Raiders Could Regret Drafting Ashton Jeanty After Contract Details Surface

The Las Vegas Raiders had long been connected to Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Despite last-minute interest from the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears, the Raiders held firm at the No. 6 pick and selected Jeanty — a Heisman runner-up and standout playmaker expected to bolster their struggling ground game, which ranked last in the league with just 79.8 rushing yards per game.

However, the excitement surrounding Jeanty’s selection may be tempered by financial concerns. Shortly after the pick, former Eagles consultant and ESPN analyst Andrew Brandt noted on X that Jeanty’s rookie deal — fully guaranteed at around $32 million — makes him the second-highest paid running back in the league in terms of guaranteed money. Brandt pointed out that investing such a high pick in a running back is generally viewed as poor value from a salary cap perspective.

For comparison, last year’s No. 6 pick, offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu, signed for $29.2 million guaranteed, while Bijan Robinson, the last RB taken in the top 10 (No. 8 in 2023), received just under $22 million guaranteed.

Jeanty now ranks 12th in the NFL in average annual salary for running backs at $8 million — equal to established veterans like Derrick Henry and D’Andre Swift — despite not yet playing a snap in the league.

Jeanty is coming off a historic college season, rushing for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns, narrowly missing Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record by just 27 yards.