Few moments in the NFL draft carry as much anticipation as a team making its first pick under a new head coach and general manager. When the Las Vegas Raiders selected Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, it wasn’t just a new name — it was a statement about running back value.

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Draft Position: 6th overall ·
Team: Las Vegas Raiders ·
Year: 2025 ·
Position: Running Back ·
College: Boise State

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact terms of his rookie contract (not yet publicly disclosed)
  • His immediate role in the Raiders’ offense for 2025
  • Official combine measurements and 40-yard dash time (not yet released)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Sign rookie contract and join Raiders training camp
  • Compete for starting role in a backfield with veteran options

Seven facts, one pattern: Jeanty’s draft profile is built on elite college production and a conviction from the Raiders that early-round running back value can still pay off.

The table below summarizes his draft profile.

Label Value
Full Name Ashton Jeanty
Position Running Back
College Boise State
Draft Year 2025
Draft Round 1
Overall Pick 6
Team Las Vegas Raiders

Is Ashton Jeanty in the NFL Draft?

Yes — and he’s already been selected. Ashton Jeanty declared for the 2025 NFL Draft after his standout college career at Boise State and was officially chosen as the No. 6 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders on draft night. This confirmation came from multiple authoritative sources: ESPN (leading sports journalism) and NFL.com (official league site) both reported the pick.

Ashton Jeanty’s draft declaration

  • Jeanty made his intentions known early in 2025 by declaring for the draft, forgoing any remaining college eligibility after his junior season.
  • He was widely regarded as one of the top running back prospects, with Raiders.com (team’s official news outlet) labeling him a “blue-chip prospect.”

Timeline of his entry into the 2025 NFL Draft

  • 2021–2024: Played and excelled at Boise State (NFL.com)
  • Early 2025: Formally declared for the draft
  • April 2025: Selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the 6th overall pick (ESPN)
The upshot

The Raiders used the highest draft capital on a running back in franchise history outside of Darren McFadden (No. 4, 2008). That bet signals that the front office believes Jeanty can be a game-changing dual-threat back in an offense that already has NFL Free Agents 2025 to build around.

The implication: Jeanty’s draft declaration turned into one of the earliest running back selections in the 2025 class, reflecting his top-tier prospect status.

What NFL team did Ashton Jeanty go to?

The Las Vegas Raiders selected Ashton Jeanty with the 6th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The pick was made at the draft event in Las Vegas, Nevada, and announced by new head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Spytek, as reported by ESPN.

Las Vegas Raiders select Jeanty with the 6th overall pick

  • Jeanty became the fifth running back ever drafted by the Raiders in the common draft era, joining Marcus Allen, Napoleon Kaufman, Darren McFadden, and Josh Jacobs (ESPN).
  • The Raiders’ 2025 draft class included 11 total rookies, with Jeanty as the headliner (Raiders.com).

How the Raiders’ draft strategy led to Jeanty

  • With the fifth pick, the Raiders had a clear need for a dynamic offensive playmaker. Jeanty’s combination of contact balance and speed made him the top running back on many boards.
  • ESPN noted that the selection of Jeanty was the first official move by the Carroll–Spytek era, signaling a commitment to building the offense around a strong running game.

The pattern: The Raiders bypassed other premium positions to invest in a running back, a bet that only works if Jeanty becomes the centerpiece of their rushing attack.

Why this matters

In a league where running backs have increasingly been devalued, the Raiders’ top-6 pick is a contrarian move. If Jeanty delivers Pro Bowl production, it could reshape how teams evaluate the positional value in future drafts.

Could Ashton Jeanty fall in the draft?

Leading up to the draft, some analysts speculated that Jeanty might slide out of the top 10 due to the league-wide trend of devaluing running backs. However, Jeanty’s stock held firm, and he was selected at No. 6 — higher than many late-round predictions anticipated.

Pre-draft concerns about running back value

  • Multiple draft analysts pointed to the short career spans and declining second-contract value of running backs as reasons teams might hesitate).
  • Some mocks had Jeanty landing in the late first round or early second round, but the Raiders’ early pick disrupted those projections.

Why Jeanty remained a top-10 pick despite positional trends

  • Jeanty’s college production — leading the nation in rushing yards in 2024 — gave evaluators confidence in his immediate NFL readiness (Raiders.com).
  • Scouting reports highlighted his contact balance, ability to break tackles, and pass-protection skills as pro-ready traits (YouTube scouting analysis (tier3 community)).

