The Las Vegas Raiders, in the midst of a rebuilding phase following a 4-13 season in 2024, selected running back Ashton Jeanty with the sixth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. While Jeanty was the team’s ultimate selection, reports indicate the Raiders had other players in mind.
Las Vegas Raiders 2025 NFL Draft Board
The Raiders’ draft strategy involved prioritizing certain positions and players. NFL insider Hondo Carpenter of SI noted, “I think if they walked away with Cam Ward, if they walked away with Abdul Carter, they walked away with Jeanty, they were going to be happy. I think they would have taken Abdul and then Cam Ward,” Carpenter said. “And if Jeanty wouldn’t have been there, you know, a Mason Graham, a Jalon Walker… [but] probably Jalon.”
Jeanty brings significant talent to the Raiders’ backfield. Last season at Boise State, he rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns, earning him a Heisman Trophy finalist nomination (though he ultimately lost to Travis Hunter).
Jeanty is a key piece in the Raiders’ ongoing rebuild. The franchise has a new head coach in Pete Carroll and a new quarterback in veteran Geno Smith. This new leadership is tasked with revitalizing a team that has seen limited playoff success in the past two decades.
Carroll’s influence was evident in the 2025 draft, where the team focused on bolstering the offense. In addition to Jeanty, Las Vegas selected wide receiver Jack Bech and offensive lineman Caleb Rogers in their first four picks. The team also addressed the defense, adding cornerback Darien Porter from Iowa State in the third round. Porter joins a Raiders defense that includes star player Maxx Crosby.
The Raiders’ recent draft selections, including Jeanty, represent a significant step in their efforts to return to prominence. Time will tell if this new direction will translate into sustained success on the field.