The Denver Broncos’ Week 10 win over the Las Vegas Raiders was a defensive showcase rather than an offensive thriller. Still, the storyline that lingered afterward had less to do with the scoreboard and more to do with one controversial draft pick.
Rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, selected sixth overall by the Raiders, became the focal point of fan frustration, and the criticism surrounding him suggests a deeper problem than one off night.
Denver Broncos Defense Dominates While Las Vegas Raiders Rookie Takes the Heat
The Broncos’ 10-7 victory extended their winning streak to seven games, powered by a defense that looked built for another era. The Broncos tallied six sacks and repeatedly hit Geno Smith, relying on physicality and pressure more than offensive production.
Even with rookie punter Jeremy Crawshaw struggling early, the Broncos still capitalized when AJ Cole’s blocked punt set up the deciding field goal.
The Raiders, on the other hand, showed an offense with no rhythm and even fewer answers. The concern is not simply Jeanty’s performance, though his stat line was ordinary with 19 carries for 60 rushing yards and one touchdown, plus three catches for three yards. Advanced evaluation does not paint a different picture.
According to the RB Impact metric from PFSN, Jeanty holds a 75.3 rating for the 2025 season, which matches the league average for running backs in the metric. He has appeared in eight games with 124 rushing attempts for 487 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 3.8 yards per carry, while also being targeted 30 times in the passing game.
He carries a C grade with a season rank of 27 and an overall rank of 165 in the model. The larger issue is the environment he was drafted into. The Raiders lack a functioning offensive line, consistency at quarterback, and enough playmakers to draw attention away from their rookie runner.
The issue is not Jeanty’s talent, but the fact that the Raiders invested a top draft pick in a running back despite having major roster deficiencies elsewhere.
That disconnect fueled a wave of criticism on X, where fans questioned not only Jeanty’s execution but his effort and physicality. One user, @TheKeyFiles, wrote: “Ashton Jeanty is NOT built for the NFL. He’s terrible. Don’t block, can’t block, he don’t defend for a INT or tackle to prevent one. He’s so soft it’s crazy. He got no burst.”
Ashton Jeanty is NOT built for the NFL. He’s terrible.
Don’t block, can’t block, he don’t defend for a INT or tackle to prevent one. He’s so soft it’s crazy. He got no burst. 🤦♂️
Barely runs through wide open holes.
Definitely not worth the 6th pick in the NFL Draft!
— TKF (@TheKeyFiles) November 7, 2025
The frustration did not stop there. User @0rganix blasted what he described as a “garbage effort” to make a tackle after Jeanty caused a turnover.
I still can’t believe that garbage effort to make a tackle by Jeanty after he just caused the turnover.
— organix (@0rganix) November 7, 2025
Another fan, @DP0523401683616, claimed Jeanty “can’t block, catch, or make a tackle” and labeled him overrated.
Jeanty cant block , catch, or make a tackle after causing an INT. Overrated
— D P (@DP0523401683616) November 7, 2025
User @PapabearChi argued that Jeanty “gives 0 effort” on plays when he is not the ball carrier, pointing to a failed block and slow pursuit after an interception.
Ashton Jeanty gives 0 effort on plays he doesn’t have the ball. He didn’t even try and block Bonitto on the intentional grounding and the interception from his drop he jogs and doesn’t make the tackle. He looks uninterested.
— Nightbear (@PapabearChi) November 7, 2025
Meanwhile, @J_Stanley34 called the lack of effort the “worst part” of the play in question.
Worst part of that play was Jeanty’s lack of effort, go make the tackle!
— Real 🥷🏾’s Don’t Cheat (@J_Stanley34) November 7, 2025
The takeaway is not that Jeanty lacks potential. It is that his flaws are amplified because the Raiders are asking him to carry more than he is ready for. Fans are not just critiquing his play but the decision to draft him into a system that cannot support him.
For the Broncos, the win extends momentum but does not solve offensive issues. For the Raiders, the problem runs deeper. Either Jeanty must quickly grow into the role of a franchise-caliber player, or the Raiders must admit they misjudged both the prospect and the situation around him.