The Las Vegas Raiders went all-in to fix their running back issue this offseason with the selection of Ashton Jeanty in the 2025 NFL Draft.
New general manager John Spytek felt more than comfortable using the No. 6 overall pick on him after the Raiders ran for a league-worst 79.8 yards per game during the 2024 season.
Spytek also signed veteran Raheem Mostert during free agency, who led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 2023. However, Jeanty is expected to be the workhorse back as early as Week 1.
Jeanty recently appeared on an episode of "The Rush With Maxx Crosby," and Crosby asked him which team he was looking most forward to playing against during his rookie season.
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2).
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2).
Candice Ward-Imagn Images
"I would say the Chiefs and the Broncos," Jeanty said. "Chiefs cause their linebacker, Nick Bolton, he went to my high school, so that would just be a cool full circle moment. Broncos, another, Marvin Mims, he went to my high school. (Broncos safety) JL Skinner, I went to college with him, but he been talking trash."
The Raiders will travel to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Week 7, and they will head to Denver for a Thursday Night Football matchup in Week 10.
Rematches with these teams will not take place until Weeks 18 and 14, respectively. While Jeanty will not line up directly against Mims, he should get ample opportunity to go head-to-head against both Bolton and Skinner.
Las Vegas starts the season in Week 1 on the road against the New England Patriots. Ideally, by the midway point in the season, Jeanty is fully acquainted to the NFL game and can wreak havoc against his former teammates, but more importantly, the Raiders' bitter AFC West foes.