Raiders Eyeing Generational Running Back with 2025 First-Round Pick
NFL Draft season is quickly gaining steam, with the Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium now just 10 days away.
Coming off a 4-13 campaign, the Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the draft’s #6 and #37 overall picks. Their first-rounder isn’t the top-three selection that seemed a certainty for much of the regular season. However, combined with #37 overall, it should be enough to upgrade a roster short on top-end talent. The Silver and Black enter draft eason with holes just about everywhere — quarterback, cornerback, in the trenches, and, with one notable exception, across the skill positions.
This week, we’re examining the possibilities for the Raiders’ first two picks, based on returning production and the outlooks presented by mock drafts at ESPN, PFF, The Athletic, and The Ringer. After highlighting the draft’s top quarterback prospects yesterday, we are considering running backs who could help make life easier for Raiders 2025 quarterbacks — whomever they may be.
Help Wanted: The 2024 Raiders Running Game
There’s no two ways about it — the Raiders offense in 2024 was awful. Their 5,275 yards of total offense ranked 27th in the NFL. Their 4.8 yards per play ranked 28th. Only the Browns and the Titans committed more turnovers, and the Raiders’ 13 lost fumbles tied with the Bengals and Titans for second-most in the NFL, one behind the Cowboys. Only the Browns and Bears were worse on third down. Only five teams converted red zone trips into touchdowns at a lower rate. Only the Patriots, Giants, and Browns scored fewer points per game than the Raiders’ 18.2.
The rushing attack was particularly brutal, finishing last in the NFL in yards, yards per attempt, first downs, and “expected points added.” Their 1,357 rushing yards were 204 fewer than any other team, and only the Dolphins were remotely within shouting distance of the Silver and Black’s league-worst running game EPA. Per NFL.com, the Raiders were one of just five teams with fewer than 40 runs of 10+ yards in 2024, and only the Cowboys and Rams (3) had fewer runs of at least 20 yards.
2025 NFL Draft Running Backs: Head of the Class
On the surface, the 2025 running back class is similar to others in recent years. At the top is an exceptional talent in a tier of his own with a half-dozen or more potential difference-makers likely to come off the board on Day 2 (rounds 2 and 3).
However, the depth, talent, and diversity of skill sets available has this pegged as a banner year for the position. And, of course, the guy atop the pecking order isn’t just “generational” in name. He came within about 80 feet of Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record — that’s as good as college football’s ever seen!
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State (Junior)
Jeanty’s raw numbers alone are astonishing. 2,600 rushing yards, 7 yards per attempt, 29 touchdowns, in just 14 games. Nearly five 10-yards runs per game, and an FBS-high 12 of 50-plus. And then you watch him play:
The Heisman finalist checks every single box. He’s fast, explosive, exceptional at maintaining balance through contact, yet nearly untouchable in space, with uncanny vision. The Ringer’s Danny Kelly notes that Jeanty’s FBS-high 151 forced missed tackles in 2024 were 49 more than any other player. In mocking him to the Bears at #10, he highlights his potential to help “ take a little bit of pressure off of Caleb Williams.” The Raiders’ next QB, whoever he is, would surely also enjoy this.
In many ways, it’s a natural fit. The Raiders need singular talents. Jeanty is that and, in a Chip Kelly offense, behind a reasonable offensive line, he would thrive. Yet, for as undeniably awesome as he is, this team needs premium talent and too many premium positions to bet this big on a running back.
