The NFL Draft is getting closer, and with it, we’ll see plenty of prospects turn into stars — players who could become the face of the league for years to come.
Skill positions always draw the most excitement from fans, thanks to how the game is played. These are the players who score, pile up stats, and drive jersey sales — naturally putting a bigger spotlight on them.
Former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew recently spoke with high praise about one particular prospect in this year’s class. He called the player generational, the best he’s seen in the last decade, and even named a team that could grab him in the first round.
Ashton Jeanty Could Be Perfect for the Las Vegas Raiders
After a rough 4–13 season and one of the worst rushing attacks in the league, all eyes are on what the Las Vegas Raiders will do in this year’s draft.
One of the most talked-about possibilities is running back Ashton Jeanty, who put on a show at Boise State in 2024 — racking up 2,601 rushing yards and 24 total touchdowns while staying in the Heisman race until the very end.
Legendary running back Maurice Jones-Drew spoke about the prospect and made it clear he’s a big fan. He believes the young back has all the tools to be a star in the NFL — even calling him the best running back prospect he’s seen in the last 10 years.
“Jeanty is the best prospect I have seen in the last 10 years, with special contact balance and vision. He can beat you inside or outside, and he can catch.”
Aside from his size — which might be considered a little undersized for a typical NFL back — there aren’t many knocks on Jeanty’s game. He brings elite traits in several key areas scouts care about: speed, burst, balance, vision, and pass protection.
“The Raiders should definitely just take him,” Jones-Drew said. “You know Pete Carroll wants to run the ball, and this guy is a great fit and can come right in and be a workhorse, and help him and Geno (Smith) get some wins right away.”
Pete Carroll, the new head coach in Vegas, has always built his offenses around the run game. From Marshawn Lynch in Seattle to Kenneth Walker more recently, he’s leaned on top backs to power his system.
At this point, Jeanty has become a regular name in mock drafts. In PFSN’s latest mock draft by Reese Decker, the Raiders selected the Boise State star — doubling down on their commitment to quarterback Geno Smith by adding a blue-chip weapon to jump-start their offense.
Just a few days ago, general manager John Spytek shared that his son, Jack, told team owner Mark Davis to draft Jeanty no matter what — even saying that if his dad didn’t pick him, he’d be doing a bad job.
Whether or not Jeanty ends up being the pick remains to be seen, but at this point, it’d be a surprise if the Raiders go in a different direction.