The Raiders solved their quarterback problem by trading for Geno Smith.
Now it looks like it might be time to find him a stud running back to hand the ball off to.
Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is the No. 1 running back on everybody’s board, and ESPN’s Field Yates thinks he’ll be heading to Las Vegas.
“With Geno Smith aboard as the starting quarterback, the Raiders can add the final member of my four-man top tier of prospects, which includes [Travis] Hunter, [Abdul] Carter, [Mason] Graham and Jeanty,” Yates wrote on X. “A Pete Carroll-coached team is always going to make the running game a substantial priority. Jeanty shows elusiveness, power and vision as a runner, and he can chip in with the pass game. But there are also still some running back dominoes that need to fall in free agency, which could pivot this pick.”
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Jeanty would complete a pretty intriguing offense for Las Vegas that also includes the top ascending tight end in football, Brock Bowers.
The Boise State superstar finished as Heisman Trophy runner-up to Colorado’s Travis Hunter.
Jeanty rushed for an absurd 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns in his final season with the Broncos.
The Raiders certainly appear to need a running back. They’ve got youngster Sincere McCormick back for more, and he flashed briefly in 2024, but he wouldn’t be who they want to head into the season with as a starter.
Really, Jeanty is the chance to cap a brilliant offseason for Vegas. They kept Maxx Crosby happy with a huge extension. They added a solid QB in Smith for just a third-round pick back to the Seahawks in that trade.
Raiders fans, always an energetic bunch, would be absolutely ready to go for 2025 if the backfield features Smith alongside Jeanty.
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