The Las Vegas Raiders made a bold statement in the 2025 NFL Draft, selecting running back Ashton Jeanty at No. 6 overall.
In a league where running backs typically slide down draft boards, the selection turned heads.
But Jeanty stands apart from typical prospects, having threatened college records while challenging for the Heisman Trophy.
Many analysts consider him the most promising backfield talent to emerge in years.
Already working to exceed expectations, Jeanty has begun making adjustments to his game.
Recent footage from Raiders workouts reveals a subtle change to his pre-snap stance, offering fans the first glimpse of his professional evolution.
“New team. New stance,” the NFL wrote on X with old and new videos of Jeanty.
New team. New stance. (via @JesseNews3LV) pic.twitter.com/wRVUxAMGVv
— NFL (@NFL) May 16, 2025
In college at Boise State, Jeanty stood upright in the backfield with his hands at his side. Now, with the Raiders, he is leaning forward with his hands on his knees waiting for the play to start.
His 2024 season nearly rewrote the record books, as he finished just 27 yards short of Barry Sanders’ single-season college rushing mark.
Standing 5-foot-8 and weighing 216 pounds, Jeanty combines an NFL-ready build with rare abilities to evade defenders, break tackles and create highlight-reel plays.
Pete Carroll has fully embraced the young talent. The new Raiders head coach, who previously worked with stars Reggie Bush and Marshawn Lynch, believes Jeanty possesses similar potential.
Such endorsements bring significant expectations, but Jeanty welcomes the pressure and looks prepared to deliver immediately.
His development under Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly should create an ideal situation for success.
This explains why the Raiders invested such valuable draft capital in a running back, despite conventional wisdom suggesting otherwise.
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