The Las Vegas Raiders made a big splash by trading for quarterback Geno Smith. The team gave up a third-round pick for the veteran signal-caller and likely took itself out of the QB market in the 2025 NFL Draft.
New general manager John Spytek has been busy this offseason, trading for Smith and signing Maxx Crosby to a massive extension. Now, one mock draft predicts the Raiders will land arguably the best running back in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Las Vegas Raiders Predicted To Select Ashton Jeanty in 2025 NFL Draft
Las Vegas needs to revamp its offense after finishing No. 29 in PFSN’s Offense+ metric. The Raiders ranked 30th in turnover rate and last in EPA per rush.
Defenses had no reason not to stay aggressive, especially after the Davante Adams trade. That made life tough for quarterbacks Aidan O’Connell, Desmond Ridder, and Gardner Minshew II all season.
Adding Smith is a step in the right direction. He finished 15th in PFSN’s QB+ metric after throwing for 21 touchdowns and a career-high 4,320 yards. Smith also posted a career-best 70.4% completion rate — much better than any of the Raiders’ three starters.
But the run game needs the most help in 2025. Las Vegas ranked last in total rushing yards (1,357) and rushing yards per game (79.8) last season. Alexander Mattison led the team with just 420 yards and four touchdowns.
With the Raiders looking to upgrade their ground game under new head coach Pete Carroll, College Sports Network’s Oliver Hodgkinson predicts Las Vegas will select Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty as the No. 6 overall pick.
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“Run the damn ball, baby! Pete Carroll famously spurned former Cal Golden Bears running back Marshawn Lynch’s goal-line prowess in a critical Super Bowl moment. Still, the new Las Vegas Raiders head coach should embrace Boise State Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty in any game situation.
“A legitimate weapon, Jeanty is as comfortable ripping off long runs as he is taking defenders for a walk.”
Jeanty was the Heisman Trophy runner-up and arguably the best college running back in more than a decade. It’s hard not to justify the pick, especially considering none of the Raiders’ backs topped 500 yards last season. Meanwhile, Jeanty ran for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in his final college season.
Jeanty is a rare, explosive talent who could give the Raiders a dangerous weapon in Carroll’s offense — and potentially make them feisty in the tough AFC West.
PFSN’s Mock Draft Projects Jeanty Slipping Out of Top 10
In PFSN’s latest two-round mock draft by Marco Enriquez, Jeanty is projected to slide to No. 12 to the Dallas Cowboys while the Raiders select Missouri’s Armand Membou.
Enriquez writes that the Raiders could prioritize protecting Smith before addressing the run game: “The Las Vegas Raiders traded for Geno Smith, answering their quarterback question for now. Next up? Protecting their veteran signal-caller with a fierce lineman who has been climbing boards in the last few weeks, Armand Membou.
“Membou is a ferocious pass blocker who holds his own in the run game. He has clean footwork, balance, and strong blocking fundamentals. While he primarily played right tackle in college, some NFL teams may project Membou as a guard due to his 6-foot-4 frame. Regardless, his versatility makes him a valuable addition to Las Vegas’ offensive front.”
He also elaborated on the Jeanty selection, explaining what makes him special.
“The Dallas Cowboys are at a crossroads in their division,” Enriquez wrote. “Their recent decisions have left them in a tough spot, and rather than fixing key areas, they may once again opt for flash over substance.
“Ashton Jeanty is a nimble, agile runner with elite vision. His ability to identify and exploit running lanes is exceptional. Last year, he forced 163 missed tackles, breaking the FBS single-season record. For context, Bijan Robinson forced 112 missed tackles in 2022.
“If selected, Jeanty could become the Cowboys’ offensive engine, even if their offensive line remains a concern.”