As the NFL Draft approaches later this month, the Las Vegas Raiders, like many other teams, are actively engaged in hosting prospective players for pre-draft visits. Among the talented individuals scheduled to visit Vegas this week is Ashton Jeanty, widely regarded as the top running back prospect in the 2025 draft class.
According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Jeanty, who was a Heisman Trophy runner-up, is expected to arrive in Las Vegas on Wednesday. The Raiders currently hold the sixth overall pick in the draft, positioning them well within the range to potentially select a player of Jeanty’s caliber.
Las Vegas Raiders Set Pre-Draft Meeting With Top RB Draft Prospect
Several mock drafts have indeed linked the Raiders and Jeanty, a connection that makes sense, considering the team’s struggles in the running game during the previous season. The first year of the post-Josh Jacobs era did not unfold as hoped, with Zamir White averaging a mere 2.8 yards per carry. Alexander Mattison, who has since departed in free agency, was only marginally more efficient.
While the Raiders did add veteran Raheem Mostert last month after his release by the Miami Dolphins, and he is expected to have a role in the 2025 offense, it would be unsurprising if the team made a significant draft investment in the running back position.
Jeanty enjoyed a remarkably productive career at Boise State, earning the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year Award in both 2023 and again last season. After amassing a total of 2,729 all-purpose yards and scoring 30 touchdowns in 2024, Jeanty received All-American honors and was awarded the prestigious Maxwell Award. The three-year standout for the Broncos headlines a strong running back class that also includes North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, who is also projected to be selected on Day 1 of the draft.
Having already met with the Chicago Bears and the Dallas Cowboys, Jeanty is not anticipated to fall outside the top 15-20 picks. In fact, he is likely to be off the board well before that range, making the Raiders a team to closely watch as a potential landing spot. The team’s ultimate decision will, of course, depend in part on the outcome of Jeanty’s upcoming visit.
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Rapoport also noted that Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is slated to visit the Raiders. While the Raiders’ starting quarterback situation appears settled following the trade for and extension of Geno Smith, the team could still be interested in adding a rookie quarterback later in the draft.
Ewers, whose final season with the Longhorns was marked by injuries and production that didn’t fully meet expectations, is considered one of many Day 2 prospects in the 2025 quarterback class. The Raiders possess one pick in each of the second and third rounds, making Ewers a potential target on the second day of the draft.