Expectations were high for Ashton Jeanty after the Las Vegas Raiders invested the sixth overall pick in him last year, but his first NFL season was more difficult than many expected.
The running back finished his rookie season with 975 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 266 carries, averaging 3.7 yards per attempt across 770 offensive snaps. Those numbers might be considered underwhelming by first-round standards, but Jeanty also had to contend with factors beyond his control, including inconsistent offensive line play and a midseason change at offensive coordinator following Chip Kelly's departure.
Raheem Mostert saw enough from Jeanty during their time together with the Raiders to believe the former first-round pick is poised for a big second season. Speaking with Terron Armstead on "The Set Show" on Tuesday, Mostert described Jeanty as one of the most explosive players he has been around and predicted that the young running back will take a major step forward in Year 2.
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Even with the challenges he faced as a rookie, Jeanty still surpassed 1,000 yards from scrimmage. He also proved to be a reliable receiving threat, catching 55 of his 68 targets while contributing five touchdowns through the air.
Mostert saw Jeanty's potential up close. The veteran finished the 2025 season with 22 carries for 104 rushing yards, 12 receptions for 70 receiving yards, and 673 kickoff return yards in 12 games while sharing the Raiders' backfield with Jeanty. Having seen the youngster's explosiveness firsthand, it's no surprise that Mostert believes Jeanty is set for a breakout second season.
There are plenty of reasons for optimism around Ashton Jeanty's second NFL season, and one of them is the arrival of offensive-minded head coach Klint Kubiak.
As the Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator last year, Kubiak helped create a productive rushing attack led by Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. The Raiders are hoping he can have a similar impact on Jeanty, whose skill set appears to fit Kubiak's offensive philosophy.
Las Vegas also hired longtime offensive line coach Rick Dennison, one of the league's most respected run-game masterminds. Dennison has helped built successful rushing attacks with Dalvin Cook, Arian Foster, LeSean McCoy, Alvin Kamara, and Kenneth Walker III, so he could be another valuable addition for Jeanty's development.
Kubiak has traditionally leaned on multiple running backs, but everything so far indicates Jeanty will enter the season as Las Vegas' clear RBI.
Considering the Raiders invested the sixth overall pick in him, it would make sense to build the offense around him.
Jeanty has already shown he can shoulder a heavy workload. During his three seasons at Boise State, he rushed for 4,769 yards and 56 total touchdowns while adding more than 800 receiving yards and six receiving scores. The Raiders will be hoping that he makes a similar impact as he enters what many expect to be a breakout 2026 campaign.
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