What this means: Jeanty’s elite college tape overrode the usual concerns about running back draft stock, proving that a transcendent talent can still command a top pick even in a position-agnostic era.

Why was Jeanty drafted so high?

The Raiders’ decision to draft Jeanty at No. 6 hinged on three factors: his college production, his NFL readiness, and the team’s specific need for a dynamic offensive weapon.

Jeanty’s college production and NFL readiness

  • Jeanty was considered one of the most NFL-ready prospects in the 2025 class, according to Raiders.com (team analysis).
  • He led the nation in rushing yards during the 2024 season at Boise State, showcasing elite burst and vision.

Raiders’ need for a dynamic running back

  • The Raiders ranked near the bottom of the league in rushing offense in 2024, creating an urgent need for a bell-cow back.
  • With free-agent losses and aging options at the position, Jeanty provides an immediate upgrade.

Scouting consensus on Jeanty’s contact balance and speed

  • Multiple scouting reports, including from YouTube analysts (tier3 community), praised his ability to keep his legs churning through contact.
  • NFL on NBC (NBC Sports property) described Jeanty as an “offensive machine” who could fit perfectly with Pete Carroll’s system.
The catch

The same scouting reports note that Jeanty’s only notable weakness — inconsistency in certain footwork moments — is considered fixable with NFL coaching. But if that flaw persists, the Raiders’ investment could face scrutiny.

The trade-off: By taking a running back at No. 6, the Raiders passed on premium defensive talent. The bet is that Jeanty’s dual-threat ability (rushing and receiving) will elevate the entire offense.

What did Ashton Jeanty say after being drafted?

In a video released by the Raiders on draft night, Jeanty spoke emotionally about joining the franchise.

“I’m just grateful for the opportunity. The Raiders believed in me, and I’m ready to come in and work hard and help this team win.”

Ashton Jeanty, in ‘The Call’ video (NFL on NBC coverage)

“We are thrilled to add a blue-chip prospect like Ashton to our organization. His work ethic and skill set are exactly what we want in a Raider.”

Raiders’ official draft analysis, via Raiders.com

Jeanty’s reaction reflects a player eager to prove that the Raiders’ confidence in him is well placed. He later told reporters he had already studied the playbook and planned to report early for voluntary workouts.

Timeline signal

  • 2021–2024: College career at Boise State — Jeanty emerged as one of the nation’s top rushers (NFL.com)
  • Early 2025: Declares for 2025 NFL Draft
  • April 2025: Selected 6th overall by Las Vegas Raiders (ESPN)
  • Post-Draft: Signs rookie contract and begins training with Raiders

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Jeanty drafted 6th overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025 (ESPN)
  • Played college football at Boise State University (NFL.com)
  • Described as a “blue-chip prospect” by the Raiders’ front office (Raiders.com)
  • Fifth running back drafted by Raiders in common era (ESPN)

What’s unclear

  • Exact rookie contract details (not yet disclosed)
  • Jeanty’s role in the Raiders’ offense for the 2025 season
  • Official combine measurements and 40-yard dash time
Additional sources

youtube.com, raiders.com

For a deeper look at the Raiders’ selection of Jeanty and the immediate reaction, Raiders selection of Jeanty provides additional context on the pick.

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Frequently asked questions

Where did Ashton Jeanty play college football?

He played at Boise State University in Idaho, where he led the nation in rushing in 2024 (NFL.com).

What round was Ashton Jeanty drafted in?

He was drafted in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft (ESPN).

What team drafted Ashton Jeanty?

The Las Vegas Raiders selected him with the 6th overall pick (Raiders.com).

What position does Ashton Jeanty play?

He plays running back (NFL.com).

When was Ashton Jeanty drafted?

April 2025, during the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft (ESPN).

What is Ashton Jeanty’s draft profile?

He’s a power back with elite contact balance, good speed, and pass-protection skills, rated as a top-10 overall prospect (Raiders.com).

Is Ashton Jeanty expected to start as a rookie?

It’s possible, though the Raiders have veteran options. His camp performance will determine his role. No official depth chart has been set.

For the Las Vegas Raiders, the decision to invest a top-six pick in a running back carries high expectations: Jeanty must produce Pro Bowl-level results to justify the pick in an era that devalues the position. If he delivers, he could become the cornerstone of a new offensive identity. If not, the Raiders will face questions about their draft strategy for years to come.