Running backs in the league tend to receive minimal value, but Ashton Jeanty has been rewriting this perception. The Boise State running back earned the sixth overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders, marking both his remarkable athletic abilities and his position among the top-paid NFL running backs.
Ashton Jeanty’s Draft Payday Mirrors His Heisman Finish at No. 2
Ashton Jeanty reached the pinnacle of his career during his exceptional 2024 season at Boise State, which resulted in a national-leading 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns.
Jeanty received the Doak Walker and Maxwell Awards and became a unanimous All-American because of his exceptional performance. The Heisman Trophy received votes that placed Jeanty in the second position behind Colorado’s Travis Hunter, but with the closest point difference since 2009.
The Raiders, recognizing Jeanty’s unparalleled prowess, selected him sixth overall, making him the first running back taken within the top six picks since Saquon Barkley in 2018.
Jeanty’s rookie contract reflects this high valuation: a four-year deal worth approximately $31.77 million, including a signing bonus of $19.75 million, with the entire amount fully guaranteed.
This contract places Jeanty as the second-highest-paid running back in the NFL based on guaranteed money, trailing only Saquon Barkley’s $36 million. Such a lucrative deal is particularly noteworthy in an era where the running back position often sees diminished financial investment.
Raiders Banking on Jeanty to Revitalize Ground Game
The Raiders’ decision to invest heavily in Jeanty underscores their commitment to rejuvenating a ground game that ranked last in the league with an average of 3.6 yards per rush in the previous season.
Jeanty’s arrival is expected to boost the backfield immediately, joining a roster that includes Raheem Mostert, Zamir White, and Sincere McCormick.
Head Coach Pete Carroll praised Jeanty’s dynamic play style, stating:
“There’s a special makeup in Ashton. His ability to make plays when it doesn’t look like there’s [anything] there, Marshawn [Lynch] did that throughout his career.”
Jeanty’s vision, body control, and toughness are key assets in the Raiders’ offensive strategy.
Jeanty himself is eager to prove the value of his position, asserting:
“I’m going to show everybody the position is valuable, and it is great to take an exceptional running back in the first round.” His confidence and determination signal a promising future for himself and the Raiders’ offense.
Ashton Jeanty faces intense anticipation and heavy financial commitments as he makes his way from his college’s all-time best accomplishments into professional football. The Raiders invested because they see Ashton Jeanty as an athlete who can revolutionize running back performance in NFL games today.
KEEP READING: Top 300 Prospects — Get Your Free Printable 2025 NFL Draft Big Board
All attention will be focused on Jeanty to observe whether he lives up to the promise and potential that propelled his development to this phase.
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