Ashton Jeanty entered the NFL hyped as a potential generational talent. The Las Vegas Raiders never hesitated. With new head coach Pete Carroll on board, it was never really in doubt that they would lean into building a power running game.
The Raiders selecting Jeanty sixth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft might have been the worst-kept secret in the NFL. The team and Jeanty seemed giddy with the pairing when they drafted him.
How Has Ashton Jeanty Been Performing in the Preseason?
Jeanty had a less-than-inspiring debut in Las Vegas’ preseason opener against the Seattle Seahawks. He rushed for minus-one yard in Seattle and was looking to leave his mark on the field against the San Francisco 49ers in Vegas.
Jeanty picked up 13 yards on two carries early in the first quarter, then got stood up by 49ers linebacker Tatum Bethune on a pass play. Jeanty went to the blue injury tent to have his shoulder checked out.
UPDATE
Raiders rookie RB Ashton Jeanty is is headed to the medical tent with an apparent shoulder/arm injury on this play ⬇️
— Fantasy+ (@playfantasyplus) August 16, 2025
NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo sent a post out on X about Jeanty’s injury situation. He wrote, “#Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty in the medical tent. Took a shot that last drive and was shaking his arm as he came off the field.”
Jeanty shook it off, returned undeterred later in the first quarter, and started looking like the running back who finished second in Heisman voting in 2024.
“It’s tackle football… I’d draft the guy they can’t tackle”
-Ashton Jeantypic.twitter.com/BpaLjh190X
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) August 16, 2025
Then, early in the second quarter, he plowed over the left side of the Niners defense to score his first professional touchdown from a yard out.
Ashton Jeanty’s first preseason TD 🏴☠️
(via @NFL)
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) August 16, 2025
Jeanty finished the game strong. He had seven carries for 33 yards and one touchdown, averaging 4.7 YPA. He was able to dispel some of the doubts about his ability at the pro level by taking a big hit and coming back strong.
The most impressive part wasn’t his speed or cutback ability, but his trucking of defenders. His legs don’t stop churning, and he can carry defenders downfield like a miniature version of Earl Campbell.
The NFL orthodoxy has been to eschew running backs early in the draft. Their usage rate and potential for injury are considered too much of a risk for a player considered replaceable.
One of the more popular parlor games among folks who like to pretend they are analytics experts is citing copious evidence that shows receivers are more valuable in the modern NFL game.
However, when players like Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley arrive on the scene, it’s hard to forget that out of 60-70 plays per game an offense will run, the running back will handle approximately 20-25% of those touches.
Carroll ignored the memo about running backs, and that could eventually pay big dividends.
