Ashton Jeanty's Struggles Highlight Raiders' Offensive Woes

Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders' No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, has had a challenging rookie season, primarily due to a struggling offensive line. Jeanty has rushed for 700 yards on 200 carries, averaging 3.5 yards per carry, and has only one run longer than 20 yards this season, which came in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears.

Despite being a Heisman Trophy runner-up in college, his production has been hampered by the offensive line, which has been rated as the worst in the league by various metrics. Jeanty has been stopped for a loss on 17 percent of his carries, the highest rate among starting running backs.

He has gained 595 of his 700 yards after contact, showcasing his ability to evade tackles, ranking fourth in the league with 66 tackles avoided. Coach Pete Carroll believes Jeanty's struggles are partly due to the lack of opportunities and space, as the offensive line has not performed to expectations.

Jeanty himself acknowledges that he has missed plays and is still adjusting to the NFL's speed. Despite these struggles, he is one of only nine rookie running backs in history to achieve 700 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, and 40 receptions in his debut season, joining a notable group of players like Saquon Barkley and Alvin Kamara.

This season's difficulties may serve as a painful but necessary learning experience for Jeanty and the Raiders, potentially informing future roster decisions and player development strategies.