A new Beast Mode in Las Vegas? Why it ‘made sense’ for Raiders to draft Jeanty
The Boise State football program has its latest NFL Draft first-round pick: running back Ashton Jeanty.
Jeanty was selected sixth overall by the Las Vegas Raiders on Thursday evening, becoming the first Bronco to be selected in the first round since Leighton Vander Esch was drafted 19th overall by the Dallas Cowboys in 2018.
Jeanty also now holds the Boise State record as the program’s highest draft pick, surpassing offensive tackle Ryan Clady, who was taken 12th overall by the Denver Broncos in 2008.
But what did the Raiders like so much about Jeanty? He plays into the plans of new coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly.
“It made a lot of sense at a position we need that we really value in Coach Carroll’s system and Chip’s system,” Raiders general manager John Spytek told Raiders.com. “He’s going to be a foundational piece for us.”
On its face, it’s a simple matter of the Raiders desperately needing a top-tier running back. Las Vegas ended 2024 last in the league in rushing yards per game (79.8) and yards per rush (3.6), and tied for second-worst in runs of 10 or more yards with 34.
The Raiders added former Miami Dolphin Raheem Mostert to the roster in the offseason, but the 33-year-old running back wasn’t going to be the answer to their ground-game woes.
Conversely, Jeanty arrives in Las Vegas a year after breaking 106 tackles in 2024, 56 more than the next-closest in the Football Bowl Subdivision. His 163 forced missed tackles also far outpaced the second-best in FBS by 43.
But the new man in charge at Allegiant Stadium — a venue in which Jeanty has already enjoyed success — could also be a big part of the reason.
NFL great Pete Carroll, who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks in 2013, became the Raiders’ head coach in the offseason. Carroll is known for placing a strong emphasis on the running game, often aiming for a balanced offense that uses the run game to grind out games in the fourth quarter.
“The quarterback position needs to be supported in every way possible so they can be as effective as they’re able to be,” Carroll said in a February press conference. “That takes a combination of elements that make up the support of the QB, and the running game is a huge element of that.
“Not just so that you can run the football,” he continued, “you have to be able to run the football so you can take control of your aspect of the game and take care of the ball.”
Drafting Jeanty will also allow Carroll to try to bring a “Beast Mode”-like presence to Sin City. Carroll coached five-time Pro Bowler Marshawn Lynch during the peak of his career. Lynch rushed for over 1,000 yards in four straight seasons under Carroll to earn that nickname, and Lynch happens to be Jeanty’s favorite player.
Jeanty was asked in the post-draft press conference how he sees himself similar to Lynch.
“Growing up, Marshawn was one of the first backs I started watching and looking up to,” Jeanty said. “Breaking tackles and making crazy plays down the field, there are a lot of similarities there.”
Carroll posted a GIF of Lynch on social media once the Raiders’ pick was announced with the caption, “We’re fired up!!”
The Raiders have brought in a new quarterback, Geno Smith, and are building on top of their 2024 first-round pick, tight end Brock Bowers, and improving wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.
“I can tell that (winning) is the culture there, and that’s the history of the Raiders’ organization: winning,” Jeanty said. “I know they want to get back to that, and including me, they’re getting the right people to make that happen.”
