Raiders predicted to pass on Ashton Jeanty, draft 1,300-yard superstar talent - suong

Now that the Las Vegas Raiders have their quarterback in Geno Smith following a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, anyone and everyone who is doing a mock draft these days has the team selecting Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

The prediction is understandable given the fact that the Raiders have a big need at running back that Jeanty, who is widely considered the best running back in this year's class, can fill.

Las Vegas sported the league's worst rushing attack in 2024 and their running backs room is, to put it nicely, uninspiring. The room includes incumbents in Zamir White and Sincere McCormick, and soon-to-be 33-year-old rusher Raheem Mostert, who was signed in free agency.

While everyone is going one way when it comes to Jeanty to the Raiders, The Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer is going another. He has the Raiders taking Arizona wideout Tetairoa McMillan at No. 6 overall instead of Jeanty, who goes to the Raiders' division rival, the Denver Broncos, at No. 20.

"The Raiders could consider jumping on top running back Ashton Jeanty here after only replacing Alexander Mattison with Raheem Mostert in free agency, but the wiser move would be lifting Chip Kelly's offense by giving new QB Geno Smith a key third big target to play off Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers in what should be a more dynamic, uptempo passing game," Iyer wrote.

Not exactly a shocking projection. After all, taking a running back in the top six isn't considered a great idea in this day and age, especially in a draft class that is deep at the position.

Furthermore, the Raiders have a need at wide receiver. After trading Davante Adams last year, Las Vegas doesn't have a true No. 1 at the position. Brock Bowers is a budding superstar at tight end, and Jakobi Meyers is a very good No. 2 option.

McMillan is thought to be the best wide receiver out there this year, and he only helped his stock at the Arizona Pro Day, where the 6-foot-4 wideout shined, with the highlight being his 4.48 40-yard dash time, which dispels the idea that the talented young receiver doesn't have good speed.

"Overall, McMillan has the prototypical size and rare athleticism that projects him to be an immediate impact player as a receiver in the NFL," The Draft Network's Keith Sanchez wrote in a scouting report.

In this class, waiting on running back is probably the best course of action for the Raiders, but don't underestimate Pete Carroll's love of a good running back, which puts Jeanty on the table for Las Vegas.