be creative in the coming weeks, which could mean choosing a different direction in the draft.
But does not securing a QB actually benefit Las Vegas? Analysts and scouts think it’s possible, especially if they secure top talent like Jeanty, given their current RB depth chart.
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In a recent X post by NFL Rookie Watch, Ashton Jeanty is projected to go as high as sixth overall to the Raiders in this year’s NFL Draft. This would make him the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley, who went second overall in 2018.
Moreover, several NFL scouts have Jeanty ranked in the same elite category as Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, Bijan Robinson, and Todd Gurley.
And it’s no exaggeration to say that Jeanty is a phenomenal player. He finished the season second in rushing touchdowns and total scoring, earning first-team All-Mountain West honors and being named the conference’s Offensive Player of the Year.
Could Jeanty be this year’s Brock Bowers? The debate is heating up among Raiders fans. Traditionally, many argue against drafting a running back early in the first round; some even suggest avoiding one altogether in the first round.
When Thomas Telesco drafted Brock Allen Bowers, the Raiders didn’t have an urgent need for a tight end. Fans initially criticized the pick, but now they’re praising it. While the Raiders need a running back, their need for a quarterback is even greater. However, it’s also arguable that Jeanty would be the best player available at the sixth spot in the draft.
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