The Las Vegas Raiders managed just 79.8 yards per game on the ground during the 2024 season, which was the worst mark in the NFL by a decent margin.
Fortunately, they remedied that with the addition of Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jeanty recently appeared on an episode of "The Rush With Maxx Crosby" and was asked which legendary running back he prefers: The Chargers' LaDainian Tomlinson, or the Vikings' Adrian Peterson.
"Imma go LT, just cause he's more like my personal favorite from watching him growing up," Jeanty said. "And I feel like my game could compare to his a little more than AP's."
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2).
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2).
Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Tomlinson terrorized the Silver and Black during his nine seasons in San Diego. He was a six-time All-Pro, a five-time Pro Bowler and even won the NFL MVP award in 2006, which landed him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Peterson was also a legendary player that played 15 NFL seasons, the majority of which were in Minnesota. He has seven All-Pro honors and seven Pro Bowls to his name, and he was the NFL MVP in 2012.
Neither of these players would be a poor choice, but with Peterson standing at 6-foot-1, and Tomlinson sitting at just 5-foot-10, it is easy to understand why the 5-foot-9 Jeanty resonates with one more.
Jeanty had a historic college season at Boise State in 2024, rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns. This earned him a second-place finish in the Heisman Trophy voting and an easy grade as a first-round pick.
He will be relied on heavily by Raiders head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly as a rookie. Las Vegas also brought in veteran Raheem Mostert this offseason, who led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2023, but he is expected to play a complementary role.
The Raiders' first game will be against the New England Patriots, who are a relative unknown considering how much roster turnover they had this offseason. This will be Jeanty's first chance to prove that he belongs in conversations with players like Tomlinson and Peterson.